Archive for 2018

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the Dent County Fire House. After an approval of the consent agenda, the bills for the month of October were reviewed and approved, and the budget was reviewed. The budget showed a general revenue balance at the end of October of $115,129.04. The capital improvement account from Progressive Ozark Bank has a balance of $16,880.75 as of the end of October. The Dent County Emergency Response account, has a balance of $349.55 as of the end of October. All other accounts balanced and are on track with previous years. In the calendar review, sign ups for the toy drive will be on Monday, November 26th and Thursday, November 29th with the distribution of the toys occurring on Wednesday, December 19th. The monthly reimbursement report was presented for October and it showed a total of 10 calls for the month. In October, there were two structure fire calls, a brush fire call, three first responder calls, seven vehicle accident calls, one mutual aid call with the Jadwin Fire Department, two trainings, and one call classified as “other”.

There has been 238 calls year to date with the average cost per call being $115.62. The department costs to date submitted for reimbursement is $27,517.20. A total of $35,000.00 was budgeted for reimbursement with one month left. Chief Brad Nash reported on the progress of the grant for the needed improvement of the Dent County Fire House. He said the construction could possibly start by the first of the year as the engineering reports are in and have been reviewed and with changes being made. Chief Nash also reported the waste oil furnace in the bay area is failing and will have to be repaired or replaced. Chief Nash said it is becoming harder to find parts and finding someone who can do the repair. Discussion was held by the board on replacing the furnace with an infrared heating system. The board asked Chief Nash to look into the pricing and installation of the infrared heating system. Chief Nash also reported that the department needed to update the board bonds for the department. The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, December 4th at 6:00 at the Dent County Fire House. The meeting was then adjourned.

A two vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at 5:35 in Phelps County on Highway 63, about three miles south of Rolla. According to a report released by the highway patrol, a 2017 Ford Fusion driven by 26-year old Melissa Persicke of Rolla was northbound on Highway 63 and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive and crossed into the southbound lane. When she could no longer safely make the left turn, the vehicle crossed back into the northbound lane. At that moment, a 2007 Chevrolet 1500, operated by 54-year old Cynthia Jasper of Rolla, attempted to avoid the
Fusion and crossed the center of the highway and collided with the Ford. The Fusion was pushed backwards and the Chevrolet traveled off the left side of the road and struck a rock wall. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The Ford Fusion was removed from the scene by C&C Towing while the Chevrolet was removed by Dishman’s Towing. Persicke and a passenger, 8-year old Makenzie Delanois from Rolla, both sustained minor injuries and were transported by Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Everyone involved was wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

A Stained Glass Workshop will be held tonight from 5:30 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center located behind the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Led by artist and art teacher Amber Pryor, the cost is $25 per person and all materials will be provided for each person to make a project. Reservations can be made by calling 247-0279. At that time you can make payment arrangements and reserve your space. Hurry as this workshop is limited to only eight participants. This workshop is not suggested for pregnant women or small children.
Here are the cumulative totals from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for all the counties that were involved in these races that shared a local interest from Tuesday’s general Election. The winner is denoted by an *.

Circuit Judge Circuit 42 – Division 1

Megan Seay* 18,072 votes
Sid Pearson 6,860 votes

State Senator – 16th District

Justin Dan Brown* 41,985 votes
Ryan Dillon 17,839 votes

US State Representative District 8

Jason Smith* 190,826 votes
Kathy Ellis 65,043 votes
Jonathan L. Shell 4,418 votes

A General Election was held Tuesday in Dent County with 6,101 registered voters casting their ballot which is over 61%. Unopposed candidates are not being shown in these unofficial results. An * indicates winner.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney:

Andrew M. Curley* 4,161 votes
Williams Camm Seay 1,772 votes

Associate Circuit Judge:

Nathan T. Kelsaw* 3,487 votes
Brandi L. Baird 2,497 votes

Circuit Judge Circuit 42 – Division 1

Megan Seay* 12,382 votes
Sid Pearson 4,147 votes
(4 of 5 counties reported)

Also being voted into office unopposed were Presiding Commissioner – Darrell Skiles, County Clerk – Angie Curley, Circuit Court Clerk – Becky Swiney, Recorder of Deeds – Cindy Ard, County Treasurer – Denita Williams, County Collector –

Shannon Vankirk, Public Administrator – Sherida Cook and 143rd State Representative – Jeffrey Pogue. The vote totals for 16th District State Senator and US Representative for the 8th District will be in Thursday’s YWT.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board approved the bid from Quality Machine and Fabrication in Salem to custom build a stainless steel sewer machine tank that will weigh in at about 1,000 pounds. The cost came in at $6,400. After the consent agenda was approved, Public Works Director Mark Nash asked the aldermen if they had any questions about the report he submitted. They had none. City Administrator Ray Walden introduced the new Economic Development Director for the City of Salem, Sally Burbridge. She began her duties on Monday. Walden said the city offices would be closed on November 12th for Veteran’s Day. Walden said he received a report from a citizen that there was water still in the pool. He asked Park and Recreation Board President Stan Podorski to explain why. Podorski said this was part of the suggested winterization by West Port Pools who renovated the pool. He said the pipes have all been blown out and winterized, and the water is left in the pool to benefit the new pool liner. Podorski also said the splash pad has also been fully winterized. The board approved Resolution #4-2018 authorizing the filing of an
application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Small Community Engineering Assistance Program under the Missouri Clean Water Act. This is a necessary step in the cities attempt to get a $500,000 grant for the Waste Water Treatment Facility. The board approved Bill #3404 amending the ordinance pertaining to the unlawful use of
bows and arrows for the archery program at Indian Trails Archery and at the Salem R-80 Schools. The board also approved Bill #3405 that authorized the mayor to sign and execute a supplement to task order #3 pertaining to the agreement between the City of Salem and the C.M. Archer Group. PC dated February 21st, 2017 for the design and construction engineering services associated with the Waste Water Treatment Plant Improvements. This was needed to get the proper documentation for the DNR grant application. The board also approved the recommendation of Steven Patterson to the Library Board to replace Elizabeth Condray who resigned on October 18th. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for October 27th through the 30th. Saturday morning, the 27th, at approximately 6:52 an officer was contacted in reference to theft of electricity. Investigation of the report revealed two females ages 31 and 42 as well as two males ages 35 and 41 all of Salem had an illegal electric hook up at a residence where
they were staying and were stealing electric from the City. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspects who were all issued summonses to appear in court and released. Later that day at approximately 2:45 an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft from a residence in the 400 block of East Ninth Street. Investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a moving dolly valued $300.00 from the porch of a residence. The report is under investigation. Early Monday morning, the 29th, at approximately 12:19 an officer transported a 23 year-old male of Salem to the Center for Cognitive Disorders in Osage Beach, Missouri due to a mental commitment order. Finally on Tuesday afternoon, the 30th, at approximately 12:32 an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. Investigation of the report led to the arrest of an 18 year-old female of Centerville, Missouri for stealing merchandise valued $59.09. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.