Archive for 2020

The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. After approval of the consent agenda, minutes from the November meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. The Board then heard the financial report with bills being presented and approved. The budget showed an ending balance of $112,628.43 as of November 30th. After the calendar was reviewed, it was announced there will be two openings on the Board of Directors for the April 6th election including a two-year and a six-year position. Filing will be held from December 15th to January 19th at the Dent County Fire Station with a filing fee of $100.00 in accordance with RSMO 321.130 and 115.357. The Board then heard the monthly reimbursement report. The department had a total of 27 calls for the month of November including 4 structure fires, 11 brush fires, 1 car fire, 1 landing zone, 3 first responder calls, 1 vehicle accident, 2 mutual aid calls, 2 haz-mat calls, 1 training call and 1 call listed as other. Total calls or the year to date stand at 228 with the average cost per call of $117.66. A total of $26,827.50 was paid out for reimbursements during 2020. Chief Nash reported that the building project is still not finished as there are problems with the guttering and other small problems. Because of the failure to complete, the project is now in mediation. In new business, it was reported that Engine 85 was struck by a deer while in route to a fire call. A claim has been filed with the insurance company and the District is waiting for adjusters and estimates. Chief Nash reported that the painters are finishing up the painting of the Fire Station with only touch-ups, trim and 1 office left to be completed. Nash also reported that the electrical drops are installed and in operation. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. That meeting will be open to the public.

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will host the 29th annual “Cookie Walk” this Saturday between 10:00 in the morning and 1:00 in the afternoon. Come walk around the house and fill your basket with a wide variety of luscious homemade cookies and pay by the pound. This is a popular activity, with more than 75 dozen homemade goodies donated by Salem’s best cookie bakers, so come early and pick out your favorites to take home to serve to your guests and family during this holiday season. Due to the COVID-19 situation, volunteers will safely package up your choices and take your money. They are asking that participants practice social distancing and wear masks to the event. The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History is located at the northwest corner of Hickory and Rolla Road in Salem.

The Delta Regional Authority named four Missouri leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. One of the those named was Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge. The Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region. The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states. The leadership program empowers fellows with the tools, experiences, and networks needed to address local and regional challenges. Sessions led by local, regional, and national experts cover policy areas such as infrastructure and transportation, small business and entrepreneurship, workforce development, public health, and other fields necessary to facilitate economic growth in the Delta. As a result, DLI fellows graduate with improved decision-making skills, policy development know-how, strengthened leadership capacity, and a mutual understanding of regional, state, and local cultures and issues. Since 2005, the DLI Executive Academy has provided leadership development to more than 500 community leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and industries to strengthen skills development, information sharing, regional collaboration, and improve the economic competitiveness and social viability of the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. After graduation, DLI fellows will become members of the Delta Leadership Network, which provides peer-to-peer engagement opportunities for continued leadership development, information sharing, and collaboration with other leaders dedicated to the future of the Delta region. The DLI is a program of Delta Regional Authority in partnership with three institutions of higher education in the Delta region: Arkansas State University, the University of Louisiana Monroe, and the University of Arkansas.

The Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart still has a number of “angels” remaining with one week left to adopt an “angel.” The last day will be Wednesday, December 16th. It is the goal of the Dent County Salvation Army Service Unit to try to make sure that every Dent County child’s Christmas morning is bright and you can help by adopting an angel. It is easy to help out. Just follow these steps: Select a tag representing a specific child from the “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart. Then shop for gifts based on the parent’s suggestions. You do not have to purchase everything on the list, just use it as a guideline. Once you are finished shopping, bring the unwrapped gifts to the Wal-Mart Service Desk along with the “angel tag” by next Wednesday. For questions about the “Angel Tree,” please contact the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army at 729-8163.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night in the city hall council chambers. The board accepted the bid for the purchase of scrap water and electric meters from Global Meter. The city has 2,187 scrap water meters and 2,597 scrap electric meters. The bids range from $3.20 for a 5/8 inch neptune brass bottom meter to $50 for a three inch water meter, and from $5.00 to $25.00 for the electric meters. The city received bids on a number of items for the Salem Civic Theatre. Everything Cinema, Inc. bid $8,850 to provide and install 2 by 2 black ceiling tile for the auditorium ceiling. EC Cinema Supply bid $9,227 for a sound system without speakers and wiring, $6,765 to provide and install ADA compliant Temp Safety lighting for the seating area, and bid $11,912 to provide and install a Tempo HLS Systems and dimmer for the lighting. This was a budgeted purchase and the board approved all bids for a total cost of $36,754 which came in under the $40,000 budgeted amount. The board approved the Conditional Use Permit recommended by the Salem Planning and Zoning Commission for 407 East 4th Street for the Ozark Viking Meadery. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank all those who participated with displays in the “Light up the Park” and entries in the “Parade of Lights.” Walden said the utility office is open again at the city administration building but renovations continue including the widening of the drive-through lanes, and the drop-box has been moved. Completion will not be until next year due to a supplier slow down on materials. An open house will be held next year after the renovations are complete. Walden congratulated Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge on being named by the Delta Regional Authority as a fellow of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. Walden discussed the city looking at a TAP grant that would help in paying for the downtown Salem Streetscape and lighting. He also said the Salem Community Center @ The Armory had 2,723 participants in November and that he is working on new personnel policies. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the utility bills for September should go out this week. The board also heard from Verbal Blakely from BHMG and what she has found with the AMI system. She said most of the issues are being whittled away, but are now just one or two meter issues where the meters are not communicating. She said the city is catching up but these individual issues are slower to correct than multiple meter problems. The board approved Resolution 20-2020 to allow the renewal of the MOU with the Salem R-80 School District to use the city hall in the case of an emergency. The board then went into closed session.

Missouri State Parks enthusiasts can share their love for state parks and historic sites with the December gift card special. A Missouri State Parks gift card is a great holiday gift for someone who loves Missouri State Parks and the outdoors, and can be used for camping reservations or state park merchandise. During this month, when purchasing a gift card of $75 or more, the purchaser will receive a free $25 gift card. This offer can only be found online and is for Missouri State Parks gift cards only. To ensure delivery by Christmas, the gift cards must be ordered by Wednesday, Dec. 16. There can only one mailing address per order. Promotional gift cards are mailed separately from purchase. Gift cards can be purchased online at mostateparks.com and also get more information on state parks and historic sites. For more holiday gift ideas, click the online store link. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reports on a number of cases heard in Dent County in Front of Judge Seay on Friday. The first case of the day involved Jo Morgan Freeman of Bourbon who pled guilty to possession of more than 35 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced to six years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. The next defendant was Timothy Dunn of Steelville who was previously on probation for the felony possession of a controlled substance for methamphetamine. His probation was revoked for failing to report to his parole officer. His previous suspended sentence was revoked and he was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections Institutional Treatment Center under RSMO Section 559.115 as requested by the state. The defendant had requested five years under the same section but that request was rejected by Judge Seay. Next on the docket was Tristan Cross of Camdenton who pled guilty to two felony counts of burglary in the 2nd degree, plus a stealing charge and a felony property damage charge. Cross was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections under Section 559.115 as requested by the state. Cross had no previous criminal history prior to the conviction. In the 4th case of the day, Homer Stephens of Salem had his probation revoked. He was sentenced to serve ten years in the Department of Corrections for domestic assault in the 3rd degree and for the felony possession of a controlled substance. Stephens had previously completed a Section 559.115 program. The last case of the day featured Etheria Harris of Wentzville who was on felony DWI probation. The probation was revoked to four years in the Department of Corrections for the use of intoxicants.