Archive for 2021

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, December 16th. Administrator Zach Moser updated the Board on the current COVID status in Dent County. In November there were 109 new cases of COVID-19 investigated. According to MoDHSS, as of December 16th, 34.2% of Dent County residents have received their first dose of vaccine and 30.4% have completed the series. Dent County’s Positivity Rate was 19.4%. Moser noted that Pediatric C19 vaccine is available at the Health Center and adult vaccine is available at Moser Pharmacy, Vandivort Pharmacy, Sinks Pharmacy and Wal-Mart Pharmacy. He reported that Flu season has begun with at least two cases reported so far. Moser stated that 80 appointments for blood draws in the lab were held in November and that the Health Center can conduct most blood tests at a reduced cost for those without insurance. Anyone can have their labs done at the Health Center. The number of COVID tests has continued to increase with 130 being done during November. The cost of the rapid antigen test is $10 and PCR test can be sent to the state lab and Labcorp under certain circumstances. Zach reported that 480 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered during the month and that the gift Health Center continues to offer the $50 card to Country Mart through a program funded by the state for anyone getting their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Sixty-three Influenza vaccines were given, and 19 other vaccines were administered. There were 837 appointments for the month of November. In the administrator’s report Moser reported that the Health Center started using the new electronic health record system, Ashley Esquivel was hired as a new RN, Monoclonal antibody treatments have started, the MOSWIN radio was reinstalled after being down for over a year due to the move from MacArthur Avenue, and Sandra Headrick has confirmed that she will continue to provide services for the Sho Me Healthy Women program. Health Center financials for the month of November were approved. In contract updates he said that the Increasing Adult COVID-19 Immunization Contract had provided the implementation of the electronic health records system. Moser went on to say that the Enhancing Laboratory Capacity CARES expansion contract was awarded, and the final signed contract has been received. He noted that the Maternal-Child Health (MCH) contract has been renewed and that child safety is the focus of this contract. WIC appointments have picked up and Sho Me Healthy Women, which provides free breast and cervical screenings for women who qualify and Healthy Women, which provides free breast and cervical screenings for women who qualify and can be scheduled by calling the Health Center at (573) 729-3106. Moser reported that he has applied for a C19 Health Disparities Grant which will allow expanding laboratory capabilities. In anticipation of the Grant being funded the Board pre-approved bids for a blood chemistry analyzer and an A1c analyzer in the amounts of $15,714 and $3,896 respectively, if and when the funding becomes available. He stated that the roofing color has been chosen and delivery of materials will be soon as the color chosen was in stock. Moser said that an informal bid for the planned renovation work had been received and others are expected soon, so no action was taken by the Board. Zach discussed the legal impact of the Robinson vs. DHSS ruling in Cole County, which is moot as Dent County Health Center was not enforcing quarantine and isolation orders as a matter of law, plus Missouri School Boards Association has sent a letter to the schools emphasizing their ongoing responsibility to protect their students and staff, as the ruling did not affect schools. Before adjourning the Board set the next regular meeting date for Thursday, January 20th.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting Tuesday evening, December 28th, at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the Roll Call and approval of the Consent Agenda, which includes Utility Committee meeting minutes of October 19th and December 20th, the following Bill and Resolution will be introduced and read. Bill #3496, an ordinance amending Chapter 700, Article 1, of The Code of Ordinances of the City of Salem, pertaining to disconnection of Utility Services. Resolution #38-2021, a Resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Clean State Revolving Fund Program for an engineering grant under the Missouri Clean Water Law (Chapter 644, RSMo.). Following those items of business will be the reports of city officials, boards and committees. The Board of Alderman will then go into closed session to consider contracts. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman Tuesday evening is open to the public.

Everyone at Your World Today and KSMO Media wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Due to the holiday, there will not be a new edition of Your World Today on Christmas Eve.

The Salem Utility Committee meeting was held Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Jeff Medows from Archer-Elgin Engineering gave an update on all the active projects going on as well as an update on the wastewater treatment plant improvements. The city and Missouri Department of Natural Resources met at the end of November to discuss what to do next after the EPA did not like the variance submitted in 2020 and approved by the Cleanwater Commission. DNR suggested the city go through the permitting process that would have a long schedule of compliance to meet the TMDL limit. They also suggested going for a bigger improvement in the facility that would make an improvement in water quality. If going that route, Medows recommended pursuing the DNR Economic Resilience Grant for the facility plan update and then pursue ARPA funding and a potential bond issue for SRF grant funding. It was noted the city bills were late in November due to a sickness in the office. City Administrator Ray Walden said staff is being cross-trained so that there should be no delays in the future, and if there would be a special circumstance, the city will use the local media, the city’s text blast, and social media to get out the information. The committee discussed and approved keeping the 1% discount for customers. The committee also discussed having another cost and rate study done by Missouri Rural Water, but Walden recommended to wait until the city gets more information about phase two of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade before getting another study done. The committee pondered having an audit performed on the utility billing and the meter project update, but a proposal of a one-year audit was $70,000 and a two-year audit was $120,000. There is also a request for proposals for new utility billing and financial software that is due at the end of January. The committee agreed to put the audit on hold until there is more information on the new utility billing and financial software and a need to have an audit done. Walden then went over the survey results to see if there would be interest in the city offering a prepaid utility plan and offer view usage if available. From the survey results, 68% of those responding would like to know their usage, but only 9% were interested in a prepay option. The committee also recommended submitting an updated “hot and cold” weather rule for electric disconnection to the Board of Aldermen for their approval that is based upon temperature. The meeting was then adjourned.

In Pulaski County in front of Judge John Beger, former Texas County Sheriff James Sigman was sentenced to three years supervised probation and a fine for forging an employee’s timecard in 2018. Sigman’s girlfriend at the time and former Texas County jailer Jennifer Tomaszewski, also received three years supervised probation and a fine in a related case. The case was moved on a change of venue and each defendant was originally charged with eight counts. All the other counts aside from the forgery charges were dismissed during their trials in September due to insufficient evidence. The forgery charges involved the former sheriff approving a timecard for Tomaszewski for hours she didn’t work. In the end it was determined by Judge Beger that there was enough evidence to show that Sigman and Tomaszewski knew the timecards were false.

Have you and your family members finished their wish list for the holiday? Is safe, crash free travel on those lists? If not, please add it! Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers wish everyone a merry and safe Christmas. One way for it to be merry is for everyone to arrive at their holiday celebrations safely. Last year over the Christmas holiday, there were 746 traffic crashes during the counting period. In those crashes, 10 people were killed and another 310 were injured. This year’s traffic crash counting period begins at 6:00 this evening and ends at 11:59 Sunday night, December 26th, 2021. Please remember to wear your seat belt, pay attention to your driving, and please, don’t drink and drive. Travelers are reminded that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. If you’re planning a trip during the holiday, please keep this in mind. Drivers are encouraged to make sure they are well rested, and their vehicle is in good working condition before driving to their destination, no matter how short the distance. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The Road Condition Report number is 1-800-222-6400. If bad weather is expected, make sure your vehicle is winterized. Allow extra time to reach your destination and obey all traffic laws. If faced with a traffic emergency, motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. This emergency number will ring into the nearest Highway Patrol headquarters. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or pass a stranded motorist in need of assistance, etc. The Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves from all types of hazardous drivers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Please obey all traffic laws, and if alcohol is part of your holiday, designate a sober driver. Every driver can help make our roadways safer this holiday season.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released the following reports. On Monday, December 13th, deputies traveled to a residence on Highway 19 North to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the event, a 59-year-old Salem man was arrested on two warrants out of Dent County. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated on the warrants. Then on Saturday, December 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Highway 32 and Dent County Road 4235. During the course of the stop, a 73-year-old Viburnum female was arrested on a warrant out of Crawford County. She was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated on the warrant. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241 if you have any information on any investigation.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education in closed session Thursday night heard an A+ citizenship appeal. The board unanimously approved the appeal of the student. The Board also heard from an employee who requested back pay of 18 days but voted to deny the request by a 5-1 vote. They also unanimously approved awarding the Belcher Scholarship to Kennedy Chapman. In other action taken, the board approved moving Aaron Steelman one step on the salary schedule due to a change of job responsibilities, approved giving a raise of $1.00 an hour to Andy Rowe due to a change of job responsibilities, and to move Traci Wulff from step 16 to step 24 on the salary schedule due to a change of job responsibilities. The school board then accepted the resignation of Kristi Steelman as assistant Volleyball coach; and Phil Karr as a high school physical education teacher, head softball coach, and athletic director effective at the end of the 21-22 school year. After a personnel issue was discussed, the meeting was adjourned.

An accident happened in Cape Girardeau County Monday morning at 6:55 at the intersection of Route K and Highway 25. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Kia Sorrento driven westbound by 33-year-old James Tanner of Jackson, turned into the path of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven northbound by 24-year-old Courtney Spencer of Rolla, and was struck. Spencer suffered moderate injuries and was taken by an ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center. Everyone involved was wearing seat restraints. Both vehicles were totaled with the Jepp being removed from the scene by Midwest Truck Towing and the Kia being taken from the scene by Carnell’s Towing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports hunters harvested three elk during the firearms portion of the elk-hunting season, from December 11th through the 19th. An archery portion ran October 16th through the 24th with two elk harvested. Five Missouri hunters were selected for elk permits through a random drawing. Last year’s inaugural elk hunt ended with all five hunters harvesting bull elk during the firearms portion. No elk were taken during the 2020 archery portion.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy is accepting grant applications now through February 28th, 2022, to reimburse farmers for energy-saving equipment through its Energize Missouri Agriculture Program. The department is offering up to $3 million in cost-share grants to agricultural operations for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy equipment. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified applicants. The program will reimburse approved applicants up to 75% or a maximum of $7,500 of the purchase cost, excluding time and labor costs, of qualifying energy-saving equipment and systems per applicant. Some examples of eligible projects include solar-powered watering systems and fencers, irrigation upgrades, GPS systems for tractors and applicators, ventilationand insulation. Anyone interested in more information or applying for the Energize Missouri Agriculture Program should visit dnr.mo.gov/energy for more details. Purchases made prior to signing the terms and conditions agreement will not qualify for reimbursement. Those without internet access may obtain a paper application form by contacting the department by phone at 573-751-2254 or 855-522-2796. The Energize Missouri Agriculture Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is part of the funds managed by the department’s Division of Energy.

The Missouri Conservation Commission and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recognize citizens who make outstanding contributions to conservation in Missouri and are accepting nominations for their Master Conservationist Award and the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame through December 31st. The Master Conservationist Award honors living or deceased citizens while the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame recognizes deceased individuals. Those who can be considered for either honor are Missourians who performed outstanding acts or whose dedicated service over an extended time produced major progress in fisheries, forestry, or wildlife conservation in Missouri. Employees of conservation-related agencies who performed outstanding acts or whose dedicated service over an extended time produced major progress in fisheries, forestry, or wildlife conservation in Missouri. Anyone can submit a nomination, which should include a statement describing the nominee’s accomplishments and a brief biography. A screening committee appointed by the MDC director meets annually to consider nominees, with the Conservation Commission conveying final approval. Get more information on the Master Conservationist Award and Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame nomination forms at mdc.mo.gov. Nominations must be submitted by December 31st to Missouri Department of Conservation, Attention Julie Love, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk says her office and the Dent County Assessor’s office will be open the week after Christmas including New Year’s Eve from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon for those who wish to make tax payments. Payment of your taxes may be made at the collector’s office, by mail, using the drop box at the southwest corner of the courthouse square, or online. Fees will be the same as last year and will be charged on all credit or debit cards. For more information, call 729-3911. Remember, the 2022 Dent County Assessment Lists will be mailed the first week of January 2022. To avoid a late filing penalty, your completed assessment forms will be due in the assessor’s office by March 1st. Online filing will also be available from January 2nd through April 30th. The courthouse will be closed this Thursday and Friday for the Christmas holiday.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Grant Wilson from Jason Smith’s office was in attendance to wish the commission Happy Holidays. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Road 5580 while service will be performed on county trucks #123 and 125. Mobray said a backhoe was going to be used on Dent County Road 6430 to clean the debris out from around a culvert and truck it off for disposal using county truck #119. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3020 while only grading would be performed on county road 2120. Larson stated crews would also be checking for washouts from the rains Friday and Friday night. He indicated a tree was reported down on county road 5225 and crews were taking care of that. He said one man was hauling in rock to stockpile for the winter while another was screening rock. Larson also said crews would be replacing a number of road signs including some stop signs that had been stolen including the post to hold the sign. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was in Jefferson City Friday regarding the CCAM lawsuit filed against Senate Bill 53. He wanted to remind everyone the courthouse would be closed Thursday and Friday for the Christmas holiday. The commissioners will also be meeting on Thursday, December 30th at the courthouse to pay bills for the last time before the next year’s budget is approved. Any vendor of the county is asked to get your statement or invoice in before Thursday to be paid or you will be waiting until late January. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she talked with the art classes at the high school last Tuesday about designing a new “I voted” sticker for the 2022-2023 elections. She went on to say that her office and the treasurer’s office balanced on all accounts for the month of November. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk brought in her monthly report that shows collections in November at $1,656,158.25. Also at the last meeting, the Dent County Extension requested their budget be increased to $45,000 in 2022 from the $40,000 they received in 2021. 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.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 14,896 deer during the antlerless portion of the firearms deer season, December 4th through 12th. Top harvest counties statewide were Callaway with 467 deer harvested, Pike with 376, and Morgan with 354. In our area the Crawford County total was 166, Dent County harvested 151, Phelps 120, and Texas County antlerless harvest was 149. Last year’s antlerless-portion harvest total was 15,620. The antlerless portion was extended from three days to nine days this year. MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle said that prior to last year, the average harvest during the three-day antlerless portion had been just under 8,000 deer. We had some fantastic hunting conditions during last year’s antlerless portion, which resulted in a harvest total that was nearly double the average. So, although we were below last year’s mark, this year’s total was well above the average harvest over the last several years with the shorter season. Archery deer season runs through January 15th, 2022. The alternative methods portion runs December 25th through January 4th, 2022. Find more information on deer hunting from MDC’s 2021 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released results of three court cases heard in Dent County on Wednesday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. In the first case heard, Richard LaBrash, Jr. of Salem had a sentencing hearing regarding his probation violation of receiving stolen property. Randazzo sentenced LaBrash to seven years in the Department of Corrections under the Section 559.115 program. LaBrash had requested continued probation due to his medical conditions and the likelihood that he would lose his disability benefits. The request was denied by the judge. The second case heard involved defendant Rebecca Hughes of Salem. Judge Randazzo revoked her probation for the possession of a controlled substance due to her new charge for the possession of Vicodin in the Dent County Jail. Hughes was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. The last case heard Wednesday was a sentencing hearing for Max Openshaw of Bunker after his plea of guilty to a felony assault and the unlawful use of a weapon. Prosecutor Curley requested 11 years to be served in the Department of Corrections. Openshaw requested probation. Judge Randazzo sentenced Openshaw to seven years in the Department of Corrections for the incident that occurred in June of this year. The co-defendant in the case Larry Suhling, received 10 years at his prior sentencing hearing.

An accident occurred Friday evening at 9:45 in Phelps County on I-44 near mile marker 188.4 in the westbound lane. According to the highway patrol report a 1998 Dodge Ram Truck driven by a 17-year-old male juvenile from Steelville lost control, slid off the left side of the road and struck the towed unit of a 2016 Volvo Tractor. The driver of the Volvo is unknown at this time as the Volvo was parked in the median due to a previous crash. The juvenile suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to Phelps Health. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled, and the Volvo sustained minor damage both remain at the scene due to weather conditions.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Friday, December 24th, in observance of Christmas. Normal operations will resume on Monday, December 27th and again on Friday, December 31st, in observance of New Year’s Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, January 3rd, 2022.