Archive for 2021

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports On February 24th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 2000 block of North Highway 19 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On February 28th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of 4th Street and Jackson. During the course of the traffic stop, a 27-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, and for the possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, a prior drug offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On March 1st, a deputy responded to a residence in the 700 block of Dent County Road 3240 for a report of a neighbor shooting at the reporting party. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 64-year-old man was the reported victim. During the course of the investigation, a 67-year-old Salem man was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 4, for exhibiting armed criminal action and for harassment in the 1st degree. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241

Missouri Department of Transportation crews are focusing on pothole repair through April. When you see a MoDOT crew making repairs, motorists should slow down and move over a lane to give them room to work. Crews started working to address the pesky potholes as soon as there was a break in the weather last week. MoDOT will have about 300 pothole patching crews statewide working to make roadways safer. In 2020, MoDOT patched approximately 760,000 potholes spending $18 million on pothole patching. Natalie Roark MoDOT state maintenance director says While following COVID-19 social distancing procedures, MoDOT is working as hard as we can to fill the potholes quickly and that brutally cold temperatures coupled with ice and snow throughout February have led to a high number of potholes blossoming on Missouri highways already. They ask motorists to please be patient with us as the repairs are being done. MoDOT maintains 34,000 miles of road including interstates, U.S. and Missouri routes and lettered routes. Potholes form when temperatures warm up during the day but continue to be cold at night. The rain and snow from winter leave moisture that seeps into cracks and joints in the pavement. Frozen water in cracks and under the surface of the roadway causes the pavement to bulge and bend. Then when ice melts, the pavement contracts and leaves gaps or voids in the surface under the pavement. When cars and trucks drive over the bulging pavement, it weakens the roadway eventually causing chunks of pavement or asphalt to pop out, creating potholes. Short-term repairs are made using a cold asphalt mix with a priority to fill the deepest potholes first. The long-term fix, a hot asphalt mix, isn’t effective until temperatures remain warm for a prolonged period.

Spring is right around the corner and its arrival occasionally brings severe weather that could include hail and high winds. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance wants consumers to know the importance of making sure they’re adequately covered BEFORE a severe weather event occurs. Although you may already have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, make sure you know exactly what it covers. If you don’t own a policy, arrange to purchase one as soon as possible in order to protect yourself and your family from a devastating loss. Waiting until a storm arrives may be too late to protect your home and belongings. It’s important to review your policy each year to make sure your coverage is adequate. It’s easy to forget about important purchases or additions you’ve made to your home and your current level of coverage may not be enough to replace what you own. And, not all policies and levels of coverage are equal – in fact, they vary greatly. While one policy may cover full replacement of a damaged roof, another policy may depreciate the coverage based on the age of the roof. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner’s policies. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you will need to purchase a federal flood insurance policy through your agent to cover flood damage. Consumers should do this as early as possible, as there is typically a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before a policy goes into effect. Being prepared will make it easier for you to file a claim following a severe weather event. Complete a detailed inventory of your household furnishings and take photos of each room in your home. Make lists of other valuables and equipment that don’t appear in the photos. Keep these materials in a safe place outside your home, such as a safe deposit box. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance provides more severe weather resources and tips for consumers on their website.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station at #2 South Main. After approval of the consent agenda minutes from the January meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. During the financial report the board reviewed and approved bills and was shown to have an ending balance of $278,177.66. The district is currently hosting the Salem Memorial District Hospital in partners with the Dent County Health Center for provide Covid vaccinations through the month of March and the road rally participants will be the district on March 18th to start check-ins. The monthly reimbursement report which showed a total of 28 calls for month including seven structure fires, two brush fires, two car fires, two vehicle accidents, one first responder call, five haz-mat calls, two training calls and five calls listed as other. The department also responded to one fire alarm. Calls responded to year-to-date stand at 66 with the average cost per call of $106.25. Chief Nash reported to the board that Engine 85 has still not been repaired from the door damage and he is still waiting on the insurance company. Nash also reported that the current projects in work for the district are the repair of the ceilings in the laundry room, the back restroom, and the gear room. Before adjourning the board set the date for the next meeting for Tuesday, April 6th at 6:00 at the fire station. That meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital will be conducting health fair screenings now through March 15th at the Salem Memorial District Hospital Campus. The screenings will take place Monday through Friday and start at 6:00 each morning and continue until 10:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity to have various tests conducted such as the health fair profile, diabetes A1c test, a thyroid test, a prostate test, a urine test, bone density test and a Vitamin D test. These tests will allow each person tested to find out about your overall health or head off potential future health problems by taking the appropriate steps based on your test results. In an effort to comply with social distancing and to maintain a safer environment SMDH will pre-register and schedule the health fair screening to be performed at the facility. Participants will enter at the north entrance of the hospital and be COVID screened. Since patients will already be registered fees will be collected and consent forms will be signed prior to testing. To schedule your appointment as well as pre-register, please call Karen Brown at 573-729-6626 Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) will host a public hearing to accept comments on the PHA’s annual plan at 10:00 in the morning on
Monday, March 8th at the MRPC offices located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. The Phelps County PHA provides HUD Section 8 rental assistance to persons in the counties of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city of Rolla) and Washington. The plan is a comprehensive guide to PHA policies, programs, operations and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. There are two parts to the PHA plan: the five-year plan, which each PHA submits to HUD once every fifth PHA fiscal year, and the annual plan, which is submitted to HUD every year by non-qualified agencies. The plan is available for review at Meramec Regional Planning Commission/Phelps County PHA, now through March 8th. Written comments will be accepted through March 8th and can be submitted to MRPC to the attention of Donald Keeney, PHA Program Manager. Persons needing more information or a link to attend the meeting by Zoom should contact Keeney at 573-265-4200. Anyone needing special accommodations for the public hearing should contact Keeney by this Friday.

More than 5,400 anglers visited Bennett Spring, Montauk and Roaring River state parks on opening day of trout season. The catch-and-keep trout season Monday monring. Based on trout tag sales, 1,709 anglers visited Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, 1,793 anglers visited Montauk State Park near Salem, and 1,956 anglers visited Roaring River State Park near Cassville. This year’s total is lower than 2020 numbers by nearly 2,000. A breakdown of trout tag counts and photos from the day are available at mostateparks.com/TroutOpening2021. The catch-and-keep trout season continues through October 31st. Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which manages state parks, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, which operates the hatcheries and stocks the streams with trout.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center is reminding everyone that they are welcome to come take a tour of the facility, work out at the Fitness Center for FREE and meet the staff through Friday, March 5th. With the addition of the new basketball gymnasium and expansion of the fitness center, they want to offer tours and provide information regarding available all types of membership opportunities. The fitness center, gymnasium and classes are FREE only through this Friday. The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center is located in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. For additional information please call 739-1127 or 729-8163.

Mayor Brad Nash of the City of Salem called a special meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen for Thursday night at 8:45 in the city hall council chambers. At the meeting, the board will go into closed session to discuss personnel and the attorney/client privilege. The meeting is NOT open to the public.