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Dent County Sheriff Rick Stallings has released information regarding a double homicide that occurred in rural Dent County on Saturday, December 10^th. The Sheriff’s Office was notified at approximately 6:30 in the evening, and a witness reported two victims had both died. The Dent County Deputy Coroner Scott Harris reported that both victims died of apparent gunshot wounds to the chest, but an autopsy would have to be performed. Sheriff Stallings released that the alleged shooter, 44-year old Marvin Rice of Salem, is in the custody of the Cole County Sheriff. Rice, a former Dent County Sheriff’s Deputy, had fled the scene with a two year-old child.  Rice then left the child with a family member and left the county. Law enforcement was able to determine, through Rice’s cell phone, that he was northbound on Highway 63. Rice fled from officers and other agencies were notified and a Deputy from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop Rice’s vehicle. Rice failed to stop and a pursuit ensued, ending at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, where Rice left the vehicle on foot. Rice was pursued into the hotel by the Deputy and Officers of the Jefferson City Police Department. Shots were exchanged and Rice was shot and injured. Charges are expected in Dent and Cole Counties. The victims were identified as 39-year old Steven Strotkamp of Salem, and 32-year old Annette Durham of Salem. Allegedly, Rice had a child, two years of age, in common with Durham. The child was with Durham at a rural residence in northern Dent County along with another of Durham’s children, who is age six, and Strotkamp. Rice went to the residence demanding the two year-old child be returned to his custody. An argument ensued and Rice displayed a handgun. Durham took the older child into another room. That child reported that she then heard gunshots. Durham left the child in the bedroom and went back out to the front of the house. The child reported she heard more shots and a car leave. She ran to a neighbor who called authorities. Both children were found unharmed and placed with the Division of Family Services. Rice worked as a Deputy Sheriff in Dent County from 2004 until he was terminated in 2009. He was previously a police officer in Houston, MO. Autopsies are scheduled for today in Columbia, MO by Dr. Charles Stacy. 

According to Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Sid Pearson, 28-year old Jesse L. Berry of Salem pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Thursday, December 8^th and was sentenced to life in prison for the June 10^th, 2010, strangulation death of Andrea Ray. Berry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in front of Judge Gael Wood in Franklin County Circuit Court in Union.

An accident occurred at 6:20 Sunday evening in Dent County on Highway 68 about two miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Ford Mustang driven by 15-year old Tamera Halbrook of Salem traveled off the right side of the roadway at a high rate of speed and Halbrook overcorrected. The Mustang then traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned, struck a tree, and then caught fire. Halbrook and an occupant, 17-year old Nathan Tighe of Salem, suffered serious and were flown out by Air Evac. Halbrook was taken to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital while Tighe was taken to Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis. Another occupant in the Mustang, 18-year old Dusty Jarvis of Salem, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. No one involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint. The Ford Mustang was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

Due to recurrent vandalism and vehicular trespass, Thomas Haines, District Ranger with the Mark Twain National Forest Salem Ranger District, has made his decision to seasonally close the Logger’s Lake Day Use Area in Shannon County to motorized traffic, now through March 31^st. A temporary barricade will be at the location. Walk-in use will be welcome; although water and trash service will be suspended while the campground is closed. Access to the boat launch will be unavailable. This closure will be in effect every year from November 1^st through March 31^st.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tiger boy’s basketball team fell to St. James, 54-47, Friday night. Jacob Kettner led the Tigers with 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds while Brady Floyd added 10 points. Salem falls to 1-3 on the year and will play Rolla Tuesday.

The All-State Football teams have been announced and Salem had a representative on defense. Senior defense lineman Carson Sheppard was named Second Team All-State.

Marcus Denmon scored 22 points as the 10^th ranked Missouri Tigers rolled to an 84-59 win over Navy on Saturday. Ricardo Ratliffe had 14 points and eight rebounds while Kim English added 13 points for the Tigers (9-0), who have won every game this season by double-digits. Missouri hosts Kennesaw State on Thursday.

Brian Elliott made 24 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and the St. Louis Blues edged the San Jose Sharks, 1-0, on Saturday. Kevin Shattenkirk scored the only goal at the end of a 5-on-3 with 26 seconds remaining in the first period. Elliott stopped four shots in the first period, nine in the second, and made 11 saves in the third to earn his 13th career shutout. The Blues play the New York Rangers on Thursday.

Mark Sanchez threw two touchdown passes and added a pair of scores on the ground, as the playoff-hopeful New York Jets overpowered the Kansas City Chiefs, 37-10. Tyler Palko finished with 195 yards, one touchdown and an interception for Kansas City (5-8), which hasn't scored more than 10 points in any of its last six games. The Chiefs play Green Bay Sunday.

The St. Louis Rams will be Seattle tonight to play the Seahawks at 7:30 on Monday Night Football.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Aline Schallenberg of Leawood, Kansas, age 90, will be held today at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary Chapel in St. James. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery.

Funeral services for Hazel L. Douglas of Salem, age 81, will be held today at 1:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral services for Martha E. Abney, age 87 of Salem will be held Tuesday at 11 AM at the James and Gahr Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be held today from 5-7. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral Mass for Gretel Parks of Salem, 88, will be held Tuesday at 11:00 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Mount Hermon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mount Hermon Cemetery.

Funeral services for Arthur C. Fackert, JR, of Montauk, age 72, will be held Thursday at 2:00 at the Fox Funeral Home Chapel in Licking. Visitation will be from 12:00 (noon) until service time. Interment will be in the Boone Creek Cemetery.

Weather [TOP]