Archive for 2020

Today is the first day that Missourians are able to apply for the first elk-hunting season in modern history in Missouri. The Missouri Conservation Commission has approved the issuance of five permits for hunting bull elk for the 2020 season. Four general permits will be for the public and one permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners. Missouri’s first pending elk hunt comes after years of restoration efforts of the once-native species by MDC and numerous partners and supporters. For this first elk season, the Conservation Department has designated a nine-day archery portion running October 17th through the 25th and a nine-day firearms portion running December 12th through the 20th. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random-lottery drawing. A $10 application fee is required for those applying for the general permits. Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the $10 application fee when applying for the landowner permit. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee. The Conservation Department will limit the random lottery to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year “sit-out” period for those drawn for a general permit before they may apply again. If selected for a landowner elk permit, qualifying landowners will not be required to wait 10 years before again applying for a landowner elk permit. Qualifying landowners may apply once each year for a general elk hunting permit and for a landowner elk permit but are eligible to receive only one permit annually. General permits can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. General permits are nontransferable. The landowner permit is also nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property in the counties mentioned. To apply for an elk permit, applicants must be Missouri residents at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt and have must be hunter education certified unless exempt due to age. You may apply for the random elk-permit lottery through May 31st online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through a permit vendor.

This is a reminder that free breakfast and lunches for children age 18 and under are still available at a number of locations through May 15th. These meals are available for ALL children. It doesn’t matter if you attended Salem R-80, any of the rural schools or were home schooled. The pick up locations have been reduced to three. In town meals can be picked up at the small yellow R-80 school bus at Salem Upper Elementary School at 1601 Doss Road from 10:30 until 12:00, Monday through Friday. Out of town locations will include the junction of Highways 32 & 72 and Dent County Road 4235 near the old candy striped store from 11:00 until 11:20. Meals will be served from the white Salem R-80 Suburban. This location is primarily for those living east on Highway 32/72 and surrounding county roads between Route P and Route W. The second out of town location will be the junction of Highway 32/72 and Route W from 11:30 until 11:50 where food will be served again from the white Salem R-80 Suburban. This area is basically for those living on Route W and the surrounding county roads, although food may be picked up at any location no matter where they live in Dent County.

The City of Salem Spring Clean Up weeks will be happening on your normal trash days starting the next two weeks starting with the week of May 4th and again during the week of May 11th by WCA, the city’s trash collection service. Also, the City Street Crews will be collecting yard waste beginning on Monday. That includes biodegradable bags of leaves or grass, as well as bundles of limbs, branches and twigs cut to no longer than four feet in length. Items the city will not pick up are appliances, electronics, furniture, lumber or building materials, recyclables or tires. Make sure you place your items curbside, but do not block sidewalks. If you have questions, contact the city administrative offices at 729-4811.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold special meetings Monday and Tuesday afternoon at the district administrative offices boardroom at 5:00 each day. These special meetings will be closed session meetings to discuss personnel. After the agenda is approved at each meeting, they will immediately go into closed session.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is informing the public effective Monday driver testing services will expand to include written testing for all classes of licenses and commercial driver license skills testing which will include the pre-trip, basic, and road testing however, non-CDL road testing is not included in this phase of service reinstatement. Those requiring the skills test for a CDL should note special priority is being given to applicants who have already passed a portion of the CDL skills test, applicants who had a CDL appointment scheduled prior to the suspension of testing last month, school bus operators over the age of 70 requiring annual testing, and applicants with other essential needs. When CDL applicants schedule an appointment, an examiner will review their COVID-19 form, and advise them to wear a face covering during testing and arrive in a sanitized vehicle. Applicants should wear face coverings while in driver examination facilities and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Face coverings will be removed briefly when the applicant’s photo is taken during the licensing process. The Patrol’s website will be updated with a list of designated drivers testing locations, days of service, hours of operation and phone numbers prior to Monday.

Dent County Commissioner Dennis Purcell attended a South Central Missouri Community Action Agency meeting last Tuesday via conference call. He reported that funding is still available for all assistance programs. Purcell said they have funds for energy assistance. Eligibility requirements for energy assistance are based on income, family size, available resources and if you are responsible for payment of home heating costs. Additionally, eligible households can receive heating and cooling assistance for verifiable crisis situations. The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) funds can be used to prevent or restore disconnected service, assist with emergency repairs and furnace replacements and even purchase wood stoves and air conditioners. Based upon funding, the Winter ECIP is available from November through May. There is also a summer ECIP program available if any funding remains. Purcell went on to report the agency also has funds available for weatherization. This program is a free service for homeowners or renters who qualify. Weatherization crews can insulate and repair homes to make them more energy efficient. Weatherizing can make a home warmer during the winter and help save heating dollars. Purcell said the agency also offers free tax preparation and electronic filing to low to moderate income households who file federal and/or state income taxes. Elderly, disabled or disabled veterans who qualify for Missouri Property Tax or Certification of Rent credits can also receive free assistance. The mission of South Central Missouri Community Action Agency is to assist low-income families in their efforts to become self-sufficient by providing programs and services to improve the quality of their lives and the opportunity to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty. If you have been adversely affected by current events that have limited your income or put you in a financial crisis, please contact your county South Central Missouri Community Action Agency Outreach office for help. In Dent County, call 573-729-3500; in Reynolds County, call 573-663-2855; or in Shannon County, call 573-325-8271.

Do you have your REAL ID compliant license or ID card yet? The Missouri Department of Revenue wants the public to know that the new REAL ID compliant driver’s license and ID cards are now available at your local license bureau. The Department began offering REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards in March 2019. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card is optional. Effective October 1st, 2020, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights. Individuals will also be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants. “REAL ID” comes from the REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver licenses and non-driver ID card security. The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards. Visit dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information/ for more information.

The Farmer’ Market in Salem will be opening on Saturday, May 2nd and be open from 7:30 until noon. They will be practicing social distancing and will also have a hand washing station available for those who want to wash their hands while at the market. The Farmers Market is located behind the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 200 South Main Street and next to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy fresh vegetables, fresh eggs, bakery items and so much more.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for Friday, April 24th. A deputy traveled to a residence in the 10500 block of South Highway 19 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 34-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. Also on the 24th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious vehicle near a residence in the 42000 block of Highway 72. Deputies located the vehicle in the 1000 block of East 3rd Street and initiated a traffic stop. During the course of the traffic stop, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.