Archive for 2021

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees held a special meeting Thursday, August 5th. Health Center Administrator Zach Moser presented a plan for administering Covid antigen tests at the Health Center. The Board authorized the testing plan for the BINAX Now antigen test at $10.00 each. Moser presented a plan to purchase 240 COVID-19 PCR test for $9,840.00 and the ID Now machine would be included at no cost. The purchase would be covered by the ELC Grant. The Board voted to purchase the tests and set the fee for the test at $50.00. Moser presented addition information on the testing procedure and the decision tree. Protection of Health Center Staff during Covid testing was discussed. Moser explained that proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) would be worn through-out the procedure and testing would take place in the carport until a safe indoor space could be created. Moving Moser’s office to another location in the building was discussed. The Board authorized Moser to purchase a portable HEPA air filtration system and seek bids on a more permanent air filtration system for the room. The potential need for additional staff to conduct the testing was discussed and a decision was deferred until the next regular meeting. Moser explained the arrangement with Phelps Health to obtain the Pfizer COVID vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is the only brand currently authorized for use in children ages 12-18. The need for an ultra-cold freezer to store the vaccine was discussed. Moser presented information on four models ranging in price from $5,700 to $12,500. He explained that the Stirling model for $5,700 was not only the most affordable, but the most flexible as it included a 12v power adapter and could be set at regular freezer temperatures if ever necessary. The Board noted that they wanted to make good use of taxpayer dollars so they approved the purchase of the Stirling model for $5,700. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports for the end of July. On Thursday, July 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 3rd and 4th streets. During the course of the traffic stop, a 49-year-old Salem woman was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Friday the 30th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 9000 block of East Highway 32. At the traffic stop, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 4120. During the course of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Bunker man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released to a family member. Still on the 30th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 5000 block of West Highway 32. A 32-year-old Salem man was arrested for having active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. A woman was also arrested during the traffic stop for having active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Probation and Parole. Both the man and woman were transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Finally, on Saturday July 31st, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 500 block of County Road 4180 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

An accident occurred Thursday night about 7:15 in Crawford County on Highway 19 one and-one-half miles south of Steelville. According to the Highway Patrol Report a southbound 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by 34-year-old Darren Brinkley of Steelville, traveled off the right side of the road and struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian, 40-year-old Matthew Gaghen of Steelville, suffered serious injuries and was transported by helicopter to Mercy in Creve Coeur. The report stated that Darren Brinkley was impaired and distracted. According to the report Brinkley was wearing a safety restraint when the accident occurred. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Miles Towing.

The South-Central Missouri Community Action Agency will hold a school readiness event this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 that afternoon. This will be a drive-through event to provide free school supplies to children. In order to speed up the line pre-registration is required, and parents or guardians of school age children can call 729-3500, Extension 10 to set up an appointment. You will need to bring social security cards for everyone in the household. Households with last names starting with A through L will pick up supplies from 10:00 until noon; then M through Z will be from 12:00 until 2:00. School supplies and backpacks are funded 100% at $34,000 with federal funds received from the US Department of Health and Human Services and Family Support Division, with other support provided by community partners in the Dent County Area.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2470, while only grading would be done on county roads 5150, 5380 and 5580. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 6090 and that roadside trash was having to be picked up along Dent Fords Road. If anyone sees a person or group dumping trash on county roads, do not try to stop them. Instead, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3180 while only grading would be done on county roads 2050, 2060 and 6160. He added that brush was being cut on county road 3190. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Missouri Association of Counties interview of six candidates for the Executive Director’s position last Tuesday. The entire MAC board will be meeting this week to vote on the new Executive Director. Skiles stated he will also attend the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday afternoon at the MRPC before attending two more meetings at the MRPC Thursday evening. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of July, and that her office along with the collector’s office and the assessor’s office balanced on all collections, add-ons and abatements for the month of July. She also reported she will be attending the MAC meetings on Wednesday through Friday. At the last meeting, Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells discussed the purchase of two new police vehicles that have been budgeted. The commission agreed on those vehicles being purchased. Later, Sheriff Wells wanted to seek financing bids for the lease/ purchase of a third vehicle that was not originally in the budget, for the state price of $37,801. The lease purchase they are seeking would be for three years with one payment per year. Wells says he will have enough money in the budget for the payment. The commission approved his request to put out for bids and they will be opened on Monday, August 16th at 10:00. Information and specifics can be found at the county clerk’s office. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer came in to discuss with the commission about getting new plat books. She had stopped by Barton County and picked up a plat book they had created in house through the “Clear Basin” software the county uses. She said the plat books can be updated monthly and can be printed on the spot. The cost to make the plat book was $15 and it was sold to the public for $30. She said if the county wanted to do this in-house, the cost for using the “clear basin” software was $2,500 per year with a five-year commitment. The commission asked Homeyer if there was money in the budget for this and she thought there was. The commission made no decision on the plat book as they wanted to look through it more. 143rd District State Representative Ron Copeland was in attendance and said there was going to be a meeting next Monday on the Transportation Infrastructure bill being voted on in the Senate and how there is supposed to be additional money for broadband. He also said he and other representatives are working on a “Community Rural Development” group to help the rural areas with economic development or the seeking of economic improvements. He also said the new federal congressional districts will be released in September. The commissioners then opened bids for numerous pieces of old or no longer used county equipment that was at the county road and bridge department shed. A number of bids were received and when the winners were totaled, the amount the county was to receive was $18,055.75. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

On August 9th, Sheriff Bob Wells and Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley presented the sum of $4,410.93 to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams to be placed into the general revenue fund for Dent County. The money is the result of efforts by law enforcement involving the seizure of cash and illegal firearms possessed in connection with the illegal use and/or the distribution of controlled substances. The seizure and sale occurred in connection with recent drug prosecutions that concluded in Dent County. The seizure and sale of the firearms is authorized by Missouri law as an additional punishment and deterrent to persons that illegally use or distribute controlled substances while in the possession of firearms. Further, money that is obtained through the illegal sale of controlled substances is subject to seizure and forfeiture. This money will be used for the benefit of the local community.