Archive for 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the sales tax received this month from the state. She reported the General Revenue Fund and the law Enforcement Fund came in at $66,408.73 which is $10,274.21 more than monies received in 2018. Year-to-date, the General Revenue and the LEST funds are down $14,402 or about 1.74%. The Road and Bridge Fund came in at $31,530.92 and that is $5,209 more than in 2018. Year to date, that fund is down $1,214 of 0.32%. Both of the jail funds were up near $11,000 over last year’s October figures and $63,028.14. Year-to-date, those two funds combines in 2019 have received $1,570,757.34. Melissa Weed from US Bank brought in the lease/purchase papers for the commission to sign for the new tractor/mower. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5500 while only grading would be done on county roads 2470, 2480 and 5600. He went on to report brush would be cut Dent County Roads 2410 and 2440 while crossover pipes will be installed on Dent County Roads 5100 and 5440. Road materials will also be added to county road 5100. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2190 and 2200 while materials would be added with some grading done on county road 4020. Larson stated signs will be put up on county roads 4010 and 4020 and brown rock would be brought in for screening at the shop. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the courthouse would be closed Monday for Columbus Day and the next commissioner meeting would be on Thursday morning. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of September, and also balanced with the assessor and collector on all abatements, add-ons and collections for September. She will also be attending a South Central County Clerk’s meeting in West Plains Friday. The next meeting will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meting will be open to the public.

Tomorrow will be the “Ride for America” that will start and end at Danny Black’ s Farm on Dent County Road 5380. If you enjoying riding an ATV or UTV, you will love this scenic ride through rural Dent County that could last over 70 miles! The cost is $30 per unit and that would include a Dent County Permit. After the race, a party for those registered will be held with food and music provided. Pre-registration can be done online: www.cowtownusainc.com.

One of the most popular travel destinations in Missouri continues to be Maramec Spring Park. This beautiful 1800 acre park offers many activities for history and outdoor enthusiasts alike, regardless of the season. One of the more popular activities is the annual OLD IRON WORKS DAY’S festival. 2019 marks the 41st year for the James Foundation to hold the event at Maramec Spring Park. This year’s two day event will be held on October 12th and 13th and will feature over 100 crafters demonstrating crafts that were important to the way of life in the mid-1800s era. Visitors of the festival will learn about doll making, quilting, wood carving, how arrowheads were made and blacksmithing to name a few. Several of the demonstrations will offer participation in educational and fun craft activities for all ages. Live entertainment will be featured each day on the main stage. The always popular Ozark Spirit Cloggers will be sure to put on a high energy show in addition to lively music provided by the Ozark Rounders and The Sterlings Bluegrass Band. Daily admission is still $15 per carload or free with a Maramec Spring Park Season Pass. For more information call the James Foundation at 573-265-7124, Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.

A fatality accident happened Tuesday morning at 11:55 in Reynolds County on Highway 49 about seven miles north of Lesterville. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer being driven northbound by 41-year old Edward Baugh of Black, crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2016 Freightliner being driven southbound by 52-year old Joseph Miller of Poplar Bluff. Edward Baugh and a passenger in the Blazer, a 16-year old girl also of Black, were killed in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene by Reynolds County Coroner Jeffery McSpadden. Their bodies were taken to McSpadden Funeral Home. The driver of the Freightliner, Joseph Miller, received moderate injuries and was transported by Reynolds County Ambulance to Iron County Hospital. The patrol was assisted by the Reynolds County Sheriffs Department and Reynolds County Fire Department.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden said the AMI project has been delayed a couple of weeks in the meter changeover. Walden said he is working on the wording to let the public know when the changeover will begin, possibly the week of October 21st. Walden said a nuisance workshop would be held on October 21st at 6:00. He said a survey would be going out this week for public input for the workshop. Walden reported the TAP grant for the trail from the Salem R-80 Administration Building to the large pavilion has been delayed as the bid winner did not meet the MoDOT requirements. The project will now have to be rebid and the work will not be done until spring. It was hoped the work could be done in conjunction with the work on the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Walden said the bids on the Streetscape project are being reviewed and the city has advertised requests for proposals to build a new website for the city, county and chamber. Those proposals need to be submitted to the city administrative offices by October 24th at 4:00. Walden stated the annual MRPC Recognition and Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, October 24th at 5:30 in Waynesville. Tickets are available at the MRPC office by calling 265-2993. Walden said the city offices would be closed on October 14th for Columbus Day. Walden also said he is working with Todd Kinerk on naming streets in the cemetery after trees native to Missouri. Once a list has been finalized, he will bring that list to the board. The board then approved Bill #3431 that amended the annual budget for the City of Salem from July 1, 2018 to June 30th, 2019. The adjustments concentrated on the transfers in and out of the General Revenues Fund and also reflected increases in revenues in some funds. The board then went into closed session to discuss litigation, real estate, personnel and contracts.

Join Elephant Rocks State Park staff for a fall evening of spooky stories and Halloween fun from 5:00 until 10:00 at night this Saturday as they host the first annual Haunted Hike in the park. Trail guides will lead visitors on a special 1-mile hike on the main blacktop trail. Guides will tell tales about imagined ghost, haints, and other happenings for a fun scare. The trail is fully accessible and persons with mobility issues will be able to participate. Treats for kids will be handed out and kids from infants to 16 who wear a costume can enter the cutest and scariest costume contests. Check in at the contest tent where staff will take pictures of each entry. Judging will follow the event, and prizes for the cutest costume and the scariest costume will be awarded. Entrants need not be present to win. Shuttle services from the Arcadia Valley High School parking lot will be provided. Only handicapped parking will be available at the event. The Arcadia Valley High School is located at 520 W. Park Drive in Ironton. Visitors are asked to bring a flashlight and encouraged to bring a bottle of water, dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Insect repellent is also recommended. Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21, Belleview. For more information about the event, call the site at 573-546-3454..

The October exhibit at the Ozark National Cultural Resource Center will be centered around Sasquatch or Big Foot. This exhibit began on Monday and will continue through November 1st. The exhibit will feature a life size rendering of Big Foot in his habitat, photos of sightings, as well as newspaper accounts of Sasquatch sightings in Missouri. The ONCRC located at 202 South Main Street will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. If you need more information, call 573-729-0029.