News – Thursday, March 5th 2026

According to a press release from the South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force, on March 3rd, 2026, Edward Lee Lane, age 59, of Salem was arrested in the 800 block of East Ellis Street for possession of child pornography and failure to register as a sex offender. Lane was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail, pending warrants. Filed by the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office March 4th were 20 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class B Felony) and four counts of Failure to Register As A Sex Offender. The investigation of Lane was initiated as a result of a Cyber Tipline Report by an electronic service provider. During the investigation, information was developed that Lane is a convicted sex offender, and currently on parole with Missouri Department Of Corrections. Assisting the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force were Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and Salem Police Department. The charges which Lane has been arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before the court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The City of Salem Water Department was awarded “2025 Water System of the Year” on Tuesday, March 3rd, at the Missouri Rural Water Association’s conference in Branson. Representing the city to accept the award were Steve Paine, public works director; Chris McGuirt, water and wastewater superintendent; and Sally Burbridge, city administrator. Also at the conference, McGuirt was recognized for his 30 years of service. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) recognized Sarah Montoya on her successful completion of the national registry of emergency medical technicians’ certification. Montoya has dedicated months studying and preparing for the milestone. According to the social media post by the DCFPD, the certification not only expands her opportunities in the emergency services career field, but also strengthens the level of care and service she brings to the Dent County community. An emergency medical technician provides out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system.

Two Mizzou School of Music professors are now Grammy Award winners after taking home one of the industry’s top honors in February. Stefan Freund and Bill Kalinkos, founding members of the contemporary ensemble Alarm Will Sound, earned the award for their album “Land of Winter.” The album is available on all streaming platforms and on YouTube. This is the first Grammy Award associated with the University of Missouri.

The US Forest Service is looking for a volunteer on-site camp host for Sutton’s Bluff near Bunker this year from April 26th to October 26th. Hosts are required to be on site every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and they must put in 30 hours each week. No training is required but a background check and reference check will be required. Those interested can apply at 401 Fairgrounds Road in Rolla. For more information, contact Hunter Harris at hunter.harris@usda.gov or Kimberly Houf at kimberly.hauf@usda.gov.

The South Central Community Action Agency wants to remind low-income citizens that they can offer energy assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program which is also known as LIHEAP. Energy Assistance is designed to provide financial assistance to help pay primary fuel source heating bills for Missourians during the months of October through March. Eligibility requirements for this assistance are based on monthly income, family size, available resources and responsibility for payment of home heating costs. The amount you  receive is also based on the type of energy source used in the home. Other assistance available is Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) funds. These funds can be used to prevent or restore disconnected service, assist with emergency repairs and furnace replacements and even purchase wood stoves. To qualify for the ECIP assistance, households must be in a crisis in making energy payments to keep their services with their provider. The winter ECIP is available now through May based on available funding with the maximum amount of funding at $800. Applications are being accepted. For more information or to learn how to apply for LIHEAP, call the South Central Community Action Agency Satellite office in Salem at 729-3500 or call the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency in Winona at 800-325-4633. You can also get the application online at scmcaa.org/energy-assistance.