Archive for 2017

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that chip and seal work was being done on Dent County Road 6510, commonly called the Cedar Grove Road. His crew is digging up part of the roadway to replace the base in an area that has been a chronic problem. He encouraged motorists to be very cautious in the area. Purcell went on to say that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6420, 6200, 6485 and 6505. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment so District Two Foreman Sam Gorman reported that grading would be done on and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 2070 and 3200, while grading only would be done on county road 4330. Gorman noted that brush cutter #6 was being serviced. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he wanted to sincerely thank Salem and Dent County residents for the very large turnout for the MRPC Annual Dinner last Thursday evening. Skiles also noted that Sherri Lea and the staff at Salem Community Center @ the Armory did a tremendous job of preparing the facility for the event. Dr. Ted Ziske was in to be recognized as the recipient of MRPC’s highest honor, the Eugene E. Northern Award for Volunteerism and Community Service. Bonnie Prigge and Anne Freand from the MRPC, along with MoDOT District Engineer Preston Cramer, were in to go over Dent County’s Transportation needs. Also attending were MRPC Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) members Gary Brown, Ray Walden and Bob Parsons, plus Michelle Sapaugh representing SMTS. Prigge noted that Dent County’s priorities would be presented at the MRPC’s TAC meeting as the eight county region develops its list of priorities for MoDOT. Cramer reviewed the County’s transportation needs of over 20 projects currently on the list. Skiles, who is also a TAC member, suggested that the bridge on the west edge of Boss be added to the list. Brown and Skiles both made note of the truck traffic concerns with the Highway 72 extension to the west side of Rolla for US Foods, Doe Run, the timber industry, etc. The final priorities for Prigge and Freand to take back for the MRPC TAC meeting were #1 Route FF bridge over Norman Creek, #2 improvements on Highway 68 from Phelps County line to Highway 19, and a tie for #3 of Highway 19 bridge over Gladden Creek and the construction of a bridge on Highway TT over Crooked Creek. The next meeting of the Commission will be Thursday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Rolla’s Recycling Center will stop collection of household hazardous waste November 1st for the season. Those wishing to clear out last minute items including automotive products, adhesives, CFL Light Bulbs, oil based paint, stain, thinners, varnish, or most cleaning products, should make an appointment prior to November 1st to drop these items off at the Rolla Recycling Center. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the number to contact is 573-364-6693. Household hazardous wastes are accepted at the St. Robert Recycle Center year-round. Business hours for them are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contact 573-336-5155 to schedule an appointment with St. Robert Recycling Center. Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District and Meramec Regional Planning Commission work in conjunction with both recycling centers to reduce the amount of waste going in to landfills by up to 40 percent in the Meramec Region. The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities with populations of 500 or more. MRPC provides administration of the district and assists with a variety of implementation projects. For more information bout ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, at (573) 265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.

An accident happened Sunday night at 7:05 in Texas County on Highway 32 just easy of Bailey Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Jeep Compass driven eastbound by 17-year old Ashley Sellers of Salem, struck a deer in the roadway. Sellers and a passenger, 16-year old Lyndsey Sellers of Salem, each suffered minor injuries. Ashley was taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital while Lyndsey refused treatment at the scene. Both were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

An accident happened Monday at 12:12 in the afternoon in Phelps County on Route O about six miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 1993 Ford F-150 driven south-bound by 50-year old Rodney Trolinger of Licking, traveled off the left side of he roadway and struck a utility box and a tree. Trolinger suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The Ford was totaled and Trolinger was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

A release from the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Department indicates that on Saturday, October 28th, two men were arrested in Ohio for the murder of two Ellington residents from a shooting incident that happened on October 18th when three people were shot at a rural Reynolds County home near Ellington. During the incident, 86-year old James Nance and his wife 72-year old wife, Janet Nance, were shot and later died from injuries sustained during the attack. A 73-year-old female was also injured during the assault and is recovering from those injuries. Information developed during the investigation led investigators to a motel in the Deerfield Township, Ohio, where the two men were taken into custody without incident. The two men have been identified as 44-year old Timothy Callahan of Farmington and 67-year old David Young of Ironton. They are each charged in Reynolds County Circuit Court with two counts of murder in the first degree. Both are being held without bond and extradition proceedings are underway in the state of Ohio. This case was investigated by troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, Reynolds County Sheriff’s Department, numerous local law enforcement agencies, Ohio law enforcement agencies and federal authorities. The Patrol’s Violent Crime Support Unit also provided assistance. The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction.

On Thursday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory, Salem Resident Dr. Ted Ziske was awarded the Eugene Northern Award from the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, their highest award given for volunteers efforts in a community. Ziske spent 15 years serving on the Salem R-80 School Board, was a board member of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board for 18 years and is a also a past-president of the Salem Rotary Club. Also honored for volunteer work were Henry and Mary Wansing of Vienna, Bill Reynolds of Loose Creek, Sean Wilson of Waynesville and the late Neil Richards of Potosi. Baylee Rebecka Bilyeu was also presented a Youth Award for her work in the Salem area. She inspired the creation of the Salem High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter and also organized a year-end “wrap” up that featured a Christian rapper. Also honored with Youth Awards were Tyler Roberds of Meta and Maxwell Butler of Belle. Two Community Organization Awards were handed out to the Ya Ya’s of Belle and City Administrator Harold Selby of St. James.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday afternoon at 12:58 on Highway 63 about twelve miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Kia Optima driven by 25-year old Jacob Butherus of Licking, a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 21-year old Tyler Murphy of Bourbon and a 2015 Nissan Rogue driven by 60-year old James Thompson of Licking, were all stopped on the highway for work zone traffic. At that time, 53-year old Loree Brown of Bear Lake, Michigan was operating a 2008 GMC Sierra and failed to observe that the three vehicles were stopped. The GMC struck the Kia in the rear, which caused the Kia to strike the Chevrolet in the rear, causing the Chevrolet to strike the rear of the Nissan. The report stated that all four drivers were wearing their safety restraints at the time of the accident. Butherus suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, while Brown and Murphy were to seek their own treatment. Thompson suffered no injuries. The GMC sustained extensive damage, the Kia was totaled, the Chevrolet sustained moderate damage, and there was minor damage to the Nissan. The GMC and Chevrolet were towed by Ron Dishman Towing, while the Kia and Nissan were towed from the scene by Lucas Garage. The Highway Patrol was assisted by Phelps County Sheriffs’ Department, Phelps County EMS, Phelps County Air, Edgar Springs Fire Department and Texas County Ambulance.

The Catch and Release Trout season in Missouri begins November 10th 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 (573) 548-2201.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about five miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 1995 Mercury Cougar, driven by 47 year-old Lloyd Bridges of Salem, failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Bridges suffered moderate injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The report stated that Bridges was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Mercury sustained moderate damages and removed from the scene by Miles Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART receipts for October and the amount received was $56,969.23. The October receipts are down from the 2016 October figure of $59,240.43, however the year-to-date total is still up by $10,006.33 or nearly 1.8%. In the road report, both District One and Two were a couple of crew members short. District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 6370, while grading only would be done on county roads 6280 and 6283. Purcell went on to say that chip and seal repairs were being done on Dent County Road 5083. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4270, 2160 and 2330, plus brush would be cut on county roads 2190 and 2195. County Clerk Angie Curley reported being the County Budget Officer and per RSMO 50.540.5 Section 3, she has starting work on the 2018 County budget and that her office will be sending budget forms to all County Department Heads. She went on to say that as Chair of the South Central County Clerks Region, she was preparing for the regional meeting in West Plains to be held November 8th. Curley added that Tuesday evening she attended the website revision meeting for the Chamber of Commerce, City of Salem, and Dent County. Amanda Sapaugh was in to request approval of the appointment of Grant Hamlet and Wendy Pryor to the SB40 Board. She said that Hamlet replaces Alicia Harris and Pryor replaces Marvin McDonald. Her request was approved 3-0. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and it is open to the public.

Come join The Doe Run Company and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources tonight from 5:00-8:00 for an evening filled with fun activities that teach children about Missouri’s natural resources. The 13th annual Fall Rocks celebration will be returning to the MissouriMines State Historic Site Powerhouse Museum in Park Hills, Missouri. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Hard hat decorating, cookie mining, toothpaste making, and minerals trivia are just a few of the activities that kids and parents can both look forward to this year. Free refreshments will also be provided throughout the event. Additionally, the Powerhouse Museum will be open for guests to explore exhibits that teach about the history of mining technology. The Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located at 4000 State Highway 32 in Park Hills, which is on the south side of Highway 32 at the Flat River Drive overpass, 1.5 miles west of Highway 67. For more information, contact Art Hebrank at the Powerhouse Museum at (573) 431-6226.

Congressman Jason Smith reminded students that he is accepting applications for nomination to U.S. Service Academies. As a Member of Congress, Smith is able to make nominations for the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Young people interested in a nomination must meet the following eligibility requirements for admission to a service academy: they must be at least 17 years old, they must be a United States citizen, and they must be unmarried, not pregnant, and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents. Students interested in a nomination should contact Heather Kamps at Congressman Smith’s West Plains’ office at 417-255-1515. The deadline for nomination applications to Smith’s office is October 31, 2017.

Ladies from the Daughters of the American Revolution will tell how you can be part a member on Sunday at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Pizza Inn meeting room. Charlene Turner of Jerome is the current Regent of the Noah Coleman chapter DAR. She will tell about the DAR and the work it does in the Community. Their three pillars are historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Linda Mondy of Licking, will join Charlene in the presentation. She is the registrar for the Noah Coleman Chapter NSDAR and is the contact person for ladies wanting to join. Janet Bowles of Lake Spring is a DAR Member and will serve as the host for the Dent County Historical Society that is sponsoring the meeting. Everyone is welcome to hear the program which is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Dent County Historical Society president, Deloris Gray Wood at 729-2545.