Archive for 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met at the courthouse Monday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the taxes received by the county in the month of February. Williams stated the county received $62,290.32 in General Revenue funds which is $10,900 more than for February of 2017. For the year, the sales tax revenue for General Revenue for 2018 is up 8.48% from 2017 or $22,703.06. Williams said the tax money received for the Road and Bridge Funds came in at $30,265.00 which is $5,200.28 more than February of 2017, and for the year the sales tax revenue for Road and Bridge Fund is up $4,419.31 or 8.44%. The sales tax revenue for the two jail funds came in at $132,032.16. Since this is a new fund, so far the county has received $394,824.18 for the new jail and justice center project for the months from November through February. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated crews were out Sunday treating chip and seal roads and subdivisions. He said they will continue to respond to calls if people have issues with roads in the county. Purcell did say that repairs were being made to the snow plow on truck #119. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews continue to monitor the roads and treat slick spots where needed. He did say workers were working on truck #124 that had some tailgate issues. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported the commissioners attended their required annual training last week. He said he attended the Salem Area Community Betterment Association annual meeting Monday night. All the commissioners wanted to extend their deepest sympathies to the families of Dr. Ted Ziske and former County Clerk Gary Leonard for their losses. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Last Monday, February 5th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory, nearly 60 community members and local leaders participated in the public meeting for the Salem 2040 community visioning project. Students from Drury University in Springfield facilitated a process for the participants to identify high priority long-term goals, objectives and strategies that our community might consider. Some initial ideas that were discussed included goals such as becoming a place that youth stay in the community and return to after college, being a sustainable community, a town with big city amenities and small town charm, among many others. The students used a unique game method for guiding conversations and reaching consensus with participants. If you could not attend the first meeting, the next public meeting will be held Monday, February 26th, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Salem Community at the Armory. At this meeting, the Drury students will present a variety of vision sketches based on the information gathered from the community visioning workshop and discussion with community leaders. These “What if” ideas are intended to elicit discussions and broaden the community’s awareness of potential improvements. You can be a part of the conversation for shaping Salem’s future by attending the next meeting on February 26th and bring a friend! Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information, call Ray Walden at 729-2428 or Sarah Massengale at 729-3196.

The Salem Rotary Club will be holding their annual Pancake Day this Saturday at the Middle School Cafeteria from 7:00 until 11;00 in the morning. The cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. Everyone is welcome!!!

The Salem Memorial District Hospital is requesting bids from qualified contractors for the removal and replacement of exterior concrete walks and curbs. Plans, specifications and bid documents are available from Hospital Administrative Office. A Mandatory pre-bid conference and site walk will be held at 9:00 in the morning this Wednesday, February 14th in the Physician Library. The successful bidder shall comply with applicable State provisions about the payment of prevailing wages on public works projects. For more information, call 729-6626 and ask for the administration office.

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History has been chosen to participate in an ENDOWMENT match opportunity from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield, MO. The CFO has over 650 affiliated agencies in Missouri, and only ten were selected to participate. The Board of Trustees of the Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation is elated to have this opportunity to raise money for the perpetual endowment fund. In past years’ fundraising with the Give Ozarks Day campaign coordinated by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Bonebrake Center has been able to repaint and repair the exterior of the house, put a new roof on the cabin, and, this year, renovate the bathroom. Generous donations from members of the Dent County area and beyond made these projects possible. However, there will be NO Give Ozarks Day this year, but the CFO has chosen the Bonebrake Center to receive $5,000 for the endowment fund if the Board of Trustees can raise $10,000. The hard part is that there is only one month in which to do this–February 2018. The $10,000 must be raised by February 28, 2018 in order to qualify for the additional $5,000 match. Executive Director Libby Sanders noted that since the inception of their organization in 1988, they have been committed to building the endowment fund. They are determined to see the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History continue to thrive, and even in the leanest of times, the endowment funds have never been touched. All memorials (unless otherwise specified by the donor) are invested in an endowment account, and 10% of any income of $500 or more also deposited into an endowment account, so the endowment continues to grow yearly. The ultimate goal is to have a large enough endowment fund that the basic operating expenses of the Bonebrake Center are covered by income generated through interest and leveraged grants, with fundraising only for special needs. If you, as a business, individual, or agency, can help the Bonebrake Center toward that goal, please contact the Bonebrake Center (601 North Hickory Street, Salem, MO 65560, 573-729-3400, or e-mail them at bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com) or any member of the Board of Trustees immediately. Members of the Board are Carilee Ball, Jamin Bray, Mike Godi, Bonnie Gray, David Massengale, Austin Mitchell, Nancy Moenster, Libby Sanders, Jason Stotler and Stephanie Strader. This opportunity is one that shouldn’t be missed! If you have questions or need more information, contact Libby Sanders at 573-247-0279.

A REMINDER: All interested drivers for the DAV/VFW Veteran’s Van will need to attend the driver orientation that will be held tomorrow afternoon, February 13th from 5:00 to 6:00 at the American Legion Post. If you would like to become a driver, need more information on the driver orientation or have any questions, please contact Richard LaBrash at 729-1394.

An accident happened in Phelps County Sunday morning at 10:00 on private property adjacent to Phelps County Road 2080 about four miles north of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Polaris Ranger RZR driven northbound by 40-year old Jerry Birdsong of Rolla, was power sliding in a circular motion on his Polaris when the RZR hit a patch of thawed turf, overturning the Polaris. Birdsong and a passenger on the Polaris, 53-year old Cindy Freeman of Rolla, each suffered moderate injuries and were taken by the St. James Ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Neither person was wearing safety gear at the time of the accident. The Polaris had little damage and was left at the scene.