News – Thursday, February 6th 2025

The Salem Police Department responded to 295 calls for service between January 4th and January 24th.  Officers conducted 49 traffic stops for various traffic violations with 5 resulting in a summons or arrest. They also conducted 11 traffic accident investigations along with 7 informational reports. The calls for service generated the following reports. On Saturday afternoon, January 4th, at approximately 5:00 officers were dispatched to the intersection of Missouri Highway 19 and 32 for a report of an erratic driver believed to be intoxicated. Contact was made with the vehicle stopped at the intersection and an investigation was conducted. As a result of the investigation a 40-year-old Salem female was arrested and later released on summons for excessive BAC. Then on Sunday January 12th, at approximately noon, officers were dispatched to SEMO near the intersection of Third and Grand Street. It was reported that a patient was out of control damaging the inside of the building, causing approximately $3350 in damage. Contact was made with the reported suspect. The suspect was failing to obey lawful orders of police. While trying to make further contact with the suspect he resisted arrest and was subsequently taken into custody. As a result, a 45-year-old Jefferson City male was placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. On Tuesday the 21st at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of south Gertrude for a report of a disturbance. It was reported that a male subject was out of control and had kicked a door into the residence and threw an object through the kitchen window breaking it. The male subject had fled on foot prior to officers arriving. Contact was made with the suspect and an investigation was conducted. As a result, a 27-year-old Salem male was arrested for property damage and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. Finally on Wednesday afternoon, January 22nd, at approximately 2:30 an officer arrested a male subject on an active capias warrant for his arrest. While arresting the male he was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine. As a result, a 55-year-old Salem male was incarcerated on the warrants and an application for charges pertaining to the methamphetamine was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for consideration of charges. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

A project is in the planning stage to rehabilitate the U.S. Route 63 Little Piney Creek Bridge in Phelps County. The bridge deck has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement, but the supporting structures are in good condition. The current plan involves temporary traffic signals keeping the bridge open but narrowing it to one lane with a 10 foot lane. Learn more about the $1.3 million bridge project on the website: https://www.modot.org/us-route-63-bridge-rehabilitation-phelps. While there, sign up for project updates. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on social media.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 6:51 on Route Z 4 miles south of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2000 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by an 18-year-old Salem Female, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and did suffer minor injuries. She was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by Salem EMS. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.