Archive for 2023

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5015, 6350 and 5600. He said the Title II project rock has now all been delivered to county road 5600. Mobray said work crews were servicing brush cutter #10. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2150, 4350 and 4353. He said a culvert would be cleaned out on county road 3180 and chip and seal repair work is being done to county road 2240 using the ultimate paving material. Polk also said a brush cutter was being picked up from Heritage Tractor. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated the Tourism Tax monies received in November totaled $8,565.85. Dent County County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind voters there is no election in Dent County this year in November. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported the personal property and real estate tax bills are being mailed to those who own property and/or real estate in the county. VanKirk said that if you haven’t received your tax statements by November 15th to please contact her office and they can reprint one for you. Remember, if you own personal property or have real estate in Dent County and you don’t receive your tax statements in the mail, it is still your responsibility to get those taxes paid on time or you will have to pay penalties and interest. If you have questions or need a statement reprinted, call the Dent County Collector at 729-3911. At 10:00, Austin Hostettler and Jeff Banderet of Great Rivers Engineering were in to talk about the FLAP 077 project which is the asphalting of the Tan Vat Road and the courthouse sidewalk TAP grant. The bid for the FLAP project will not be awarded until November 29th, 2024 construction would begin in 2025. This a 100% federally funded project as they want better access on that road and widening it. Great Rivers Engineering will scope the project and get the most possible improvements with the funds that are available. This is a reimbursement program. The TAP grant through MoDOT is a grant with an 80-20 split with MoDOT picking up the 80% and the local match is 20%. The TAP grant is not to exceed $393,283 with the county paying $100,000 as their portion. The work would include replacing the sidewalks and making any access to the sidewalk ADA compliant, and adding handrails where needed around the outer sidewalks. Should the project go over the $393,383, the county would be responsible for that amount in addition to the $100,000. A programming agreement with MoDOT is next and the hiring of consultants. Great Rivers would get the design done and then get new bid numbers. The pre-survey work would cost an estimated $20,000 to $30,000. With the cost of inflation and labor in 2024/25, the county asked Great Rivers to go back to the application and review the scope of work to be done before a decision is made. Banderet will get back with the commission on what he finds. Also at the meeting, Eric Hallerud with Tokio Marine Insurance talked with the commission about the county’s risk management insurance. At the last meeting, the commission discussed insurance deductibles for the county health insurance and voted to continue to do the same as what was done in 2023. The deductible amount is $4,500 per employee, and once the county employee pays the first $2,000, the county will pay the remaining $2,500. If the county employee buys up insurance and has a $3,000 deductible, the employee will pay the provider $500 and the county will pay the remaining $2,500. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

In a follow-up to the story from the fire that occurred Friday at the corner of Franklin and Highway 19, court documents were filed in circuit court Monday charging 30-year-old Cora M. Marlin of Salem with one felony count of 2nd degree arson with her bond set at $50,000. Surveillance footage showed Marlin leaving the area of the old structure before the smoke appeared. She was arrested a few hours after the fire and admitted in her statement she used a cigarette to light a pile of straw in the building that started the fire. She also said in her statement she tried to hide her identity by dying her hair a different color and wearing different clothing. The charges described above are only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of those charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it will be to determine guilt or innocence.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and meeting this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers at 200 North Washington. The purpose of the hearing and meeting will be to approve minutes of the Board’s October 18th meeting and to accept or reject a conditional use permit at the property at 1509 South Louise Street owned by Michael Florence. The public is welcome to attend.

The American Rally Association sadly announced the death of competitor and driver Jakub (Kubo) Kordisch from Commerce City, Colorado, who passed away Saturday, November 4th, during competition on Stage 9 of the Show-Me Rally in central Missouri on Palmer Road, south of Potosi and northeast of Viburnum. The 42-year-old Kordisch was driving with co-driver Drew Carlson at the time of incident near the end of Stage 9. According to the highway patrol report, Kordisch was traveling westbound in a 2015 Ford Fiesta on Palmer Road near Welker Road in Washington County around 2:50 in the afternoon, when he failed to negotiate a left curve causing the Fiesta to travel off the right road edge of the where the rally car struck a tree. Kordisch was pronounced dead at the scene around 3:15 by the Washington County Coroner. His body was taken to the Washington County Morgue by the coroner. Carlson, from Denver, Colorado, remained on the scene before being transported to the Washington County Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints. After the accident, the Show Me Rally organizers and American Rally Association officials canceled the last two rally stages.

Last Friday afternoon around 1:15 to 1:20, the Dent County Fire Protection District was dispatched to the 500 block of South Main for a commercial structure fire in a former car repair shop that was currently unoccupied on property owned by the Trust of Edgar and Wanda Major according to the last plat maps. According to the Dent County Fire Protection District, fire crews responded to extinguish the fire. Due to the age of the building and the fire load, the building is a total loss. The fire had a few hot spots that were still smoldering and igniting into Saturday night. The status of the fire has been identified as an arson fire and is currently under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. According to the district, one arrest has been made in conjunction with their investigation. Assisting at the scene were the Lenox Rural Fire Department and City of Salem personnel to help with the extinguishment. The fire district also wanted to thank the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for help with traffic control. The Dent County Fire Protection District also wanted to send out a big thank you to Phil-Mart for the donation of drinks, and Master Donuts for donating donuts for crew members and other responders to the fire which was greatly appreciated.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 6:00 in Texas County on Highway 63 about four miles north of Licking that took the life of woman from Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta driven southbound by 42-year-old Deann Morris of Edgar Springs, went off the right side of the roadway impacting a guardrail before returning to the road and going off the left side of the roadway impacting another guardrail. The Jetta began overturning, ejecting Morris from the vehicle. The Jetta came to rest in a steep ravine. Morris was pronounced dead at the scene by the Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater Sunday afternoon . Morris was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The coroner had the body transported to the Fox Funeral home in Licking. The Jetta was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive from Houston.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 6:44 in Phelps County on County Road 3060 about one mile east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Chevrolet Venture driven by 36-year-old Devon Harrison of Rolla, was traveling eastbound and attempted to pass another vehicle. The Chevrolet struck a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 47-year-old Jeremy Stinson of Rolla, head on. Harrison suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. A passenger in the Sliverado, 52-year-old Rebecca Stinson of Rolla, suffered moderate injuries and Stinson suffered minor injuries. Both injured parties were taken to Phelps Health by Phelps Health Ambulance and were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The report states that Harrison was not wearing a safety restraint. The Venture was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The Sliverado sustained extensive damage and was towed by C&C Towing.

An accident occurred around 1:13 Sunday morning in Crawford County on Becker Road south of Idlewild Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 18-year-old Trenton Brooks of Cuba, was traveling southbound and went off the roadway and struck a tree. Brooks suffered serious injuries and was transported by the Steelville Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist in Sullivan. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles Towing. The report goes on to say that Brooks was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Thursday afternoon around 2:06 on Highway 106 about five miles from Eminence in Shannon County. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Ford Ranger driven westbound by 29-year-old Samuel Williams of Winona, traveled off the right side of the roadway, over corrected and crossed the roadway and overturned. The Shannon County First Responders from Eminence and Birch Tree, along with the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department, Shannon County Deputies, and Mercy EMS responded to the crash where the driver had rolled the vehicle, possibly several times, before it came to rest upside-down. Williams was entrapped in the vehicle by the dashboard, which had pinned his legs to the floor of the truck. Firefighters from the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department used the “Jaws of Life” and other hydraulic tools to remove the truck’s door and to lift the dashboard off his legs. The First Responders cared for the victim while the firefighters worked, covering both him and the responders with a safety blanket to protect them both from flying glass and metal. Due to Williams wearing a seatbelt and the truck being equipped with airbags, he suffered moderate injuries. He was transported by the Mercy ambulance to the Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. The Ranger was totaled and removed from the scene by Baker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated Dent County Road 5390 would be graded, plus grading work will be done on Dent County Road 5600. Mobray also said three trucks would be finishing up delivering the Title II Fund white rock to Dent County Road 5600 also knows as the Turtle loop. Those material costs will be paid from the Title II fund in the amount of $43,000. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported grading was going to be done on county roads 3120, 3180, 3190 and 4300 while some of his men will be assisting in the delivery of rock to county road 5600. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he had a bid from Victor Heating and Cooling to install a wall heater in the old Men’s bathroom at the courthouse for $685.00 that would keep the courthouse water lines from freezing. The old bathroom is not used anymore, but the water to the building comes through that area. This unit would replace a portable heater that has been used and will be more efficient. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continues to work on the 2024 county budget and is copying files for the financial audit that will occur next year to get a head start on the documents they will require. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds people to enjoy the fall foliage through camping, hiking, driving tours, or even floating while it lasts. The recent freezing temperatures will accelerate the end of the colorful season. The department has been offering weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. Missouri’s fall color can be enjoyed from almost anywhere. For spectacular vistas, choose routes along rivers with views of forested bluffs, and along ridges with sweeping scenes of forested landscapes. Conservation areas or Missouri state parks are wonderful places to take in the fall color, plus fall color isn’t just limited to trees. Prairies and roadsides display beautiful shades of gold, purple, olive, and auburn with autumn wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses. In cities and towns, enjoy places with mature trees such as older neighborhoods, parks, and even cemeteries. The Department of Conservavation provides its annual fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor which will come to an end later this month.

At the Creative Arts Center this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00, you can learn the fundamentals of primitive rug hooking to make a charming Hooked Sheep Ornament. Using hand spun wool yarn and a simple hook, students will pull loops through a burlap backing to create a simple sheep. We will finish by stitching a piece of wool fabric to the back. This class if for those 10 years of age and older. There must be at least five people sign up for the class and there will be no more than 20 allowed. The cost is $20 per person and includes all your supplies. Interested can sign up under at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website and check out the “Programs” for activities held at the Creative Arts Center.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning at 2:10 in Phelps County on I-44 at the westbound 189 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report an unknown tractor trailer struck a 2014 Ford Focus traveling westbound, driven by 50-year-old Emilia Junkerman of St. James, causing the Ford to travel off the right side of the roadway. Junkerman, who was not wearing a safety device, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by D & D Towing. No information was known about the tractor trailer as it left the scene.

Sign up now for the Barn Quilt Class at the Creative Arts Center with Tana Kettner & Terrie Welch on Monday, November 6th & Tuesday, November 7th from 5:30 to 8:30 each evening. Come and join them in making your own fall or winter designed Barn Quilt as a gift or for your home! In this two-day class, you will draw your own quilt block design on a sanded and primed 2’x2′ piece of plywood. You will then tape off areas to create sharp-edged lines, and paint it with chosen colors of house paint. When you finish, you can take it home to gift it or proudly display it on your barn or on/in your home! The class is for those who are 13 years of age and older and at least six people must sign up for the class to be held, but no more than 25 will be allowed to sign up. The cost is $55 which includes all you supplies. Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.

As a quick reminder, the end of Daylight Savings Time is 2:00 this Sunday morning when the area goes back to Central Standard Time. Please remember to adjust you clocks “back” one hour Saturday night or firstb thing Sunday monring. This time change can also serve as an easy reminder to change smoke and CO alarm batteries once a year.