News
On Tuesday night, December 11th following the regular meeting in closed session, the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors voted to extend the contract of Hospital Administrator Dennis Pryor until December 31st, 2015. Pryor announced he will retire from his position as administrator at the conclusion of this contract and the board accepted his retirement announcement.
The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 5130, 5510and 6460, brush was being cut on county road 5650, and brown rock was being hauled and screened. He went on to say that rock was being hauled to county road 5680 and that the bridge on Dent County Road 5680, the Swiney Bridge, was inspected on Wednesday and is now open to the public. Purcell also stated that the bridge construction company, Widel Construction of Blackwater, has submitted the initial bill for $240,872.90 for approval and that there would be a final bill of about $40,000 because of the pilings change order. Dent County is to be reimbursed by the US Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Conservation Foundation, but those reimbursements may not arrive until 2013. To allow for the possible delay in the arrival of the reimbursement the Commissioners voted 3-0 to hold a budget adjustment hearing December 31st at 10:00 am to amend the 2012 budget to take the $240,872.90 from General Revenue. When the reimbursements arrive they will then be placed in General Revenue. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 4300 and 3190, brush was being cut on county roads 2190 and 2200, and that two men were hauling brown rock for screening. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he had attended the MCEC Board meeting in St. James on Tuesday to review the auditor’s report and there were no concerns. Skiles went on to say that he would be in St. James Thursday afternoon to preside over the MRPC Public Housing Hearing, attend the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, the External Relations Committee meeting, and the evening meeting of the MRPC Board. Relative to rural addressing Sherry Lea had requested approval to release updated addresses to TOMTOM GPS. The Commissioners approved the request 3-0. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she is working on budgets and preparing for the April election. Commissioner Purcell recommended the purchase a 2003 Chevrolet pickup for $8,000 from Whitaker’s Automotive for the Road and Bridge Department. The Commissioners approved the purchase 3-0. Deputy Wayne Becker had delivered a request for bids on financing a new truck for the Sheriff’s Department to all the Salem Banks. US Bank submitted the only bid for a $26,000 three-year loan at 2.44% with the origination fee waived. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept US Bank’s bid. Sarah Hultine-Massengale stopped by to invite the Commissioners to ONCRC December 18th at 11:00 am. USDA Rural Development will be recognizing Salem and Dent County for the completion of the Visitors Center, Cultural Center, Farmers Market, and Teachers Closet Complex. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Monday at 9:00 at the Courthouse and it is open to the public.
At 7:00 Tuesday morning, members of the South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, and Rolla Police Department, concluded a long-term narcotics investigation in Phelps County. Over 12 months, officers were able to conduct a series of narcotics investigations involving the possession and distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and prescription medications. The investigation involved loosely affiliated individuals in and around the Phelps County area. Arrest teams consisted of members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, St. James Police Department, and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group. Individuals arrested in connection with this investigation were transported, processed, and held for bond at the Phelps County Jail. The following individuals were arrested as a result of warrants issued: Clifford W. Gann, Toby Buehrlen, Leslie A. Crews, John Calvin Brewer, Michelle Denise Brewer, Jennie M. Gertler, Benjamin L. Gates, Diana E. Helton, Benjamin C. Johnson, Michael L. Juergens, Virginia A. Alvey, Kenneth E. Carlton, Christina M. Elling, Cindy F. Elling, Florence Feeler, Lorri Ann Bryant, Nicole Lynn Constable, Roger D. Clark, Angela K. Tune-Prichard, Christopher Debault, Ashley S. Bunton, Justin S. Chandler, Angela Guinn, Ryan Schneider. As a result of this same drug investigation, the following individuals were arrested prior to the round-up: Edward Griffin, Nancy Froelich, Devon Harrison, Desiree Yarnall, Chase White, Morgan Tarkington, James Wilson, Artishia Schuler, Christine Rightnowar, Ronnie Billings, Bryan Garner. A total of 28 individuals were from Rolla, two from Newburg and Cuba, and one from Sunrise Beach.
Sports [TOP]
Cortney Putman scored 21 points to lead the Salem Lady Tigers to a 60-37 victory over the Newburg Lady Wolves on Thursday. Kaytlyn Wells added 15 points and 14 rebounds as Salem moves to 3-4 on the year. The Lady Tigers will host Mountain Grove on Monday.
The Salem Tiger Basketball team will host Potosi tonight at the SHS gym starting with the JV at 6:00 and the varsity to follow. Salem is 1-4 on the year and you’ll be able to hear the varsity game on KSMO Radio, ksmoradio.com, and watch it on fidelitylocal6.com.
The St. Louis Rams will host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at noon while the Kansas City Chiefs will play at the Oakland Raiders at 3:25. The Rams are 6-6-1 while the Chiefs are 2-11.
Obituaries [TOP]
Memorial services for Gerald (Jerry) Randell of Salem, age 75, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Memorial services for Earl Arthur Douglas of Deltona, Florida, formerly of Salem, age 95, will be held Saturday at the Salem Christian Church at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Green Forest Cemetery.
Funeral services for Melvin William Garner of Rolla, age 79, will be held Saturday at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla at 2:00, with a Masonic Service. Visitation will be from 12:00 until service time. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, Rolla Lions Club or South Central Shrine Club for Children’s Hospital.
Memorial services for Josephine A. McAllister of Salem, age 88, will be held Sunday at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem at 2:00.
Funeral services for Frances Southard of St. Louis, formerly St. James, age 84, will be held Sunday at 2:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be from 12:00 (noon) until service time. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery.
Funeral services for Lana R. (Gowan) Stites of Salem, age 56, will be held Sunday at 3:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be held Saturday night from 5:00 until 7:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Funeral services for George W. Jackson of Peoria, Illinois, formerly of Rolla, age 84, will be held Monday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Upper Davis Cemetery.
Weather [TOP]
