Archive for 2023

A very concerned crowd attended the MoDOT Open House held Thursday at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The original idea by MoDOT was to close the bridge on Highway 19 for 45 days and detour traffic to Route K and KK, but according to two sources from MoDOT, they had never driven the route. They heard from numerous citizens on how those roads could not accept large truck traffic and how dangerous the hills on those roads can be during adverse weather. Those roads are also very uncomfortable for tourists or local citizens pulling campers, horse trailers and 5th wheels. Safety issues were also brought to the attention of MoDOT of the increased time it would take to try to an ambulance to get around the detour. The county commission was also asking MoDOT if they would agree to pay for any damages to other county gravel as well as chip and seal roads citizens will use in lieu of the detour and there was no answer. It was virtually unanimous by those attending that a temporary bridge should be constructed in that Standing Rock bridge area to allow traffic to continue to flow north and south. You can find the same exhibits that were at the open house on the project’s webpage at www.modot.org/missouri-route-19-bridge-replacement-over-standing-rock-creek-dent-county. A comment form is located at the bottom of that page. Additionally, comments may be emailed to CDCR@modot.mo.gov or mailed to Dent County Route 19 Standing Rock Creek Project, c/o MoDOT, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. All comments must be received or postmarked by October 13th.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Thom Haines was in attendance and asked the commissioners when they attend the MoDOT meeting to request a larger bridge than the 26-foot bridge that MoDOT is proposing. This would be perfect to allow the bridge to also be used as walking or biking trail which could help with tourism, as well as a safety issue for larger trucks and people pulling their campers and 5th wheels. Haines said MoDOT has already put in a 35-foot replacement bridge a few years back in Dent County on Highway 32 East so this would not be setting a new precedent. The commission were to pass the information on to MoDOT at the meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said two graders would be virtually rebuilding Dent County Road 5690 while it is dry, plus grading will be done on county road 5600. Mobray said crews would be patching numerous chip and seal roads with the Ultimate Paving Material and picking up trash on county roads where it has been dumped. Mobray stated a crew would be working on truck repairs and he sent Town and Country Bank the VIN numbers for the new graders they are financing through a lease/purchase. One grader is in and the other should arrive in two weeks. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said brush cutting was going to be done on Dent County Roads 3220, 3225, 3230 and 3240. He also said a crew would be patching areas of Dent County Roads 2300 and 6150 with asphalt. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said Bonnie Prigge from MRPC and Preston Kramer from MoDOT would be at the commissioner’s meeting on October 16th at 9:30 to discuss the road priorities list. Curley also said she received a letter from the Missouri Department of Public Safety regarding the Meramec Plus Watershed. Dent County’s letters of final determination for the new flood plain mapping were issued on February 1st which stated the 180-day Map Adoptions period for the county. The maps became effective August 1st and now the SEMA NFIP staff will begin working with local community officials to update their ordinances. Commissioner Mobray said the county took phone bids for 1,000 gallons of unleaded gas and the low bid was County Fuels for $3.175 per gallon. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation invites you to attend an open house today from 4:30 to 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road, to get public input on a planned bridge replacement project on Highway 19 South in Dent County. Feedback is needed by the everyone on the timing of a planned 45-day closure, especially from those who will most be affected, as that window has not yet been determined. Members of the project team will be there to answer questions, discuss proposed plans for the bridge, consider detour options and other construction details. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come at any time during the open house. Exhibits will be on display showing the current plans for the project. Comment forms will also be available at the meeting. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can find the same exhibits that will be at the open house on the project’s webpage at www.modot.org and type “standing rock” in the search bar. A comment form is located at the bottom of that page. Additionally, comments may be emailed to CDCR@modot.mo.gov or mailed to Dent County Route 19 Standing Rock Creek Project, c/o MoDOT, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. All comments must be received or postmarked by October 13th.

FRIDAY is the last day to get your tickets for the The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Annual Dinner that will be held on October 26th at the Hermannhof Festhalle in Hermann. Each year, MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time, talents and give support to their communities and this year there will be 12 recipients. Some of the individuals being recognized by MRPC for 2023 contributions to their communities are: Easton May and Deloris Gray Wood of Salem were nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; Madiline Pankey of St. James was nominated by MRPC Board Member Shane Anselm; and Rylee Krawiecki of Rolla was nominated by MRPC Board Member Shane Anselm. The public is invited to attend the event in Hermann. A reception will begin at 5:30 with the dinner, catered by The Inn at Hermannhof, served buffet style at 6:30. The program and awards presentation will follow. The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner for 2023. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient is kept secret until announced at the Annual Dinner. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993.

If you a person born after January 1st, 1967, and you want to hunt with a firearm alone, you must take the Missouri–approved course to complete your online hunter safety education. Hunter-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Get hunter certified in 3 steps: Study and pass the $24.95 online course, finish any other requirements and get ready to go hunting! You must be at least 10 years old to take the online course. Students who are 10 years of age may complete this course, but they must be 11 years old to take the Hunter Education Skills Session. After this course is complete and if you are 11 to 15 years of age when you REGISTERED for this course, you must pass this online course and attend the Hunter Education Skills Session to complete your hunting safety certification. Bring your student manual with you. In our area, seats are available at the Cuba Police Department for their October 12th class from 6:00 until 9:30. There are also seats available at the Ellington High School course on Saturday, October 14th, from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00. If you are 16 years-of-age or above and want to get your Hunter Education Card, you only need to pass the online test. You are NOT required to attend the skills session. For more information, visits Hunter-ed.com.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking input from turkey hunters on possible changes to spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons, including all-day spring hunting and reduced harvest limits for fall seasons. In the nearly 20 years since the last significant regulations change for turkey hunting, much has changed for both hunters and wild turkeys.Turkey populations across the country and in Missouri have declined, predictably, after a post-restoration boom. Turkey hunting participation, over time, has also declined. According to MDC, Missouri’s spring turkey hunting season, specifically the start date, was designed to take place after the peak in turkey breeding had occurred. Additionally, MDC research indicates that the current season structure, combined with the reproductive ecology of turkeys, has resulted in relatively low harvest rates on juvenile and adult gobblers over the years. This means that a small increase in the total number of the males harvested each spring would be sustainable. Extending shooting hours during the spring season may expand the opportunity for individuals to take up turkey hunting or offer more time for others to return to the field while maintaining a healthy turkey population. The department is considering changes to fall turkey hunting regulations that aim to balance the wellbeing of the turkey population while trying to maximize hunting opportunities. MDC encourages turkey hunters to go online to mdc.mo.gov/turkey-regs for more information on potential regulation changes and to provide comment. The comment period closes October 6th.

Tuesday evening, the City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers. In New Business, the board approved the addition of two personal days per year for employees as this was inadvertently left out of the recent update of the Employee Manual. They also approved Resolution No. 27-2023 authorizing the Mayor to accept permanent sidewalk easements for the sidewalk construction project for the TAP grant for the 4th Street downtown improvements.  Approval was also given to renew the Trumpia texting service for $6,000 per year.  There are currently 507 citizens that have signed up for the service as well as 43 staff members who receive internal employee related notices.  Alderman Williams suggested this service be advertised on FaceBook and Townscreen to remind citizens to sign up for the service. City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that the Salem R-80 Construction Trades building project has requested the city cover half of the electrical service materials at a cost of $11,500.  The board approved this request to be paid out of the Equipment Maintenance budget line that totals $90,000.  Approval was given to purchase a 2023 Dodge Durango from Behlmann Chrysler at a cost of $40,378 for thePolice Department. This will replace one vehicle that will be sold to offset the purchase price.  The Board approved Bill No. 3573, a contract with BuildTec Construction for the construction of six Unity T-Hangars at the Salem Memorial Airport in the amount of $624,900. This contract will be paid from the grant proceeds provided by MoDOT via the Federal Aviation Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation. Finance Director Stacey Houston provided an update on the sales tax revenue stating there was a 15% decrease when comparing September 2022 to September 2023. For August there was $1.3 million in electric sales revenue with $794,000 for purchase of power. There was $147,858 in water sales revenue and $199,584 in sewer sales revenue for August. The total revenue for all city funds was $2.5 million with expenses of $2.1 million. There is currently $8.2 million in all funds. Mayor Greg Parker reported that the City Wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, October 7th and the citywide fall cleanup week will be held on October 9-13 on your normal trash pickup day. Director of Public Works Mark Nash reported the water is being tested for COVID as well as Influenza A and B. Alderman Sisco reported that additional citizens are needed to serve on the Community Service Committee to work on plans for the Fourth of July celebration. If anyone is interested, please contact the city. Alderman Bolerjack reported that a Current River Mural Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 9:00 in the morning at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center.  The City offices will be closed on Monday, October 9th for Columbus Day. Alderman Williams reported there is a vacancy on the Utility Committee and that he has a meeting scheduled with SMTS regarding a Transportation System in Dent County. The board then went into closed session.

This fall season, visit Ozark National Scenic Riverways for unique guided hiking adventures! As summer winds down, it becomes time to plan adventures for fall and winter. Celebrate the new season by immersing yourself in fall colors! The Ozarks are home to countless trails, all of which exhibit spectacular hues in autumn. Hiking is the perfect way to discover these hidden gems of the Ozark Mountains. This Saturday, explore the historic community of Owls Bend! This three-mile hike will follow the Ozark Trail and will begin at 10:00 in the morning at the Powder Mill Trailhead, located near the Powder Mill campground. You will learn about local families who settled the area, stopping at the Ramsey Barn and Owls Bend Schoolhouse.The fall hikes will be conducted in partnership with Ozark Riverways Foundation and Missouri State Parks. Get information on other upcoming fall hikes by visiting nps.gov/ozar or call (573) 226-3945.

MoDOT will be working on Highway 72 in Reynolds County near Bunker today from 8:00 this morning to 3:00 this afternoon. The affected section of roadway is located from Route A to Route TT near Bunker. The work zone will be marked with signs. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.