Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came in to report that the CART receipts for April were $55,438.89. She reported year-to-date receipts were up $1,764.84 or .81%. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said due to the rain he had crews out checking for clogged pipes and crossovers. He added that brush was being cut on Dent County Roads 6283 and 6495, plus he had a man stockpiling materials at the County Road and Bridge Department. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that materials would be added to Dent County Roads 2550 and 3190, plus when the weather permits, chip and seal repair on county road 3220 would be completed. He added he had a crew putting in a pipe on Dent County Road 2550, plus his men were checking for clogged pipes. Larson said that some of his crew was working on a particular pipe on Dent County Road 2180 that habitually washes out. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that on Thursday he attending the Listening Session at the US Forest Service, the purpose of which was to give the public the opportunity to discuss issues with Forest Service personnel. Skiles said some of the topics discussed included trail maintenance and accessibility, private property access, timber harvest permits, and feral hogs. Friday he attended the MRPC Re-investment Committee meeting in St. James where the due structure changes were the major topic. Skiles indicated he would present specifics of the changes once the final decision is approved by MRPC. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Sunday morning at 2:55 in Phelps County about 8 miles east of St. James on Highway 8. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Lincoln Continental Town Car, driven by 18-year old Makayla Potts of Vichy, was traveling westbound when it traveled off the right side of the road. Potts overcorrected, traveled back across the roadway, struck a guardrail, rotated counter clockwise, and struck a bridge rail face. Potts and two passengers, 17-year old Kennedi Mathis of St. James and 16-year old Kylee Wilken of St. Clair, suffered moderate injuries. Potts and Wilken were transferred to Phelps County Regional Medical Center, while Mathis sought her own treatment. A third passenger, 19-year old Michael Tanner of Steelville, suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. No one was wearing a safety restrain at the time of the accident. The Lincoln sustained moderate damage and was towed by Spurgeon’s Towing of St. James.

An accident happened Sunday at 2:05 in the afternoon in Phelps County on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 2000. According to the highway patrol report, 72-year old Robert Hill of St. James driving a 2009 Ford Ranger westbound, failed to yield to an oncoming 2001 Toyota Rav4 driven by 19-year old Michael Cunningham that was traveling northbound, and pulled into the path of the vehicle causing a collision. Hill and Cunningham each suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The Ford Ranger was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing while the Toyota Rav4 sustained extensive damage and was removed by C&S Towing. Both Hill and Cunningham were wearing seat restraints.

Dalton Sanders of the Salem FFA Chapter was named state winner in the Missouri Teach Ag public speaking contest at the 90th Missouri FFA Convention, April 19th & 20th, 2018, in Columbia. This year’s theme was “Ag Educators: Building Communities” which focuses on promoting agricultural education and emphasizes the importance of agricultural education in communities. This contest was sponsored by Missouri Teach Ag. The Missouri FFA has 25,375 members representing 343 chapters. The national organization has more than 653,000 members representing 8,568 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Spring Creek Artisans will be hosting SpringFest on Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon at the historic Bonebrake Center in Salem at the corner of Rolla Road and Hickory Street. Phillip Gentry, a woodcarver specializing in wood caricatures, will be the featured artist. Come see all of our new artists work. A wide variety of handmade items, from original paintings, wood carvings and turnings, pottery, baskets, fiber art, quilts, cornhusk dolls, gourd art, stained glass, jewelry, metal sculpture and gift cards will be on sale. The first 50 customers will receive a free seed packet just in time for spring planting. For additional information you can contact Russ Biros, president of the artisans at 417-458-9894.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was attending a Listening Post at the US Forest Service facility. Assistant Dent County Clerk Crystal Pilkington appointed District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell as acting Presiding Commissioner. Salem Mayor Brad Nash and City Attorney Camm Seay were in to update the Commission on a small change to the Memorandum of Understanding relative to Iron Street. The Aldermen wanted an addition to the MOU that Iron Street would revert back to the City of Salem if the street was not used for the Justice Center. Both Purcell and District One Commissioner Gary Larson indicated they saw no problem with the change. Nash indicated he had discussed the change with Commissioner Skiles. Seay said that the change would be noted to Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley and that an ordinance finalizing the transaction would be presented at the next City Council Meeting. In the road report Commissioner Purcell said that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 5420, 5410 and 6280. He said that Monday he attended the Tourism Tax Board meeting where three proposals were approved, one was tabled waiting for more information, and one reimbursement request was approved. Purcell noted that on Tuesday he attended the South Central Community Action Agency meeting in Winona and that the seven basic programs still have funds available for qualifiers. He said the local contact number is (573) 729-3500 and ask for Sarah. Commissioner Larson said that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 4405, plus he had a call about trees down on Dent County Road 4380, which his crew took care of. He said he had a crew patching chip and seal on Dent County Roads 3210 and 3220. Pilkington reported that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. John McIntyre addressed the Commissioners relative to the article in this week’s Salem News about Nuisance Properties in Dent County. McIntyre voiced his opposition to new regulations, but instead encouraged the Commissioners to work towards enforcement of existing regulations. He cited a number of states where he has lived &/or owned property and that it seemed each and every state had numerous regulations, but the enforcement of them was always lacking. Beth Frizzell, Dent County Tax Board Chair, was in to propose the selection of John Johnston for the Board. The Commissioners approved Johnston’s appointment. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of March. During the month, they wrote two equipment repair orders, 18 summons to appear in court, six warning tickets, and 19 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 13 accidents, one assault, two burglaries, two reports of a dog bite, four reports of domestic violence, six driving while being intoxicated reports, seven driving while having their license revoked or suspended, two fraud reports, one harassment report, and three reports of leaving the scene of an accident. The department also investigated two reports of minor in possession or intoxicants, seven reports of possession of a controlled substance, four reports of possession of drug paraphernalia, one report of property damage, and three reports of resisting or interfering with an arrest, eleven reports of stealing, one tampering report, and had two 96 hour commitments. They also served eight fugitive warrants and five city warrants. The police department received 1,280 calls for service during the month and handled 72 walk-ins to the station. They spent 20 hours in court testifying and 10 hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,813 miles and arrested 23 males and 9 females during the month of March.

Come to the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History tonight at 7:30 for another sky watching event. As the sky starts to darken, the focus will be on the Moon, as the craters become sharper. The line between the bright side of the Moon and darkness represents places where the Sun is rising on the Moon. In those places, there will be the most definition on the Moon’s surface. Some of the Moon’s most interesting features and craters will be on display this night. For anyone eager to take Moon photos, we’ll have a holder to help you get an impressive picture. The sky is full of interesting objects. These sky watches are always fun and handouts are provided to those attending, and you can get answers to questions, and sometimes enjoy a surprise or two! Dress for the weather and come enjoy the views and experience a tour of the sky. This program is appropriate for the whole family and will be mostly outdoors. There will be access to the house and light snacks. The suggested donation is $1.00 per person or $5.00 for the whole family, but no one will be turned away. If it appears the night sky will be too cloudy, the program will be postponed. Registrants may call or text 573-247-0279 if there is a question about possible cancellation.