Archive for 2023

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for the regular meeting at the courthouse. Interim CEO of the Salem Memorial Hospital, Jason Edwards, was in attendance to introduce himself to the commission and to thank them for their support. He spoke of the transition the hospital is going through now and the challenges of being a rural hospital. Edwards said as part of the Delta Regional Grant, he attended a summit and found the Salem hospital is seeing the same problems as other rural hospitals in the region and that being nursing and lab tech shortages as well as equal revenues for the services provided. He said the hospital is still working with the Rural Health Group and Michael Smith, the Interim Director of the Revenue Cycle, on increasing billing from what is readily available to get more income to the hospital. He says he wants to bring back the family atmosphere of the hospital and they are getting there. He says their goal is working toward one team, one fight, one family which is his motto for the transition. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5015 and 6670. Mobray said District 1 and District 2 workers are still adding rock to Dent County Road 5600 and they have delivered about half the rock needed for the Title II project. Grading will also be done on county road 5600 knows as the “turtle loop.” District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said materials were being added to county road 4340 and a flat tire is being replaced on county truck #126. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson attended the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet Thursday night where Easton May and Deloris Gray Wood were honored for their voluntary contributions to Dent County. He also said Oktoberfest is scheduled to be on the courthouse square this Saturday. Larson said the county was awarded the TAP grant for the sidewalks around the courthouse from MoDOT. The commission has yet to determine where the county’s 20% of the total cost of the project will come from. The commission approved to make no changes on the contribution to the County Employment Retirement Fund as employees will still have to make their own contributions of up to 4% to the retirement fund. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to present the CART and sales tax monies received this month. The county received this month $82,631.46 in CART funds which is $4,220.88 more than last October and year-to-date, that fund is up over 15% at $105,955.10. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $78,432.52 which is $24,230.98 less than for October of 2022. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are down $66,920.88. The Road and Bridge Fund received $36,911.91 this month, down $10,169.87 from October of 2022. Year-to-date, that fund is down $31,324.07. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $74,251.91 and that is down $19,898.85 from October 2022 receipts. Year-to-date, those funds are down $58,308.35. These figures are all net of the monthly withholding by the Department of Revenue. At the last meeting, Jim Martin with Stars and Stripes from the Historic Region Foundation, discussed the “Veterans in the Region” community and how they honor veterans. They cover 26 counties in Southeast Missouri, and talked with the commission about their history, heritage, service and partnership opportunities. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

If you love Halloween and enjoy decorating your home or business to the max for trick or treaters, you could be rewarded for all your hard work with a free two-night stay at Echo Bluff State Park! Townscreen in Salem is looking for the best spooktacular display in the area in their first ever Halloween decorating contest. Take one or more pictures or take a video of your decorations, then submit them to townscreen.com by midnight, October 31st. Not only could you get a free two-night stay at the Echo Bluff Lodge, but you would also get a $50 restaurant voucher to be used during your stay. To register on the townscreen.com website, click on the Halloween Decorating Contest button at the top of the page which will take you to the registration page. You must be 18 years of age or older to claim the prize. Please read all term and conditions of the contest before submitting your entry. Complete the form and submit it with your pictures or video. Participants are welcome to include a brief description of their display. Contestants must submit clear and well-lit photos or videos of their displays. Multiple images can be submitted at once on the form. Displays should be Halloween oriented and creatively designed. Homemade, store-bought, and DIY decorations are all welcome. If you have trouble submitting the contest form online please email info@townscreen.com or call 636-338-1199. The winner will be announced by Monday, November 6th. See contest entries on Townscreen which has 21 screens in Salem, 11 screens in Houston and screens at Montauk State Park and Echo Bluff State Park.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released a report on a short term narcotics investigation at a residence on Dent County Road 5170 that concluded on Thursday, October 19th resulting in the arrest of two Dent County residents. The Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Task Force (RADE) executed a narcotics search warrant with the assistance of personnel from the Rolla Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Sheriff’s office where they seized methamphetamine, pills and drug paraphernalia. Warrants were requested by Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley and arrested were 44-year-old Adam Kuehl and 42-year-old Bobby Paul/Hughes. They were each charged with 2nd degree drug trafficking charges, possession of a controlled substance and maintaining a public nuisance. Bond was set at $50,000 each for Kuehl and Paul. The charges 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.

Salem FFA members recently competed in Area 13’s fall speaking competition in West Plains. Trent Black placed 1st in Missouri Pet Breeders. Maggie Hogan took first place in Missouri Forest Products. Dalli Johnson placed 4th in Missouri Soil and Water. Dylan Parker brought home 5th place in Missouri Young Farmers and Farm Wives, while Kennedy Wallce competed in Missouri Forest Products. Both Black and Hogan will compete in the District competition to be held Thursday, November 9th.

Imagine an old spooky house full of monsters, pumpkins and critters waiting for Halloween, for you! The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will feature “The Misfit Mansion” this Friday evening from 6:30 – 8:00. Not-quite-right monsters will bump around in this non-scary fun house. Attendees can build scarecrows, try your hand at the skull game or solve the trail mystery of the missing acorns. Wear your costume to show off in the costume parade. Bring a pumpkin to decorate. Don’t forget to dress for the weather and bring flashlights for the trail. We’ll be waiting for you…A donation of $3.00 per person or $10.00 per family is requested, but additional donations are always welcome. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Janet at 573-269-1026.

The Rotary Club of Salem in conjunction with Healthy Dent County will be hosting the annual Mouse Race this Saturday evening. There will also be a cake and pie bake auction with a $50 cash prize for the dessert that gets the most audience appreciation votes. All cakes and pies will then be auctioned off during the event sponsored by the Salem United Methodist Church. Six mouse races plus a championship race will take place Saturday evening along with a 52 card mouse roulette wheel. The doors will open at 6:30 Saturday evening with an entry fee of $6.00 per person or $10.00 per couple and this event is open to everyone. The money raised from the mouse races will be used in part to fund three $1,000 scholarships the Rotary Club will give to Salem High School Seniors in 2024. The Salem Rotary Club and Healthy Dent County thanks all of the sponsors who make this event possible.

You still have time to sign up for the Healthy Dent County’s “Hocus Pocus Witches Walk” this Saturday morning at 9:00 at the Tiger Trail at the Salem Upper Elementary School at 1601 Doss Road. The cost is $20 per person and you need to register at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. All ages are welcome to attend this family event. If you have questions, please call 729-8163.

Danielle Norris will be leading a Hello Fall Front Porch Sign & Wine workshop this Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00. Come and paint an Autumn themed sign for your front porch! Learn how to antique it! Hand Letter yourself, or add pre cut vinyl lettering. Then bring your sign back next month on Friday November 10th and we will paint a winter theme on the back!! Make it your own! You will end up with a neat personalized sign to display year after year! This class is ages 12 and older, the cost is $35 per person and all supplies are provided. Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program has a positive effect on Missouri citizens, jobs and small businesses. In recognition of the benefits of that program, Governor Mike Parson signed a proclamation declaring Monday, October 30th, as Weatherization Day in Missouri. Weatherization Day is an opportunity to highlight the impact of the Weatherization Assistance Program, which saves energy, improves the health and safety of homes, and supports jobs and small businesses. The department promotes the environmentally sound and energy-efficient operations of businesses, communities, agriculture and industry for the benefit of all Missourians. The state’s Weatherization Assistance Program funding is administered by the department’s Division of Energy through a network of 18 subgrantees. For more information about the department’s weatherization program, visit dnr.mo.gov/energy/weatherization.

Congratulations to the Salem Area Community Betterment Association as Monday night in Columbia, Salem was recognized as the Gene Speichinger Community of the Year Award winner at the annual Missouri Community Betterment Awards Banquet. Salem last won the award in 2013. Also being honored SACBA members Brett Capps for the Adult Leadership Award and Salem also won for the Best Use of Volunteers, Best Project on a Budget and the Most Heartfelt Project. Sarah Massengale and Jenna Deason along with Capps represented SACBA at the banquet accepting the awards.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, the board approved the bid from Roberts Judson Lumber Company for materials in the amount of $9,604.09 to repair the salt storage building, and approved the purchase of rock from Capital Quarries in Salem for street maintenance projects in the amount of $10,000. The board denied a request by Nancy Major to provided sewer service to 1413 West Franklin as the property is not in the city limits but is contiguous to property in the city limits. Acceptance by the board would be allowed if the owner would voluntarily annex the property into the city. The board approved three state legislative priorities for the 2023-24 fiscal year that will be submitted to the Meramec Regional Planning Commission before hearing a financial update by Financial Director Stacey Houston who said sales tax receipts are down about 2.5% from last year. She said utility consumption is down for electric, water and sewer, but so are the costs of purchasing power which are down about 8%. The board approved to send a letter to the MRPC to support their application of a grant for cyber security through the Missouri Homeland Security State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program that would include an in-kind match from the city. The mayor appointed three people to serve on the Community Services Committee and one to the Utility Committee. In old business, the board discussed the request for city water services from the owners of 103 South Dilworth property and again denied the request since the property is not in the city, but are contiguous with city property. Again the board indicated their willingness to allow the services if the property owners would voluntarily annex into the city. The board did approve Bill #3564 to rezone the property at 1203 Babb Lane from commercial to industrial; and Bill #3566 to rezone property at 1209 East Scenic Rivers Blvd from commercial to industrial with both properties being owned by Sellers Investment Properties. They also approved Bill #3567 to rezone property at 1301 Babb Lane from commercial to industrial which is owned by David Gray, Jr. The board heard the first reading of Bill #3575 to authorize the mayor to sign the Administrative Procedures Guide for floodplain management and flood hazard reduction in the city. They heard the second reading of Bill #3574 amending the city administrator duties to reflect an updated ordinance and approved the bill. Sally Burbridge then reported on the downtown TAP project and was told by Archer-Elgin they would be submitting their bid plans to MoDOT for review which should take about two weeks. Burbridge said she expects to be able to advertise for bids on the project in the middle on November. Mayor Greg Parker issued a proclamation to Marilyn Schweitzer and Richard LaBrash for their work on the Heroes Marathon that benefits veterans in Dent, Phelps and Pulaski counties. This year’s marathon will be held on Saturday, November 18th. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported another squirrel incident at a substation caused the outage Monday. He said the electrical contractor is working on the underground electric and transformer for the Construction Trades Building at the high school. They are the same contractor that will be doing the work on the Al Brown Field lights and that work will begin November 1st. Nash said McDonalds would like to push up their opening date, but he said the city is still waiting on some supplies that have not yet arrived. He also said work is being done on the animal shelter at the Industrial Park, and that the residents with solar panels have had their meters reprogrammed so they can see their usage. He said he will be meeting with a hole boring company for the leak at 8th Street and Highway 19, and some airport runway lights are out or the transformer for those lights is not working. Nash said disconnects will be done on October 30th for those bills from the 8/15 to 9/15 period that are not paid. Nash said if anyone sees a water leak to please report it to the city administrative offices. Alderwoman Kala Sisco said she is calling a Finance Committee meeting for November 9th. She would also like to have a workshop on creating a mission statement for the city and also to create a non-smoking policy at the parks. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack wants to remind people of the trunk and treat on 4th Street Halloween night. The board then went into closed session.

Come out to Echo Bluff State Park for a fun-filled afternoon and evening of spooky and exciting activities. Grab-n-go craft bags will be available across from the Check Station starting at 2:00 in the afternoon, while supplies last. All campers participating in the camper decorating contest and everyone participating in the cabin door decorating contest must turn forms into the check station no later than 3:00. At 5:00, the trick-or-treating parade begins at the cemetery. The day’s final event will begin at 7:30 in the evening at the fire pit across from the check station, where contest winners will be announced. The night program will follow. Guests are invited to bring a chair, candy and a good campfire story to tell. If guests have musical instruments, they are encouraged to bring those to play. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence.