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Due to the Christmas holiday, there will be no Your World Today published on Friday. Your friends at KSMO Radio and Your World Today want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas this holiday season.

The local Salvation Army would like to request the help of the residents of Dent County. With only two days left of the bell ringing campaign, the local unit is currently $4,000 short of their $21,000 goal. Volunteers will be at the Christmas kettle locations at Wal-Mart, Country Mart and Dollar General today and tomorrow (Christmas eve). Counter kettles are also located at various locations throughout the area. If you would like to make a donation and you are not going out, you can mail a check to The Salvation Army at P.O. Box 229, Salem, MO 65560.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman accepted the retirement of City of Salem Police Chief Clifford Jadwin Monday night in Closed Session. Chief Jadwin served the City of Salem for 14 years. The Board then offered the position to Major Keith Steelman and he accepted the position. He will become chief effective January 1, 2011. Jadwin will still be available as a reserve officer for emergency situations, parade detail or any other opportunity until 2014. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to inform the public that last year over the Christmas holiday, there were 1,749 traffic crashes during the counting period. In those crashes, 11 people were killed and another 557 were injured. This year’s traffic crash counting period begins at 6:00 p.m. tonight,  December 23^rd, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 26^th. Please remember to wear your seat belt, pay attention to your driving, and please, don’t drink and drive. Travelers are reminded that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. If you’re planning a trip during the holiday, please keep this in mind. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The Road Condition Report number is 1-800-222-6400. If bad weather is expected, make sure your vehicle is winterized. Allow extra time to reach your destination and obey all traffic laws. If faced with a traffic emergency, motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. This emergency number will ring into the nearest Highway Patrol headquarters. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or pass a stranded motorist in need of assistance.

 

Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that some of the new plat books are now ready and available for sale at the Dent County Clerk’s Office for $30. He wants to remind everyone that the Dent County Courthouse is going to close and noon today and will be closed tomorrow. He also wants to remind everyone that the Dent County Collector’s office will be open until 5:30 each day next week for people who are paying their taxes.

The Salem Police Department recently released these reports. On Wednesday morning, December 15th at 10:17, an officer was detailed to the Southwinds Apartments in the 200 block of South Warfel in reference to damage to a Coke machine. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown pried open a Coke machine causing extensive damage to the machine and they then took the money out of the coin holder. The damage to the machine is valued at approximately $1200 and it is unknown how much change was in the coin holder. Then at 3:31 that afternoon, an officer was dispatched to McDonalds Restaurant in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report revealed an 18-year old male threw a cup of ice water in the face of an employee of McDonalds who was working in the drive through. That same evening at 8:00, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference to a theft.  The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a $100.00 American Express Target gift card out of an envelope in the mail.  Anyone with any information regarding the leaving without paying for fuel incident, the property damage or the theft reports, which are still under investigation, is asked to contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

Troop I, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, recorded four traffic fatalities during the month of November 2010. This is four less than November 2009. There were a total of 209 accidents with 69 injuries and eight fatalities recorded for November 2009; compared to 211 accidents with 75 injuries and four fatalities for November of 2010. The total fatalities for 2010 are 26 compared to 27 for the same time period last year. In Crawford County, there were 20 accidents recorded 20 with three injuries; Dent County recorded 20 accidents with six injuries, while Laclede County recorded 57 accidents with 19 injuries. In Maries County, there were eight accidents reported with two injuries and one fatality; Phelps County reported 71 accidents with 29 injuries and Pulaski County reported 35 accidents with 16 injuries and three fatalities. Captain Lee Ann Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I , would like to remind everyone that frost and ice covered windshields are common causes of some of our traffic crashes this time of year. All drivers are urged to properly defrost their windows before driving, and to use their headlights on days that are overcast, foggy or snowing.  Be aware of what is called “black ice”, during or after a snow or ice storm.

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