News

On Tuesday morning, March 17^th, members of South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Salem Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, concluded a long-term series of narcotics investigations in Dent County. Over the course of investigations, officers conducted a series of narcotics cases involving the distribution and/or sales of controlled substances. The investigation involved about 10 individuals in and around the Dent County area and warrants for each defendant (multiple counts on some) were obtained through the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney prior to the arrest operation. Arrest teams and an incident response team composed of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, the Salem Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the South Central Drug Task Force were assembled to pursue those with arrest warrants. Arrested during round up in Dent County on Tuesday were: Darrin Firestine on three counts of distribution of a controlled substance, which carries a $75,000 cash only bond; Becky Siegle on three counts of being an accessory to distribute a controlled substance, that carries a $75,000 cash only bond, which she posted; Pamela Barnum on three counts of being an accessory to distribute a controlled substance with a $75,000 cash only bond; and Michael Stewart, on three counts of being an accessory to distribute a controlled substance with a $50,000 cash only, and he was arrested prior to the round up list and is currently incarcerated in the Dent County Jail.

Also on Tuesday, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff's Office arrived to the 13000 block of Route H where they executed two arrest warrants in connection with a long term narcotics investigation conducted by the South Central Drug Task Force. During the execution of these warrants, deputies obtained consent to search a bedroom from Thea Tyler. A search of her room revealed methamphetamine and two other controlled substances. Thea was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff's Office and placed in the Dent County Jail on a 24-hour hold. This information is an accusation, and is not evidence of guilt. Any evidence in support of any charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

An accident occurred Monday night at 7:10 in Dent County on Highway 19 about nine miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Chrysler 200 driven by 19-year old Aaron Place of Salem ran off the left side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Place suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chrysler sustained minor damage and was towed by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

The Salem Board of Alderman met Monday night at the city hall council chambers. The board hear from Donna Halbrook how her check from Progressive Ozark Bank’s “bill pay’ services did not arrive on time to the city utility offices as it was supposed to, and the utility office refused to waive the late fees.  Halbrook said the Progressive Ozark Bank “BILL PAY” services agreed Monday to pay the late fee of $14.44. Alderwoman Molly Zettel said there would be another Utility Rate Committee meeting on Thursday, March 26^th, to establish rates and a fee structure. City Administrator Ray Walden said he and Mayor Tune talked with MoDOT about the cross streets, street entrances and sidewalks that still need to completed and MoDOT will be working in the near future to complete the work, Walden also asked business owners and home owners to sweep the gravel debris used to treat the roads during the snow back onto the streets so that it can be swept up and collected by the city. The board approved holding the Spring Clean-Up Weeks the week of May 4^th and May 11^th. The board also approved to pay Dent County Clerk Angie Curley an estimated total of $3,358.00 to pay for the April Municipal election. Another bill will be forthcoming after the election. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency continues to take applications to help area families pay rent at its St. James office. Applications will be accepted at the St. James office from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm TODAY! The St. James office is located at Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Persons will need to go online to www.meramecregion.org and click on the Phelps County Housing Agency link to print out an application. Citizens will then need to fill it out, and bring it with them. All adults must sign the application prior to submitting. The Phelps County PHA is an Equal Opportunity Housing Agency that offers rental assistance to very low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Washington counties, and Phelps County, outside the city of Rolla. Persons needing directions to the Phelps County PHA offices or needing additional information may call (573) 265-4200, extension 130.

Sports [TOP]

Alexander Steen scored twice and Brian Elliott made 25 saves for his fifth shutout of the season as the St. Louis Blues topped the Calgary Flames 4-0 on Tuesday. David Backes posted a goal and two assists, Jori Lehtera also scored and T.J. Oshie supplied two assists for the Blues, who have won five of their last six games. The Blues will be in Winnipeg Thursday.

Jhonny Peralta had three hits, including a solo homer, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins 7-1 in spring training action. Matt Holiday added two RBI for the Cardinals, who got a solid start from Marco Gonzales on the bump. The left-hander allowed one run on four hits, striking out three and walking two, over 4 2/3 innings. The Cards have today off.

Anthony Rizzo had a pair of hits and drove in a run as the Chicago Cubs edged the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, in Cactus League action. Lane Adams hit a solo home run while Lorenzo Cain had a pair of doubles and an RBI for the Royals.

Obituaries   [TOP]