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An accident happened on Monday, June 22^nd at 4:05 in the afternoon in Dent County on Highway 32 about 13 miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1986 GMC pickup driven by 20-year old Thomas Williams of Salem was traveling eastbound on highway 32. Williams drove off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, then drove off the left side of the roadway and overturned several times. Williams and a passenger, 37-year old Donna Ritter of Salem were ejected from the pickup. The pickup then caught on fire. Williams suffered serious injury and was flown by Arch helicopter to St. John’s Hospital in Creve Coeur. Ritter also suffered serious injury and was flown by Air-Evac to St. John’s Hospital in Creve Coeur. Williams and Ritter were not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC pickup was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.  

An accident occurred Tuesday, June 23^rd at 12:05 in the afternoon in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 1971 Dodge van driven by 73-year old Charles Ritz of Licking was traveling northbound on highway 63. The accident occurred as a passenger in the van, 73-year old Alma Ritz fell out of the van while it was turning on Route BB. Ritz suffered moderate injury and was transported by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. She was the only one not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The van was driven from the scene.

The Salem Police Department released their reports involving thefts, shoplifting, burglary, forgery and a traffic stop. On Friday, June 19^th at 11:30 a.m. an officer was sent to the Fourth Street Mall in reference to a stolen cell phone. The report revealed that a Motorola cellular phone was stolen from the 300 block of South Carty and was pawned at the Fourth Street Mall. Continued investigation led to the arrest of a 23-year old Salem man. He was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. At 2:45 that afternoon, an officer was contacted in reference to a stolen purse at Wal-Mart. The report revealed the purse was stolen from a shopping cart while inside the store. The investigation continued on Monday, June 22^nd and led to the arrest of a 23-year old Salem woman who was currently incarcerated at Dent County Sheriff Dept. At 9:00 pm that evening, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to shoplifting. The report led to the arrest of a 44-year old Salem woman for shoplifting and stealing two shopping carts. She was incarcerated pending the issuance of a warrant. Then at 10:00 pm that night, an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of South Carty in reference to a burglary. The report led to the detention of two 13-year old juveniles on the burglary. Both juveniles were released to parents with the report being forwarded to the Juvenile Office. On Saturday, June 20^th at 11:00 a.m. an officer was detailed to 600 East Highway 32 to the, U.S. Bank in reference to a forgery. The report revealed a purse had been stolen from a shopping cart at Wal-Mart, and continued investigation led to the arrest of a 23-year old Salem woman for the purse theft and forgery of a check at U.S. Bank. She was incarcerated on the forgery and theft pending the issuance of a warrant. On Sunday, June 21^st at 10:20 a.m. an officer was contacted in reference to a theft from a vehicle. As the investigation continued it was determined there were 6 locations through out Salem where items were stolen from vehicles. Items stolen were Kenwood CD player, book bag and books, Dual XD CD player, numerous CD’s, 2 pair sunglasses, Blue Ipod, Black powder pistol, Garmin GPS model 12, Bosch binoculars 8 power, 6 inch blade fish knife, game hearing aid, army compass, 300 watt amp, Pioneer super tuner face plate, Hatch/Hammer tool, Blue box cutter knife, MTX 280 road thunder stereo. At 3:20 that afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation that led to the arrest of a 24-year old Springfield woman for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Anyone with information on the thefts, which are still under investigation, is ask to contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242. 

Residents who suffered property damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 8^th through the 16th can register for federal disaster assistance. Registration is available by calling 1-800 621-3362 or at www.disasterassistance.gov from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. In order to complete an application, the following information is necessary: a phone number, address of the damaged property, a brief description of damages, a Social Security number, any insurance information and a current mailing address. The counties in which residents are eligible to register for disaster assistance are: Dent, Shannon, Texas, and surrounding counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, in addition to grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate victims for their entire loss. For those with insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance. Residents who applied for disaster assistance and are not insured can expect to hear from an inspector who will schedule a visit to look at damaged property. FEMA schedules inspections within 7 to 10 days to verify losses.

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Funeral services for Liz Hinch of Steelville, age 57, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Keysville Cemetery in Keysville, Missouri.

Memorial services for Bill Lay of Salem, age 63, will be held Saturday at 12:00 (noon) at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be private.

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