Archive for 2023

As temperatures cool, it can be easy to become lazy when it comes to staying on top of home energy usage. Here are four simple modifications you can make without much effort that can decrease your energy drain – and won’t require big sacrifices. First, let the sunshine in and take advantage of natural sunlight to heat your space, then close curtains to keep the heat inside. Second, lower the heat to 68 degrees. Consider slipping on a hoodie or a sweater to stay comfortable, as you can save 5% for every degree you drop your thermostat between 60 to 70 degrees. Third, clear your air vents and make sure there are no furniture items or appliances obstructing any vents to maximize heating efficiency. Lastly, avoid running hot water to thaw food. Meal prep ahead of time by defrosting frozen foods in the fridge overnight to save on energy and water. This is also a good time to explore your home for any potential improvements needed to conserve energy, such as caulking around leaky windows and doors, investing in a water heater jacket and installing weather stripping or insulation. Qualifying income-eligible homeowners and renters are eligible to receive assistance with these projects through local agencies like the South Central Community Action Agency. To get more information on the LIHEAP program, weatherization programs and other programs, call 729-3500 or stop by 1405 South Wines Street in Salem.

With deer and turkey hunting underway in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds non-hunters to practice safety measures when afield during hunting seasons. MDC Hunter Education Coordinator Justin McGuire said that safety while hunting is ultimately the responsibility of the hunter. Hunters must clearly identify their targeted game animals before even putting their fingers on the triggers of their firearms or before drawing their bows when archery hunting. They must also be aware of what is behind their targets and should never shoot at movement or sound. McGuire added that non-hunters out in hunting areas can also practice some safety measures. He and MDC offer the following safety tips for non-hunters. Wear bright clothing to be more visible, such as a bright orange hat, jacket, or pack. Place a bright orange vest or bandana on the canines who join you and keep them leashed. Avoid earth-toned or animal-colored clothing such as tan and brown. Be aware that hunters are often most active during the early morning and late afternoon, when game animals are most active.
Be especially aware of your own visibility during these times when light is dim. Stay on designated trails. Trails are designed to improve the safety of public users and to protect sensitive habitats. Enjoying recreational activities only on designated trails will reduce the likelihood of entering hunting areas. Whenever venturing into the outdoors, let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return. Make yourself known. If you hear shooting, raise your voice, and let hunters know you are in the area. Be courteous. Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife. Avoid conflict. Identify hunting seasons and lands open to hunting. Learn where and when hunting is taking place. Plan your recreation activities based on this information. Find information on Missouri hunting seasons at mo.gov/hunting-trapping. Find conservation areas that allow hunting and those that do not by using the MDC Places to Go web feature at mo.gov/discover-nature/places.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Revenue wish to inform potential future Commercial Driver License (CDL) applicants of an upcoming change in CDL testing procedure. The new modernized testing standard being adopted by Missouri will begin on December 4th, 2023 and will be utilized by all CDL examiners in the state, including at all Patrol examination sites and all third-party examination sites. The changes in testing procedure include a more streamlined pre-trip examination and more efficient basic skills course. It is important to note, per federal guidelines, applicants must pass the pre-trip and basic skills using the same testing model, meaning if an applicant passes the old model pre-trip, they must pass the old model basic skills test to be eligible for the road test. The Department of Revenue encourages training schools and applicants to consider this when making plans for testing. Those wishing to train for taking their CDL skills tests on December 4th or later should utilize the new CDL manual for applicable procedures. Current testing procedures will remain in effect statewide until December 1st. Both manuals can be found at dor.mo.gov/forms.

Football fans can be “Champions for Life” and score some Kansas City Chiefs apparel. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, is asking everyone to help make a touchdown for local patients in their community by donating blood at the upcoming blood drive in Salem on Tuesday, November 7th from 1:00 until 6:00 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall located at 201 North MacArthur. All successful donors will receive an all-new Kansas City Chiefs “3X Champs” T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors can also enter for a chance to win a game package of two free tickets and a parking pass to Kansas City’s December 31, 2023, game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game package is valued at $870. To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at or by calling 417-227-5006.

Healthy Dent County will be having their Fifth Annual Casino Night Fundraiser this Saturday at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory with a “Biker Fest” theme. Doors will open Saturday evening at 5:30 with the gaming beginning at 6:30 and lasting until 9:00. The event features game tables much like the ones you will find in a real casino, as well as a number of professional dealers to run the games. Traditional games such as craps, roulette and blackjack are available as well as two poker tables. Food and a cash bar will also be available. New this year, to go along with the “Biker Fest” theme, will be video bike races throughout the evening. Winners of these races will receive special tickets for a drawing to win a two-bedroom Florida vacation. Other prizes include St. Louis Blues Hockey tickets; 2024 St. Louis Cardinals tickets; $300 Wal-Mart gift card; Blackstone Griddle; Wine Barrell, a Mizzou Basketball and Football Tickets package, a Southwest Airlines Gift Card, a Branson Trip, I-Mop, Canoe Trip, a TV, a Taurse G2S 9MM pistol and more. This year’s event would not be possible without many local businesses sponsoring the event with American Family – Jonah Schafer, Agent being the main event sponsor. Tickets are available for $50 per person of $85 per couple. Event ticket holders will receive $10,000 in chips to play the casino games of their choice throughout the evening. Guests are asked to come dressed in Biker – themed attire and receive an extra $1,000 in gaming money. If you ride your bike to the event, you will receive an additional $1,000.00 in gaming money. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after exchanging gaming money for tickets. Casino Night tickets are available at Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road or online at https://tinyurl.com/HDCBikerFest2023. For more information, please call 729-8163.

The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, in cooperation with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Salem Police Department, will be hosting a basic law enforcement training academy starting January 30, 2024 in Salem at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The Academy will be a 700 hour course that will qualify graduates with a Class A peace officer license in Missouri. The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-10 pm as well as Saturdays from 8 am-5 pm and some Sundays. This is an eleven month program with a maximum of 25 students and a graduation being held in November 2024. The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Training Academy meets and exceeds the State of Missouri’s minimum basic training requirement for peace officer certification. Graduates will be certified in several areas from report writing to arrest procedures, intake booking to inmate supervision. Driving instruction courses will be held at the Salem airport and firearms training will be held at the law enforcement firing range. Registration is now open and continues through December 30th, 2023. Those wishing to attend may download the application form by going to the Missouri Sheriff’s Association website at mosheriffs.com/academy. There are a variety of Tuition Options ranging from VA Benefits, to ETPW/WIOA Grants, to monthly payment plans. For more information contact Gina Kauffman at 573-635-5925 or e-mail gina@mosheriffs.com. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. Major Lenny Pabin from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office will serve as the coordinator for this academy. For questions please call Major Pabin at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

A reminder that the Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council is inviting residents to join the 2023-2024 group of volunteers that make Dent County a better place to live through Extension programs. 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 available by calling 573-729-3196, online at extension.missouri.edu/dent or email at dentco@missouri.edu. Completed applications are due by November 16th at the Dent County Extension office at 112 East 5th Street in Salem. Designated by state statute as the official body to cooperate with the University of Missouri in delivery of Extension programs, the council has roles in programming, fiscal and personnel. The Dent County Extension Council is the local link between county residents and the University of Missouri four-campus system. Responsibilities of those on the council include attending monthly meetings (4th Monday), identify concerns of the community to connect citizens with Extension resources, administer the county budget and assist in planning, promoting, and carrying out Extension efforts. Individuals interested in serving on the council may contact Ray Walden, County Development Specialist, at the Dent County extension office (573-729-3196). Information about the Dent County Extension office can be found on the web at www.extension.missouri.edu/dent.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 11,118 deer during Missouri’s early youth portion of the 2023 deer hunting season, October 28th and 29th. Top counties were Franklin with 258 deer harvested, Osage with 224, and Texas with 209. Of the deer harvested, 6,857 were antlered bucks, 3,410 were does, and 851 were button bucks. In the local area, Dent County youth hunters harvested 154 deer as did Reynolds County hunters. Young Crawford County hunters killed 191 deer and Phelps County hunters took 164 more. Archery deer hunting continues through November 10th and resumes November 22nd through January 15th, 2024. The November portion of firearms deer season runs November 11th through the 21st. The late youth portion runs November 24th through the 26th. The late antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 2nd through the 10th in open counties and the alternative methods portion will occur December 23rd through January 2nd, 2024.

As a reminder, the end of Daylight Savings Time is 2:00 Sunday morning, November 5th when clocks are adjusted to “fall back” an hour. This time change can also serve as an easy reminder to change smoke and CO alarm batteries once a year. Remember, when you change the time, change the batteries. Always have properly installed and maintained smoke detectors on every floor of your home, near every bedroom, and in common areas like hallways as a minimum. If you use propane, naturals gas or burn wood for heat, you should also have carbon monoxide alarms in your home.