News – Tuesday, March 11th 2025

An accident occurred in Dent County Saturday afternoon at 4:10 on Private Property off of County Road 5310. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2024 Polaris Ranger 1000, operated by a 56-year-old Rolla man, overturned ejecting all 4 occupants. The 56-year-old driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Cox South in Springfield. A 39-year-old Lebanon man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by personal vehicle to Phelps Health in Rolla. Two other occupants, a 7-year-old male juvenile from Lebanon and a 31-year-old Dixon female, suffered minor injuries and were also transported by personal vehicle to Phelps Health. The report stated that none of the occupants of the Polaris were wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Ranger sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports for the last week of February. On Sunday February 23rd, Deputies conducted a traffic stop at Highway 68 and Highway U. During the course of the stop, three suspects were taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance. All suspects were transported to the Dent County Jail, pending issuance of formal charges. Then on Monday the 24th Deputies arrested a 56-year-old Salem man on an active Parole & Probation warrant. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. On the 25th, Deputies responded to the 3500 block of Highway OO for a reported harassment. During the course of the investigation, the complainant was found to have an active arrest warrant. A 33-year-old Rolla man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Also, that day Deputies conducted a traffic stop at South Highway 19 & County Road 5083. During the course of the stop, a 40-year-old Salem man was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail & placed on a 24-hour hold. On Wednesday the 26th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of County Road 5070. During the course of the stop, the suspect was found to be in Violation of a Protection Order and possession of a controlled substance. A 38-year-old Salem man was transported to the Dent County Jail & placed on a 24-hour hold. The next day, Thursday February 27th, Deputies responded to the 400 block of County Road 5150 for a reported stolen UTV. Finally, on the 28th, Deputies located the stolen SXS and after a vehicle pursuit, a 34-year-old Salem woman and 38-year-old Salem man were taken into custody. They were transported to the Dent County Jail & placed on 24 hour holds. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information relative to any ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order, approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear from Jay Beck from the Local about a request to close a road. Committee appointments will then be heard before the board hears Resolution #7-2025, authorizing the execution of license agreement for the installation, maintenance and operation of a fiber optic cable from Sho-Me Technologies, LLC to the Salem Police Department for the Next Gen-911 system. The board will also discuss Resolution #8-2025 showing the board’s support of state funding to assist in the rebuilding of the Scenic Rivers Industries Sheltered Workshop in Salem. In the second reading of bills, the board will be asked to approve Bill #3646 amending definitions under the Urban Development section of the Code of the City of Salem to clean up language in the codes that refers to the city hall as the operations hub for the city and replace it with the city administration offices; the board will discuss amendments in Bill #3647 to correct a clerical error to the demand meter and rates for commercial electric customers; and the board will clarify responsibilities and define what an “owner” is in Bill #3648 for water and sewer meters installed to determine the actual sewage usage. In the first reading of bills, the board will discuss Bill #3649 which would approve amendments to the Clean Air (Non-Smoking) ordinances to allow appropriate smoking locations for employees, plus discuss Bill #3650 and Bill #3651 that also deal with the other definitions in the Clean Air (Non-Smoking) ordinances specifically in city parks and other public places. After the reports from city officials, the board will go into closed session to discuss contracts and litigation. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board will review minutes, financial reports before approving bills, and discuss the budget before hearing the monthly reimbursement report. In old business, the board will hear a progress report on the Bond issue followed by new business. New business will include discussion on board of directors terms before Chief Dennis Floyd gives his report to the board. The date will be set for the April meeting and Closed Session may be held, before the board adjourns. The meeting is open to the public.