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On December 12, 2011, Dent County Prosecutor Sid Pearson filed a complaint with the court charging former Dent County Deputy Marvin Rice with two felony counts of murder in the first degree. A warrant was issued for the charges without bond. If convicted, Rice could face the death penalty or be imprisoned for life without eligibility for parole. He is being charged in the shooting deaths of his former girlfriend Annette Durham of Salem, and her boyfriend, Steven Strotkamp.

The Dent County Commissioners held their meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Deputy Wayne Becker brought in a grant for the Deputy Sheriff’s Salary Supplemental Fund, which is a reimbursement fund, of over $5,000 and Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles signed off on the grant. This is about one-third of the original grant of $15,446. In road reports, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4080, 5600, 6600, 6610 and 6620. Purcell also reported that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 4220 and 6670, and material would be hauled to Dent County Road 5150. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2050, 2070, 3300 and 5260. Larson also reported that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3260, 3305 and 4430, and material would be hauled to Dent County Road 2050. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that last Thursday he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting in St. James at the MRPC. The main topic of discussion was the redistricting of MoDOT whereby transportation priorities for the area have to redone. At the MRPC regular meeting that evening, Skiles reported that each of the eight counties in the MRPC area had to prioritize their transportation needs and with Skiles and Mayor Gary Brown having been in attendance, they were able to get in the top three with the widening of Highway 32 East along with shoulders, in the top three priorities. Skiles also reported that the sales tax revenue for December is up $3,200 over last year in December and the year to date total is up $10,628.57, which is about 1.5% over last year at this time. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated the he would be attending a Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation Board meeting in St. James Tuesday, he along with Commissioners Purcell and Larson will be attending a meeting on Wednesday at the TCRC at 1:00 in the afternoon with HMN Architects from Overland Park, Kansas regarding the do’s and don’ts for Capital Projects. Several other Commissions in the area have been invited to attend this meeting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the last day to register to vote is January 11, 2012 for the Presidential Primary that will be held February 7, 2012. The first day to vote absentee is December 24^th, which is a Saturday and the Courthouse will also be closed on Monday, December 26^th in observance of Christmas, therefore; the first day to vote absentee at the Clerk’s office is December 27^th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday at 9:00 am the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of November. During the month, they wrote 11 equipment repair orders, 17 summons to appear in court, 37 warning tickets, and 31 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated seven accidents, two assaults, six reports of disorderly conduct, one report of domestic violence, two reports of driving while intoxicated, one report of driving while intoxicated combined with drugs, one fugitive warrant, and four reports of leaving the scene of an accident. The department also investigated one report of a missing person, three reports of property damage, one report of stalking, 17 reports of stealing, and one report of tampering. The Salem Police Department conducted one death investigation during the month of November. They investigated one report of possession of marijuana and one report of possession of drugs paraphernalia. The Salem Police Department received 1,427 calls for service during the month, handled 116 walk-ins to the station, and redirected 50 calls to the animal control officer. They spent six hours in court testifying, three hours as court bailiff and spent 12 hours teaching D.A.R.E. The calls in November included 37 calls for escorts, three calls for an intoxicated driver, two calls for a suspicious person and/or vehicle, five intoxicated pedestrian calls, eight calls for domestic disputes, and two calls for a wrecker. There were also five 911 calls, three calls for a peace disturbance, 14 calls for alarms sounding, six calls for fights in progress, seven ambulance assist calls, and two fire calls. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,209 miles and arrested 13 males and 9 females during the month of November.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tiger Boy’s Basketball team will be in Rolla tonight to face the Bulldogs starting with the JV contest at 6:00 followed by the varsity game. Salem is 1-3 on the year and you’ll be able to hear the varsity game on KSMO Radio and ksmoradio.com.

The Salem Lady Tiger basketball team will be hosting West Plains tonight starting with the JV game at 6:00.

Marshawn Lynch ran for 115 yards and a score as the Seattle Seahawks took a 30-13 win over the St. Louis Rams. The Rams (2-11) have now fallen into a tie at the bottom of the NFC with the Vikings as they have dropped their past four games. Sam Bradford went just 12-of-29 with 193 yards and an interception while Steven Jackson had a touchdown and 63 yards on 20 carries for St. Louis. The Rams will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Rafael Furcal has agreed to a two-year contract to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 34-year-old shortstop signed a deal worth $14 million on Saturday. The Cardinals also signed infielder/outfielder Skip Schumaker to a two-year contract on Monday and opted to not offer a 2012 contract to infielder Ryan Theriot, who now becomes a free agent.

The Kansas City Chiefs have fired head coach Todd Haley after a 5-8 start to the year.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Martha E. Abney, age 87 of Salem will be held today at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Chapel in Salem. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral Mass for Gretel Parks of Salem, 88, will be held today 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 Clyde E. Camden of Viburnum, age 92, will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Camden Cemetery in Boss.

Funeral service for Annette Michelle (Annie) Durham of Salem, age 32, will be Thursday at noon at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the New Harmony Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Durham/Strotkamp children at Town & Country Bank.

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 noon until service time. Interment will be in the Boone Creek Cemetery.

Funeral services for Steven Wayne Strotkamp of Salem, age 39, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Thursday night from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Pilgrims Rest Cemetery Memorials may be made to the Strotkamp daughters.

Weather [TOP]