Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 5510, 6245 and 6460 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 4090. Purcell also indicated brush would be cut on county road 6410. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 4020, 4050, 4055 and 53000 while materials were going to be added and grading done on county road 2320. Larson went on to say the county was cutting the brush along the City of Salem walking trail down on the old railroad track right-of way. The county has been working with the city on providing this service for years. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles on behalf of the commissioners congratulated the Salem Memorial District Hospital on their donation of a new 3-D mammography machine and new local mammography services. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register to vote is October 10th. She also said absentee voting is going on now through November 5th in her office and the last day to mail out an absentee ballot will be October 31st. Curley said her office will be open in the courthouse on Saturday, November 3rd from 8:00 in the morning until noon. She also wanted to remind voters if you have changed your address since the last election, please come and report that change to the clerk’s office at the courthouse or call 729-4144. Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock told the commissioners that all real estate taxes, personal property taxes and utility assessments have been approved by his office, the clerk and assessor’s office. At the last meeting, MFA Oil Company had the lowest bid for 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel at $2.38.9 for the Road and Bridge Department. Sheriff Bob Wells was in to tell the commission the jail needs a new washer and dryer and he is getting quotes. Larry Hart from Hart and Company held a conference call with the commissioners last Thursday along with John Kenward of Standard and Poor’s Global to determine the county bond rating for the issues of then lease certificates of participation. The county is expected to receive an A category rating and the Series 2018 Certificates in the amount of $7.185 million dollars are scheduled to mature between 2022 through 2039 with interest rates expected to range from three to four percent. The interest income from these certificates will be exempt from federal and Missouri state income taxes and will be available in $5,000 denominations. These certificates will be available to the general public in increments of $5,000. A second financing that is currently estimated to be about $5,150,000 is planned for 2019 once all the known modifications and corresponding costs are finalized. These certificates will also be made available to local investors. For more information about the certificates, contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 729-4144 or the office of L.J. Hart and Company at 800-264-4477. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital held a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Monday morning at the hospital for the donation of their new 3-D Hologic Mammography machine and newly created mammography service area. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas thanked a large crowd that attended and reminded everyone that the hospital provided mobile mammography for years through Missouri Baptist Hospital and will still work through Missouri Baptist for additional treatment for patients if it is needed. He told the crowd the hospital has been blessed by the donation of the machine by Steven and Sally Di Perdomenico whose daughter is Julie Moser of Salem. They not only donated the machine, but also funds to help those who need mammography services and who meet certain qualifications to get those services. Lucas also thanked Hologic Corporation for their contribution when they found out this was to be a charitable donation to the hospital. Lucas said the hospital has had over 100 mammograms once the machine was installed to get the needed certification. Lucas thanked Hospital Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland for being the project manager on this addition to the hospital and mammogram coordinator Julie Malone for getting all the paperwork submitted and in scheduling appointments. Lucas also thanked the radiology department for their help and Director of Facilities Todd Workman and his crew for getting the room ready for the addition. Hospital Board of Directors Chairman Sue Terry, along with Hershel and Julie Moser, cut the ribbon to officially open the new mammography services to the Salem Memorial District Hospital to a round of applause by all those in attendance. Guests then toured the area to see the machine and the dressing department before enjoying refreshments in the cafeteria.

At their annual fundraising gala and capital contribution celebration held last Tuesday night, Healthy Dent County presented an update on their $1.2 million Capital Campaign. A total of $860,950 has been raised to date. This campaign is being conducted to build a regulation size gymnasium onto the north end of the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The completion date for this new construction is estimated to be fall of 2019. Additional local funds are needed to complete the $1.2 million dollar campaign. Some NAP tax credits totaling $55,000 are still available for local businesses to take advantage of as well. For additional information on this or any Healthy Dent County project, please call 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Salem Marching Blue competed in the Sullivan Marching Band Festival Saturday. They took first in preliminaries and winning the Guard and Drum Major captions. In the finals, Salem captured 4th place and won the overall Drum Major Caption! Congratulations Salem Marching Blue on a great Saturday in Sullivan!

An accident happened Saturday in Reynolds County on County Road 906 about five miles northeast of Bunker that left a woman from Bunker with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven eastbound by 67-year old Marcia Dreiswewerd of Bunker, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and then returned to the roadway. The Chevy then traveled back off the right side of the road, went down an embankment and overturned. Dreiswewerd was taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Wrecker Service in Viburnum. Dreiswewerd was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 3:50 in Dent County at the intersection of Highway K and Highway Z. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Bluebird driven by 76-year-old George Fleetwood of Salem, traveled into the path of a 1990 Ford F-150, driven by 60-year-old Burke Holmes of Salem, causing the Ford to strike the Bluebird. Holmes suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. Both Holmes and Fleetwood were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Bluebird sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene, while the Ford was totaled and removed by Whitakers Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Salem Ambulance.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. Bids are to be reviewed for one 2,500 foot reel of #2 TRXLPE primary wire and WWTF Phase I Improvements Contract A and Contract B. After the consent agenda has been reviewed and approved, unfinished business will be addressed concerning action on a KX040-R3A Kubota for the Cemetery, which was postponed from the August 6th meeting. Public Works Director Nash will present the findings on the Kubota. Reports will then be given including Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon who will report on activities in the park during the summer, Public Works Director Mark Nash will update the Board on items concerning the City, City Administrator Ray Walden will report on projects and issues concerning the City and Mayor Brad Nash will give his report. In the reading of bills and resolutions Bill No. 3401, an ordinance amending ordinance No. 3390 concerning annexation of certain adjacent territory into the City of Salem. This ordinance is to correct errors in Bill No. 3390, which left out a section of Al Brown Fields. The Board will then go into closed session to discuss litigation. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

At their annual fundraising gala and capital contribution celebration held Tuesday night, Healthy Dent County Chairman of the Board Liz Gruendel presented three Community Health Awards to local citizens and groups. The first award was the Community Health Champion Award was presented to Shawn Bolerjack for his work with the Honoring Our Heroes Marathon, the monthly 5k Fun Run/Walk from the Salem CommunityCenter@The Armory, his work with the Salem Running Club where he was a founding member and more. The Second Award presented was the Community Halth Service Award and it went to the Honoring Our Heroes Marathon Committee that was chaired by Marilyn Schweitzer and Shawn Bolerjack. Other committee members include Judy Apperson, Bob Gravely, Karen Devine, Sherry Hillebert, Richard LaBrash, Becky Steiner, Eric Surles, Gary Cook, Susie Mackey and Tim Eddings. The Honoring Our Heroes Marathon/Half Marathon/Relay/5K event is held yearly in November to raise funds for local veteran’s causes and to honor those who have served. The last award presented was the Community Health Impact Award and it went to the Salem Park and Recreation Board. The Park Board received the Impact Award for the huge impact that they have made on the health of our children this year. With the renovation and expansion of the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool, the addition on the Splash Pad and the opening the Billy’s Playground, an all-inclusive play area, the healthy impacts of our youth are significant. Park Board members include Stan Podorski, President; Kyle Williams, Vice President; Angie Curley, Secretary; Kevin James, Greg Sanders, Beth Atkinson and Crystal Pilkington.