Archive for 2020

An accident happened in Phelps County Wednesday afternoon at 12:20 on Highway 63 just south of Phelps County Road 6250. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Ford F-150 driven northbound by 52-year old Robert Rippee of St. Charles, began to slide on the ice covered roadway and crossed the center line where he struck a 2015 Chevrolet Impala driven southbound by 79-year old Olen Gibson of Licking. The Ford came to rest in a ditch and the Impala came to rest in the roadway. Two passengers in the Impala, 77-year old Frances Gibson and 96-year old Doris Lay of Licking, suffered moderate injuries and were taken by the Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Olen Gibson suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps County Ambulance. Rippee did not suffer any injuries in the accident. The Ford was removed from the scene by Triple AAA Wrecker with extensive damages while the Impala was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted by the Phelps Health Ambulance, Rolla Rural and Licking Fire Departments

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. During public comments Economic Development Director, was in with her monthly update which showed a drop in ongoing prospects from 17 to 12. She noted that 176 business licenses were granted including four new businesses. Finally Burbridge said that there has been a slight up-tick in Dent County unemployment from 2.9% to 3.4%. Curt Faigle with the 100 Acre Wood Rally was in to update the Commissioners. He reported that as of Wednesday they had 106 cars entered for the March 20th and 21st rally. Faigle said that in the past they had capped the entries at 75, but are planning to start 90 cars this year. He also reported that the Dent County roads used for the stages would be the same as last year. Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells was in to discuss the sign design for the outside of the new jail, plus the body scanner, the hand scanner, and the kitchen food service for the new jail. Panic buttons for the Courthouse and the Judicial Building were also discussed along with the interview recording system. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to seek bids for the recording system, security alarm buttons and food service. Bids will be opened February 20th at 10:00 and bid information can be obtained by contacting the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241. Wells said he has quotes for the hand scanner and body scanner, both of which are from the only source of purchase. Sheriff Wells will get more information on signage and get back with the Commission. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District Two Commissioner Gary Larson both indicated that their crews were out treating intersections, curves and other slick spots, particularly on chip and seal roads. Presiding Commission Darrell Skiles said that he would be attending the TAC and MRPC Meetings Thursday afternoon. He noted that during the MRPC meeting board members would have the opportunity to visit with representatives of US Senators and Congressmen about legislative priorities. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She said she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on monthly collections, add-ons and abatements for January and that the Commissioners reviewed her reports. Curley reminded voters that the last day to register for the March 10th Presidential Primary is February 12th and that the Courthouse will be closed that day due to Lincoln’s Birthday. On the 12th, applications to register can be completed online. Bill Ard was in to visit with the Commission. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Congratulations to the 28 High School and Middle School band students who represented Salem R-80 and Northwood R-4 this weekend at the SCA Honor Band Concert. They performed on February 1st in Ava. The Salem High School band students attending were Harmony Alexander, Jainey Pettus, Faith Jasper, Martin Jones, Megan Watkins, Ashton During, Reagin Toten, John Stark, Chris McSwain, Collin Hinderliter, Jon Gallagher, Kelsey Stienbarger, Christopher Harris, Marvin Aspinwall and Taytan Barton. The Salem Middle School band students at Ava were Hunter Barton, Chris Frederickson, Kaison Wilmont, Jarrod Brooks, Rory Dahms, Wyatt Patrick, Parker Holtz and Jacob Bender. The Northwood R-4 students included Xander During, Natily Cook, Harley Medley, Jacob Koontz and Nathan McGraw. Congratulations to all these students for being part of the SCA Honor Band!

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met at 6:00 Tuesday evening for their regular monthly meeting. After the roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda as well as minutes from the January meeting being reviewed and approved as presented. The financial report was discussed with bills being reviewed and approved as well as the 2019 final budget and 2020 budget being reviewed with an ending balance at the end of January of $268,708.21. During the calendar review, February 8th was determined to be a work day at the station for painting and general cleanup. It was also noted that March 10th will be the Presidential Preference Primary election in Dent County and the Road Rally would take place March 19th. During the monthly reimbursement report, the board made note of 24 calls for the month including 1 structure fire, 7 brush fires, 6 first responder calls, 3 vehicle accidents, 2 fire alarms responses, 2 training events and 3 calls classified as others. Total calls for the year so far is 41 with the average cost for call being $124.82. In new business, Chief Nash asked the board to consider a plan change for the area between the walkway on the Center Street side to add concrete from the building to the new walkway. The current plan has this as a sloped away from the sidewalk on both sides, possibly allowing water to run into the building. The board considered this to be a good idea but would need pricing to make an approval which Chief Nash said he would get and present to the board. Chief Nash also gave a tentative completion on the current renovation as March 1st and also discussed what the district would have to complete after the construction crews leave as far as installing, painting, and cleanup. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:00 at the firehouse. The meeting is open to the public.

Join the Montauk State Park staff for a unique bald eagle viewing at 8:00 this Friday morning, February 7th. Watch the eagles glide across the skies above the Montauk valley. Participants will accompany park staff on a hike near an active eagle’s nest in the park. A spotting scope and binoculars will be available. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Those who would like to attend can meet at the CCC stone picnic shelter by 8:00 Friday morning to warm up around a fire with free coffee and hot chocolate. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the event, call the park at 573-548-2201.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive Friday at Salem Wood Products at 200 Stave Mill Road off Highway 19 North. The blood drigve will be from 11:00 that morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. There is a critical need for type “O’ negative and AB plasma. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. For more information, call Lori Westerman at 729-7767.

Tom Botkins will lead a discussion about the Copeland Cemetery at 6:00 Tuesday, February 11th at the Salem Pizza Inn Meeting Room. It is a cemetery with a Who’s Who of early Dent County families living from the Howes Mills Community. This will be a discussion about lost or forgotten cemeteries and the meeting is a welcome call for people who own burial plots, small cemeteries, or know of a cemetery that is being lost to neglect or where no one is still alive that knows its history. For more information, contact Tom Botkins at 573 626-4522 or Deloris Gray Wood at 573 729-2545.