News

Due to the extreme heat and the unusually dry conditions, ALL activities scheduled for July 4^th at The Commons have been cancelled. The City of Salem Fireworks Display has been postponed indefinitely, but the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Parade will be held Wednesday, July 4th starting at 6:00 PM from the old fairgrounds and conclude at the Dent County Courthouse.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that ditch work would be done on Dent County Road 6410 and brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5520. Purcell also said that material would be hauled to Dent County Roads 2400, 2470 and 5460. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that culverts would be installed on Dent County Roads 2240 and 3180, and brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5200.  Larson also said that material would be hauled to Dent County Roads 4280, 4380 and 5300.  Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he, along with Commissioners Purcell and Larson, attended MoDOT’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the three new bridges that were recently completed in Dent County. The ceremony was held at the new bridge on Route H at 1:00. The Commission also set the July Board of Equalization meeting for the third Monday in July per state statute; the meeting will be July 16^th at 1:00 at the Commissioner’s office. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that voters in the East and West Spring Creek district will see new polling books at their polling locations.  Curley was able to purchase the books with grant money through the Help America Vote Act and is hoping that next year she’ll be able to purchase more for other polling locations in the county. Dent County Fire Chief Brad Nash, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Sid Pearson and representatives from the Missouri Department of Conservation and National Forest Service were in to discuss with the Commission a “No Burn” Ordinance. This was necessitated due to the extreme dry conditions that are plaguing Dent County and the Ozarks. Dent County Sheriff Rick Stallings stopped by to let the Commission know that the sheriff’s department received a Deputy Sheriff Salary Supplementation Grant of $17,000 that is good for one year to help bring the deputy sheriff pay scale up. The money is divided up among all deputy sheriffs and is paid out over the 12-month period. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released their reports. On Tuesday, June 12^th at 12:29 in the early morning, an officer was dispatched to the area of Center and Carty in reference to three juvenile boys knocking over trashcans and breaking glass. The investigation revealed that two 16-year olds and one 15-year old, all of Salem, had broken yard lights and scattered trash in several areas. The three boys were detained and released to their parents. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Officer. On Thursday, June 14^th at 12:43 in the early morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 21-year old Salem male on an active warrant from Licking. He was incarcerated pending extradition. On Saturday, June 16^th at 12:02 in the early morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation led to the arrest of a 28-year old Potosi male for possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that evening at 7:33, a vehicle was stopped in lieu of a passenger having an active warrant from Texas County. That investigation led to the arrest of an 18-year old Salem male on the active warrant from Texas County. He was incarcerated pending extradition. On Sunday, June 17^th at 10:22 at night, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation led to the arrest of a 27-year old Salem male for driving while intoxicated and assaulting an officer. He was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. A little later that night at 10:25, an officer was on a traffic stop in the 1100 block of West Hunt. During the stop a 16-year old female juvenile fled the stop on foot. She was apprehended and detained after a short foot pursuit. The juvenile, who was intoxicated, was released to her parents and the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Officer. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation or one that was previously mentioned.

A “burn ban” has been issued by the Dent County Commissioners for all of Dent County, and a “burn ban” has been issued by Salem Emergency Management Director Allen Kimrey for the city of Salem due to the excessively dry conditions. Persons found in violation of the “burn ban” in Salem and Dent County are subject to receiving to all provisions as provided by law including being fined. This burn ban includes the discharge of fireworks in the City of Salem, but not in the county, although it is recommended you do not set them off. The Dent County ban includes the careless use of cigarettes, cigars and pipes and the discarding of same; the building of any open fire or campfire except in permanent stoves, fireplaces or barbeque grills; or prescribed burning except where it has been approved in writing by the Dent County Emergency Director. Further, Thom Haines from the US Forest Service stated that the Mark Twain National Forest is restricting open fires due to heightened fire danger, drought conditions and continued hot, dry weather forecast for the next few weeks. He said no open fires are permitted except within campfire rings or pedestal grills located in developed recreation areas such as campgrounds and picnic areas. No other open fires are permitted while these restrictions are in place. Visitors may still use propane or gas cook stoves but are asked to use caution and to not leave stoves unattended. In addition to restrictions on open burning, visitors are not allowed to possess or discharge fireworks or other pyro-technic devices on Mark Twain National Forest lands.

Sports [TOP]

The 7th & 8th grade FOOTBALL CAMP will start Monday, July 9th at 9:00 AM and will continue thru Friday, July 13th. Campers should meet at the Salem High School Weight Room on July 9th for registration and the start of camp. The 9th through 12th grade FOOTBALL CAMP will start on Monday, July 9th at 5:30 PM and will continue thru Friday, July 20th with a Team Camp Scrimmage. The cost of either camp is $25. If you have any questions, call Coach Bill Schuchardt at 729-6644.

The St. Louis Cardinals had the day off yesterday but will host the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight to start a three-game series. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio at 6:40.

The Kansas City Royals had the day off yesterday but will start a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins tonight.

Obituaries   [TOP]

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