Archive for 2023

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released some reports on cases heard in Dent County Friday in front of Judge Megan Seay. In the first case heard, the defendant was Roy Smith of St. Louis and he was on supervised probation after completing a RSMO 559.115 program for two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Seay revoked Smith’s probation and he was sentenced to serve 10 years in Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. The next case heard was Kara Happel of Salem who had been on probation for felony possession of a controlled substance. Happel failed to complete the alternative sentencing court and was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. In the last case heard, a probation revocation hearing for Janice Bote of Rolla was held in Dent County. Bote was on probation for the possession of methamphetamine. According to the report, Bote tested positive for meth on four occasions and she had never tested negative for controlled substances while on probation. She also had failed to complete her substance abuse directive given to her by probation and parole. Bote requested to be continued on probation with her drug treatment to be completed within the community. Prosecutor Curley recommended Bote to serve 120 days in the Missouri Department of Corrections through the RSMO 217.785 program which involves a drug treatment program. Judge Seay ordered Bote to complete the 120 day program as requested by the state.

The Salem Utility Committee met Wednesday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The committee reviewed the final fiscal year results with City Treasurer Stacey Houston who reported the total electric sales revenue came in at $7,105,213 which is about 30% more than last year which was expected with the rate increase plus the service availability charge. Consumption actually went down about 50,000 kilowatts but the income come in at 106% of budget and overall expenses were lower than budgeted. Houston said the water usage increased 16 million gallons and the increase in revenues was about $136,000. The sewer sales revenue with the rate increase in August went up $310,000 and gallons treated increased by seven million gallons. The electric fund finished with an excess of revenues over expenses of $515,954 and an ending balance of $597,000 even after the transfer to general revenue and to the reserves. Monies were increased in all reserve funds but have not yet reached the 25% reserve goal for electric, but the goal was reached for the water and sewer reserves. Jennifer Cochran from the Utility Department said the city e-mailed out ten test bills to make sure that everything is working properly before e-mailing any more. The committee was then informed of Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool update on their desire to increase their reserves from 30 days to 60 days to put them in a better financial position for financing rates and even the possibility of buying ownership shares in electric generation facilities. To reach their goal, the city will be charged an additional $13,967 on their monthly MPUA bill for electricity for two years for a total of $335,209. It was suggested by committee member Rick Letchworth to pay for it now out of reserves, but the motion died for a lack of second. No other suggestion was made by the committee and currently the city will pay the amount waiting for guidance from the committee at a later date. The Utility Committee agreed to sign the letter of support of the proposition from MPUA to look into a grant to develop solar farms in the area if 50 to 80% grant funds would become available to pay for the farm. There was some discussion that this request for support should have been sent out to the committee before the meeting for their review before the letter was prepared. Public Works Director Mark Nash said there are still some main water line leaks, and that during the storm, feeder 4 had outages from tree limbs and high winds. Committee Chairman Kyle Williams said he has been asked about water testing in the city. He said results from tests can be found at dnr.mo.gov/dww and look for Salem. Additional tests could be taken but they would be at the expense of the city. The water department will get cost estimates of the tests that are available for the next meeting where the committee can determine if they want additional testing. After some questions, the meeting was adjourned.

The Dent Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00. At the meeting, the board approved the minutes from the June meeting before hearing the financial report which showed an ending balance of 157,817.88 as of June 30th. Bills, payments, statements, and the budget were then reviewed by the board. The monthly reimbursement report was presented showing a total of 20 calls for the month of June bringing the total calls for the year to date to 161. In old business, it was reported that all of the parts were in for Engine 85 and work should be done by the end of next week. When the work is completed and before it can go back into service, the pumps will need to be tested and certified. Chief Brad Nash then reported to the board, giving an update on the ARPA grant which is still in the paperwork stage. Nash also reported on the gear dryer that he built for approximately $1,000. If purchased new, the cost would have been between 10,000 and 15,000. Before adjourning, the date was then set for the next meeting which will Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. The meeting next month will be open to the public.

The Board of Directors of the Salem Memorial Hospital have cancelled their special meeting for this Friday at 11:00 that was to be held at the hospital that was called on Wednesday.

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo kicks off today with Tuesday’s Exhibit Entries being judged starting this morning at 10:00. Then this evening at 6:00 will be the Dessert Auction. On Thursday, livestock registration will be from 9:30 until 11:30 and all livestock must be in place by 11:00. Market steer weigh-in is scheduled to start at 12:30 followed by the lamb and goat weigh-in. Market Hogs will be weighed-in starting at 3:30. The exhibitor and family supper will be at 6:00 followed by the “Pig Pals” show at 7:00. Friday’s shows will kick off at 7:00 with the hog show, followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. The Small Animal show is scheduled to start at 1:00 and it will be followed by the Beef and Dairy Show. Saturday will be the culmination of the Expo with the 4-H and FFA Market Sale at 9:00. For additional information contact the Dent County Extension office at (573) 729-3196.

The City of Salem’s Utility Committee will meet tonight at 6:15 at the Community Center @ The Armory. After the welcome and roll call will be the financial review. Emailing and/or mailing utility bills will be updated along with the MMMPEP Committee. A letter of support will be considered followed by a Utility Operations update. Water testing will be discussed followed by questions and comments. The meeting was called by Utility Committee Chair Kyle Williams.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution #24-2023 authorizing the mayor and Board of Aldermen to approve an agreement with the Dent County Collector, county commission and county treasurer for the collection of personal property and real estate taxes due the City of Salem and Salem Public Library for the annual price of $18,500 for the 2023 through 2026 years. The board approved a letter signed by the mayor and the board to support a grant application for providing low-cost renewable energy through the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. If the grant would be approved, the board would support the construction of new solar farms for the cities served through the MPUA that could be integrated into the city’s wholesale system. The board approved the recommendation by Lochner for BuildTec Construction LLC to provide all labor, materials, equipment and performance of all work to build a six-unit T-Hanger at the Salem Memorial Airport for $624,900 which is under budget. In association with the bid award, the board approved the Letter of Concurrence of Project Award required by MoDOT that includes all the paperwork associated with the hanger project including the budget and grant. The board tabled Resolution #23-2023 dealing with the agreement with the Dent County Animal Welfare Society as they need more time to review and prepare a contract. The board heard the 1st reading of Bill #3553 creating an ordinance for the mayor to execute the agreement between the City of Salem the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for the construction of a six-unit T-Hanger project at the airport. The board did NOT approve Bill #3543 that would have increased service availability rates and electric rates for the non-resident electric customers. The board felt they need to develop a policy that would be adaptable to all the utilities that are provided to non-resident customers. The board approved Bills #3544 through 3550 that dealt with amending the municipal employment provisions to ensure the city’s codes and personnel policy are complimentary and work together. In the reports from officials, Mayor Greg Parker wanted to thank the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Tabitha Utley for all her work for the Independence Day parade. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported the old Walnut Motel has been taken down to clear the area for the constriction of the new McDonalds. He said the city is currently working on getting all the easements signed and recorded from the owners who have the property on 4th Street so the city can move forward with the downtown TAP grant. He wanted to remind people to conserve energy to keep their bills down during these upcoming warm days. He also said the city will be picking up storm limbs and branches at no charge July 17th through the 21st for those residences who place them out at their curb. Again, please bundle them if you can to make it easier for the city crews to load on the trucks. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 2:50 in Crawford County on eastbound I-44 at mile marker 208.8. According to the highway patrol report a 2017 Ford F-550 being driven by 32-year-old Samuel Osseck of Union, struck the rear of a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by 19-year-old Ethan Volkman of Rolla who was attempting to merge onto the interstate. The Ford then travled off the left side of the highway and struck the median barrier. The Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the road and struck an embankment. Volkman and a passenger, 18- year-old Alizaya Doyle also of Rolla, suffered moderate injuries. Doyle was taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by the Steelville ambulance while Volkman was flown to Mercy St. Louis by Phelps Air. The Chevrolet was totaled and the Ford had minor damage. Both were removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing. The report went on to state that all involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s new 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2023-2024. The 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet has detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease updates, and more. The Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2023-2024 has detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock. It also has information on needed permits and duck-stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, and more. The booklet and digest is available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/permits, or through MDC’s free mobile app, MO Hunting, available for download through Google Play or the App Store.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial Hospital will meet Friday morning at 11:00 in the hospital library. The meeting is being held to hold a Budget Discussion. The meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Community Choir will present its summer concert series starting this Sunday at the Dent County Courthouse. The concert is free and begins at 2:00 in the afternoon. Some refreshments will be served.