Archive for 2018

This past Monday morning, the Dent County Commissioners held the 2018 Dent County Budget hearing. The General Revenue (GR) Fund ended 2017 with net cash available at $1,192,505.31. Estimated GR revenues for 2018 were $1,765,764.68, while estimated expenses for this year are $1,950,296.24, resulting in an estimated ending balance of $1,007,973.75 as of December 31st, 2018. The Road and Bridge Fund ending cash balance in 2017 was $470,900.02, with estimated revenues in 2018 of $1,603,000.00 and estimated expenses of $1,771,953.00 which would result in an estimated ending balance of $301,947.20 at the end of 2018. Commissioner Larson noted that the increase in revenues compared to past years’ budgets was due to FEMA receipts from last springs flood damages and that he and Commissioner Purcell had increased the budgeted amount for chip and seal repair. The Assessment Fund ending balance was $97,639.43, and with estimated revenues of $188,800.00 for 2018 with estimated expenses of $227,728.14, this would result in an estimated ending balance of $58,711.29. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax (LEST) Fund ending balance in 2017 was $273,715.89. They estimate revenues in 2018 at $1,366,868.73, while estimated deductions came in at $1,546,323.84 leaving an estimated ending balance of $94,260.78. All the other smaller budgets were all presented for questions, but there were none. The budget was approved 3-0.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Monday, January 23rd. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported the lab services are now available at the Health Center at a highly discounted rate. Clients interested in services will need to request an order from their physician and call the Health Center (729-3106) to schedule an appointment. Mobray reported on the priority health survey that was completed concerning maternal child health. After reviewing the results of the survey and data from across the state, the Health Center determined the Priority Health Issue for 2019-2021 is Intentional and Unintentional Injuries for Children and Adolescents with a focus on Substance Abuse. The Summary with Overall Process and Findings report has been submitted to the Department of Health and Social Services and they are awaiting feedback. Mobray went on to provide the influenza activity in Missouri and she said it is widespread. As of January 23rd, there have been 281 confirmed cases of influenza reported for Dent County. A much larger number of residents have had flu-like symptoms without being tested. She says the health center still has flu vaccine available and will vaccinate patients on a walk-in basis until the supply is exhausted. After a closed session to discuss salaries, the board proceeded to set the salaries for 2018. Mobray then presented the 2018 budget for Board review. The Health Center ended the fiscal year that ended December 31st of 2017 with Revenues over Expenses of $86,767.29. Cash available as of that date increased to $781,592.37 which was up $73,095.69 from the previous year balance. The board approved the budget. Mobray went on to report on the Second Annual Billion Step Challenge that began January 8th. She said this year 18 teams and 7 individuals are participating in the challenge. The next regular board meeting date was set for Monday, February 26th, 2018 @ 5:00 PM and the meeting was adjourned.

The Salem Police Department has submitted the following reports. On Thursday afternoon, January 18th at approximately 4:08, an officer located a 43-year old male of Licking in the 100 block of West Fourth who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and released to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. Then on Friday afternoon, January 19th at approximately 4:02, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took items valued at $1000.00 from a residence in the 500 block of East Ninth Street. The report is under investigation. On Sunday, January 21st at about 1:34 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of an 18-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same afternoon at about 3:58, an officer was sent to Wal-Mart reference another shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 46-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $60.34. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said he had two men out with the flu and that if roadway conditions permitted grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6230, 4080, 2470 and 2440. He added that two men were hauling brown rock and one was putting an extension on a crossover pipe on county road 2430. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson echoed Purcell’s comments as to roadway conditions permitting grading, plus he has one man out with the flu. He went on to say that his crew planned to grade on Dent County Roads 4060 and 2590. Larson added that he had one man hauling brown rock and another screening rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported Thursday he attended the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee meeting and the Committee has several vacancies for first responders and professionals. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said bills were being approved and would be paid once the budget was approved. At 10:00 the Commissioners held the 2018 budget hearing. Dent County Assessor Tina Whitaker and SB40 Executive Director Amanda Sapaugh were in attendance for the hearing. After a brief review, the 2018 Dent County Budget was approved by a 3-0 vote. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Healthy Salem and Health Literacy Media want to learn your thoughts on how to improve Salem in 2018. The goal of this effort is to learn how Healthy Salem can best continue to help Salem, and they need your help to make that happen. They invite you to take an online survey that will take no longer than about 20 minutes to complete at surveymonkey.com/r/Sal1. If you complete the survey by February 6th, you can be entered into a drawing for a $25 Wal-Mart gift card. If you would prefer to participate via regular mail, or have any questions, you may call (314) 361-9400. Health Literacy Media is a nonprofit organization leading Healthy Salem, a community health project to help spread knowledge about health and health care to help people in Salem make informed choices for their own, their family’s, and Salem’s health and wellbeing. Healthy Salem started in May 2016. Last year Health Literacy Media partnered with the Salem Community Center @ the Armory to offer two cooking workshops led by Laura Short, a top-ranked US Coast Guard culinary specialist. Health Literacy Media also partnered with Your Community Health Center to provide dental care and supplies to underinsured families from the Smile Mobile.

Have you made your appointment for the free tax filing assistance provided by the Volunteers from the AARP Foundation at the Salem Community Center@The Armory? Dates are starting to fill up so don’t wait if you want to use these free services. Currently, appointments are still available from Friday, February 16th through Friday, April 13th. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163.

The search continues for 41-year old John Toy Long who escaped from the South Central Correctional Center outside Licking Thursday morning. Long is 5 feet, five inches tall and weighs 166 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Residents are asked to contact local law enforcement at 729-3241 or the Missouri State Highway Patrol if they see him at (573) 368-2345. You can also just call 9-1-1.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Saturday afternoon, January 13th at approximately 2:27, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown threw an egg on a vehicle that was parked in the 1100 block of South Wines. The report is under investigation. Later that afternoon at approximately 3:06, an officer was sent to the area of Rubenstein and Highway 19 in reference to someone slumped over the steering wheel in a vehicle. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 26-year old male of Salem for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. That evening at approximately 7:19, an officer was sent to Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 in reference to a theft of fuel. The investigation of the report revealed the driver of a tan four door Ford, pumped fuel valued at $10.00 and left without paying. The report is under investigation. On Sunday morning, January 14th at about 9:39, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 1400 block of West Franklin in reference to damage to a vehicle. That investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown broke the back glass out of a red 2015 Nissan Rogue Sport Utility Vehicle valued at $400.00. The report is under investigation. Later that evening at approximately 8:00, an officer was contacted in reference to damage to a vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown threw an egg at a truck causing damage. The report is under investigation. On Monday, January 15th at approximately 8:05 in the evening, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 35-year old female of House Springs for stealing merchandise valued at $9.09. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Tuesday afternoon, January 16th at approximately 4:20, an officer was sent to Wal-Mart for another report of a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 20-year old male of Pacific, Missouri for stealing merchandise valued at $23.88. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.