News

Mike Fiaoni of the Department of Conservation would like to inform residents of Dent County that the shooting range at Indian Trails will be closed today through Wednesday, July 18^th and then reopen on Thursday, July 19^th. The closures are due to logging taking place in the Indian Trails Conservation Area. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. 

The Salem TCRC is pleased to announce that they have partnered with 3M Cogent to become the only state-fingerprinting site in Dent County. It is vitally important for fingerprint-based applicant criminal history checks to be processed quickly, accurately and with as little hassle as possible. Employers, licensing agencies, applicants, and public safety depend on it. Fingerprinting is needed in pre-employment screening for agencies such as the Missouri Department of Education, Missouri Real Estate Commission, Missouri Board of Pharmacy, Missouri Board of Nursing, Missouri POST Certification, Missouri Department of Social Services, Foster Care, Adoption, and many others. No messy ink, just a quick, easy and secure procedure where digital prints are taken by a certified fingerprint technician using state-of-the-art LiveScan equipment. Submissions are made electronically so that results are received within hours. The sooner the background check process is completed, the sooner you can become licensed or employed. Hours for fingerprinting are Monday thru Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. For additional information, please call the Salem TCRC at 729-8163.

An accident occurred at 11:07 Sunday morning in Phelps County on Route KK about three miles east of St. James that took the lives of two men. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Ford Taurus driven by 45-year old William Pershing of Newburg struck the rear of a 2001 Chrysler Sebring driven by 53-year old Thomas Geisler of Cuba. The collision caused both vehicles to travel off the roadway and overturn. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Deputy Coroner Lenox Jones and their bodies were taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center Morgue. Occupants in the Ford included 44-year old Mary Pershing, 9-year old Joshua Pershing, and 4-year old Michael Pershing. Mary Pershing suffered serious injuries and was flown to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Joshua Pershing also suffered serious injuries and was flown to the Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Michael Pershing suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Children’s Hospital in St. Louis by Phelps County ambulance. Geisler was the only one not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing of Rolla.

Lately, some of the fires in the State of Missouri have been set by people “just to have something to do” or to possibly get back at someone. Other times fire is set by someone who does it “just to see what will happen.” Even one of the fires around Bixby is suspected of being an arson fire. To curb arson in the state, a cooperative effort of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation and Mark Twain National Forest has led to the creation of Operation Forest Arson which provides a reliable method for citizens to call, report an arson violation and collect a reward without anyone knowing who reported the crime. A minimum reward of $100 will be paid for information helpful in apprehending or identifying a violator. A maximum of $1,000 can be paid for information about major violations and known repeat offenders. The reward money comes from donations made by private citizens, interested groups and corporations. Contributions can be made to: Operation Forest Arson Reward Fund, c/o Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101. The number to call if you suspect arson is 1-800-392-1111 or you can call your a conservation agent in your county. Provide as much information as possible including the location of the fire, any personal description, any vehicle description including a license plate number, or if you find evidence of arsonist activity. Operation Forest Arson allows the informant to remain anonymous. The Conservation Federation Forestry Committee, who pays the reward, will not even know who the informant is as the caller will be given a code number and arrangements will be made to have a non-traceable bank draft be sent after the arrest and conviction. Thus, there is no chance that an arsonist might retaliate. Investigations will be completed under the same guidelines as any law enforcement investigation.

The Public Water Supply District #1 of Dent County will conduct their monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 17^th at the Dent County Community Center beginning at 7:00 pm. After approval of the agenda, the minutes from the previous meeting and disbursements, the Board will then hear a financial report, the water testing report, the president’s report and a bookkeeping report. The Board will then address any general or new business and may vote to go into Closed Session. The meeting of the Public Water Supply District #1 is open to the public.

A widespread scam that claims to pay utility bills is making its way across the nation. Rural electric cooperatives are reporting incidents involving the scam daily. Intercounty Electric Cooperative is warning members to be aware of a bill-paying scam that asks them to disclose Social Security and bank routing numbers. Scammers claim electric consumers can have their utility bills paid under a federal government assistance program. No such program exists. The solicitations have been made door-to-door, online using Facebook and through e-mails, and by phone. Members are asked for personal information and then given fake bank account numbers to use for making a payment on their utility bill. Members are urged to alert police and the cooperative if they're contacted about the scam. If you have any questions about your account, please all Intercounty Electric at 1-866-621-3679.

Sports [TOP]

Scott Rolen hit a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to help the Reds complete a three-game sweep of the Cardinals with a 4-2 victory Sunday night. Yadier Molina belted his career-high 15^th homer of the season among his three hits for St. Louis. The Cardinals will start a three-game series in Milwaukee tonight and you can hear the game on KSMO at 6:35.

The St. Louis Cardinals have activated first baseman Lance Berkman from the disabled list and optioned outfielder Shane Robinson to Triple-A Memphis. St. Louis also announced that relief pitcher Kyle McClellan has undergone season ending right shoulder surgery. The Cardinals also signed left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes to a minor league contract. Fuentes is a four-time all-star and has 204 career saves.

Chris Sale allowed only one run in eight innings, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals, 2-1, to win a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Chris Getz's RBI single accounted for Kansas City's only run. The Royals will start a four-game series with the Seattle Mariners tonight.

Obituaries   [TOP]