News
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released their reports of thefts. On Thursday, September 20th and Friday the 21st, a theft occurred at the Spring Creek Golf Club from 8:00 am and 10:00 am involving a red Yamaha brand golf cart. The suspects’ vehicle is described as an older model extended cab Ford dually pickup truck, occupied at the time by two males. The truck is black or possibly dark blue in color and has noticeable dents. On Saturday, September 22nd at 6:16 in the evening, the Sheriff's Office received a call from a reporting party stating that her ex-boyfriend had stolen several firearms from her residence in Licking. Deputies responded and arrived at 6:30. Further investigation showed the ex-boyfriend was convicted of a felony in the state of Florida. The deputy advised the subject of his Miranda Rights and transported him to the Sheriff's Office where he was held on a 24-hour hold pending issuance of a warrant. The next day at 9:30 in the morning, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at the 3600 block of CR 2120. During the search, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found at the residence. Eddy L. Usery of Salem and Dalia E. Varanka of Rolla were arrested as a result of the search. Usery is currently incarcerated in the Dent County jail on a $32,000 cash only bond, while Varanka is incarcerated on a $15,000 cash or security bond. They are both charged with the manufacturing of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. On September 24th a party contacted the Dent County Sheriff's Office in regards to stolen golf clubs. On September 22nd, the victim stated he was going to golf with his son. When he arrived at cart shed #3 to get all of his things, he noticed that his golf shoes, irons, driver and golf bag were missing. The victim stated that when he had previously gone golfing on September 19th, the items were present. Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.
The Salem Park Board held a meeting Thursday at noon at the Salem Freedom Activity Center. At the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash indicated that the pool has been closed and the water has been drained. He said that the pool lost about $7,000 for the year. He did indicate that work needs to be done on the pool house and $10,000 has been budgeted for that. City Administrator Clayton Lucas said that money can be used for paint or other minor maintenance, but if the city replaces stalls or makes a new partition in the locker rooms, then the city would have to comply with current ADA laws which would mean installing a lift chair into the pool or providing level entry into the pool. Nash reported that the flag football program would begin the first weekend in October at the Al Brown Fields. There are eight teams and about 100 children in the program from the 4th, 5th and 6th grade. The “flags” they are using are the safest ones that are available as they are attached to a hip belt and the entire belt comes off when tugged. Six children will e on the field at a time. The program will be teaching children about throwing, catching, running, a three-point stance and more. Two games will be played at a time at Al Brown on Saturdays. Administrator Clayton Lucas indicated that the city is forfeiting the soccer field grant back DNR after they tried to move the grant from the Highway 19 South location to the Al Brown Fields. The Department of Natural Resources would not allow that transfer, so the Board of Aldermen elected to give the grant back. At the last meeting, the Park Board decided to not try to pass a sales tax for the Parks and Recreation programs until after the General Election. The board talked about the Mountain Grove Parks and Recreation model which includes their YMCA, school and city and how they work together for the betterment of the youth in the community. It was also requested that a flag be put in the Salem Freedom Activity Center Recreation Room, and that a flag pole be put out near center field of the Blue Field that could be used to put out a flag for the girls’ softball games. Administrator Lucas felt that could be done. It was announced that the next meeting will be held in December and the meeting was adjourned.
The first of six City of Salem and Dent County Strategic Planning Sessions was held Tuesday evening in the City Hall Auditorium with over 50 residents participating. Connie Willman from MRPC lead the group in creating a vision statement and in a discussion of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (S.W.O.T. Analysis) of the City of Salem and Dent County area. In the future scheduled meetings, the listed items will be prioritized and then goals will be set with focus groups working on specific parts of the plan. The next planning session will be held on Tuesday, October 23rd at the City Hall Auditorium.
Sports [TOP]
Jaime Garcia pitched seven shutout innings and Jon Jay drove in a pair of runs as the St. Louis Cardinals downed the Houston Astros, 4-0, in the second of three games. St. Louis, which has won four straight, now sits four games ahead of the Dodgers for the final wild card spot in the National League. Garcia (6-7) gave up just six hits with five strikeouts to win his second straight start while Yadier Molina and Peter Kozma each drove in a run for the Cardinals, who have won 10 straight over the Astros. The Cardinals will play their final regular season away game tonight, as they will finish up their series with the Astros in Houston. You’ll be able to hear the game, starting with the pre-game show, on KSMO Radio at 6:30.
Anibal Sanchez tossed a three-hit shutout and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals, 2-0, in the second test of a four-game series. Bruce Chen (11-13) allowed two runs on 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings for the Royals, who have dropped three straight. Chen fell to 5-6 in 17 career meetings with the Tigers. The left-hander struck out five and walked three. The Royals and Detroit Tigers play again tonight.
Obituaries [TOP]
Graveside services for Sally Lou Graber of Rolla, age 83, will be held at 10:00 this morning at the Boss Cemetery. All arrangements are under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home of Rolla.
Funeral services for Gilbert B. Malone of Seaton, age 73, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the St. James Chapel of James and Gahr Mortuary.
Funeral services for Levenia Wisdom of St. Louis, age 88, will be held today at 2:00 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Bunker. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until time of service. Interment will be in the Greeley Cemetery in Bunker.
Funeral services for Pearl May Botkin of St. Louis, age 91, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Funeral services for Robert E. Bergman of Belleville, Ilinois, age 83, will be held Friday at 11:00 am at the Salem Chapel of the James and Gahr Mortuary. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Salem.
Funeral services for Darlene Henry Cook of Rolla, age 52, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the Greentree Christian Church in Rolla. Memorials are suggested to the family of Darlene Henery Cook. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.
Weather [TOP]
