Local News – Friday, November 10th, 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Richard LaBrash from the American Legion was in to remind the public about adopting a veteran from the St. James Veteran’s Home. The cost to sponsor a veteran is $50 and the money goes to providing them a banquet with a Christmas dinner that they can invite their loved ones to along with live entertainment from the band Second Time Around, a baseball cap with the words “United States Veteran” with an American flag on it, a grab bag with camouflage gloves, soft chocolate and a letter of Honor. Labrash said for the last three years, Dent County has adopted all 150 veterans at the home. If anyone would like to sponsor a veteran this year, call Richard at 729-1394. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax dollars received by the county from the state in November. She reported that the jail sales taxes brought in $7,839.47 for each fund for a total of $15,768.94. The Road and Bridge Fund sales taxes received were $29,127.14 which is up form the 2016 November figure of $24,314.51. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Funds tax receipts are up $7,506.08 or about 2.16%. The General Revenue Fund sales tax receipts came in at $59,048.75 and that is up from the 2016 November figure of $53,545.27. The year-to-date increase in the General Revenue Fund is $3,744.20 or about a one-half of one percent increase. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 6020 and 6040, while only grading would be done on county roads 4122, 4124, 5050 and 5060. Purcell said workers were continuing to work on patching the chip and seal on Dent County Road 6510 also known as the Cedar Grove Road. He is asking anyone using that road to use caution and be aware of the road crews on the road. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading was being done on Dent County Roads 3250 and 5240, while brush was being cut on Dent County Road 2160. Larson stated that two men were doing maintenance on Dent County Truck #124 and other crew members were picking up a mattress with sheets on county road 3250. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the collector’s office and the assessor’s office on all collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of October. She also reported on her meeting with the South Central County Clerks Regional meeting in West Plains Wednesday. District Ranger Thom Haines and US Forest Hydrologist Kelly Whitsett from the Rolla office were in attendance to discuss the Cooley Bridge on Dent County Road 5610. Whitsett said there are three preliminary options to replace the low water crossing on the road. The first option has the least changes to the road, but it is the least preferable for stream health, aquatic life and water quality. The 3rd option was the best for the stream but had the most changes to the road alignment. The second option was in between the first and third option. Whitsett said the Conservation Department and her office prefer Option 3, but it would be the most expensive with the need for additional right-of-way. She said the engineers have provided a full conceptual design and a NEPA analysis would need to be done to make the sure the changes would not negatively impact the environment. One problem is funding as Whitsett said there are no federal funds for 2018 with all the federal disaster money being used and she wasn’t sure when funds would be available any time soon from the US Forest Service as their budget has been reorganized. They will keep the commission posted on any funding changes or possibilities. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Catch and Release Trout season in Missouri begins today and goes through February 28th, 2018. The second Friday in November marks the opening of the annual winter “Catch and Release” no creel trout season at Montauk State Park. The Dorman L. Steelman Lodge restaurant, snack bar, and store will be open on Friday through Sunday for limited hours of each weekend during the winter season to accommodate visitors. Some housekeeping cabins, motel rooms and a meeting room will be available throughout the winter season. Fishing is allowed Friday through Monday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, call 548-2201.

The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, located at 202 S. Main here in Salem is currently accepting applications for exhibits for the 2017 Trees and Trains. Trees and Trains has been a time-honored tradition in Salem for the past 12 years and is visited each year by over 4,000 people. This year the exhibit begins with an open house on November 19th, and will remain open through December 24th. Applications and guidelines can be picked up at the ONCRC or by calling 729-6384, or 453-6091. They can also be requested by emailing mbcook16@gmail.com. The deadline for submission is TODAY. There is no charge to exhibit a tree or display, and all are invited to do so.