News
An accident occurred at 1:14 early Saturday morning in Dent County on Highway 32 about four miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Mitsubishi driven by 19-year old Scott Mendenhall of Salem ran off the left side of the roadway, struck a utility pole, struck a tree, and overturned. Mendenhall and an occupant, 21-year old Daniel Shaver of Salem, suffered serious injuries while another occupant, 23-year old Michael Burgdorf of Salem, suffered moderate injuries. They were all flown to the St. Johns Hospital in St. Louis. Burgdorf was the only one wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Mitsubishi was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. Scott Mendenhall was later arrested and charged with two counts of felony assault, driving while intoxicated, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway, no seat belt, failure to display valid plates, and speeding. He was not incarcerated do to his medical condition.
An accident occurred Saturday at 7:45 in the evening in Dent County on Route MM about nine miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Suzuki Motorcycle driven by 28 year-old Michael Canaday of Salem swerved to avoid a deer and traveled off the right side of the road ejecting both the driver and a passenger. Canaday suffered serious injuries while a 27 year-old occupant, Joseph Jackson, suffered moderate injuries. The Salem ambulance took both to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Suzuki sustained extensive damaged and was towed by Whitaker’s Towing. Canaday was then arrested and charged driving while intoxicated, no insurance, and operating a motorcycle without a proper endorsement. He was not incarcerated do to his medical condition.
Mark Freeman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving the sale of real estate in Salem. Co-defendant Joseph Lato, Jr. also pleaded guilty to the same charge in March. According to court documents, Freeman was employed as a loan officer and Assistant Vice President at Citizens Bank of Newburg, headquartered in Rolla. Joseph Lato, Jr. had a lending relationship with Citizens. Between July 2006 and April 2007, Lato sold nine real estate properties located in Salem. For each transaction, Citizens provided the financing and Freeman was the loan officer. Freeman and Lato engaged in a conspiracy in which Lato agreed to give Freeman monetary payments to influence Freeman for his efforts in connection with the sale of the various homes that Lato owned. Freeman found the buyers for the homes and set the sale price. In total, Lato made more than $100,000 in corrupt payments to Freeman. Freeman, 49-years old of Salem, pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to corruptly give and receive commissions or gifts for procuring loans. He appeared before United States District Judge Jean C. Hamilton. Lato, 53-years old of Kimberling City, pled guilty to the same charge in March of this year. Sentencing for Freeman is scheduled for August 3, 2012. Lato is scheduled for sentencing on June 8, 2012. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Reginald Harris is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Weather permitting a bridge replacement project on Route H over Holt Creek in Dent County is scheduled to begin today. The bridge is located west of Route DD and will be closed to traffic for approximately 45 days during construction. Motorists are advised to find an alternate route around the work area. For more information you can call 1-888-275-6636.
The Dent County Fire Protection District released their reports. On Monday, April 30
th a call came in at 10:30 pm for a medical assist on Highway 68 North. A total of six firefighters responded to the call and provided manpower. All units were back in service at 10:54 that same night. A total of three calls came in on Thursday, May 3
rd. The first call was received at 4:58 in the afternoon for a passenger vehicle fire on Highway 32. A total of eight firefighters responded to the call and found the vehicle fire was out upon arrival. The second call came in at 5:00 that same afternoon for training at the fire station located on South Main Street. A total of 17 firefighters responded to the training. Later that night at 8:53 a call came in for a motor vehicle accident on West Butler Street in Salem. A total of 17 firefighters responded to provide manpower. All units were back in action at 9:53 that night.
So many veterans feel confused about benefits and services they’ve earned. There’s so much to know...and so many changes from one year to the next. That’s why the nonprofit Disabled American Veterans (D-A-V) offers help. The DAV Mobile Service Office will be at the Fox Fire Department at 115 Old Salem Road in Licking, Missouri on May 16th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to personally provide the best counseling and claim filing assistance available. Like all D-A-V services, help from the Mobile Service Office is free to all veterans and their families.
Sports [TOP]
Brady Floyd pitched a solid 6 1/3 innings giving up just one unearned run and Andrew Conaway had a bases clearing triple as the Salem Tigers Baseball team beat Houston on Saturday, 7-1. Lane Stluka and Hunter Barnes each went 2-4 with an RBI in the game. Salem will advance to the district semi-final this afternoon at 4:00 against the Mountain Grove Panthers at Houston. Salem has lost to Mountain Grove twice this year. You can hear the Salem game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com. The other game at 2:00 this afternoon will feature Ava against Cuba. Admission to the game is $4.00 per person and free for those six and under. The two winners today will face the each other tomorrow in the district championship game at 4:00 at Houston.
Jason Heyward hit a three-run double to help the Atlanta Braves complete a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 7-4 win at Busch Stadium. Lance Lynn (6-1) only surrendered four hits, walked three, and struck out seven while throwing 121 pitches over six full frames. Allen Craig clubbed a three-run homer for the Cardinals, who had won four in a row before this series. Before the game, Lance Berkman was activated from the disabled list and outfielder Shane Robinson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis. The Cards will start a three game series with the Chicago Cubs tonight and you can hear it on KSMO at 5:40.
Jeff Francoeur homered and drove in two runs and Johnny Giavotella added a go-ahead two-run double as Kansas City used a late burst of offense to down Chicago, 9-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set. Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer, Irving Falu, and Alcides Escobar picked up an RBI each in a six-run ninth for the Royals. Luis Mendoza (2-2) worked 5 2/3 innings, scattering seven hits and one run with four strikeouts. The Kansas City Royals will start a two-game series with the Texas Rangers tonight in Texas.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Osa M. Allen of Salem, age 95, will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Fair Haven’s Home in Strafford.
A memorial service for Bebincio “Ben” Lliaban of Rolla, age 88, will be held this monring at 11:00 at the Rolla Apartments in Rolla. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.
Funeral services for Annette W. Spencer of Rolla, age 74, will be announced at a later date. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.
