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The Dent County Commissioners held their meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In road reports, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5150 and 6420. He said that material would be hauled and finish work would be performed at the junction of Dent County Road 6070 and Route NN; material would be hauled to Dent County Road 6245, and brown rock would continue to be screened at the shed. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles gave the report of District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson who was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. Grading would be done on Dent County Road 2210, brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3200 and 3210; and a crew would be hauling rock and material for bridge work on Dent County Road 3210. Skiles then reported that he attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District full council meeting where they elected new officers. Skiles will continue as the Secretary, Brady Wilson was elected Chairmen, Gary Gilliam was elected Vice Chairman and Randy Verkamp was elected Treasurer. Also discussed at the meeting was the Grant Packet Proposals for solid waste reduction and recycling projects, which will be ready in July and those packets are due back by August 31^st at noon. Those needing more information about a solid waste reduction or recycling project can call the MRPC at (573) 265-2993 and ask for Tammy or Lucky. Skiles also reported that at that same meeting it was noted that a law had been passed that would require the state auditor to audit all waste management districts in addition to the annual audits that are performed, and management districts would then be required to pay the state auditor for the additional audit. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind voters that the first day to absentee vote for the August 7^th Primary will June 26^th, the last day to register to vote is July 11^th and anyone that has had a name or address change can stop by the clerk’s office in the courthouse or call the clerk’s office at 729-4144. At the last meeting, bids were taken for fuel and by a 2-0 vote Commission accepted the bids from MFA Oil Company for $2.86 a gallon for 7,000 gallons of diesel; and the bid of $2.96 a gallon for 1,000 gallons of no lead. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 am at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports for the end of May. On Thursday, May 24^th at 1:28 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to a runaway juvenile. The investigation revealed that a 16-year old male juvenile in the custody of Valley Spring Youth Ranch ran away while at McDonalds. The juvenile was located at that same day at 1:54 near the intersection of Highway 19 and Third Street. He was released to his custodian and the report will be forwarded to the juvenile officer. Later that same afternoon at 4:41, an officer made contact with a 22-year old Salem male in the 800 block of East Inman who had an active warrant from the City of Salem. He was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after pleading guilty and paying a fine. Later on that night at 9:55, a 24-year old Salem female was transported to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in lieu of a mental commitment order. On Friday, May 25^th at 5:13 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Salem female for stealing merchandise valued at $20.17. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Saturday, May 26^th at 3:00 in the early morning, an officer made contact with a 61-year old Salem female who had two active warrants from Dent County. She was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated. Later that afternoon at 1:37, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 22-year old Steelville female for stealing merchandise valued at $79.67. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday, May 27^th at 2:34 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation led to the arrest of a 19-year old Salem male on a warrant from the City of Salem. He was incarcerated on the warrant. Later on that evening at 6:37, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 22-year old male from Winchester, Illinois for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released on bond. At 8:31 that evening, an officer was dispatched to the area of East Hawkins and Warfel in reference to a vicious dog. The investigation revealed that a dog owned by a 64-year old Salem male was running loose and being aggressive toward people in the area. He was arrested, issued summons to appear in court for dogs at large, and released. At 10:20 that night, an officer was dispatched to the 1300 block of South Water in reference to a domestic disturbance. That investigation revealed that a 38-year old Salem male had assaulted a 34-year old Salem female. He was arrested and incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Later that night at 11:00, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of West Franklin in reference to a burglary. The investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown entered a residence and took an X-Box game console and games valued at $550.  Anyone with any information regarding the burglary, which is still under investigation, is asked to contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

An accident occurred at 1:20 Thursday afternoon in Phelps County on Highway 63 about a mile south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 GMC Sierra pickup driven by 17-year old Cordell R. Dukes of Edgar Springs was stopped in traffic and was struck from behind by a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 17-year old Trever J. Jenkins of Rolla. An occupant in the Cavalier, 16-year old Robin L. Kempke of Rolla, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC Sierra pickup sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Chevrolet Cavalier sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by C & C Towing of Rolla.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem invites businesses, organizations, and individuals to participate in the community’s 2012 4^th of July parade on Wednesday, July 4^th.  This year’s theme is “America’s Past, Present and Future” and it will start at 6:00 PM. The Grand Marshall this year is Ed Gill, a lifelong Salem resident and businessman, who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade in the United States Navy. Gill served aboard a minesweeper during the Invasion of Normandy in WWII. A one hundred dollar prize will be awarded to the best “Commercial” and “Non-Commercial” float. Get your entry form at www.salemmo.com; request a form from chamber@salemmo.com or stop by 200 SouthMain. Parade entry forms are due by June 26^th. The parade route runs from the old fairgrounds to the Dent County Courthouse.  No ATV’s will be allowed.  Your line up position will be ready on June 29^th.  For more information call 729-6900.

The Friends of the Salem Public Library will hold their annual Book Sale today and Saturday at the ONCRC. There will be new & used books at ‘doggone’ unbelievable prices! The book sale will be held today from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Annual Book sale will be held at the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center located at 202 South Main Street in Salem.    

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Funeral services for Gideon Lee Pilkington of Salem, age 37, will be held Tuesday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Round Pond Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Round Pond Cemetery.

Funeral services for Robert Earl “Bo” Starkey, age 45 of Doolittle, formerly of Salem will be Tuesday at 3:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.

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