Archive for 2021

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports from the late December. On December 20th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of North Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 59-year-old Steelville man was arrested for driving while having his license suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Christmas Eve, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 2030. During the course of the traffic stop, a 53-year-old Rolla man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid driver’s license, a 3rd or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Later that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Pershing and Center streets. During the course of the traffic stop, a 46-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On December 26th, the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance at a residence in the 200 block of Reynolds County Road 931 for a report of a domestic disturbance occurring. A deputy traveled to the residence and during the course of the incident, a 72-year-old Bunker man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On December 27th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on East Center Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 51-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

Need trees and shrubs for your landscape? Go native with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, beautyberry, buttonbush, deciduous holly, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, spicebush, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. The prices range from 22 – 90 cents per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1% will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $8 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number. The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly. Occasionally the seedlings succumb to uncooperative weather or hungry wildlife, despite the nursery staff’s best efforts. Fiaoni said that even if a species is listed as sold out, customers can still place an order for them. Sometimes orders get cancelled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship. Learn more and place orders with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s “2020-2021 Seedling Order Form.” You can pick one up at Department of Conservation regional offices and nature centers. You can also access the form online at mdc.mo.gov/seedlings, or by contacting the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229 or by e-mailing them at StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. You can place your orders now through April 15, 2021. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking from February through May.

Road maintenance doesn’t take a break for the winter. When snow and ice are cleared from the roads and forecast, drivers should expect to see maintenance crews at work on Missouri’s highways, often in slow moving operations. Fluctuating temperatures and precipitation mean potholes and other types of pavement damage are common during Missouri winters. As the weather allows, the Missouri Department of Transportation will have crews making repairs to roads and bridges throughout the winter season. In 2020, MoDOT’s truck/trailer-mounted attenuators were struck a record-setting 48 times, compared to 36 in 2019. These protective vehicles serve as a warning to traffic approaching a temporary mobile work zone and are the only thing separating workers making road repairs and the traveling public. Since 2018, nearly two-thirds of all trailer mounted attenuators struck during pothole patching operations occurred during the winter months from November through March. Many of these crashes were the result of drivers not paying attention and/or speeding. When motorists approach MoDOT or any other responders or emergency vehicles on the side of the highway with flashing lights, they should move over. Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching MoDOT, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights. Drivers can report the location of potholes and other road repair needs by calling 888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or by visiting modot.org/report-road-concern.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax monies received by the county this month. She reported the General Revenue Fund and LEST Fund each received $56,176.51 and that is $27,918.12 less than January of 2020 which came in at $84,094.63. That is a 33% reduction. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $48,531.41 and that is $30,228.61 less than last January when the county received $78,760.02. The Road and Bridge Fund received $24,265.26 and that is $15,108.48 less than January of 2020 when the county received $39,373.74. The Jail as well as the Road and Bridge funds are each down about 38% from last year. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated grading is being done where possible while brush is being cut on county road 5630. He also said maintenance is being done on county dump truck #125. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said brush was being cut on Dent County Road 4380 while maintenance was being performed on county roads 2250 and 3180 on the sides of the road that are washing out. He also said two men would be stockpiling white rock at the county road and bridge department shed. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported he would be attending a Meramec Regional Planning Commission External Relations meeting Wednesday afternoon and an MRPC Board meeting Thursday. He also said there would be no commissioner meeting Monday, January 18th due to it being MLK Day and the courthouse would be closed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with treasurer on all accounts for December and for the year 2020. She said she has the county financial statement ready for the commissioners to review before it is published later this month in the Salem News. Curley also stated January 26th at 5:00 will be the last day for all election districts to submit their notice that they are or are not having an election on April 6th for the Municipal Election. She also said March 10th would be the last day to register to vote for the Municipal Election. A petition for a Quit Claim Deed for old railway right-of-way in Crawford County was presented to the commission by the Dent County Prosecutor for them to sign to relinquish the property to the petitioners, Jeffrey Perkins and Jacklyn Blanford. The commissioners agreed to sign the petition. The commissioners continued to work on the budget and this Friday after the noon hour, a tentative budget will be available to the public. You can pickup the tentative budget from the clerk’s office at the courthouse. The next commissioner meeting will be held on Monday, January 25th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meting is open to the public.

If you are a business owner, business manager or you would like to start a business, attend the Business @ Breakfast this Thursday starting at 7:00 in the morning. You may attend in person or via zoom and in-person seats are almost gone!. You will hear from Candace Connell, business loan specialist with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, who will explain the CARES RLF, also known as a Revolving Loan Fund, which is a loan opportunity in our region that is utilizing special federal funding to support area businesses. This money is intended to spur new business growth through startups, expansions and new business lines. This loan program IS NOT intended for reimbursement or assistance with COVID-19 related expenses. The Business @ Breakfast will be hosted personally by Sally Burbridge, the Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director, and virtually by Sarah Hultine Massengale, from the MU Extension. This get together will be held at the Salem Community Center, Rotary Meeting Room, or you attend via Zoom. Reserve your space today by contacting Sarah Massengale at hultines@missouri.edu. Again, in-person seating is almost full so please inquire if still available. You can also attend by virtual link. Doughnuts and coffee will be served for those attending in person.

Registration is open for online Master Gardener training through the MU Extension. The next 14-week session begins January 17th 2021. While this is not meant to replace in-person training, which still is conducted in many Missouri counties, online classes represent another way to go through the core training required of all MU Extension Master Gardeners and students can work at their own pace within the confines of a course schedule. Classes are delivered as a series of scripted and narrated video presentations. Topics include basic botany, soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, fruit production, landscape design, woody ornamental plants, herbaceous ornamental plants, turf management, insect and disease management, and pesticide safety. Those who successfully complete the core training and perform at least 30 hours of volunteer service qualify for MU Extension Master Gardener certification. Local Master Gardener coordinators help online trainees find volunteer opportunities to meet the service requirements. For details and registration, visit mg.missouri.edu.

This past Saturday afternoon at 5:00, a Rolla man drowned at the Little Prairie Lake in Phelps County. According to the Missouri State Water Patrol report, 25-year old Sumit Garg of Rolla entered the waterway by an unknown means when he became submerged and did not resurface. Garg was later located about fifteen feet from bank. He was pronounced dead at 9:00 Saturday evening by the Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. His body was taken to the Phelps County Morgue. He was not wearing a personal floatation device. This is the first drowning of 2021 in Troop I.

Here’s a cold weather safety tip. Many cold weather anglers use lakes or ponds for winter recreational activities. If you have plans to be near or on one of the state’s many bodies of water, please be careful and stay alert! When someone is suddenly immersed in cold water, they are at risk for cold shock and hypothermia. Cold shock occurs when the body is suddenly immersed in cold water. Once the trunk of the body goes under, the blood vessels constrict to conserve core body heat. This will quickly limit the use of a person’s arms and legs. Likewise, these conditions may cause a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure—in some cases resulting in cardiac arrest. Cold shock can cause involuntary gasping reflex. When the body hits the water, cold shock can cause the person to gasp for air, but inhale water and result in drowning. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in the air. Lifejacket use becomes even more important in cold water because hypothermia can quickly rob the body of the ability to perform the most basic tasks and drowning is always a concern. If you take an unexpected plunge into cold water, it is vital to get out of the water and into dry clothes as soon as possible. If dry clothes are not an option leave the wet ones on. Even wet clothes will offer some insulation and trap body heat. A warm drink can be given to someone suffering from hypothermia if they are conscious. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. Drinks with sugars for quick energy are preferable. Hypothermia can be deadly even if you are wearing a PFD, so it is important to never go boating alone in the winter. If no one knows you are in trouble, no one can help.

The City of Salem Utility Committee will hold a workshop Monday evening, January 11th at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory 1200 West Rolla Road. The committee will review the treatment plant permit and VCA requirements and review funding options for the treatment plant phase 2 improvements before receiving updates on the AMI project and utility billing before adjourning. The meeting of the utility committee is open to the public.

Ron Copeland officially began his service as state representative for the 143rd District after being sworn in during a ceremony Wednesday, January 6th in the Missouri State Capitol. Copeland takes his place in the Missouri House of Representatives alongside 113 of his Republican colleagues, as well as 48 Democratic members. Copeland replaces State Representative Jeff Pogue, who left office because of term limits. Copeland will now serve a district made up of Dent, Shannon, Oregon, and parts of Reynolds counties. He has lived and served in the district since 1992. Prior to his legislative service, Copeland served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and recently retired as a sergeant. He also served as a corrections officer for the Missouri Department of Corrections and as a Military Police Officer with the Missouri National Guard. Copeland said he plans to communicate regularly with the district so that his constituents are well-informed on the issues under consideration in the State Capitol building. He encourages anyone interested in receiving updates to contact his office at 573-751-2264 or by email at Ron.Copeland@house.mo.gov.

To help alleviate hunger and financial hardships this holiday season, The Doe Run Company provided food items, essential supplies and donations to charitable organizations and families throughout Southeast Missouri. Doe Run employees supported the Adopt a Family program, hosted by the Iron County C-4 School District’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). This is the program’s 10th year of supplying 30 local families with Christmas presents and food items for Christmas dinner. Employees donated presents and other essential items, such as cookware, toiletries and tools. Doe Run also donated food and non-perishable items for local food banks to help the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities, including A+ CDS in Salem (now known as Advantage Home Care), Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence in Viburnum and the God’s Ministry Mission in Bunker. In addition, Doe Run employees collected 90 coats for the mission in Bunker and provided holiday gifts for local families through the Bunker R-3 School District.