Archive for 2022

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued her audit of Dent County, and the county received a rating of “good,” which is the same rating issued in a 2019 audit of the county. During the course of the audit, auditors noted that the Sheriff’s fee bank account had $2,956 of unidentified money at the end of 2021. The Sheriff’s office collects fees for civil paper service, board bills, concealed carry weapon permits, and other miscellaneous receipts, which totaled approximately $198,000 in 2021. Sheriff’s office personnel indicated that the unidentified balance had been in the Sheriff’s fee bank account for a number of years. Based on discussion with auditors, the Sheriff’s office disbursed the unidentified money to the County Treasurer. The audit also recommends that county officials take steps to better safeguard county computer systems from unauthorized access or loss of data. The auditors noted computers in some offices don’t lock after several unsuccessful logon attempts, that some passwords are not changed periodically, and employees share login credentials in one office. Passwords changed periodically that contain a minimum number of characters and are not shared, reduce the risk of a compromised password and unauthorized access to county data. Additionally, the audit notes that the Public Administrator does not store backup data at an off-site location. Failure to store computer backup data at a secure, off-site location results in the backup data being susceptible to the same damage as the data on the computer. The audit also recommends that the County Commission work with other county officials to develop a written records management and retention policy to address electronic communications management and retention to comply with state law. A complete copy of the audit report is available at auditor.mo.gov, click the audits tap, then click on the 2022 audits to find the audit of Dent County.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon shortly after 3:15 in Phelps County on Highway 68 near Highway 8. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Subaru Forester being driven by 74-year-old Mary Walker of Ferguson, failed to yield to a 2010 Freightliner being driven by 26-year-old Jared McBride of Rolla and was struck from behind. This caused the Subaru to go off the north side of the roadway into the ditch. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Walker suffered moderate injuries and taken by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The Subaru sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. The Freightliner had minor damage and was able to be driven from the scene.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning in Phelps County at 6:58 on Phelps County Road 8170 north of county road 8180. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound 2006 Ford F-150, operated by 52-year-old Stephen Peterson of Rolla, crossed the center of the roadway, and struck a southbound 1982 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup, driven by a 16-year-old juvenile. The juvenile suffered moderate injuries and was transported by a private vehicle to the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. The report stated the drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled with the Chevrolet being removed by Ron Dishman’s Towing, while the Ford was removed by D & D Towing.

Dent County Extension Livestock Specialist Eric Meusch states there will be a producer’s field day at the Wurdack Farm in Cook Station. No registration is necessary for the event which is free and open to everyone. If you have any questions, call Eric at 729-3196

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the Dent County Firehouse. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board approved the minutes of the September meeting before hearing the financial report which showed an ending balance of 69,462.66 as of September 30th. Bills, payments, and statements were then reviewed along with the budget. In old business it was reported that the new training room has a few finishing touches left for completion. In new business, Chief Brad Nash asked the board about moving the meeting date as it is sometimes impossible to have the reports ready when the meetings fall on the first day of the month. This will be reviewed during the November meeting which will be held on November 1st at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. The meeting will be open to the public.

As we head into cooler fall temperatures, Ameren Missouri doesn’t want existing gas bill balances to hold customers back from turning on the heat. Ameren Missouri is pledging an additional $250,000 to help natural gas customers clear 90% of their overdue payments so they can start the season with a clean slate. Eligible customers pay just 10% of the past-due balance, and the Clean Slate program covers the remaining overdue balance. Ameren Missouri expanded the program earlier this year so more people are eligible, including those who may not typically qualify for other state or federal assistance programs. To be eligible for Clean Slate, customers must meet the following requirements: Have household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level, pay 10% of the past-due balance, be experiencing financial hardship, and have an active Ameren Missouri natural gas account that is past due on a payment agreement or in need of reconnection. For example, customers in a four-person household making up to $79,500 annually are eligible to apply for this program. Learn more about eligibility requirements by calling Ameren Missouri at 800-552-7583 or by going online at AmerenMissouri.com/CleanSlate.

Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported on the “Welcome Home” program at the Salem Board of Alderman meeting last week and at the Dent County Commission meeting Monday. She reported the paperwork is now signed on the first three rounds and the paperwork is ready to be signed for Round 4. There are still two rounds to go and Burbridge indicated they have qualified a Veteran for Round 5, but still need applicants who fit the “Low-Income” category, the “Very Low-Income” category and the “Special Needs” category for that round. Round 6 is still fully open and Burbridge said that round will need five applicants to fill the final five slots. They will need a Veteran, two “Low-Income” applicants, one “Very Low Income” applicant and one “Special Needs” applicant. Applicants who need to fit the “Very Low Income” criteria can be a couple who make up to $25,200 annually or even a family of four that makes up to $31,450 annually with a number of family income levels available. Applicants who need to fit the “Low Income” criteria could be a couple who make up to $40,250 annually or a family of four earning $50,300 annually with again a number of other family income levels available. If you are a Veteran, you do NOT need to be the owner of the home that needs repair, just reside there. For more information on meeting the criteria of any of the four categories, feel free to contact Burbridge at 729-2428 and she can provide you with the answers to your questions.

The Dent County Health Center is offering a drive-through COVID and Flu Clinic Thursday afternoon from 1:00 until 6:00 at the Dent County Fire Station at #2 South Main Street. They will be offering the COVID Omicron Boosters, Novavax first doses, the high dose flu vaccine and a limited supply of free regular flu vaccines. The vaccinations will be administered by the Dent County Health Center. The drive-through is open and available to everyone.

It’s that time of year. Farmers across the state have started harvesting their crops or cutting hay and will be doing so for the next several weeks. This means drivers will see farm machinery traveling Missouri’s roads, especially in rural areas. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds all drivers to share the road and obey all traffic laws. Farmers and motorists alike are encouraged to be safe, courteous drivers. In 2021, there were 203 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment. In those crashes, seven people were killed and 60 were injured. Whether you’re driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, you must pay attention to the roadway, other drivers, and traffic signs. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers. Please remain vigilant! Drivers need to stay alert for slow moving farm equipment. When you drive up behind a tractor or other farm machinery, please slow down and be patient. Wait to pass until you have a clear view of the road ahead and there is no oncoming traffic. Never pass on a hill or curve. Collisions commonly occur when a motorist tries to pass a left-turning farm vehicle. A tractor that appears to be pulling to the right side of the road to let motorists pass, may be preparing to make a wide left turn. Watch the farmer’s hand and light signals closely. It’s important that you pay close attention to farm equipment entering and leaving the highway from side roads and driveways. Special attention must be paid when traveling at dawn or dusk when the sun makes it difficult for drivers to see. Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The Salem Nutrition Center needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels. If you have time, you can help make a difference in the lives of seniors who rely on these much needed meals. Please consider helping the seniors of Dent County! Call Jody Schaefer, the lead Senior Center Administrator with Aging Best at 729-2373 with any questions or concerns!

The Dent County Prosecutor’s Office wants to remind all deer and turkey hunters this season whether you are using a traditional paper permit or the MO hunting app, after harvesting a deer or turkey, you must notch your permit IMMEDIATELY and tele-check your harvest. To notch a paper permit, tear a small notch in the month and day of harvest on the permit, and if you are notching a permit using the MO Hunting app, simply select the permit you wish to use from the list in the app, and follow the short prompts on the screen. Once you notch your permit, you may transport your deer or turkey within Missouri. Carcass movement regulations do apply in CWD management Zone counties. Also, as long as you stay with your harvested game, you don’t need to tag it. But if you leave your deer or turkey, you must attach a tag. If you have a paper permit, you can simply attach your notched permit to the deer or turkey. The prosecutor’s office recommends sealing the permit in a zip-top bag and attaching the bag with a string, wire, or tape. If you are using the MO Hunting app, you must attach a label with your full name, address, permit number, and date of harvest to the deer or turkey. Don’t forget, all hunters must Telecheck your deer or turkey by 10:00 the evening on the day of harvest, before processing your game, or before you leave the state, whichever comes first. After you have telechecked your deer or turkey, it may be processed, stored, or transported by anyone as long as it is labeled with your full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number.