Archive for 2019

Brenna Heavin of Rolla, a junior at Rolla High School, will be presented with an engraved bronze medallion to recognize her selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Missouri in the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in an all school assembly at the Rolla High School today at 1:00. Brenna has worked with her family since 2011 on “Cupcakes for Cancer,” an annual initiative that has raised more than $15,000 through cupcake sales for the “Joy of Caring Cancer Fund” to assist people with cancer in paying everyday expenses. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), represent the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. All middle and high schools in the U.S., along with all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award last November. Two State Honorees—one middle and one high school student—plus a select number of Distinguished Finalists from each state and the District of Columbia were selected based on criteria such as personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.

An accident occurred Friday evening at 8:40 in Phelps County on Phelps County Private Drive 1096, about three tenths of a mile west of Phelps County 1090. According to the highway patrol report, a 2018 CF Moto 493 CC driven by 10-year old William Schnedler of Rolla was traveling eastbound when he lost control on the gravel roadway. Schnedler was ejected into barbed wire fence. Schnedler sustained serious injures and was transported by Phelps Air to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Schnedler was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Moto had no damage and was released to the owner.

An accident involving a Salem resident occurred Wednesday morning at 10:25 in Pulaski County on Interstate 44 at Waynesville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Toyota Rav-4 being driven by 81-year old Lettie Trout of Waynesville, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes and came to a stop and was attempting to make a U-turn, when it traveled into the path of a 2016 Volvo tractor unit being driven by 50-year old Jeffery Norris of Salem. Norris attempted to slow, but impacted the Toyota in the left lane. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Trout received moderate injuries and was transported by Pulaski County Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Lebanon. The Toyota sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by TC Towing. The Volvo received minor damage and was driven from the scene.

Reservations are now being accepted for the City of Salem two Pavilions that can be rented at the Salem City Park for an entire day at the office of the Salem Community Center@The Atmory. The cost of the Fireplace Pavilion on the circle drive is $45 per day and the large pavilion on the west side of the creek is $35 for the entire day. This includes electric and lights. Other pavilions at the park are free and cannot be reserved. You can also book your pool party for this summer there as well as purchase your family pass for the Alice Lou Craig Swimming Pool. For more information on reserving a pavilion, booking a pool party or purchasing a family pass for the pool, call the Salem Community Center@ The Armory at 729-8163. Reservations on the pavilions and pool parties must be paid in advance and dates are booked on a first come, first served basis.

The Salem Public Library is accepting submissions for the “A Universe of Stories” Teen Photography Contest between now and June 7th. You can visit the library at 403 N. Jackson or call 729-4331 for more information. Details about the contest are also available on the library’s Facebook page.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District 2 Commission Gary Larson both stated that many areas of Dent County received between 2 and 3 inches of rain that caused some road problems. Crews are out repairing washouts and adding materials to some muddy spots to make all roads passable. Many of these areas are out toward the Boss and Bunker area as well as in southern part of the county. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended a meeting with SEMA and FEMA representatives about updating the flood plain maps for Dent County and the City of Salem. These maps have been compiled from data collected over the years from numerous reports that may affect the boundaries of the current flood plain location. Skiles said the public is welcome to view the updated flood plain maps very soon on line at msc.fema.gov/portal. Once an ad is published twice about the availability of the flood plain maps in the Salem News, the appeal process will begin the day of the second ad and last 90 days. Skiles was told it will take about two years for this process to be complete. You can also find out more information about the flood plain maps by calling 877-336-2627. Skiles also attended the Central Region Workforce Investment Board and Caucus meetings on Tuesday. He was also scheduled to attend a Public Housing Authority meeting Thursday at the MRPC as well as their regular board meeting. Skiles did report that there was a leak in the roof at the Annex Building that is getting worse and the roofers have said they have done all they can to fix the leak. The commissioners received a quote from Ferranto Roofing to reroof the building with new 30-year shingles and they will also install vents for $5,980.00. The commissioners discussed the issue and decided to get the roof work done before the leaks get any worse and do more damage. They approved the quote by Ferranto roofing to do the work as soon as possible. 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 Fire Protection District Board of Directors meeting took place Tuesday night at the fire station. After the approval of the consent agenda, the financial report was reviewed with bills being reviewed and approved. Checks were also signed. The budget was reviewed and showed a balance of $232,436.06 as of April 30th. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 28 calls were received for the month of April, including three structure fires, three brush fires, two car fires and three first responder calls. The department also worked six vehicle accidents, along with five mutual aide calls, two HazMat calls and two training calls. The total calls so farin 2019 stands at 110 with the average cost per call being $107.86. In old business, bids for the renovation of the department were sent out and those bids will be opened during a special meeting in June. It was also noted that the ISO inspection is being rescheduled. The oath of office was then administered to board members Randy Weldon and Craig Smith. Weldon will serve a six-year term, replacing Dave Greenshields. In new business, the board officers were elected with Craig Smith being elected Chairman, Dave Wells was elected as the Secretary and Treasurer, while Brad Nash was elected as the Budget officer as well as the Custodian of Records. A motion was then made and carried to add Randy Weldon to all signature cards for depository and withdrawal authorizations. A Campaign Policy was also presented to the board which was accepted. The next meeting date was set for June 4th at 6;00 in the evening at the Dent County Fire Protection District located at #2 South Main. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a Blood Drive in Dent County this morning north of Salem out Highway 19 at Salem Wood Products at 200 Stave Mill Road. The blood drive will be from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM. If you can’t make it to that blood drive, another will be held Tuesday at the First Baptist Church at 201 North McArthur from 1:00 until 6:00 in the afternoon. Remember, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID to donate blood.