Archive for 2020

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday at the courthouse. Matt Presti was in attendance to ask to use the courthouse lawn for a patriotic rally for Saturday December 5th, but the lawn had already been reserved. Presti then asked to hold the rally on December 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon and the commission approved his request. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the amount of CART money received this month and it came to $55,375.81 which is down from last year by $2,885.69. Year-to-date, CART receipts are down $31,487.86. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4080 while only grading would be done on county road 6110. Purcell said brush would be cut on county road 5610, and a technician will be installing a new starter on the grader that serves the Bunker area. Once that is done, grading will be done on county road 5615. Purcell said that all crews before starting on their assigned duties would be checking for downed limbs and trees from the high winds on Sunday. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2010 and 5330 while only grading would be done on county road 2110. He also said brush would be cut on county road 2403. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said a contractor would be working on the existing Christmas lights on the courthouse to have them ready by Saturday. He discussed with the other commissioners about putting out a request for proposals to do a study and overall evaluation of the courthouse for numerous repairs and improvements. They discussed the need to get this done so that it can be included in the 2021 county budget. Skiles also corrected an error in the minutes from the previous meeting for a pre-approval for the Scenic Rivers Industries as the amount they asked for $7,393.38 and not $73,393.38. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she was working on the 2021 county budget. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened Sunday evening at 6:45 on Highway 32 about 15 miles west of Salem. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2005 Ford Mustang being driven by 25-year old Brittany Taylor of Salem, was westbound when she traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck several trees. Taylor suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. According to the report, Taylor was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Mustang was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 176,604 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, Nov. 14-24. Of the 176,604 deer harvested, 95,654 were antlered bucks, 16,045 were button bucks, and 64,905 were does. Top harvest counties were Howell with 3,496 deer harvested, Franklin with 3,409, and Texas with 3,375. In the local area, Dent County hunters checked 2,241 deer, Shannon County had 2,155 deer harvested, Crawford County reported 2,056 deer taken, Reynolds County had 1,790 deer checked, Phelps County had 1,406 deer harvested and Iron County had 1,235 deer taken. Last year hunters checked 179,960 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season with 91,917 being antlered bucks, 17,330 being button bucks, and 70,713 being does. The Department of Conservation reported three firearms-related hunting incidents during the November portion of the firearms deer season with all being non-fatal and self-inflicted. Archery deer season resumes November 25th through January 15th, 2021. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 4th – 6th, followed by the alternative methods portion December 26th – January 5th, 2021.

The Salvation Army will once again partner with Wal-Mart for the annual Angel Tree program. Local residents have always enjoyed adopting a child, shopping for clothing, coats, hats, and toys. Some families use this time of year to teach their children the importance of giving during the holiday season. The Angel Tree at Wal-Mart is now available with the final date to adopt an angel being Friday, December 18th. Sign-ups for families wanting to participate in the Angel Tree will be held TODAY and this Thursday at the Dent County Fire Station from 3:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon. If you need more information about the Angel Tree or Salvation Army, call Sherry Lea at 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting Thursday, November 19, at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray updated the board on the Health Center’s continued response to Covid-19. She reported that cases are rising rapidly across Dent County. Case numbers are being updated on Facebook every Monday and Thursday. The Health Center Staff is now focusing on case investigation and asking positive patients to do their own contact tracing. Due to the increase in cases, reports of positive cases from testing sites are delayed by days and some are never reported. A COVID patient guidance tool is available on SMDH’s website, The Salem News online and DCHC’s Facebook page. The Health Center encourages anyone being tested to follow that guidance tool. Clients are still being seen by appointment at the Health Center. Mobray stated that according to calls with the Missouri Division of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) there is concern that Missouri’s hospital capacity could become overwhelmed over the next few weeks if cases continue to increase at the same rate. As the holidays approach, it is important that everyone do their part in preventing further spread of the virus by following CDC guidelines. The Health Center Board voted for a one-time mid-month payroll to be completed by December 15th to account for half of the month’s COVID response hours so the Health Center could include those funds in the CARES Act claim. She went on to report that Flu shots are being given by appointment and three drive-thru Flu shot clinics have been conducted. Free flu shots are available for uninsured adults and children, as well as high-dose flu shots for seniors and quadrivalent flu shots for anyone over 6 months of age. Mobray noted that the Health Center is in frequent communication with DHSS regarding COVID-19 vaccine updates and distribution planning. Mobray reported that the October and November Show-Me Healthy Women (SMHW) clinics were cancelled due to lack of patients. Uninsured and under-insured women ages 35-64, that meet income guidelines, can receive well women care at no cost through the program. Interested women should call the Health Center at 729-3106 and ask for Ashley. The next regular meeting of the Trustees was set for December 19th at 5:00. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Christmas Committee is holding a window decorating contest for any business in Salem. Here is a list of those businesses that have already signed up: A Look a Ground, Edward Jones Office, Shelter Insurance, the Salem Public Library, attorney-at-law Carrie Gerischer, the Beehive, the Salem License Office, the Main Street Café, the Country Chic Boutique, Duncan Family Chiropractic, Tax Masters, That Special Touch Florists and the old Bottorff’s store downtown. Business who would still like to sign up should contact Tabitha at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office by the end of business Tuesday, December 1st. They are located in the Crossroads Shopping Center and the phone number is 729-6900. Judging will be held Thursday night and the winner will be announced on Friday, December 4th. The winner will receive a banner as well as $250 cash.

The office of Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer has released this information in preparation for the new option of online assessment filing, your 2021 Assessment forms will not be mailed until the week of December 16th. Your yearly assessment is based on what personal property you own on January 1st and your completed assessment forms are due by March 1, 2021. The Assessor’s office is open from 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday and you may call us at 573-729-6010. If we are unable to answer the phone please leave a message and we will return your call.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Salem have set the date of Saturday, December 5th for the Christmas parade to beginning at 5:30. The parade will begin at SBU and wind its way to the courthouse. The theme this year will be “Favorite Christmas Movie”. Businesses, organizations, and individuals that would like to have an entry in the parade will need to return an entry form available at the Chamber office in the Crossroads Shopping Center no later than December 2nd. For more information you can email the Chamber office at chamber@salemmo.com or call the 729-6900.