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On Friday, December 16, 2011, 34-year old Johnny E. Sieg of Salem, was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections, for the possession of child pornography. Sieg was ordered to be evaluated by the Sex Offender Assessment Unit after which he may be considered for probation. Sieg pled guilty to the charges last month in Circuit Court in Dent County. The case was brought as a result of an investigation by the South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force and the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. In February of this year, an undercover investigator with the South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force, was investigating subjects using peer-to-peer networks to distribute child abuse images and videos, downloaded suspected child pornography from a computer later determined to be using Internet service at an address in Salem, Missouri. In March, 2011, Officers with the Task Force and the Dent County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and seized a computer owned by Sieg. A computer forensic examination of the computer determined that it was the one observed during the undercover investigation and it contained twenty-eight (28) images believed to be child pornography. Johnny Sieg is currently being held in the Dent County Jail pending transfer to the Department of Corrections.

The Salem Police Department released their reports involving a fight in progress, property damage and an arrest warrant. On Friday, December 9th at 8:25 pm, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 22-year old Salem male for stealing merchandise valued at $12.97.  He was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. On Saturday, December 10th at 2:27 in the early morning, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 400 block of Hogan/Adams Lane in reference to a fight in progress. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 29-year old male and a 30-year old male, both of Salem, for disorderly conduct. Both suspects were incarcerated and were issued a summons to appear in court upon release. Later that afternoon at 2:20, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to property damage. That investigation revealedthat a person or persons unknown had cut two strands of Christmas lights valued at $6.00 in the yard of a residence. On Tuesday, December 13th at 8:13 pm, officers went to a residence in the 100 block of North Park to serve an arrest warrant. A 21-year old male of Salem was taken into custody on the warrant from Dent County. A search of the residence led to further charges and two other arrests. The 21-year old suspect was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. Also, a 19-year old male and a 19-year old female, both of Salem, were taken into custody for possession of heroin and the possession of drug paraphernalia. All suspects were incarcerated pending the application for warrants. Anyone with any information regarding the property damage report is asked to contact the Salem Police Department by calling 729-4242.

The Conservation Commission met December 14^th and 15^th at the Conservation Commission Headquarters in Jefferson City. During that meeting the Commission approved the hunting-season dates for 2012. The Youth Turkey season will be March 31^st and April 1^st. The youth spring turkey season is a week earlier than normal in 2012 to avoid conflict with Easter weekend. The Spring Turkey season will run from April 16^th through May 6^th. The Fall Firearms Turkey season will be from October 1^st through the end of the month on the 31^st and opening day of the 2012 November Firearms Deer season will be November 10^th. The Commission, after receiving numerous presentations and conducting business, then recognized various individuals for their years of service to the Missouri Department Conservation. Those included Thomas Whelan of Salem for 25 years of service to the department.

Santa’s last appearance at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center will be held Thursday from 1:00 until 5:00 as part of the Trees and Trains exhibit. Bring your cameras and take pictures. The Trees and Trains Exhibit will end on Saturday at the ONCRC located at 202 South Main Street in Salem.

Congratulations to Gale Huffman of Salem, Casey Kotschedoff of Salem, and Vickie Adams of Rolla for being the winners of the Big Family Christmas Giveaway, sponsored by South-Town Furniture, Fidelity Communications, Fairground Auto Plaza, and KSMO Radio. The winners received merchandise valued at $2,000.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission, including the Phelps County PHA, located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James, will be closed Monday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas holiday. No housing applications will be accepted. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27th at 8:00 am.

Sports [TOP]

The St. Louis Blues will in Colorado to play the Avalanche tonight at 8:30. The Blues 19-9-4 are on the year and you’ll be able to hear this game on KSMO Radio.

The Kansas City Royals signed infielder Yuniesky Betancourt to a one-year contract on Tuesday. Last season, Betancourt batted .252 with 13 home runs and 68 RBI in 152 games for the Brewers. For his career, the 29-year-old has batted .268 with 60 home runs, 189 doubles and 375 RBI in 962 games.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Elizabeth Christine Sestak of Rolla, age 77, will be held today at 11:00 at the St. Patrick Church in Rolla. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery in Rich Fountain. Memorials may be made to the Holy Family School of Freeburg or the St. Patrick’s School in Rolla. All arrangements are under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

Funeral services for Harold Wilbur Steelman of Salem, age 90, will be held today at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Corinth Baptist Church.

Funeral services for Edna Mae Sauer of Salem, age 99, will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Memorial services for Jacqueline K. During of Salem, formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, age 63, will be Friday at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Memorials are suggested to the family

Memorial services for Donald Gibbons of Rolla, age 63, will be held Friday night at 7:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be from 5:00 until service time.

Funeral services for Franky Eugene Oehring of Rolla, age 61, will be held Wednesday, December 28^th at 2:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rolla. Visitation will be from noon until time of service at the church. Interment will be in the Roach Cemetery near Doolittle with full military honors. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

Weather [TOP]