Archive for 2022

The Dent County Commissioners met for their first meeting of 2022 at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge brought in her monthly report for the month of December. She reported that she received a state lead for an economic prospect that she submitted the Certified Site parcel for their consideration. She stated the Ozark Viking Meadery now has all their licenses and permits to move forward including their city business license. She told the commissioners the Whitaker Building Supply building, the Soil and Water Conservation Building and the old Tax Masters building have now been added to the buildings for sale, while the buildings at 207, 209, 211 and 215 West 4th Street have been sold. She told the commission the city was selected as an alternate for the FHLB-Affordable Housing Grant so if there are monies still available or other winners are unable to fulfill their commitment, the city could be awarded funds. They will probably find out this week. Burbridge reported the city received three bids for the removal of timber from the Certified Site that must be done by March 31st, but clean up can continue past that date. The bids came from Mid-State Pipeline, Donald Maggi, inc. and Godi Excavating ranging from over $149,000 to around $77,000. The site clearing contract will be discussed at the January 11th Board of Aldermen meeting. Burbridge provided the November unemployment figures for Dent County and the state that showed the labor force shrunk in November from 6,315 to 6,231 while those unemployed also shrank from 189 to 174. That translates to a 2.8% local unemployment rate which is better than the statewide rate of 3.5% and national rate of 4.2%. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson both said the ground was too froze to grade so crews were out checking for any downed trees or limbs on the roads. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind any contractors or vendors the county will not be paying any bills until the budget is approved on January 27th. Bills can still be dropped off or mailed to the county, but payment will be delayed due to the state statute that does not allow the county to pay bills until the budget has been approved. Skiles said the county received information from Attorney Travis Elliott for the county to use in allocating the ARPA funds the county has received. This information including a conflict-of-interest policy if a person may have a direct or indirect financial interest in the funding of an entity. This must be disclosed before the decision-making process of allocating the funds. They must make their position known prior to moving further to see if the request or decision would actually be a conflict of interest. There was also a whistleblower policy regarding ARPA funds as well as a vehicle use policy. The commission approved all three policies. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she and the commissioners would be working on the budget. She also said Tuesday is also the first day that students can submit their “I Voted” art sticker design. Those submissions must be in by February 3rd. Curley also said political entities must submit their final certifications for the April election and for those non-elected candidates in the county clerk’s office by 5:00 PM, January 25th. The commission also met with Corky Stack to discuss the work to the exterior of the courthouse for 2022. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

According to the Missouri State Highway patrol, no one was killed in a traffic crash during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6:00 Thursday, December 30th and ended at 11:59 Sunday night, January 2nd. The statistics for the 2022 counting period were 406 traffic crashes, 91 traffic crash injuries, no deaths and 94 DWI’s. Last year during the 78-hour New Year’s counting period, there were 1,247 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, six people were killed and another 389 people were injured. During the 2021 New Year’s holiday weekend, troopers worked 173 crashes including three fatalities and 48 injuries. Troopers arrested 94 people for driving while impaired last year. There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2022 New Year’s holiday counting period.

Between January 10th and 14th, Dent County voters will have the opportunity to elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of Dent County in January. The council has two positions that need to be filled in the Northern district, five in the Central district and two in the Southern district. Voting may be done at or mailed to the Dent County Extension Center at 112 East 5th Street in Salem on the second floor of the Judicial Building or you can drop off ballots at the office on the second floor of the Judicial Building between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Candidates include Kelly Chapman and Terry Phelps in the Northern District; Darlene Dahms, Thomas Haines, Charlee Sue Jadwin, Betty Kunkel and Kolson Seay in the Central District; and Kyle Case and Jason Jones in the Southern District. Ballots will be available in the January 4th edition of the Salem News and in Your World Today as in insert on Monday, January 10th. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196.

When it comes to frozen water pipes, it’s all about prevention. Frozen pipes can leave you without water in the worst of weather. And they cost a lot to repair. But with a few simple steps, you can easily preserve both your budget and your peace of mind. Before the cold weather truly sets in, know where your main water shut-off valve is located. Eliminate sources of cold air near water pipes by fixing windows or insulating walls. Protect exposed pipes by wrapping them with insulation, fabric or newspaper. When temperatures stay below freezing, let the snow cover your water meter. Snow acts as insulation, so don’t disturb it. Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. Open cabinet doors to let warm air in your home reach the pipes. If your pipes do freeze, shut off the water immediately. Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it. Avoid kerosene heaters or open flames. Make sure any outdoor hoses are no longer attached to spigots. Turn the water back on slowly once pipes have thawed, and check for cracks and leaks. If you discover numerous leaks from split or damage pipes, shut the water off and contract a professional plumber to investigate the problem. Please be familiar with your home’s plumbing system as you will be the first to know when there is a problem and have to take action promptly if there is a problem.

At its December 10 open meeting in Jefferson City, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the following recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for upcoming turkey-hunting and deer-hunting season dates. The 2022 Spring and Fall turkey hunting dates are April 9th and 10th for Spring Youth Portion, followed by the regular Spring Turkey Season April 18th through May 8th and Fall Firearms Turkey Season will be October 1st through 31st. The Archery Deer and Turkey hunting dates for 2022-2023 will be September 15th through November 11th and November 23rd through January 15th, 2023. The 2022 – 2023 Firearms Deer hunting dates are October 29th and 30th for the Early Youth portion, then November 12th through 22nd for Regular Firearms portion. The Late Youth portion will be November 25th through 27th, followed by the Firearms Antlerless Deer portion December 3rd through 11th and the Alternative Methods portion will be December 24th through January 3rd, 2023. Details on hunting regulations, harvest limits, allowed methods, required permits, and other related information will be available online and in MDC’s 2022 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and MDC’s 2022 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet prior to the related seasons. Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits or through MDC’s free mobile app, MO Hunting, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

In addition to frigid temperatures and snow and ice, winter brings dangerous driving conditions and the potential for damaging and deadly storms. In 2020, there were more than 5,500 vehicle crashes in Missouri in which snow or ice were factors, which resulted in 1,698 injuries and 26 deaths, according to preliminary results provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Even if not directly involved in a crash, an accident blocking the roadway could cause other drivers to be stranded for hours. Avoiding non-essential travel during winter storms is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of becoming involved in a crash or becoming stranded. It also allows snow removal crews to clear the roads faster and first responders to get to crashes more quickly. Assemble a separate vehicle winter emergency kit that includes a blanket, radio with spare batteries, snacks or energy-type food, jumper cables, flares, shovel and sand or shingles to give tires traction. Avoid driving whenever possible when conditions are poor. Postpone travel if possible. If your vehicle breaks down or slides off the road, stay with your vehicle and call or wait for help. In 2020, 41 people reportedly died as a result of low body temperatures due to prolonged exposure to cold weather, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Protect against frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting clothing in several layers. Avoid alcohol, limit time spent outdoors in frigid temperatures and stay indoors, if possible.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the minutes from the December meeting will be the financial report and approval of bills. Following the calendar review the board will go over the monthly reimbursement report before addressing any old or new business brought before the board. After hearing various reports, the board will set the date for the February meeting before adjourning and going into closed session if needed. The regular meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the New Harmony Church main gym on Highway 32 West on Wednesday from 2:00 until 6:00. Currently, the Red Cross still experiences dangerously low inventory not seen in more than a decade. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. To register for the blood drive, call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your appointment.