Local News – April 18, 2017
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrel Skiles was unable to attend due to a prior commitment. Commissioner Dennis Purcell after reviewing the minutes stated that at the last meeting, the Commissioners actually approved the purchase of polypropylene 20-foot pipes in the amount of $8,168.40 from Viebrock & Sales. The purchase had been approved 3-0 by the commissioners. The commission did not make any decision on the purchase of the metal culverts after receiving the bids as the bids now exceed the budgeted amount for culverts. In the road reports, District 1 Commissioner Purcell said crews would be checking the Bunker area for any rain damage to the roads or washouts. Another crew will be installing tires on the pup trailers and another crew would be out checking roads and cleaning out culverts. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said he was sending a man to Springfield to get the oil for the Durapatcher to do chip and seal road repairs. He said a man would go to the Boss area to check for any damages, plus other crew members would be checking culverts, trimming back brush and checking for washouts. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported on an electronics collection sponsored by the MRPC on May 20th at the Brewer Science Parking Lot from 8:00 in the morning until noon. She also reported she balanced with the collector and assessor on all collections, abatements and add-ons. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
In closed session, the Salem R-80 Board of Education hired James Joynt as a high school business instructor; Jessica Haberman as a high school special education instructor; Jerry Adkins as a middle school social studies teacher; Nick Frillman as the middle school girls’ basketball coach; Kim Cooper as the assistant high school volleyball coach; Kristi Steelman as the middle school volleyball coach; Travis Sampson as the cross country coach and Sherry White as the middle school cheerleading coach. The board also approved moving Lane Howard from a 7th/8th football coach to an assistant high school football coach and also to employ Chelsie Tune for the high school student council. The meeting was then adjourned.
An accident occurred at 7:45 Monday morning in Dent County on Highway VV about 20 miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica driven by 21-year old Zachary Thurman of Houston was traveling westbound. The crash occurred at the Pacifica traveled off the right side of the roadway to avoid a deer. Thurman overcorrected and returned to the roadway. The Pacifica then crossed the centerline and traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and trees and then overturned. Thurman suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chrysler Pacifica was totaled and removed from the scene by Kinder’s Towing of Licking.
Replacing the deck on the Missouri Route 68 Bridge over Coppedge Creek east of Route H in Maries County is now underway. One lane of the bridge will be closed, while the work is taking place. A temporary traffic signal will be installed on both sides of the bridge to guide traffic through the work area. The work is scheduled to be completed in early June. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorists while the work takes place. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).
The 2017 Business Expo will be held Saturday morning from 9:00 until noon at Salem Community Center @ the Armory, located at 1200 West Rolla Road. The Business Expo is an excellent opportunity for businesses to advertise their products and services and many of them will be giving away promotional items or have their own drawing. There are six star giveaways this year and they are provided by the Aaron’s Inc., Town & Country Bank, A-1 Tech of Rolla, The Auto Connection, Schwartz Salvage and Salem News/Action Graphics. There is no cost to attend the annual Expo, it’s FREE and open to the public. It is organized by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Salem Publishing Company and KSMO Radio. For more information about the 2017 Business Expo, contact the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 729-6900.