Archive for 2020

The Dent County Commission has received $1,827,024 in federal funds as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic (CARES) Act, and is now ready to begin accepting applications from cities, political subdivisions and public agencies for reimbursable COVID-19 expenses that they have incurred, beginning March 1st, 2020. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission has been assisting Dent County in reviewing the act, developing an application and administrative process that would meet audit requirements. MRPC staff will be handling the grant administration for Dent County and have created a webpage on its website (www.meramecregion.org) where Dent County application information can be found. Disbursement of the CARES Act funds must be directly related to expenses from COVID-19 incurred during the period that begins March 1st and ends December 30th of this year that were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27 for any state or government entity. Reimbursable expenses can include payroll expenses for public safety, public health and health care, expenses to improve telework capabilities, expenses of providing paid sick and paid family and medical leave to public employees. According to the guidelines set up by the MRPC, each applicant must complete a certification form where they agree to comply with funding requirements, including repaying the reimbursement grant if the expenditure is deemed ineligible in the future. The application asks for contact information and detailed description of the cost incurred and how they are COVID-19 related. The form also provides a list of eligible expenditures, and applicants are encouraged to review that list before applying. Applicants will then list expenses on an application spreadsheet and attach invoices and proof of payment. Dent County reimbursement requests will be directed to Kelly Sink at MRPC, where staff will review the application, make sure the request is eligible for funding and verify that the documentation meets the requirements for a Single Audit. A verified application will then be forwarded to the Dent County Commission for review and their approval. Those applications that are approved will be forwarded to the county treasurer for payment to the applicant. MRPC staff will maintain files for the county and track all requests and expenditures. Persons with questions about Dent County grant can contact Kelly Sink at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at Kellysb@meramecregion.org. Any funds not spent must be returned to the U.S. Treasury. Under the CARES Act, counties can also provide grants to businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption cause by required closures. The U.S. Treasury has provided very little guidance on this provision. Dent County is awaiting additional federal guidance before it offers a business grant program.

A one vehicle accident occurred early Tuesday afternoon shortly after 12:30 on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1995 Ford F-250 was being driven north by 60-year old William Monk of Salem when he suffered a medical emergency causing the Ford to travel off the left side of the road and struck a tree. Monk, who was wearing a safety restraint, had minor injuries which were treated at the scene. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire of Salem. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Fire Department.

The Salem Police Department has releases some reports. On the afternoon of May 9th at approximately 2:28, an officer was on routine traffic patrol and noticed a 20-year-old Salem male operating a motor vehicle near Phil Mart. The officer had prior knowledge that the male did not have a valid driver’s license. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was arrested and issued summons for driving while having his license suspended. On the evening of May 11th at about 5:42, an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Third Street for a report of a theft. It was reported that $460 worth of jewelry was stolen from the residence by some people that were visiting. This incident is still under investigation. The next morning close to 9:00, an officer was dispatched to C and E auto for a report of a stolen motor vehicle. It was reported that a silver 2002 Ford F-250 super cab was stolen from the lot. The investigation is ongoing into this incident. On the afternoon of May 13th at approximately 2:12, an officer conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle failing to signal at Second and Iron Streets. During the stop it was found the driver, a 23-year-old Salem man, had a suspended drivers license. The driver was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. Around 11:48 later that evening, an officer responded to an address in the 800 block of East Hawkins to attempt to contact a subject with an active warrant from the City of Salem. Contact was made with a 72-year-old Salem male who later pled on the active City warrant. On the morning of May 15th near 12:15, an officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Third Street for a report of a burglary. The reporting party reported they had noticed forced entry was made into their home. It was reported that a 40” flat screen TV valued at $200 was taken from the residence. This incident is still under investigation. Later that same morning around 6:49, an officer conducted a traffic stop for expired license plates at the intersection of Carnett Industrial Drive and Highway 32. As a result of the stop it was found the driver, a 36-year-old Salem man, was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license. The driver was arrested and released on summons for driving without a license. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

The Dent County Commissioners met Tuesday morning for a regular meeting and budget hearing. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in attendance to discuss the COVID-19 funding received by the county and if the commission had determined how those funds are to be distributed. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that the Meramec Regional Planning Commission would be attending the meeting to discuss the CARES Small Business Relief Funding. Bonnie Prigge, the Executive Director of the MRPC, discussed the program, a reimbursement approval form, and the application for the CARES Act reimbursement. She also mentioned the county could set up a Dent County CARES Committee if they wanted to form one. She said the application would go to the MRPC first, then sent back to the county for review and approval. The commissioners agreed to a contract with the MRPC to provide more information about the program and to monitor the application for reimbursements. For more information, call the MRPC at 573-265-2993. You can also go to meramecregion.org, go to grants and a link will be there for applying. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson both reported crews would be out checking roads for washouts, downed limbs and trees from the weekend rains. Both commissioners said if you have a road issue to call the road and bridge department phone number at 729-7770. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be on conference call the CCAM Board of Directors and the MAC Staff Attorney about the CARES Act funding. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to vote absentee would be June 1st and the clerk’s office would be open this Saturday from 8:00 AM until noon Saturday. The Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, June 2nd from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. Remember to vote, you will need to bring a form of ID and don’t’ forget, not every district is having an election, so call the clerks office if you need clarification at 729-4144. The commissioners then held a budget hearing to adjust the budget due to the money received by the county for the COVID-19 Fund where $1,925,000 has been posted as revenues as well as expenses to zero balance out that account, and also there was $20,000 added for revenues in the Special Election Service Fund and $20,000 to the expenses to zero that fund out. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART Funds report that showed $47,523.42 was received in May and that is down from last May’s figures by $12,081.55. Year-to-date, the CART funds are down about $6,537.45. Prosecutor Andrew Curley wanted to add to the minutes of the last meeting that the Notice of Delinquency was first provided to him in May which he believes is a county policy. He said this policy results in a taxpayer being assessed approximately twice the amount in interest and fees as compared to January. He indicated he has concerns with due process when assessing penalties on any citizen without giving notice prior of the delinquency in May. County Clerk Angie Curley said the previous meeting minutes had already been approved, but his request could be added to the minutes from May 26th. Presiding Commissioner Skiles wanted to point out this was not a county policy, but it is the Collector’s policy when the late notices are mailed, and said Mr. Curley was afforded the same due process as any citizen would. Dwight Ramsburg and Nick Smith from Septagone were both in attendance to give a status report on the jail and get a few items approved that needed to be purchased. They feel they will be finished by the end of June and possibly tours could be given the first week of July. 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.

In closed session at the Salem R-80 Board meeting held last Thursday, the board employed Olivia Elliott as a 3rd grade teacher, Charles Mosley as the Middle School band teacher and assistant high school band instructor, Scott Frederickson as the High School Band Director, George Alex as a high school math teacher, Lisa Baker as a high school special education instructor and Darcy Reardon as the assistant track coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened Monday morning just after 10:15 in Reynolds County on Route H about 8 miles east of Ellington. The report from the highway patrol states a 2004 Suzuki LTZ being operated by a 16-year old juvenile of Granite City, Illinois was northbound when he failed to yield and traveled into the path of a 2019 Ford F-150 being driven east by 34-year old Marley Stephan of Salem. The juvenile sought his own treatment for minor injuries. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. The Ford was driven from the scene and the Suzuki was removed by a private vehicle.

Six people died in traffic crashes over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend counting period beginning at 6:00 on Friday evening, May 22nd, and ending at just before midnight, Monday, May 25th. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated 341 traffic crashes over the 2020 Memorial Day holiday weekend resulting in 112 injuries and 5 fatalities. The patrol also made 111 DWI arrests and 112 drug arrests. There were 10 boat crashes resulting in 7 injuries. Two drownings were also investigated during the counting period. The patrol made 11 arrests for boating while intoxicated and made 2 drug arrests. During the 2019 counting period, the Patrol investigated 296 traffic crashes, which included 127 injuries and seven of the eight fatalities. Troopers made 96 arrests for driving while intoxicated last year. Also, over the 2019 Memorial Day holiday: Marine operations troopers investigated seven boating crashes involving three injuries and two fatalities; and arrested 10 people for boating while intoxicated on the state’s rivers and lakes. There were no drownings over the 2019 Memorial Day holiday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol invites you to follow them on Twitter for the latest news.

The City of Salem has indicated that May utility bills started going out this past Saturday and customers who haven’t received a bill by this Friday, May 29th, are asked to contact the utility office at 729-4117. While the bills reflect the new AMI system’s capability for more recent meter reads, the Board of Aldermen have provided different options for customers to select how they want to be billed through the transition to the new system. Businesses with COVID-19 PPP loans will have the information needed to make eligible utility payments under the program. June bills will be processed after customers indicate their preferred billing preferences going forward. Anyone with questions about their May bill is asked to contact the utility office at 729-4117.

An accident occurred on Saturday evening at 5:45 in Dent County on Highway 68 about one mile north of Highway 19. According to the highway patrol report, a 1997 Toyota 4 Runner driven by 66-year old Timothy Pogue of Salem was traveling southbound when the Toyota traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a driveway. The 4 Runner then became airborne, struck a ditch and overturned. Pogue suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Pogue was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The 4 Runner was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened Thursday evening shortly after 6:15 on Maries County Road 522 about a mile north of Highway 63. The report from the highway patrol states that a Honda Sport Trax 400 ATV being ridden north by 17-year old Heston Parsons of Rolla traveled across the center of the roadway, went off the left side of the road and struck a tree before coming to a rest. Parsons suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance before being airlifted by Arch Air Medical to University Hospital in Columbia. The Honda sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 4:09 in Phelps County on the South Service Road adjacent to Interstate 44. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 GMC Sonoma being driven by a 33-year old Adam Piper of Cuba, traveled off the right side of the south service road where the Sonoma struck a culvert and overturned before coming to rest. Piper received moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla by St. James Ambulance. Piper was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. Superintendent John McCollloch discussed the property purchased by the school right next to the district administrative offices on Route J, and accepted the bid from Godi Excavating to tear down the house, remove the debris and fill in the opening for $5,500. The board approved the adult meal prices for the 2020-2021 school year at $2.50 for breakfast and $4.00 for lunch. The children will receive free meals again for the next school year. The board approved a number of revisions for the 2019-2020 school budget with the insurance assessment the big blow, the lighting project for $280,000 of which the school should get about $240,000 back, and a new engine for Bus #5 for about $29,000. The board tabled approving a preliminary budget for the 2020-2021 school year as McColloch said the school just received some information that will make substantial changes to the budget figures. The board approved to advertise for sale surplus property that will be mostly made up of all the weight equipment from the tin gym. It will be advertised in the paper and it will be on the R-80 website as well. Brendon Smith was in with a request to hold Baccalaureate for the 2020 graduating class. He explained the parameters of how the event will be held as well as a preliminary ceremony itinerary. The event would be held on Wednesday, June 3rd from 7:00 to 8:00 at the football field and the school board approved the request. Superintendent McColloch asked the board to consider a change in the support staff salary schedule as the district was falling behind in wages to food service personnel, custodial persons, bus drivers, secretarial staff and more. McColloch suggested to the board to drop the lowest two steps on the salary schedule, and Step 3 would become the new Step 1 with two more steps being added at the back end of the schedule. The total cost would be $61,298 to make that adjustment and move up everyone three steps. The board unanimously approved the proposed changes to the schedule. The board set their reorganizational meeting and next regular meeting for June 16th at 6:00 as that is 14 days after the June 2nd Municipal Election. The board accepted the resignations of Kim Pogue as a middle school counselor, Heidi Ross as an instructional coach and Jessica Haberman as the high school special education instructor. Principal Marty Anderson gave an update on the graduation exercises for June 5th at the high school football field. The gates will open at 5:30 for the 7:00 event and those attending must have a ticket to get in. Once the ticket has been dropped off in the box upon entry, the person may not leave the enclosed area as they will not be allowed back in. Persons attending should bring their own lawn chairs and set up around the track. There will not be any band or choir performances this year but there will be 11 valedictorian speeches. He said once the ceremony is over, students will be released from their rows in an orderly fashion to leave the field while spectators will not be allowed to collect on the track. He said about 250 chairs will be on the track and seating in the bleachers will be in every other row with proper separation. KSMO will live stream the event on their website and on Facebook, plus it will be later placed that evening on You Tube for viewing. Graduation will also be aired a few times in the days after the graduation on Channel 95. If parents want a DVD of the ceremony, they will be made available a few days after graduation at a reasonable cost. The board then voted to go into closed session.