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Three Dent County residents are facing methamphetamine charges after a July 3 incident on Dent County Road 3210 in rural Dent County. Arrested were 46-year old Howard Eugene Piatt, 28-year old Somer D. Betts and 36-year old Charles L. Brown, Jr.  Piatt and Betts was both charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to distribute/manufacture/deliver or sell methamphetamine, felony possession of chemicals, reagents or solvents with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use. Both Piatt and Betts are being held on a $27,000 cash only bond. Brown was charged with a felony of possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use. He posted a $9,000 bond and was released from the Dent County jail Tuesday according to the sheriff's department. Law enforcement officials said the lab was at the Piatt residence. Betts and Brown Jr. were present at the residence. Evidence was collected at the scene by law enforcement personnel that is used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

The Dent County Fire Protection District released their reports for the first few days of July. On Thursday, July 2^nd at 12:07 the Dent County Fire Protection District responded to a motor vehicle fire. Upon arrival five firefighters found no visible flames. The fire was investigated and then returned to the station at 12:50. At 6:46 that evening, the Dent County Fire Protection District assisted the Salem Memorial District Hospital on County Road 4250 with a patient. A total of eight firefighters responded to the call. On Saturday, July 4^th at 7:39 in the morning, the Dent County Fire Protection District assisted the Salem Memorial District Hospital with a patient. A total of five firefighters responded to the call and had the scene under control at 7:58 am.  

A new report from the Missouri Hospital Association found the state’s hospitals provided more than $1.8 billion in community benefit in 2007 — an increase of $200 million from last year’s report. More than $117 million of the increase was attributed to hospitals’ increased provision of uncompensated care. The report also highlights the significant economic impact of Missouri’s hospitals, including nearly $13.4 billion in economic activity generated from hospitals’ outlay of nearly $6.7 billion in salaries and benefits. Missouri hospitals’ 2007 investment in buildings, land and equipment was nearly $1.3 billion. When combined with salaries and benefits, Missouri communities benefited from more than $8 billion invested in facilities and employees by Missouri’s hospitals and health systems. In 2007, the Salem Memorial District Hospital provided $143,923 worth of free care, incurred a bad debt of $926,391 and spent $4,000 for clinical and classroom education and/or scholarships for individuals pursuing health careers for a total of $1,074,314 worth of uncompensated care. Also in 2007, the Salem Memorial District Hospital paid $397,257 in taxes;  $357,243 in fixed assets, had a total of $6,541,621 for payroll and benefits; and expenses totaled $15,269,210. After net revenue of $15,327,505, the Salem Memorial District Hospital in 2007 had a net income of $581,480. For more information regarding the Salem Memorial District Hospital visit the website www.focusonhospitals.com.

The Community Garden is in need of volunteers to help harvest produce for local food banks on a weekly basis.  The garden also is in need of wooden stakes and spoiled straw bales to be donated. Garden Coordinator, Eric Stevens encourages those who have planted a garden plot at the Salem Community Garden to please come and harvest and weed their plot. Mark your calendar for a garden workshop on Wednesday, July 22^nd at 2:00 p.m.  The workshop is called "Garden Transition - Renewing Your Summer Garden into a Fall Garden". For more information or if you have questions contact Eric at 729-3196.

Captain Lee Ann Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I, announces that four special enforcement projects will be conducted this month within the six-county Troop I area. Two of the operations will emphasize the removal of alcohol-impaired drivers from our highways. The first will be a DWI sobriety checkpoint that will be conducted in Crawford County. During the month of July, troopers will also conduct a DWI saturation patrol in Phelps County. Troopers will take part in a hazardous moving saturation patrol in Crawford County. This operation will emphasize the detection of all traffic violations that are likely to cause or contribute to a traffic crash. The fourth operation also will be conducted in Phelps County, and has an objective of detecting violations committed by commercial motor vehicle operators and commercial motor vehicle equipment violations.

The “Yard of the Month” has returned this year according to the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. If you know of someone who spends all their time in the yard and has this amazing array of beautiful flowers and perfectly manicured grass, you could be just the one we are looking for. There will be a July winner announced at the end of July. For an entry form or more information, stop the Chamber Office located at 200 South Main or call 729-6900.

Businesses 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 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, or at www.disasterassistance.gov. 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. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets The U.S. Small Business Administration also sends loss verifiers to inspect damaged property of those who have submitted completed loan applications. And local building and safety inspectors may come to see if damaged structures are safe. All of these inspectors should have photo identification

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 Eunice Gilbert of St. James, age 82, will be held today at 1:00 at James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be this morning from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Matlock Cemetery.

Funeral services for Velta L. Stroder of Salem, age 75, will be held Friday morning at 10:00 at the Fox Funeral Home Chapel in Licking. Visitation will be held tonight from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Boone Creek Cemetery.

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