Archive for 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2470, 2480, 2490 and 5610. He stated brush would be cut on county road 2460 and a crew would be replacing a crossover pipe and installing a new crossover pipe on Dent County Road 4155. Purcell stated he attended a South Central Community Action Agency meeting on Tuesday and was informed there are still funds available for weatherization and for home repair to make homes more energy efficient and create structural stability. There are income guidelines to qualify for the funds. Those who are interested should call Sarah at 729-3500. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4010 while only grading would be done on county road 2330. He indicated brush would be cut on county road 3250 and a man would be screening brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended the TAC committee meeting last Thursday where all road construction is done in this region but striping still has to be done on a number of roads. There were also informed that deaths on the roads in the Meramec region are down three from last year and stand currently at 27. He said anyone who would still like a ticket to the MRPC Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner can still call 265-2993, but they would need to do so by today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she met with risk manager for the insurance group and was told that based on claim experience this year that the workers compensation insurance should go down by about one percent. Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in to discuss re-establishing the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board that would hear requests for tax credits for new businesses or expanding current businesses in the area that would mostly create tangible products. She said their terms would all begin in December and the people she recommended to the commission to appoint were Dean Jones from Independent Stave, Dustin Howard from the Bank of Salem, Willie Strader from Farm Bureau Insurance, Jamie Homeyer from VIP properties, Kasey Lucas from the Salem Memorial District Hospital, John McCulloch from the Salem R-80 and Daniel Salyer from Phil-Mart. The commission approved the new board as submitted. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Monday, October 7th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 40000 block of Highway 72. During the course of the traffic stop, a 45-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license suspended for a 2nd or subsequent time. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Thursday, October 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day while on routine patrol, a deputy recognized a male they knew to have active warrants near a residence in the 1000 block of East Mondy Street. The 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for the active warrants through Dent County and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

It’s time to start preparing for this year’s Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Exhibit entry
forms are now being accepted for this year’s entries with the theme this year being “Miracles on Main Street.” You can pickup you’re an application form at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 South Main or call 729-0029 for more information. This year’s chairman is Judy Thompson and she can be reached at the ONCRC or call 573-578-0682. All exhibit entry forms must be turned in by October 31st! The exhibit will start with an open house on November 17th from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided. The exhibit will continue to run through Christmas Eve from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon starting Monday, November 18th. The exhibit will also be open on Saturdays from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. You will also be able to visit Santa’s Workshop December 7th & 14th.

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages people to enjoy fall foliage through camping, driving tours, hiking, or even canoeing or floating. Predicting fall color can be difficult, but all regions right now in Missouri are just starting to turn colors. Normally, trees first begin changing color in the northern part of the state, then move southward across the state. This year, almost all the areas are behind their normal levels of change. Although many trees in our region like oak and hickory trees have lost some leaves due to drought stress, flowering dogwoods and black tupelos have started to show some genuine fall color, with leaves of purple and red mottled through the midstory. Virginia creeper is turning shades of scarlet and burgundy, and its vines add patches of color to the woodland floor and lower tree boles. Goldenrods are still in bloom and add lovely shades of gold and yellow to the landscape. You can look at the annual fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. The weekly reports include what kinds of trees are turning and some suggestions on the best places to view them in the entire state.

Healthy Dent County and Cahills Construction recently announced “A Night in the French Quarter Masquerade Ball” Casino Night Fundraiser on November 2nd at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Back for its second year, the doors will open at 6:00 in the evening with gaming from 6:30-9:30. The event features game tables much like the ones you will find in a real casino, as well as professional dealers to run the games. Tickets are available for $50 per person or $85 per couple. Event ticket holders will receive $10,000 in gambling money to play the casino games of their choice throughout the evening. Plus if you get your tickets before 4:30 this Friday, you will receive an early bonus of an additional $5,000 in gaming money. Traditional games such as craps, roulette and black jack are available, plus there will be snacks and a cash bar. At the end of the evening, attendees will exchange their gaming money for tickets to win great prizes. The grand prize is a four night stay at La Belle Maison near the New Orleans French Quarter. Other prizes will be an I-Pad, 55 inch Smart TV, three piece wicker outdoor set, St. Louis Blues Hockey Tickets and Missouri Basketball Tickets. Other drawings will be held through the night. Guests are asked to come dressed in their finest Masquerade Ball-themed attire and receive an extra $1,000 in gaming money. Tickets are available at Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road, Monday through Friday from 8:00 until 4:30 or call them at 729-8163. You can also buy tickets online at
healthydentcountycasinonight2019.eventbrite.com.

A beef cattle artificial insemination school will be held Friday, October 25th from 5:00 to 9:00 in the evening and Saturday, October 26th from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the Lincoln University Alan T. Busby Farm located at 5124 Goller Road in Jefferson City, Missouri. Classroom and hands-on practice of beef cattle insemination and methodology as well as synchronization techniques and basic reproductive anatomy will be addressed. The fee of $315.00 is due with registration and must be done online by this Friday at http://www.event.com/d/myqtb3/4W or by contacting Livestock Specialist Anita Ellis at 573-642-0755.

An accident happened in Phelps County on Route F at Phelps County Road 3550 Monday evening at 8:15. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado driven westbound by 24-year old Marco Palomar of Rolla traveled off the right side of the roadway and impacted a stop sign and embankment. Palomar suffered moderate injuries and was taken by EMS to Phelps Health. The Silverado sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting tonight at 6:00 at the District administrative Offices Boardroom. After the consent agenda is approved and communications, the board will hear from Superintendent John McCulloch with the September membership count and then the board will see a kindergarten presentation. After the building principals give their reports, the board will consider an LED Lighting project before going into closed session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting tonight is open to the public.

Gather down by the millpond at Dillard Mill State Historic Site from 6:00 to 7:00 this Friday night to hear storyteller and author Eric Mansfield present the Ghosts of Dillard Mill. Following this ghostly tale, children will get a chance to break a pumpkin piñata so be sure to bring a sack to fill with goodies. Guest should bring a chair or blanket and insect repellent. Dillard Mill State Historic Site State Park is located at 1142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. For more information, call 636-938-7198. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem Marching Blue won 1st Place Overall in the Finals of the Ozark Mountain Marching Festival for the first time since it began in 1985. Salem took 1st place in Class C of the preliminary and received awards for music, visual, color guard, percussion and their chuck wagon presentation. They then took first in the finals with a score of 83.4 score and received awards for music, visual and color guard. Congratulations Salem Marching Blue!