Archive for 2023

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. At the meeting, 1st District Commissioner Wes Mobray was not in attendance and Jason Aikens gave his report. He said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6080 while a crossover pipe was going to be replaced on county road 5086, and an additional crossover pipe was being added to county road 5015. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2240 and 2270 while a man was going to Springfield to pick up oil for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he attended the MRPC meeting last Thursday in St. James. In the External Relations Committee meeting, the committee discussed how the annual awards banquet went in Hermann in October. In the regular MRPC Board meeting, Larson said the entire board voted on the recommendation by the annual Dues Membership Committee to increase fees by 5% for next year as well as an additional 2% for the following year. This would include all MRPC members including Dent County and the City of Salem. He also wanted to report on the cedar tree that used to be on the lawn in front of the courthouse that was recently removed. Larson said the groundskeeper reported the tree was dying and it was removed before the tree would become a hazard. Larson said there would be a Tourism Tax Committee meeting on Monday, November 20th, but he will not be able to attend. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley stated she along with the assessor, treasurer and the three commissioners would all be attending the Missouri Association of Counties meeting at the Lake of the Ozarks Sunday, November 19th through Tuesday, November 21st. Because of the conference, there will be no meeting on Monday, November 20th. Curley said the courthouse will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 23rd and 24th. At the last meeting, Engineer Corky Stack gave an update on the courthouse exterior repairs and said the Christmas light crew worked over the weekend installing lights and tracking, mostly on the south side of the building. Stack said he is still waiting to hear from Quaker Window on the six east side windows that were installed without a bottom grill that needs to be corrected. Sheriff Bob Wells also paid a visit to the commission. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows deer hunters in Missouri harvested 90,334 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season November 11th and 12th. Of the 90,334 deer harvested, 53,159 were antlered bucks, 7,163 were button bucks, and 30,012 were does. Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Franklin with 2,114 deer harvested, Texas with 1,825, and Howell with 1,726. Top counties in our area were Crawford with 1,239 deer taken, Dent County with 1,157 deer harvested, and 1,002 checked in Phelps County. According to MDC, this year’s opening weekend harvest was similar to the previous five-year average. Last year, hunters checked 93,355 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season. For current, ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, and summaries from past years you can visit the MDC website. The November portion of firearms deer season runs through November 21st followed by the CWD portion November 22nd through the 26th in open counties. Archery deer hunting then resumes November 22nd through January 15th, 2024. The late youth portion runs November 24th, 25th, and 26th. The late antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 2nd through December 10th in open counties and the alternative methods portion will occur December 23rd through January 2nd, 2024.

The Salem Board of Alderman will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After they approve the consent agenda, the board will hear from Debbie Murphy about getting answers to previous questions she has submitted. The board will hear Resolution #24-2023 providing for the Municipal Election for the City of Salem on April 2nd, 2024 for a mayor, one east ward alderman and one west ward alderman; and Resolution #25-2023 authorizing the mayor to execute change order #1 between Welch Construction, the City of Salem, and Daniel Evans for property at 503 West Rolla Road. The board will hear about two police cars to be auctioned off on Purple Wave before Chief Joe Chase will request the purchase of a new police Dodge Durango in the amount of $39,092 from Behlmann Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram in Troy, Missouri. The board will hear bids for the purchase of a Hydro-Vac Truck that will be used for the electric, water, sewer departments and other capital improvements; then hear bids for a copier/scanner and multi-function machine for the administration buildings. The board will then hear the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission for a conditional use permit at 1509 South Louise. The board will hear the first reading of Bill #3578 that would name the streets in the Masters Industrial Park, then hear the second reading of Bill #3575 that would create an ordinance to allow the mayor to sign the administrative procedures guide for floodplain management and flood hazard reduction for the City of Salem. After the reports from the city officials, the board will go into closed session to discuss personnel and contracts. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

An accident happened Friday afternoon at 5:44 in Dent County on Highway 32 and Dent County Road 4170. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Ford F-250 driven eastbound by a 17-year-old male from Boss, crossed over the center line and struck a 2013 Hyundai Sonata driven westbound by 20-year-old Samuel Halbert of Boss, head-on. Halbert suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Hospital Ambulance. The male juvenile suffered minor injuries and he was also taken by the Salem Hospital Ambulance to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Hyundai was totaled while the Ford sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

On a daily basis, emergency responders put their lives on the line along Missouri’s highways responding to crash scenes. These responders include police officers, fire fighters, EMS, tow truck operators and highway workers. They respond to traffic incidents, assist drivers, and help keep traffic flowing. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for EMS responders and law enforcement officers. To remind motorists what’s on the line, the FHWA has declared this week starting today and lasting through the 17th as National Crash Responder Safety Week. MoDOT’s Safety and Emergency Management Director Chris Engelbrecht said that during Crash Responder Safety Week, they urge all drivers to remember the dedicated first responders are out there every day, working tirelessly to keep all roads safe. He noted that they risk their lives to protect us, so show respect, obey the state’s move over law, avoid distractions and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on the road. Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary MoDOT, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights on. To help protect those who protect us, all 50 states enforce some form of the Move Over law. In 2022, more than 54,000 traffic crashes were reported on Missouri roadways that required emergency response. MoDOT emergency response personnel respond to more than 4,500 traffic incidents each month on average. Crash Responder Safety Week is an opportunity to remind drivers to adhere to Missouri’s Move Over law, educate drivers on crash prevention and promote life-saving training for all traffic incident responders. Engelbrecht said, let’s give responders the space they need to perform their work safely so that everyone can get home safely at the end of the day to our families.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Banquet is tomorrow night. The doors open at 6:00 with dinner being served at 6:30 featuring lasagna, green beans, salad, bread, dessert and a drink. Chris Stanley will entertain the crowd with comedy, magic and fun at 7:00. The event will be held at the Wilson Family Center and all chamber members are welcome to attend for FREE, but they need to know you ar coming. Contact the chamber office at 729-6900 or stop by the office at 1136 South Main Street in the Crossroads.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board will review the minutes from the October meeting before hearing the financial report. They will approve bills and review the budget before hearing the monthly reimbursement report. Following the calendar review, any old or new business will be heard before Fire Chief Brad Nash makes his report to the board. Before adjourning the date will then be set for the December meeting. The meeting next Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

A reminder that residents of Dent County who want to want to make a difference in their community through the University of Missouri Extension Council of volunteers that make Dent County a better place to live through Extension programs, need to have their completed applications submitted by this Thursday to the Dent County Extension Office at 112 East 5th Street in Salem. Representatives will be elected in a non-partisan election from January 8th through the 12th. Candidates must be at least 18-years-old and reside in the county they want to serve. Applications to be a candidate are still available by calling 573-729-3196, or by going online at extension.missouri.edu/dent. You can also request an application by sending an e-mail to dentco@missouri.edu. Completed applications are due by November 16th. The Dent County Extension Council is the local link between county residents and the University of Missouri campuses. Individuals interested in serving on the council may contact Ray Walden, County Development Specialist, at the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196 or find it on the web at www.extension.missouri.edu/dent.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday at the courthouse for their regular meeting. At the meeting, Paul Heithold, Jimmy Crocker and Myra Swyers from the Dent County Soil and Water Conservation District were in to talk with the commission about raising their allocation from $1,100 in the budget to $5,000 for 2024. The local Soil and Water Conservation District helps farmers with information and education, financial incentives, as well as technical support with the design, implementation and maintenance to voluntarily implement soil and water conservation practices that decrease soil erosion and protect water resources. They also help farmers identify plants and weeds, plus help with mapping and planning. Most people know the district rents equipment like No-Till Drills, boom less sprayers, post drivers, soil test kits and burn equipment. In Dent County, they are your point of access with USDA, FRA, the NRCS and Missouri Department of Conservation representatives and their programs. They help Dent Countians with cost share programs and in fiscal year 2023, their allocation ended up being $1,213,251 while their allocation for fiscal year 2024 is $1,395,225 to date with the fiscal year not ending until June 30th, 2024. They said the additional allotment would go to maintain and/or purchase No-Till Drills, sprayers and post drivers. The commissioners appreciated them coming by and will consider their request in the 2024 budget. Grant Wilson from Jason Smith’s office was in to report the new house speaker is Mike Johnson who was instrumental in getting Smith chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He said Smith in an interview on Fox News said the Ways and Means Committee wants to investigate universities that condone the Pro-Palestine and Israel protests and their funding mechanisms. Wilson also wanted to wish those who will be out deer hunting during the firearm season the best of luck. He said if you are deer hunting in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and have unwarranted issues with park rangers to please let Smith’s office know. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to present the sales tax monies received this month. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $84,018.42 which is about $200 more than for November of 2022. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are down about $66,720. The Road and Bridge Fund received $40,259.61 this month, up $1,726.97 from November of 2022. Year-to-date, that fund is down $29,597.00. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $81,961.53 and that is up $3,898.71 from November 2022 receipts. Year-to-date, those funds are down $54,409.00. Neither district had a road report as both crews were off due to Veteran’s Day. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the auxiliary heater in the men’s room at the courthouse has now been installed to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter. Larson also said the commission signed the paperwork to move forward with the TAP grant from MoDOT for the new sidewalk construction. He said they are still concerned about the price tag of the MoDOT portion of the project of $393,283, and should the costs exceed that amount, the county would have to cover that amount as well as contribute $100,000. He said he would be talking with Great Rivers Engineering and MoDOT before allowing the engineering to move forward. The TAP grant will begin January 1st of 2024. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the assessor and collector on all collections, add-ons and abatements for the month of October. She also wanted to report that candidate filing for the tax entity boards will start December 5th and ends on December 26th. Curley said the law in Missouri states that the tax entity office MUST be open on December 26th for those wishing to file. Since Christmas is on Monday, most of these entities would also be taking Tuesday off, but municipalities, schooldistricts, fire districts and the hospital will have to have someone in the office on the 26th. Curley said work continues on the budget and the Dent County Courthouse will be closed today for Veteran’s Day. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to public.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will hold the Christmas Parade of Lights in Salem on Saturday, December 2nd starting at 5:30 with this year’s theme: “Winter Wonderland.” The Grand Marshall for the parade this year is the Salem High School’s “Marching Blue.” The parade will run from the corner of South Grand and Franklin at the SBU Campus, traveling east to MacArthur, then going north to 4th Street before going heading east to the Dent County Courthouse square. Entry forms are now available at the office of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 1136 South Main. Forms need to be returned by November 30th to the chamber offices. You can mail them, fax them at 573-729-6741 or e-mail them at chamber@salemmo.com, or drop them off in person. A full list of the parade rules are available at the chamber office.