Archive for 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Pat Tackett with VIP Properties came in to ask what criteria would be needed to make a private drive into a county road. Commissioner Gary Larson explained the private drive needs to meet the county’s specifications before it can be absorbed in the county road system. He said he would take a look at the road in question and let her know what he finds. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in to give the monthly economic activity report to the commissioners for the month of November. David Gray also came in to inquire of any requirements on building a low water crossing. Commissioners Dennis Purcell and Larson told Gray how they have built low water crossings using footers and pipes or a concrete culvert. Gray was satisfied with the information provided on how to proceed with his project before leaving. In the road reports, Commissioners Purcell and Larson stated both district received between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain Thursday through Saturday. Because of this, work crews were out checking for any washouts, downed trees and blown down limbs. They also said materials would be added and patch grading would be done where needed. Larson also reported that Dent County Road 4280 was closed Sunday when a car was stranded on a low water crossing. The vehicle was removed and the road was reopened Monday morning. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District full council meeting at 5:30 followed by the awards banquet at 6:30 at the MRPC offices in St. James tonight. He also wanted to remind everyone that Dent County Assessor Tina Whitaker would be retiring December 31st and if anyone would be interested in that position, they need to let the commissioners know of your interest. The commissioners will have 14 days to name a temporary replacement for that position who would remain in office until the governor appoints a permanent replacement. Skiles also said they would re-bid the financial audit for the county for the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years and those bids would be opened on Thursday, January 23rd at 11:00 in the morning. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office continues to work on the 2020 Dent County Budget and filings for the April Municipal Election will begin on December 17th. She said people interested in running for all the local political offices except for the Dent County Health Board need to file at those respective entities. Those interested in filling for the Dent County Health Board will need to file in her office. She also said Commissioners Skiles and Larson signed off on the request for some of the funds on the CDBG grant for the work being done on the Dent County Fire Station. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

In honor of National Miners Day on December 6th, the Doe Run Company celebrates the achievements of its skilled mine rescue teams. Doe Run’s Maroon team won first place for the team technician competition, and the Gray team won first place in first aid at the Missouri Regional Mine Rescue Contest that was held in Rolla September 30th through October 3rd. In addition, Charlie Walker, the development miner at Doe Run’s Brushy Creek Mine and captain of the Gray team, was inducted into the Missouri Mine Rescue Hall of Fame in recognition of his nearly 30 years of significant contributions to the field of mine rescue. Congratulations to Charlie and both rescue teams!

Two Salem residents were injured in a one vehicle crash last Wednesday evening at 9:15 on Dent County Road 4210 about six miles east of Salem. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1993 Chevrolet Suburban being driven by 21-year old William Scott of Salem was eastbound when the vehicle crossed the center line, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Scott and an occupant in the vehicle, 22-year old Georgia Burris of Salem, both received minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. Neither occupants of the vehicle were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Suburban sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 5:25 in Phelps County on Highway 72 at Phelps County Road 4020. According to the highway patrol report, a 1995 Mercury Sable driven by 40-year old Erica Thompson of Rolla was traveling eastbound when she attempting to make a left turn onto Phelps County Road 4020. At that time, a 2016 Ford Fusion traveling eastbound and driven by 18-year old McKensi Mosher of Salem failed to stop in time and struck the rear end of the Mercury. Thompson suffered minor injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla. She was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage with the Ford being removed by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla and the Mercury being removed b y C&C Towing of Rolla.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 8:00 in Phelps County on I-44 eastbound at mile marker 192.2. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Nissan Armada driven by 39-year old Helen Hausner of Steelville was traveling eastbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Nissan crossed the outer road and struck an embankment, then traveled off the left side of the road and struck a ditch. Hausner suffered minor injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla. She was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan sustained moderate damage and was towed by Spurgeon’s Towing in St. James.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Gary Brown about their public hearing and meeting on November 21st with the hearing dealing with adding the term “meadery” to the city code of ordinances and the definition of one. They also discussed at their meeting wineries, microbreweries and meaderies as well as reviewing Chapter 400 of the planning and Zoning Codes. City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report before the board will discuss the unfinished business of the “Welcome Home Program” with Riverways Federal Credit Union. The board will also discuss Resolution 126-2019 dealing with that program allowing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the credit union for the program. In new business, a by-product of the agreement is to create a “Welcome Home Advisory Board” which the mayor will do before the board goes into closed session to discuss real estate. The meeting of the board of Aldermen tonight is open to the public.

Don’t forget to get your entry in for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem “Cowboy Christmas” Parade of Lights. It will be held Saturday, December 7th starting at 5:30 on the normal parade route starting at SBU Campus, moving east to MacArthur on Franklin, then north on MacArthur to 4th Street where the parade will go east. The parade will conclude around the courthouse square. Entry forms are available at the Salem area Chamber of Commerce office at 200 S. Main Street and need to be submitted by TODAY!! This year’s parade Grand Marshall will be Melba Headrick from KSMO Radio. If there are questions, please contact the Chamber office at 729-6900.