Archive for 2023

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance at the start of the meeting for a family emergency but later called in and had nothing to report except to say that engineer Corky Stack would be by to talk with the commission about what to do with the scrap aluminum and copper removed from the courthouse. District 1 commissioner Wes Mobray was appointed to serve as acting presiding commissioner for the day. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s office was in attendance and updated the commission on the Biden IRS Investigation, and also talked about the investigation with the FBI and Department of Justice to find out the facts as to why US District Attorney David Weiss was unable to file charges against Hunter Biden. In the road report, Mobray said his crews were out checking roads for washouts and downed trees from the storm early Monday morning. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said crews were adding materials to Dent County Roads 2170 and 4380 and would try to grade county road 4380 as well as county road 3140. Polk said downed trees were removed from county roads 4380 and 2540, crews would be cleaning out a culvert on county road 3200 and also repairing a washout on county road 2150. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said all tax entities should be scheduling their public tax rate hearings and advertising them as required by law. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported the City of Salem Board of Alderman has signed a four-year contract with the county to collect their real estate and property taxes as well as the taxes of the Salem Public Library. The next meeting or the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the district administrative board room. The board received a “thank you” note from Caleb Ingram for receiving the Jeans Scholarship. In the superintendent’s report Dr. Lynne Reed discussed with the board the 2023 assessed valuation for real estate and personal property, the current bonding capacity of the district, and potential ballot initiatives. She also said the district is putting together a punch list to give to ESP that will finish up the tin gym project. Reed said the board and administration will hold an upcoming pre-construction meeting on the Construction Trades Building with the general contractor as well as the MRPC and representatives from the CDBG. Reed said the middle school has been identified as a school for Additional Targeted Support for Improvement (ATSI) by DESE. The district is working on the middle school Plan to address this and so that it will align with the CSIP. Reed stated the new “Tiger Training” is scheduled for August 14th and 15th while the administration back to school meeting with all staff will be August 21st. The board is invited to the breakfast on August 14th and August 21st. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills is working on a process to comply with the new legislation requiring testing water in schools for lead. Reed indicated the tech department is in the process of installing new phones throughout the district’s buildings. This is a huge upgrade for the district as they are making the transition to “Infinite Campus” as the student information system. After the reports from the building principals, the board approved the revised Chromebook policy, Personnel Handbook changes, and revisions to board policy JG-R4 concerning the dress code. The board approved putting out a request for proposals for a camera system at the district, approved a contract with Wagner Portrait Group for school pictures through 2026, and approved declaring a freezer as surplus property. The board reviewed the building handbook changes and considered Board Governance training before approving a memorandum of understanding for changes with the Dent County Health Department. The board went on to approve the 2023-2024 meal prices and the OPAA! Food Management, Inc. contract. The board then set the tax rate hearing for the Salem R-80 District for 5:30 on August 17th with the regular board meeting scheduled to begin at 5:45 that same evening at the district administrative offices. The board accepted the resignation of custodian William Machs and the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed effective June 30, 2024. In closed session, the board approved hiring Rene Moncrief as a teacher and they also talked about a personnel issue. The board then adjourned the meeting.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be holding their regular meeting this evening beginning at 6:00 at the city Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board will hear bids on a new batwing bush hog and then discuss an invoice from Rood and Associates for an independent cost estimate needed by the city for the construction of the airport “T-Hanger.” City of Salem Treasurer Stacey Houston will then present the actual end of the fiscal year financials that show an increase of $2,822.72 in the total fund balances over fiscal year 22-23. She also said sales tax revenues came in about 9.4% more than the previous year. In almost all cases, revenues came in more than what was budgeted while the expenses came in less that what was budgeted. The board will hear the first reading of Bill #3554 which would amend the annual budget for the city for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2023. In the second reading of bills, the board will hear Bill #3553 that would create an ordinance to allow the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to aid in the construction of a six unit T-Hanger at the Salem Memorial Airport. After reports from city officials are presented, the board will go into closed session to discuss contracts. The Salem Board of Alderman meeting tonight is open to the public.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host a one-day workshop about the basics of fly fishing for youth between the ages of 12 and 16 this Thursday at the Akers Visitor Center. These free workshops are limited to 10 youth participants and at least one parent or guardian for each youth. Reservations are required. Park Ranger Mark Van Patten will lead the workshops and demonstrate various fly rod casting techniques, proper catch and release techniques, and strategies for fly presentation. Instruction will also include lessons on aquatic entomology, recommended equipment, reading the water, and understanding flies. Fly rods and reels will be available for those who do not have their own. The clinics are expected to last the full day. Participants should bring the following: Valid Missouri fishing permit and trout stamp if 16 years or older. A Trout Stamp is required for all ages, if under 16 the cost is $5.00. Waders or something to wear while wading but no open-toed shoes. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, lunch and water. For more information or to make reservation, please contact the Pulltite Ranger Station at (573) 858-3397

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday, July 17th. The full board was present as were Administrator Zach Moser and Assistant Administrator Roma Jones. Also attending was Carol Lacy who had been appointed to the Board by the Dent County Commission following the resignation of Kim Smith. Lacy was sworn in by Moser. The board then elected to move Dennis Floyd to Vice-Chairman and elect Bob Gravely as Secretary-Treasurer. After approval of the minutes of the June 15th regular meeting of the Board and the Special Meeting of the Board on July 17th with Tiffany Bayer from the Center for Local Public Health at DHSS, Administrator Moser presented the communicable disease report which included no new reported cases of COVID-19 for June. He said there were 32 active lead cases in June and that six sexually transmitted infection screenings were conducted during the month. Moser noted that a total of nine total influenza cases were reported in June. He stated that this is a very unusual number of influenza cases for this time of year. Moser also reported that there were four animal bites reported in June. In the diagnostics report, Moser said 196 blood draw appointments were completed in June, plus 6 COVID tests and five lead tests. There were 13 vaccines for COVID-19 and 99 other vaccinations administered. A total of 422 appointments were held during June, plus WIC appointments that totaled 323. Moser noted in June there were 120 urine drug screenings conducted on behalf of the Dent County Treatment Court. Assistant Administrator Jones gave the environmental report where she conducted seven total inspections, addressed one recall, and fielded seven environmental questions. In the Administrator’s report, Moser noted that no bids were received for a HEPA Filtration System and it was decided to re-published the bid solicitation. Moser reported on some operational problems with the main entrance door to the building and he was approved to obtain bids on replacing it with a power door for better accessibility. Moser reminded the Board of upcoming future Health Center events including vaccines at school registration on August 7th, Back to School Fair August 12th, a Fall Health Fair on October 26th, and a drive-through flu/COVID clinic on October 12th. The health center financial reports for June, including the review from H & R Block, were reviewed. Board member Gravely had a number of questions about the report as there were some inconsistencies with past reports. WIC income was essentially double and that was due to two DHSS payment receipts in June. Another was a huge increase in net revenues for June compared to May and that was due to the Health Disparities (Childcare Grant) that runs in three month cycles. Finally, there were three pay periods in June, which caused increases in the payroll expense. After these questions were addressed Gravely moved to approve the financial reports and the report from H&R Block. The motion was seconded and it carried. Moser presented a new Vacation and Personal Leave Accrual formula since Quickbooks did not accrue vacation time on paid time off which the board approved. Moser discussed a new initiative as a partnership with the local schools to reduce the impact of vaping in teens. The “Strong Student Lungs Program” would refer the students for treatment rather than punishing them. He presented a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Policy for addition to the employee handbook. The policy was approved. Moser shared Bank Signer Resolution 2023-R002 with the Board. Minor adjustments were made and the resolution was approved. A Certificate of Deposit Resolution was presented, which will be reconsidered at the next meeting. As follow-up to last Monday’s meeting with Tiffany Bayer, Gravely discussed the need for a formal review process for the administrator, plus a need for a formal strategic plan or set of objectives for DCHC for comparison to determine progress or lack of it. It was decided that surveys of DCHC patient satisfaction, plus a staff evaluation of the Administrators is to be developed. The next regular meeting of the board was set for Thursday, August 24th at 5:00.

The Pulltite Cabin area will be temporarily closed for visitor safety following major damage from recent severe thunderstorms after a large tree, roughly three feet in diameter, crushed part of the metal roof and buckled the south wall of the cabin. The force of the impact also broke mortar between the logs and caused other structural damage. Park crews are working on a plan to remove the tree safely without causing additional harm to the structure. Following removal, the National Park Service will perform a structural assessment of the building and stabilize it to prevent further deterioration. There is no estimated time frame for completing these steps. Pulltite Cabin is located along the Current River across from Pulltite Campground and can only be reached by hiking the trail from the river. Visitors should stay at least 100 feet away from the cabin but can still use the main hiking trail to view Pulltite Spring. The cabin was built in the unique French style, where vertical logs prevent the need for notching and stacking. In the center of the cabin, an impressive 38-foot log stands. Construction of the cabin was completed in 1913.

As the drought creeps up and across the state, producers are starting to feel the effects. Many pastures are becoming short and hay feeding is crossing the minds of cattle farmers. The program, “Managing Your Herd Through Drought” will be held this Thursday evening at the Wurdack Extension Center in Cook Station from 6:00 to 8:00. Gatlin Bunton, Agronomy Specialist in Crawford County, said that the ongoing drought through much of southern Missouri presents challenges and opportunities for producers. Extension specialists will go through topics that producers should be mindful of during drought situations. Topics include livestock decisions and feeding, forage management and toxins, money considerations and management and planning for future events. In each negative event, there is always a positive. The Farm Service Agency will also be presenting on drought programs that are available to producers. View this drought as a learning opportunity and what can be done to add resilience to your operation. Register for the workshop online at extension.missouri.edu or by calling Crawford County Extension Office at 573-775-2135. There is no fee to attend. If you have questions or need special accommodations, call Rachel Hopkins at 573-438-2671.

The Salem Public Library would like to get the word out about some changes affecting your children’s use of library services. In order for the library to comply with the new Missouri state rule known as “Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors,” parents or legal guardians are required to sign updated paperwork permitting children age 17 and younger to access the public library internet and Wi-Fi. It is also necessary for parents or legal guardians of children in possession of their own juvenile library cards to sign updated paperwork. All previously signed permissions for children will expire on Friday, July 28th, 2023. Please visit the library or call (573) 729-4331 with any questions. The library staff appreciates your patience as we work through the regulation change together.

The Salem and Dent County 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction was held this past Saturday at The Commons that raised an unofficial total of $299,352.30 through bids. Auctioneers Roger Schafer and Brady Hagler auctioned off two pens of market chickens for $2,506, two pens of market rabbits for $434.30, three cured meats brought in $1,025, 19 market goats sold for $23,221, 12 market lambs fetched $24,062.50, 40 market hog sales raised $62,590, the 46 market steers raised $191,163.50 while the seven ribbons added an additional $3,900. There were numerous add-ons to purchases at the sale that totaled $9,550 that raised the total amount collected to $308,902.30. The top ten buyers at the auction this year were the Bank of Salem, Phil-Mart, South Central Regional Stockyards, County Fuels, Town and Country Bank, Interstate Regional Stockyards, Steelman Abstract and Title Company, Gahr Truck and Equipment, Dent County Farm Supply and Chilton Oil Company. There were 78 different businesses, organizations or individuals participating this year in the auction who purchased at least one animal or ribbon to help with the cause, with many buying more than one animal. Also, the dessert auction last Wednesday added an additional $12,660. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thank everyone who attended the auction this year for their generosity and support.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Treasurer Denita Williams reported on CART funds received in July. The county received $79,139.93 and that is up year-to-date from last year about 17.87%. The county is up $79,138.20 from last year. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray reported that a crew will be out checking roads for washouts and debris from the storms. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported that crews will be out finish cutting county roads 3210, 3220, 3240, 3230; plus crews will be out to seed and straw the property on county road 3230 at the house that had chip and seal wash into his yard. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he attended a Tourism Tax Commission meeting where they had two reimbursements approved and one request denied. The TAP grant application for the 80/20 grant for new sidewalks and handrails for the Courthouse was discussed. A motion was made for Great Rivers Engineering to do a cost analysis for $1,000 of the project which was approved by the commission. County Clerk Angie Curley said the 2023 county tax rate hearing for General Revenue Fund, Road and Bridge fund, Senate Bill 40 Fund and the Salem Senior Citizen Service Fund will be held at 10:00 in the morning on August 21st. According to the unofficial minutes from the last meeting, the Commission then went to look at the buildings across the street and came back. Beth Frizzell with Century 21 came to visit with the Commission. She understands that the Commission inquired about a building that she has a contract listing agreement on. She is upset about a comment that District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk made to the owner about buying it when the contract expires. Gary Polk apologized. Frizzell felt, as a business owner, it was very unprofessional to try to go behind her back to buy it when the contract expires. Frizzell asked Gary Larson and Wes Mobray what they thought about the comment that Gary Polk had made, and they both agreed she was correct in her statements, and that it was unprofessional. The next meeting of the dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened Wednesday morning at 7:45 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 eastbound at the 233 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Hyundai Sonata being driven by 35-year-old Erin Ellisbyrd of Rolla, hydroplaned on the wet pavement and slid into the center median and struck the cable barrier. Ellisbyrd suffered minor injuries and was taken by St. Clair EMS to Mercy Hospital in Washington. The Sonata was totaled and removed from the scene by Vogelsangs Towing. The report went on to state that Ellisbyrd was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.