Archive for 2022

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will meet this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will read resolution 15-2022 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Dent County Commons for the leasing of the Commons for the 2022 Fourth of July fireworks display. The board will discuss Bill #3505 an ordinance amending the section on a temporary clerk, and Resolution #16-2022 authorizing the mayor to make an agreement between the City of Salem and the MRPC. Then the board will go over bids for a disc golf course for the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. The board will hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois and any alderman reports. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Adjustments will meet Wednesday evening at 6:30 at the City Hall Council Chambers. In new business they will discuss a request for a variance from height restriction for the installation of a cell tower on the property located at 1702 Doss Road. Next, they will go over the request for a variance from height restriction for the installation of proposal 80-foot sign at 1103 South Main at the Mobil Dirt Cheap location. The board will recognize anyone from the floor who wishes to speak on the subjects. The board may then go into closed session before they adjourn. The meeting Wednesday night is open to the public.

A celebration of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the riverways will be held this Saturday at several locations along the upper Current River. From 10:00 to 12:30, the lawn around the Akers Visitor Center will host information booths and exhibits about historic communities that once flourished along the river. Those with a connection to the area will share their memories and stories about life in the surrounding hills. Guided programs will continue throughout the day. Starting at 7:00 Saturday morning, Rick Mansfield from Ozark Heritage Project will lead a bird hike at Devils Well followed by a brief overview of natural and cultural history of the Devil’s Well area. At 9:00, Mansfield will continue his tour with a guided walk through the Akers Cemetery located on Route KK just east of Akers Ferry. There will be a gathering of community members and organizations from the upper Current River located at the Akers Visitor Center at 10:00, followed by an 11:00 tour of Mt. Zion Church north of Akers. Jo Schaper will discuss local geology, the stone construction of Mt. Zion Church and the mysteries of Devils Well, as well as leading a hands-on activity for kids that will teach how stones were used to construct many local buildings. Bring a picnic lunch for a noon time visit with friends and neighbors while overlooking the river at Akers. A bus will depart for Welch Spring at 12:30 where visitors will be able to take a guided hike to view Welch Spring and Hospital with a descendent of the Welch family, or enjoy a float from Welch to Akers, stopping along the way for a guided walk to the Howell-Maggard Cabin. Finally, at 5:30 visitors will gather at the Derryberry Cemetery near Cedar Grove for a history of the town with Ben Timson. Partners for this event include the Shannon County Museum, Ozark Riverways Foundation, Friends of Mt. Zion, Dent County Historical Society, Ozark Trail Association, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Ozark Heritage Project. Akers Visitor Center is located at the junction of Routes K and KK in northern Shannon County. For more information, please contact Ranger Skyler Bockman at 573-323-4905.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Montauk State Park Thursday evening at 6:00 in the amphitheater. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the park and its operations. Park team members will be present to provide information and to answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being held in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Montauk State Park located at 345 County Road 6670, Salem. To learn more about this meeting, call 573-548-2201.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association announced their 2022 Gift of Time Award Winners and Runner-ups from Saturday night at their Awards Banquet held at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. The winner for the Education & Youth Category was Warm My Heart and Friends of the Salem Public Library was the runner-up; the winner for the Community Enhancement or Preservation Category was the AARP Tax Aide Volunteers with the MO Gamblers 500 (The Missourah Endurah) named the runner-up; the winner for the Arts & Culture Category was the late Michael Helm with Jamin Bray being named runner-up; for the Humanitarian Category, Ahleesha Elwood was the winner with Grace Harbor named the runner-up; and for the Outstanding Youth Volunteer Category, the North Wood R-4 Jag program was the winner with Denise Stoner named the runner-up. The Salem Area Community Betterment Association presented their first ever Community Trailblazer Award and it went to the late and unforgettable Libby Sparling Sanders. They want to congratulate all those who were nominated for awards with a special congratulations going out to the winners and runner ups! They also want to thank all those who submitted nominees for the awards and thank all the other volunteer organizations and persons who strive to meet the needs of our community in various important ways. Look for more events on the SACBA Facebook page as well as their newly launched website: www.salemcommunitybetterment.com.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released a number of reports. On Saturday April 30th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Norh Hickory St. During the stop, a consent to search the vehicle was granted and a baggie containing a white crystalline substance was located near the male passenger. It was also determined the woman had a suspended driving privilege. Based on the investigation, a 44-year-old female and 23-year-old male, both of Jadwin, were taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail. Both subjects were fingerprinted, photographed and released. The lady received a citation for driving while her having her license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense; and an arrest warrant for the man will be applied for at a later date. Later that day, deputies responded to West First Street for a report of a wanted female subject. During the investigation, a 42-year-old Salem woman was taken into custody on an active Dent County arrest warrant after attempting to flee out the back door of the residence. In addition, a second woman who is 21-years old from Salem, was also arrested on a different Dent County arrest warrant. Both ladies were transported to the Dent County Jail where they were incarcerated on their warrants. Then on Sunday May 1st, a deputy responded to Private Lane 333 for a reported stolen handgun. During the investigation, a 55-year-old Salem man reported that an unknown subject had stolen a Glock .40 pistol from his residence. The pistol was entered into MULES as stolen. Later that day, a deputy issued a criminal citation for trespassing in the 2nd degree to a 24-year-old Salem man. During the investigation, it was determined that he had been trespassing on property on North Highway 19 that did not belong to him and did not have permission to be on. On Wednesday May 4th, a deputy arrested a 33-year-old Salem woman on an active Dent County warrant. She was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated on her warrant. If you have any further information regarding any ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Dent Country Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. During the public comments, John McIntyre was in to discuss road conditions in the Adams Subdivision on county road 4170. He said the water is washing out the sides of the county road, starting to undermine it as well as some other drainage issues. Commissioner Wes Mobray said he would check it out once the area dries out. Both District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said the crews were out checking roads for flooding, washouts, cleaning out clogged pipes, clearing out low-water crossings and addressing any other road issues created by the rain. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles and Commissioner Larson attended the meeting Tuesday at the offices of Senator Justin Brown with the Missouri Department of Revenue Director Wayne Wallingford and his legislative director, Zach Wyatt. State Representative Ron Copeland was also in attendance at the meeting. Skiles said he gave a breakdown of what happened to Dent County with the sales tax issue and provided a working log of all communications with the department that he and Treasurer Denita Williams made in an attempt to get an explanation of how this could happen. Skiles said he felt it necessary the director hear the county’s perspective of how the events went down. He said it was very good meeting and hopes that it will help the county in their communications to reach a settlement on how to pay back the additional $917,000 the department of revenue says the county owes. Skiles said he was very appreciative of Senator Brown for setting up the meeting and that he and Representative Copeland were both there on behalf of Dent County. Skiles went on to say there will be no commissioner meeting Monday due to Harry Truman’s birthday as the courthouse will be closed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for April. Curley said she would be attending a MAC Board meeting on Wednesday in Jefferson City. Commissioner Mobray said he would attend the insurance consortium meeting Wednesday in Columbia since Curley would be unable to attend. The commissioners approved the purchase of 2017 Mack Dump Truck 700 DP from Tony Vaughn from Ash Flat, Arkansas for $180,000 that has 78,500 miles on it. The sale is contingent on the passing of an inspection by Commissioner Larson. Just after 10:00, the commission opened bids for extrication equipment. Two bids were received: the first bid was from Sentinel Emergency Solutions from St. Louis for four sets of equipment for $111,018.56; and the second bid came from Alex Air Apparatus from Boonville for four sets of equipment for $112,392.00. Representatives from both companies were on hand along with Dent County Emergency Management Director Brad Nash. Both companies discussed the units which will be from the same manufacturer. Nash indicated he has had some service issues with Sentinel working with the fire department and none with Alex Air. After reviewing the bid documentation, the commissioners voted to allow Nash to make the final decision on the equipment since he is more familiar with it after he has a chance to review the documentation to make sure the commissioners are not missing anything. Brad Hawthorn from Springdale Tractor made a presentation to the commission about the Alamo Tractor and mower apparatus. He said he will be willing to provide a demo to the commissioners on Wednesday, May 18th. David Massengale from the US Forest Service brought in the signed Road Service Agreements between the county and US Forest Service, which were signed last week by the commission. At the last meeting, the commission agreed unanimously to add in the policy handbook that office holders and employees shall be reimbursed eligible milage expenses at the current Missouri state rate. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday, May 12th at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened early Thursday morning just after 4:45 in Maries County on Highway 63 about 2 miles north of Highway P. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2002 Dodge Dakota being driven north by 52-year-old Gary Frisbie of Rolla traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck several trees. Frisbie, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was taken by Osage ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla for treatment of minor injuries. The Dodge was totaled and towed from the scene by C & C Towing.