Archive for 2022

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported sales tax revenues received in November which were skewed in the comparison from last year when the Department of Revenue had to pay back sales taxes they withheld in October by mistake. In the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund, the county received this month $83,818.12 and that is $61,239.22 less than in 2021. Year-to-date, those funds are up $340,707.40. In the County Road and Bridge Fund, sales tax revenues received were $39,032.64 and that is down $31,196.29 from the $70,228.93 figure from 2021. Year-to-date, that fund is up 54% at $168,254.75. The jail trust and operating funds both received $78,062.82 in November and that is $27,040.54 less than the money received in 2021. Year-to-date, each jail fund is up $335,099.14. Dent County and Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave her report to the commission showing little economic change in October. She did say she mailed off copies of the paid checks to Godi Excavating to the state to prove work at the Certified Site in the Industrial Park has been completed and is waiting on them to get back with her if there is anything else needed. She did say she got with the county surveyor and found the sign at the entrance to the Industrial Park is not on MoDOT right-of-way and it does not have to be moved. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2440, 4220, 6440 and 6360 while brush would be cut on county road 6210. Mobray indicated materials were being added to county road 5600 as part of the Title II project, and he said he would be meeting with Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Jason Lott about some projects they would like to do near the Current River. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2030 while only grading would be done on county roads 2110, 3350, 3360, 3370 and 4020. He said brush would be cut on county road 2330 and a downed tree would be removed from county road 6160. He said a man would be going to Springfield for oil for chip and seal repair which will be done on county roads 2240 and 2250. He also said he was meeting with representatives from the Mark Twain National Forest on county road 4330 to discuss their blocking off spaces used for camping for many years. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said there would be a meeting Wednesday at 2:00 at the courthouse with Corky Stack and the contractor, Alexander Construction out of Rolla, to discuss the work at the courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said voting will begin at 6:00 this morning and go until 7:00 at your appropriate polling location and please bring a valid photo ID when you vote. If you have questions, call her office at 729-4144. At the last meeting, the commission approved adding Daniel Salyer, Jr. and Marcus Gorman to the Tourism Tax Committee. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 3:06 in Phelps County in the eastbound lane of I-44 at the 197.2-mile marker that took the life of a man from Bourbon. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Volvo VNL was stopped for heavy traffic when a 2008 Saturn Outlook driven by 50-year-old James Hendricks of Bourbon, struck the back side of the Volvo. Hendricks was pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdale. His body was taken to the Rolla Crematorium by the Phelps County Coroner. Hendricks was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Saturn sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the St. James Fire Department.

A fatal accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 12:25 in Dent County on Highway 19 approximately four miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Chevrolet Suburban driven by 58-year-old Vickie Frits of Salem, was traveling northbound and slowed to make a turn and was struck from behind by a 2005 Kawaski Vulcan driven by 60-year-old Dennis Pewitt of Salem, who was also traveling northbound. On impact, Pewitt was ejected and struck by a 2001 Jeep Cherokee driven by 23-year-old Robert White of Salem, who was travelling southbound. Pewitt was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:58 by Coroner Ben Pursifull. His body was transported to the Wilson Mortuary by Pursifull. Pewitt was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Kawasaki sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Jeep and the Chevrolet sustained minor damage and were driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Dent County Fire Department.

A fatal accident occurred on Saturday afternoon around 2:38 in Phelps County on Highway 63 just south of Phelps County Road 5030. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Honda Accord driven by 65-year-old David Dorrough of Rolla, was travelling northbound when he crossed the center line and struck the trailer of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 47-year-old Nathanial Brown of Newburg, who was travelling southbound. The Honda then struck a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 21-year-old Wyatt Varner of Rolla, who was travelling southbound. Dorrough was pronounced dead at Phelps Health in Rolla at 3:20 in Saturday afternoon. Varner suffered serious injuries and was flown by Arch 6 to the University Hospital in Columbia. A passenger in the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, 20-year-old Pepper Morrison of Newburg, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac 18 to the University Hospital in Columbia. Dorrough and the two injured from the Silverado were all wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Honda and 2005 Chevrolet were totaled. The Honda was removed from the scene by D&D Towing and the 2005 Chevrolet by Ron Dishman’s Towing. The 2003 Chevy Silverado was driven from the scene. The Highway patrol was assisted by the Rolla Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 1:58 in Phelps County on Highway 68 just east of County Road 3500. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by 35-year-old Christy Atkinson of Salem was traveling westbound, crossed the center line, overcorrected, travelled off the right side of the roadway, and struck a culvert. Atkinson suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by St. James EMS. The report goes on to say she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks recognize and thank all veterans and active-duty military members for their service by offering two promotions in honor of Veterans Day. To show appreciation, all veterans and active-duty military members camping at a Missouri State Parks campground on Friday, November 11th, will receive a voucher for a free night of camping. The veteran must be staying the night of Friday, November 11th, and show identification of veteran/active-duty military status at check-in to receive a free camping coupon. Missouri State Parks will accept several types of identification. Veterans and active military members are also invited on free tours of Missouri state historic sites Friday, November 11th, through Sunday, November 13th, with valid identification. In addition, Missouri State Parks offers a $2-per-night camping discount year-round at state park campgrounds for military members and veterans. Nightly camping rates vary from campground to campground, based on different criteria. Veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel – all of whom must show the proper valid military identification at time of check-in–will receive the military discount. For more information, visit mostateparks.com. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2460, 5440, 6360 and 6370. He also said a work crew will be helping District 2 with their dump truck. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported crews from his district as well as those from District 1 would be going to Rolla to get asphalt for the paving of Dent County Road 3010 that turns into a Phelps County Road. The commission agreed to help pay for the asphalting of this project and then sign the maintenance of asphalted road over to Phelps County. Larson went on to report grading would be done on county roads 2320, 2330, 4020 and 4030 while brush would be cut on county road 2330. Larson also said a work crew would be cleaning the debris out from some bridges in the district. Larson wanted to let the public know that when grading occurs at this time of year when leaves cover the road that it will leave wind rows on the road with the leaves with a little gravel mixed in. Over time this will be corrected but it could occur on some roads, and he just wanted the public to be aware of this in case they run across the wind rows while driving. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that a contractors meeting will be held next week on Wednesday Afternoon with Corky Stack and contractors to discuss the Dent County Courthouse Project. He wanted to make sure the commissioners were aware of the meeting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind the public her office will be open for excused and non-excused absentee voting this Saturday from 8:00 in the morning until noon. She also said absentee voting of both types will be held on Monday from 8:00 until 5:00 in the afternoon at the courthouse. If you are voting, you MUST bring a photo ID with you. The commissioners then agreed to put out for bid for their insurance coverage for autos, errors and omissions, as well as general liability insurance that will be due back in the county clerk’s office at 10:00 on Thursday, December 15th. 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.

The Dent County Protection Fire District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board approved the minutes from the October meeting before hearing the financial report which showed an ending balance of $47,368.56 as of October 31st. Bills, payments, statements and the budget were reviewed before the calendar review. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 16 calls for the month of October bringing the year-to-date number of calls to 212. Calls in October included one structure fire, two brush fires, five first responder calls, three mutual aid calls, one fire alarm, two training calls, plus the department responded to one car accident and conducted one search and rescue. Old business included the distribution of by-law amendment packets with changes and updates to all board members for their review. In new business, it was reported that there is a need for insulation in the attic of the new room and it will cost around $1,300 to complete. A motion was made, and approval was given to go ahead with the insulating of the attic. Fire Chief Brad Nash gave his report to the board on the building project. He said they are waiting on the electrician to complete the project but work at the station will be slow the next week or so until all the election voting is complete. Nash also stated they are waiting for locks for the new doors, and work in the dispatch area is still in progress including the need for paint and other small finishing details. Chief Nash said he is still in contact with the asphalt company to blacktop the parking lot but that will not happen now until spring. He also discussed the landscaping out front and asked for ideas from the board. It was decided to put in decorative rock to cut the maintenance cost and upkeep. Before adjourning, the board then set the date for the next meeting for December 13th at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. The meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened Wednesday evening just before 6:45 in Howell County on County Road 3100 about a mile and a half east of Mountain View. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2003 Dodge Ram being driven by 38-year-old Chad Andrews of Licking, was being pursued by the Mountain View police department when he traveled off the roadway and struck a fence. The Dodge then became airborne, striking a large brush pile before coming to a stop. Andrews, who was wearing a seat restraint, was taken to Mercy St. Francis in Mountain View by Mercy ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. The Dodge sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Bakers Towing in Birch Tree.