Archive for 2018

The Midwest Blue Oval Club presents the Current River Blue Oval Rally Saturday at the Dent County Courthouse Square. The show this year is presented by everythingcinema.biz. All makes and models are welcome to be exhibited at the show. The gates will open at 8:00 RAIN OR SHINE and the entry fee is $20 with the first 25 vehicles registered receiving a free event T-shirt. Numerous awards will be presented at 2:00 sponsored by Larson Collision Center and Larson Rental Cars. The Rally will include free entertainment including performances by the Salem Marching Blue Band, the Salem Academy of Dance, the Salem High School Choir, the Second Time Around Band and others. You will also find arts and craft vendors as well as numerous food items. Later at 6:00, there will be a “town cruise” with the cars congregating at Scoops in the Crossroads Shopping Center to drive the old Salem loop! On Sunday, the vehicles will meet around the courthouse square and cruise to Echo Bluff State Park for a lunch provided by Curt’s Mobile Homes. The events will be held no matter what the weather does and everyone is invited out to the Rally!!! For more information about the Midwest Blue Oval Club or the Rally, go online to this website: www.MidwestBlueOval.Club. Proceeds from this event will go to Salem High School Band Parents, Love Pack Back Pack, and the Shepard’s Nook Food Pantry.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Courthouse. Sonny Johns was in with questions and concerns about the condition of Dent County Road 6090. District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell noted that new pipes had been installed on the road. Purcell said that grading and ditch work would take place on that road next week. In the road report Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2450, 2490 and 4210. He also noted that he was four men short on Thursday. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that 30 yards of concrete was being poured Thursday on the low water crossing on Dent County Road 2070. He said they should be finished Thursday and that the road would remain closed until late next week to give the concrete time to fully cure. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Saturday night he had the privilege of meeting Medal of Honor Winner Donald “Doc” Ballard at the community welcome and presenting him a plaque on behalf of Dent County thanking Ballard for his service. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington said that payroll was being paid. Kenny Shaw was in to discuss his unemployment claims being denied. The Commissioners all said that they are not protesting his claims and would help him continue his efforts to get his unemployment benefits. Commissioner Larson said that on Monday he will get with Road Foreman Sam Gorman and they will call the unemployment office. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday at 9:00 AM in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is now offering an all-online bowhunter education course for Missouri residents 16 year and older. The new course offers a more flexible and convenient options to become bowhunter education certified. The online course includes videos and animations to teach bowhunter safety, archery and crossbow safety, ethics, regulations, and wildlife management. Bowhunter certification in Missouri is still voluntary, but some managed or urban hunting opportunities may require it. Other states may also require bowhunter education and will accept this Missouri online course. The course can also be an excellent refresher course for veteran bowhunters. Each student will receive a temporary bowhunter education certificate once they complete and pass the 60-question final exam with an 80% or higher. The fee for the all-online course is $30, which is paid directly to the online provider. Individuals 15 years or younger are still required to complete the in-person bowhunter education course to receive certification. For more information on the course, go online to mdc.mo.gov and type in the search box “bowhunting education.”

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the Dent County Fire House. The bills for the month of August were reviewed and approved, and the budget was reviewed that showed a General Revenue balance of $137,103.90. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 24 calls for the month of May including 5 structure fires, 2 brush fires, 11 first responder, 3 vehicle accidents, a haz-mat call for a gas leak and two trainings. There has been 211 calls year to date with the average cost per call being $115.27. In new business, the Fire Board approved Resolution 2018-02 that authorized the chairman of the board to enter into a legal service agreement with John Williams Group, LC, approved Ordinance 2018-ORD-01 that authorizes the district to assess and collect fees and charges for individuals that reside outside the district but who receives services within the district, approved Ordinance 2018-ORD-02 that allowing the district to authorize and implement fees and charges for responding to fires or emergencies outside the corporate boundaries of the district, and the board also approved Ordinance 2018-ORD-03 that allows the district to authorize and implement fees and charges for responding to hazardous substance releases. The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, October 2nd at 6:00 at the Dent County Fire House. The meeting was then adjourned.

There will be a Community Center of the Ozarks Blood Drive in Salem today from 1:00 until 6:00 at the First Baptist Church at 201 North McArthur. Supplies of type “O” positive, “O” negative and “A” positive blood are all at less than normal supply levels. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. For more information, contact Cindy Sachs at 729-4241.

The Salem Public Library will hold a program called “Dinosaurs” this morning! Preschool program of stories, songs, rhymes and crafts at the Salem Public Library building. The time of the program is 10:30 in the morning until 11:15. For more information, call 729-4331.

Need trees and shrubs for your landscape? Go native with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2018-2019 Seedling Order Form provides images and information on available items, along with ordering information. Find it in the September issue of the Missouri Conservationist, at Department of Conservation regional offices and nature centers, online at mdc.mo.gov/seedlings, or by contacting the State Forest Nursery at StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. or call 573-674-3229. Orders this year can be placed now through April 15th, 2019. Supplies are limited so order early. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking from February through May. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, beautyberry, buttonbush, holly, dogwood, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, pawpaw, spicebush, elderberry, serviceberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 22 to 90 cents per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1% will be added to orders unless your entity is tax exempt. There is an $8 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number.

According to a report from the Houston Herald, the Licking Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday morning at Town and Country Bank in Licking on Highway 32 east. Police say a white male was wearing a Mizzou hoodie and jeans when he entered the bank around 9:40 in the morning with a pistol. He is described as about 5 foot, 10 inches and heavy set. According to the report, the man fled on foot southbound from the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. Authorities said that no one was hurt in the incident. Anyone who may have been in the area and saw anything that might be important to the investigation is encouraged to report it to 9-1-1. The FBI is expected to join the investigation.

The Dent County Health Board held their tax rate hearing on August 20th. Administrator Kendra Mobray explained the documentation received from the State Auditor’s office had set the tax rate ceiling for the coming year at 9.53 cents per $100 assessed valuation which is a slight increase from the 9.51 cents per $100 assessed valuation received for the current year. After discussion, the Board agreed to set the tax rate at the Current Year Tax Rate Ceiling of 9.53 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Following the tax rate hearing, the board held their regular meeting. Administrator Mobray reported flu shots have been ordered and Flu shot clinics will begin mid-September. Mobray said the Health Center will be giving flu shots at the upcoming Community Wellness Expo. They are able to bill most insurance. The cost of quadrivalent flu shots (without insurance) is $37. She said Health Center nurses worked closely with school nurses to make them aware of the immunization status of students. Mobray reported that outpatient lab services were provided to 45 clients in July and that Oak-Hill R-1 school district superintendent Doug Dunn signed the Memorandum of Understanding to continue their partnership for the 2018-2019 school year. Mobray reported there was a slight decrease in the WIC caseload from 462 in fiscal year 2018 to 441 for fiscal year 2019. These decreasing trends have been experienced by several agencies across the state. Mobray reported she and Joan Raulston are working closely with the Prevention Coalition on a recent grant the coalition received to raise adolescent awareness of the dangers associated with tobacco and nicotine use. Mobray reported the Health Center is scheduling flu shot clinics at local businesses. If you are interested in a clinic at your place of business or job site, call 573-729-3106. The meeting was then adjourned.

A Quilt Exhibit will be on display from September 10th through October 13th, Monday through Friday from 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon at the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center at 202 S. Main St. This event is being presented by the Current River Scrappers Quilt Guild. Admission to the event is free. The guild will be collecting quilts from individuals who would like to have their quilts exhibited. You can bring your quilt in today, tomorrow or Friday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM to the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center. Please be prepared to write a short description of each quilt submitted. For more information, call the ONCRC at (573) 729-0029.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning at 10:05 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about three miles north of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a deer jumped from a rock bluff and struck the windshield of a southbound 2007 Ford Escape driven by 62-year old Paul Worsey of Rolla. The deer broke through the windshield and trapped the driver inside. Worsey was extricated from the vehicle with moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps County Ambulance. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by C & C Towing of Rolla.

The Current River State Park invites the public to delve deeper into caves and the subterranean ecosystems of the Ozarks at the park’s first-ever Cave-In education event that will be held this Friday and Saturday at and near the park. The Cave-In is a coordinated effort by the Missouri Speleological Survey, Cave Research Foundation, Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy, Missouri Bat Census, Missouri State Parks, Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Mark Twain National Forest. Beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday, there will be a wide variety of activities offered, including demonstrations, displays at the park, as well as cave tours at nearby Round Spring. At 7:30 Friday night, there will be a Bat Hike and Watch at the park. The hike will be about two miles, and hikers are encouraged to wear long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Insect repellent is also recommended. Current River State Park is located on Hwy. 19 approximately 23 miles south of Salem, and approximately 15 miles north of Eminence. For more information about the event, call Connie Weber at 573-751-1224.