News
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6520, and materials were going to be added to Dent County Road 4135. He said that a work crew would be cleaning out a number of culverts throughout the district while another work crew will be replacing downed or missing road signs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2300 and 3220, and that the tires were being changed on Dent County Truck #114. Larson said that workers were continuing to haul off the excess debris from the Dent County Roads 3210 bridge project. Jo Ann Wells from the Dent County Tourism Tax Board came in to recommend two people to the commissioners for appointment to the Tax Board. She recommended that Kim Gollhofer take the position held by Sherman Odom as he has served the maximum two consecutive three-year terms as per state statute, and she recommended that Beth Frizzell replace her on the committee as she also has served the maximum two consecutive three-year terms as stipulated in the state statutes. The commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation of Wells and appointed Gollhofer and Frizzell to the Tourism Tax Board. At the last commissioner meeting, Wayne Becker from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department came in to renew the MJCCG grant, and Prosecutor Sid Pearson came in to discuss with the commission the cemetery issue with Willis Stagner and he is still reviewing it. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Captain Lee Ann H. Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I, announces the Memorial Day weekend traffic crash and enforcement totals for the Troop I area, which consists of six counties in South Central Missouri. During the Memorial Day weekend traffic crash counting period, which began at 6:00 p.m., May 25th, and ended at 11:59 p.m., May 28th, Troop I officers investigated 20 traffic crashes, which resulted in eight injuries and no fatalities. Troop I officers made six arrests for driving while intoxicated, issued 316 speed citations, 95 seat belt citations, and nine citations for child passenger safety restraint violations. Troopers assigned to Troop I also issued 628 warnings for various traffic violations over the weekend and assisted 190 motorists.
A new trail will be opened to the public in our area on Saturday, June 2nd. The Vilander Bluff Trail along the Meramec River in Onondaga Cave State Park will officially open at 9 a.m. The 1.5- mile natural surface loop trail traverses through the Vilander Bluff Natural Area, providing the first trail access to the 206-acre natural area. The natural area’s namesake is the highest bluff along the Meramec River and is known for ancient eastern red cedars – some 300-500 years old -- that grow out of the rocks along the bluff. The trail was built and is maintained by the Miramiguoa Chapter of Missouri Master Naturalists from Franklin County. Onondaga Cave State Park is located four miles east of Leasburg on Highway H in Crawford County (exit 214 off Interstate 44). A new parking lot for the natural area is 1.4 miles down Thickety Ford Road, east of Highway N and south of Meramec River’s Campbell Bridge Crossing. The river bridge on Highway N is approximately five miles south of Bourbon. For more information about the event, contact the park at 573-245-6576.
Patrick Zaritz was sentenced to 190 months in prison involving his distribution of methamphetamine and possession of firearms between April and December 2010. The 42-year old Zaritz of St. James, pled guilty in February to one felony count each of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a sawed off shotgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; unlawful possession of an unregistered sawed off shotgun and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He appeared for sentencing before United States District Judge John A. Ross. This case was investigated by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Rolla Police Department, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Bert handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The City of Salem will be holding a Public Hearing, prior to the Board of Alderman meeting on Monday, June 4
th concerning a property located at 1201 South MacArthur owned by Jacqueline Johnson. The said property is deemed a “Dangerous Building” under Section 6-28 of the Salem City Codes and the hearing will be held to allow the owner a chance to speak as to what his/her intention is to said building. The hearing will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 North Washington beginning at 6:30 pm. The public hearing is open to the public.
The Mark Twain National Forest will offer two days of free day use and two free nights of camping at seven campgrounds June 8-10, 2012. Free camping is being offered in unreserved campsites both Friday and Saturday nights, and free day use is being offered at unreserved sites Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, 2012. The free weekend is being offered in conjunction with National Get Outdoors Day and Missouri’s Free Fishing Days, which are celebrated on the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. The free use is available in these local campgrounds and associated recreation areas: Lane Spring in Phelps County; Loggers Lake in Shannon County; and Watercress on the Current River in Carter County. Missouri’s Free Fishing Days were established as a way to encourage people to try fishing so they can find out, or rediscover, the enjoyment associated with fishing.
Sports [TOP]
Missouri State sophomore right-handed pitcher Nick Petree has been named the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I National Player of The Year, as released Thursday as part of Collegiate Baseball newspaper's annual All-America Team announcement. Widely regarded as one of the top amateur players in the country, Petree posted one of the most dominant seasons in Division I history to help the Bears earn their first NCAA Tournament bid in nine years. He was a three-time MVC Pitcher of the Week honoree in 2012 and a Golden Spikes Award national semifinalist. He became the third Bears pitcher to earn top honors from the MVC in the last five seasons and the fifth MSU hurler overall to earn MVC Pitcher of the Year recognition. He turned in the nation's longest scoreless innings streak this season, working a Missouri State-record 38.1 consecutive shutout frames from April 6 to May 17, as well as 73.0 straight innings without giving up an earned run during a 12-game stretch from March 2-May 17.
The St. Louis Cardinals had the day off yesterday but will start a four-game series with the Mets in New York tonight and you can hear that game on KSMO Radio at 5:35. The Cards are 27-24 on the year and are 1.5 games back from the Reds for the lead in the NL Central.
The Kansas City Royals had the day off yesterday but will host the Oakland Athletics tonight to start a three-game series.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Artie Mae Stanfield of St. James, age 80, will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 tonight. Interment will be in the Adams Cemetery near St. James.
Graveside services for Connie Nivens of Salem, age 69, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Empire Cemetery in Salem. All arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary in Salem.
Funeral services for Beverly Houston of Bunker, age 68, will be held Monday at 2:00 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Bunker. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. The body will be cremated after the funeral services.
Funeral services for Kathryn Elaine Judd of Festus, age 65, will be held Tuesday at 1:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 until time of service. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Weather [TOP]
