Archive for 2022

Crystal Ferguson, who was last seen at her home on July 21st, was found deceased Thursday morning. Deputies from the Dent County Sheriff’s department found Ferguson at approximately 8:00 after responding to a call regarding a body found in a van located in some woods north of Salem of County Road 4020. According to the Sheriff’s department no foul play suspected. Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull said the cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled for August 1st, at the Boone County Medical Examiner's Office.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met in closed session Tuesday evening, July 26th, and voted unanimously to approve Mayor Greg Parker’s appointment of Sally Burbridge as temporary city administrator, effective September 1st, to replace current City Administrator Ray Walden when his contract expires on August 31st. Burbridge will run the city’s day to day operations while the board seeks a new city administrator.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse for their regular meeting. In road report First District Commissioner Wes Mobray said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5360 and 5590, plus brush would be cut on county road 5150. He said a fuel cooler was being installed on Tractor #8, a fan clutch was being put on Pickup #73, and crews were out checking for storm damage. Second District Commissioner Gary Larson reported that brush was being cut on Dent County Roads 2405, 6120, and 6123 and materials were being hauled to county roads 2240, 2330, and 2200. He went on to say that his crew was replacing a pipe on county road 2240 and maintenance was being performed on Truck #124. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he met Tuesday with Claudia Sands, Missouri Government Relations and Public Policy Representative for Brightspeed, formerly Centurylink. She indicated they are going to invest money to expand fiber optics and apply for money that the State of Missouri will have available. She asked for a letter of support from the Commission and the Commissioners voted 3-0 to sign the letter. Skiles reported that he talked to Corky Stack, and he would like to advertise for bids again for the Courthouse repairs and renovation, plus Corky Stack had met with local contractors. Bids will be due and opened at 11:00 on Thursday, August 25th. He also noted that he would be attending the MCEC meeting Friday in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley again reminded voters that absentee voting continues in her office until 5:00 Monday afternoon, August 1st, plus her office will be open Saturday from 8:00 until noon. She said that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Fuels bids were taken by phone for the Road and Bridge Department for 7,500 gallons of diesel. The bid was awarded to Phil Mart for $4.00 per gallon. Jerid Land was in inquiring about getting chip and seal on county road 5110. The Commissioners agreed 3-0 to seek bids for 3,500 gallons of propane for the Courthouse beginning October 1st, 2022, through May 31st, 2023. Bids are to be turned in the County Clerk’s office by 10:00, the morning of August 29th. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Park Board met Wednesday evening. After the call to order by Mayor Greg Parker, he explained some of the duties of the board and made a recommendation for the board to seek new officers as board member Leah Nash asked to be recused as she now lives outside of the city limits. Greg Nash also tendered his resignation effective as of Friday, July 15th. Director Melissa Dubois then started the budget review as Finance officer Stacey Houston presented slides on sales tax revenues, and a review of budged and actuals from 2017 to present and the current line by line budget. When asked about the soccer field payment schedule, city administer Ray Walden said that 2022-2023 should be the final year of payment on the field. Board member Leah Nash then asked about the 25,000 for capital improvements and board member Crystal Pilkington answered that it was about a payment for the soccer field. Dubois also mentioned that the board would be taking information for the annual Light Up The Park event although no dates have yet been set. It was also noted a truck had been purchased for the department. Director Dubois also gave a list of current improvement projects at the park and mentioned improvements to the tennis courts, water problems at the Blue Field, and that the basketball court needed painted along with the pool floor. Improvements to the electric at Al Brown is ongoing along with work on the concession stands, and that the dugout at Al Brown needs repair work. Other improvements include shade coverage over the ballfields and the adding of more light poles to the drive of the park and that extra pool lighting was needed. Board member Tiffin Felkerson asked for bylaws to be posted on the website at which time Mayor Greg Parker asked board members to read over the codes as well. The board then went into closed session.

An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon in Reynolds County on Highway 72 about four miles east of Bunker. According to the highway patrol report a 1995 Honda 400EX driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile of Bunker was travelling eastbound when a 2005 Ford Ranger driven by 57-year-old Ruth Prater of Centerville was also travelling eastbound and attempted to pass the Honda, as it was turning into a private drive. Both the juvenile and Prater suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. The report goes on to say the juvenile was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident and it is unknown if Prater was wearing a safety restraint. The Ford sustained extensive damaged and was removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing. The Honda sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Highway patrol was assisted by the Reynold’s County Sheriff’s Office and Rynolds County First Responders.

The Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool at the Salem City Park will be offering a night swim this Friday from 7:30 until 9:30 with a $5.00 admission. Season pass holders will be admitted free. This special night swim is being held since the pool had to be closed for a few days due to maintenance.

The University of Missouri Extension will be holding The Missouri Woodland Steward Timber Sale Workshop via Zoom on four Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 on August 2nd, August 9th, August 16th, and August 23rd. This workshop will guide landowners on the steps to having a successful timber sale on their property. Information will be given on best practices, steps to take when wanting to sell timber and timber taxes. The virtual workshop is four nights and costs $25. For more information contact Sarah Havens at havenss@missouri.edu or call 573-458-6260.