Local News – Friday, December 29th, 2017
The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, Commissioners Dennis Purcell and Gary Larson reported the ground was too frozen to grade, so workers were doing general shop maintenance. Purcell also said he had a team replacing and repairing some road signs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind all vendors that by state statute, no bills received after Thursday by the county can be paid until the 2018 budget is approved which will be late January. The only money the county can spend until the budget is approved by law is for payroll. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the bank deposit bids at 10:00. She reported Town and Country Bank and US Bank did not submit bids. The Bank of Salem one year bid stated the county would not have to pay fees on services from the bank and would receive 1.05% on their deposits. Progressive Ozark Bank, who is the current bank the county uses for the deposits with an interest rate of 0.65%, proposed an interest rate of 1.26% on county deposits for 2018. The commission unanimously approved the bid from Progressive Ozark Bank. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said there were bills to approve and pay, and she continues to work on the 2018 County Budget. City of Salem Mayor Brad Nash came in to discuss the possibility of the county looking into using the city’s recycling bins and trailers that would provide a service to the county residents. After some discussion about the current city program between the commissioners and a location for the sorting of the recyclables, Commissioner Larson said he would get with Jill Hollowell from the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and talk with her about any funds that might be available to assist with paying for the recycling program. Nash also talked with the commission about a visit from Brett Hendricks from the State Emergency Management Agency and he said the Dent County Emergency Management Plan met all the states guidelines. Nash said Hendricks had told him there may be some changes coming next year that could affect the plan, but he was not certain when or if that would occur. Commissioners Larson, Purcell and Skiles, and the county clerk wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year and remind everyone the courthouse will be closed on New Years Day. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, January 4th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to anyone.
The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully surpassed their $30,000 goal during this year’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. The total raised was $37,363.42 to date. Along with the monetary donations received this year, 181 local children were adopted at the Angel Trees located at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory; 20 Christmas food baskets were distributed to homebound elderly clients of the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging and lap blankets, socks, gloves, scarves and hats were distributed locally to the nursing homes. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2018 to those less fortunate in Dent County. Thank you Dent County!
The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. A traffic crash would be an unfortunate way to begin 2018. Last year over the New Year’s holiday counting period, eight people died and 302 people were injured in 539 traffic crashes during the 2017 New Year’s holiday counting period. Thus, a person was killed or injured every 15.1 minutes during that time frame. The counting period will begin tonight at 6:00 and last until Monday, January 1st at 11:59 PM. If inclement weather is expected, allow extra time for traveling or be flexible with your plans. The Road Condition Report number is 1-888-275-6636. Depending on the weather, staying home might be your best option. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. It takes only a second to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. That second could make you more visible to other drivers and prevent a traffic crash.