Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report that Congress had authorized an increase in the Rural Schools Act and the County received an additional $66,147.48. She noted that the money would be disbursed as follows: $16,536.87 to Road and Bridge, $12,134.76 to Salem R-80, $10,021.35 to Oak Hill R-1, $421.69 to Northwood R-4, $7,833.50 to Viburnum C4 and $19,199.31 to Bunker R2. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell noted that due to the 3 to 4 inches of weekend rainfall his crews were out repairing washouts, cleaning clogged pipes and removing downed trees. He went on to say that it would take several days for the county’s roads to be back to where they were before the storms. Purcell also said he would be attending a Tourism Commission meeting Monday evening. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson echoed Purcell’s comments and also noted he had calls over the weekend about downed trees on the roadways in his district. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Commission continues to seek bids on carpet for the entire Courthouse and replacement of the 3rd floor windows. He noted that the Commissioners would be attending the Hazardous Mitigation Plan meeting Monday afternoon. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded everyone that the Courthouse would be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Bids were opened for chip and seal and the Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the bid from N.B. West Contracting for 12.9 miles of single coat chip and seal at $1.24 per square yard and one mile of double coat chip and seal at $3.45 per square yard. The next regular meeting of the Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

On Friday, May 18th, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop at Sinclair County Fuels on Highway 32 West in Salem. Deputies were following up on a suspicious vehicle call for a motorcycle and car with out of state plates. The driver of the car, a 27-year old St. Charles man, and the passenger, a 21-year old Wright City woman, were arrested on outstanding warrants. The driver of the motorcycle, 29-year old James Judd of Winfield, fled into the woods behind the Al Brown fields. A search was conducted but he was not located. A K9 was utilized to sniff the vehicle and it gave a positive alert. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a black plastic “ammo can” with a glass-smoking device, digital scale, and over 90 grams of methamphetamine. The two individuals in the car were charged with 1st Degree Accessory to Trafficking Drugs and are each being held on a $100,000 cash only bond. Judd is a wanted fugitive and is still being sought by law enforcement. The Dent County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Salem Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The above information is a mere accusation, and is not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of any charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

A boating accident occurred Saturday on the Lake of the Ozarks that took the lives of three Kansas residents. According to the Highway Patrol Report the accident occurred at the 47.5 mile mark of the main channel at midnight when a 1991 Regal Runabout, operated by 22 year-old Hayden Frazier of Overland Park, Kansas, struck a rock bluff ejecting Frazier along with occupants Joseph Lemark of Overland Park and 21 year-old Hailey Hochanadel of Olathe, Kansas. Lemark and Hochanadel were pronounced deceased at the scene by Medical Examiner Jason Elliot. Daniel Lewis of Overland Park was pronounced deceased within the boat. Twenty-one year old Ashley Lamb of Olathe suffered serious injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield by Staff For Life. Frazier suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Lake Regional Hospital.

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will present “Going Batty” on Friday night, May 25th starting at 6:30. Led by naturalist Janet Price of Moonshadow Moments, LLC, formerly of Johnson’s Shut-Ins, explore the magic of BATS! If you don’t like bugs driving YOU batty, check out how bats take care of the problem for us—for free! Count Batula will be flying in to share some secrets, songs, and even a bat rap with us! This program is appropriate for all ages and is especially family-friendly. The cost is $1.00 per person or $5.00/family, regardless of the number, which includes a light snack. Phone reservations are requested to plan for snacks and activities. Please call the Bonebrake Center (573.729.3400) for more information or register. The Bonebrake Center is located at 601 North Hickory Street in Salem, at the corner of North Hickory Street and East Rolla Road.

The Dent County Open Youth Market animal jackpot show will be held June 2nd at The Commons on Highway 72 in Salem. The show will feature hogs, goats, lambs, and steers. The hog weigh in takes place at 7 a.m. with goats, lambs, and steers to follow. For more information contact Bambi Merrifield at 573-729-2234 or 573-739-9782 or Marsha Fenton at 573-739-4563 or 573-247-7828.

Time is running out for everyone in the Salem Community, or for those who work or have visited Salem to complete an online Community Confidence survey for GRO Salem. The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of how community members perceive the Salem community. The goal is to conduct this survey every year and closely monitor the changes from year to year. This is a follow up survey to the one that was done last year and your response will help GRO Salem monitor the changes from the previous year to help develop their strategy for the upcoming year. The data collected will be crucial in helping them understand where the Community and Economic Development efforts are making positive impacts with the general public and where additional efforts need to be expended. Surveys need to be completed by this Friday, May 25th, and your response is appreciated. Let your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or church family in the Salem area know about this survey as the more responses that are received, the better GRO Salem can assess what needs to be addressed. There are only five questions and the survey should take no more than five minutes of your time to complete. You can find the survey at www.facebook.com/GroSalem.MO. You will have to scroll down a bit to find the survey. Your effort is appreciated!

City and county officials, school leaders, emergency management agencies and interested residents are invited to attend a public meeting this afternoon at 2:00 in the Salem City Hall Council Chambers to continue development of the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The county must have an approved hazard mitigation plan in order for Dent County schools, local governments, agencies and others to access state hazard mitigation grant funds. The plan includes an assessment of natural hazards and will establish goals and action items to reduce the impact of natural hazards in the future. Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is developing the plan in partnership with the Dent County Commission. The more people who attend this meeting reduces the cost of the developing the plan to the county.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting Monday night at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting. The board received just one bid from Premier Pyrotechnics for $16,000 for the annual fireworks display at The Commons. Mayor Brad Nash will then appoint Beth Atchison to a one-year term on the City of Salem Park and Recreation Board. In the reports of city officials, board and committees, Salem Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon will report on the Park Board meeting held Friday, May 11th that will include a report on their pool visit, the opening ceremony on Thursday, May 24th for participants in the T-Ball, softball and baseball at the City Park, and other business. City Administrator Ray Walden will discuss the Economic Development position search, discuss a policy change to require a plan review for a commercial project before building permits are issued, discuss and review the certificates of occupancy ordinance, and Walden will request the board develop their 2018-2019 goals and priorities. City Attorney Camm Seay wishes to update the city’s ordinances on Planning and Zoning and on dangerous buildings. Mayor Nash will give his report before the board discusses the ordinance to lease The Commons for the 4th of July Fireworks Activities. The board will review a request to purchase liquid chlorine for the pool of $3,120; and also the cost of repairing the Cemetery’s backhoe that should come to about $5,000 by Kyle Wofford who can replace the cylinders. The board may then go into closed session.

The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to the boating season. During the 2017 Memorial Day weekend, there were 15 boating crashes which included seven injuries and one fatality. Two people drowned over last year’s holiday weekend. Troopers arrested 20 people for boating while intoxicated in 2017. Boating is a great pastime and troopers want everyone to enjoy themselves. Never operate a boat while you are impaired; never ride with an impaired operator. Please be courteous to others on the water, wear a life jacket, and obey the law regarding safe operation of a vessel and no wake zones. Causing harm to another person or their property with an excessive boat wake may subject you to enforcement action or civil liability. Always treat other boaters and property owners as you want to be treated. Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!! Boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. For road condition reports, travelers can visit the Patrol’s website at www.mshp.dps.mo.gov. Click on the Road Condition icon to view road construction areas throughout the state or call 1-888-275-6636.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their May meeting Tuesday in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda, will be the approval of the minutes from the April 17th meeting. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will discuss the hospital foundation, give an update on the auxiliary and community marketing as well as give the patient satisfaction survey results for the SMDH emergency department and the SMDH family medicine. In old business the Board will address a budget committee meeting report. During new business the Board will address purchases made for the hospital. The May meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center, formerly the Teachers Closet, at 6:30.Musicians and listeners of all ages and talents are invited and there is no cost. For more information, call 247-0279 or e-mail saac@embarqmail.com.