News – Thursday, September 19th 2024

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a report on the sentencing hearing of Michael Polette of Salem held August 28th in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. On February 6th, Polette pled guilty to seven counts of child pornography that included motion pictures and four other pictures. Polette had created the pictures through the use of an underage child. A sentencing assessment report was created and submitted by Probation and Parole. On August 28th, the sentencing hearing was conducted where Prosecutor Andrew Curley sought 18 years in the Department of Corrections. The counsel for Polette, Craig Devine, sought a lesser sentence and/or probation due to the defendant’s lack of criminal history and the time Polette spent in pre-trial detention as he remained incarcerated from the date of his arrest. At the sentencing hearing, the father of the child testified. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Randazzo sentenced Polette to serve 18 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as recommended by the prosecutor. On Wednesday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo, Tyler Callahan of Salem pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance, chronic driving under the influence and felony driving while having his license revoked. Randazzo sentenced Callahan to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by Prosecutor Curley.

University of Missouri Extension offers an opportunity to learn about native warm-season grass seed production at a workshop at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center on October 25th. MU Extension agricultural business specialist Rachel Hopkins says forage producers can learn from field demonstrations on harvesting and seed cleaning at the one-day event. The workshop also will cover regulations, testing, harvesting methods and financial tracking. Hopkins says that over the past 50-60 years, agricultural operations have become focused on growing one or two commodities and are then exposed to market volatility. By having the option to sell native seed, farms can have better financial stability and flexibility. If for a couple years, seed income isn’t needed, the grass can be pastured instead. Growing native seed can also be a good option for landowners who need return off the land but are more wildlife focused. The workshop runs 9:00 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center, 164 Bales Road, Cook Station. Register by October 21st at http://muext.us/NWSGS, or call 573-438-2671 for more information. Lunch is provided.

The Salem Middle School Football team will host a special “Cheer for a Cure” game on October 17th as part of a community-wide “pink out” event aimed at supporting breast cancer awareness. The school’s cheerleading squad will kick off fundraising efforts for the cause by selling 50/50 raffle tickets, with proceeds benefiting the Free Mammogram program at Salem Memorial Hospital (SMH). Raffle tickets will go on sale starting September 28th at the Middle School Girls’ basketball game concessions and will be sold throughout all home basketball games. Tickets will also be available at the home football game on September 24th, as well as during the first half of the 7th-grade football game on October 17th. Supporters can purchase tickets for $1 each or six for $5, with half of the proceeds going to the raffle winner and the other half supporting the mammogram program. Tickets will also be available for purchase from any Salem Middle School cheerleader or at the school office starting September 23rd. The raffle winner will be announced during halftime of the 8th-grade game on October 17th. For more information, community members are encouraged to reach out to the school. You can call the Salem Middle School at (573) 729-4261.