Archive for 2023

The Missouri Humanities strives to highlight the uniqueness of rural Missouri, and to showcase the bigger picture of what Small Town America really is, and why it shouldn’t be overlooked, overshadowed, or under appreciated. Each year, communities will be nominated and voted on by Missourians in their “Small Town Showcase” to become one of their annual “Featured Five” communities Each of the “Featured Five” communities will work with Missouri Humanities on a short video about their community, an hour-long podcast in a roundtable-style, a feature in their bi-annual publication called MoHumanities, and a highlight reel that will feature all five of the communities to be shown during our annual gala. Help choose which communities will be featured in the Small Town Showcase 2024 by voting by July 15th, and the five communities with the most votes will be the winners. You may vote for up to five different communities. To vote on or to read each of the communities’ nominations, go online to the mohumanities.org website and click on the “Programs” tab to find the “Small Town Showcase.”

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) elected a new slate of officers at its May 11th board meeting. For the 2023-2024 year, Representative for the Unemployed and former vice-chairman Mary Heywood of Bourbon was elected chairman. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin was elected Vice Chairman, Phelps County Presiding Commissioner Joey Auxier was elected secretary and Waynesville Mayor Sean Wilson was elected treasurer. Heywood replaces Steve Vogt, representative of Belle, who had served two consecutive terms as chairman. New officers assume their duties with the meeting tonight. The board also approved the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget as presented by MRPC Fiscal Officer Linda Loughridge. MRPC expects to bring in $3,651,699 in revenue and expend $3,637,800 for a profit of $13,899. Loughridge provided a breakdown of the budget, major expenses and changes by department to the board. Approximately 63% of funds come from federal sources, 23% come from local contractual sources, 11% from state sources and three percent from MRPC membership dues. The 2023-2024 budget supports 26 full-time employees and seven part-time employees. In other business, the MRPC board held a moment of silence for Board Member Gary Brown who served as the for-profit representative for Dent County and passed unexpectedly on May 1, 2023; plus they heard an update on Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District’s Trashasaurus and Earth Day efforts. Trashasaurus is a new illegal dump mascot used to bring about awareness to environmental issues addressed by Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, the board approved the purchase of an unbudgeted plotter through an EDA CARES grant, and they heard a report on MRPC’s business loans programs, how the programs work and dollars available for lending. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org.

The new Forest Products exhibit is now open at the Ozark Natrual and Cultural Resource Center at 202 South Main Street in Salem. Sponsored by the Salem Area Arts Council, the exhibit is open from 9:00 to 5:00 weekdays and also this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. Also this Saturday morning at 10:00, the ONCRC will host University of Missouri Extension State Forester Frank Stelzer who will speak on “White Oak, Whiskey and Wine” where he will provide a wealth of information about Missouri’s famous forest products. The event is free and open to the public.

Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Free Fishing Days this Saturday and Sunday. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of MDC’s 2023 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov.

Last night the Sullivan Independent News reported the Cuba Fire Department responded to the area of Routes F and ZZ in Crawford County where a Burlington Northern Train had struck a mobile home being moved, apparently crossing the railroad tracks at a non-crossing arm railroad crossing. No injuries were reported and the mobile home sustained extensive damage following the impact. This area is west of Cuba and between Cuba and St. James.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is proposing adjusting prices for most hunting, fishing, trapping, and commercial permits in an effort to keep up with rising costs of goods and services it uses to manage its more than 1,000 conservation areas along with nature centers, shooting ranges, fish hatcheries, and other facilities. The Conservation Department received initial approval on the proposed permit price adjustments from the Missouri Conservation Commission at the Commission’s May meeting. Most MDC permit prices have remained the same for the past 20 years while costs for goods and services have increased significantly since then. Additional revenue from permit sales will help MDC maintain and improve its nationally recognized programs and services for hunters, anglers, wildlife watcher, and others. Some of the proposed permit price increases are the price of a resident hunting and fishing permit would go from $19 to $20.50; a resident fishing permit would go from $12 to $13; the price of a resident small game hunting permit would go from $10 to $10.50; the price of a resident trapping permit would go from $10 to $11; the price of a resident spring turkey permit would go from $17 to $18; the price of a resident firearm deer permit would go from $17 to $18; the price of a resident antlerless deer permit would go from $7 to $7.50; the price of a youth resident antlerless deer permit would go from $7 to $7.50; and those persons under 16 and over 65 years of age will still get no-cost small-game hunting permits and no-cost fishing permits. Permit sales account for about 17% of MDC annual revenue. Other significant revenue sources include the Conservation Sales Tax at about 62% and federal reimbursements at about 15% of total MDC revenue. The Department of Conservation are seeking public comments about its proposed permit price adjustments. To submit a comment, visit mdc.mo.gov/permits/permit-price-adjustments-2023. MDC will then compile comments received and share them with the Commission prior to their September 8th open meeting when it will give final consideration to the proposed permit price adjustments. If approved, the changes would become effective February 29, 2024. For more information on the proposed permit price adjustments, including a complete list of permits, current and proposed prices, average prices of similar permits for surrounding states, the last year the permit prices were raised, and other information, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/permits/permit-price-adjustments-2023.

A special waste collection for residential and farm electronics, appliances, textiles and tires will be held from 8:00 until noon on June 10th at Brewer Science, 2401 Brewer Drive in Rolla. Brewer Science, the City of Rolla and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), with funding through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD), are partnering on the June 10th collection. For this collection, the St. James Caring Center, an Ozark Rivers grant recipient, is partnering to collect textiles at the event free of charge. Clothing, curtains, purses, bedding, coats, belts and shoes will be collected from 8:00 until 11:00 or until the St. James Caring Center’s truck is full. Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and other appliances will be collected free of charge. Free electronics also include computer components, laptop computers, keyboards, hair dryers, VCR/DVD players, cell phones or anything that runs on a cord or battery. Oil and gas must be removed from tanks of any items such as push mowers, weed eaters, etc. These items will NOT be accepted: CDs, DVDs, VHS and data tapes, floppy disks, transformers, capacitors or ballasts not clearly marked No PCBs, smoke detectors, thermostats, medical waste, gas containers such as propane, oxygen, nitrous oxide, anything leaking oil or acid, such as batteries, broken ink or toner cartridges, alkaline batteries light bulbs and fluorescent tubes, broken CRTs, TVs or monitors. Fees on certain items will be collected as follows: $25 for CRT TVs over 27 inches and wood console TVs, $20 for CRT TVs under 26 inches, $15 for flat screen TVs, $10 for all computer monitors and refrigerated appliances with Freon. Fees for tires are as follows: $2 each for passenger tires, $7.50 each for semi-truck tires and $35 each for tractor tires. The collection is for residential items only, no materials from businesses will be accepted. The special waste collection is open to residents from Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. To minimize personal contact, those bringing items to the collection are asked to stay inside their vehicles and assistants will unload items. For more information on items accepted or the fee structure, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org. For those unable to participate in the Rolla collection, mark your calendars for collections on September 9th in Salem. For more information about ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, or Jill Hollowell at 573-265-2993.

The Dent County “Love Thy Neighbor” Program will hold a Community Fun Day this afternoon starting at 4:00 and lasting until 6:00 at the Salem City Park in the pavilion and at the pool. Live entertainment will be provided by a local Bluegrass band, and supper will also be provided in the form of hamburgers and hot dogs. There will also be pool passes available good from 4:00 until 6:00 in the afternoon, but remember the pool closes at 6:00. Bring a lawn chair and relax with friends and neighbors from the “Love thy Neighbor” program. It’s FREE and open to everyone!!!

Concerned Citizens for Salem will meet tonight at 7:00 in the Wilson Family Center. Topics to be discussed include utilities, city finances, capital improvements, and more. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Salem Chamber Business Expo will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 9:00 until noon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center Parking Area at the intersection of Highway 32-72 and 19. Anyone who is a chamber member can receive a FREE ten foot wide by six foot deep space and a second space is only $25. Deadline for booth entry will be Tuesday, June 13th. Forms are available at the chamber office or e-mail Chamber Director Tabitha Utley at chamber@salemmo.com and she can send you one. If you have questions, call 729-6900 to get the answers.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2023 annual school bus inspection program. There were a total of 9,985 school buses rated as “approved” upon initial inspection, 1,088 school buses rated as “defective” upon initial inspection, and 381 school buses rated as “out-of-service” upon initial inspection. Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed “out-of-service” require the correction of the component or components, before they are reinspected and allowed to return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers. Results of the Dent County school districts show the Salem R-80 School District had 11 buses inspected with 54.5% of them approved, 27.3% of them were defective and 18.2% of them were placed out of service; Oak Hill R-I School District had six buses inspected with 33.3% of them approved, 50% of them were defective and 16.7% of them were placed out of service; Green Forest R-2 School District had seven buses inspected with 71.4% of them approved, 14.3% of them were defective and 14.3% of them were placed out of service; Dent-Phelps R-3 School District had nine buses inspected with 77.8% of them approved, 22.2% of them were defective and no buses were placed out of service; North Wood R-4 School District had seven buses inspected with 14.3% of them approved, 85.7% of them were defective and no buses were placed out of service; and the Ozark Hills State School #61 had one bus inspected and it was found to be defective. For more information on any Missouri school district and how they fared with the school bus inspection, go the Missouri State Highway Patrol website and click on news releases.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the last week of May. On Monday, May 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Highway 32 and Route F. During the stop, it was determined the driver, a 30-year-old Salem man, had a revoked driving privilege as well as an active arrest warrant. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he bonded on the warrant and received a summons for the revoked driving privilege. The next day, a deputy received a call for service for a missing 18-year-old Salem woman. During the course of the investigation, she was located alive and well in Wright County, Missouri. The investigation was then closed. On Wednesday, May 31st, a deputy responded to East Truman Street for a wanted subject. During the investigation, a 30-year-old Salem man was arrested on an active arrest warrant. He was then transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. On Thursday, June 1st, a deputy responded to the 13000 block of South Highway 19 for a reported theft. The victim, a 62-year-old Salem man, reported that a sign was stolen from his yard. The investigation is continuing. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

The Mudbugs are back! On Thursday, June 8th, the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will host the Mudbugs where children can explore numerous wonders hidden in plain site at the Bonebrake Center. The program on June 8th will be a “Fairy House Hunt” as the children will be building some fairy houses around the grounds, then use a map to find them IF the fairies don’t make them invisible. The suggested contribution for each program is $2.00 but additional donations are always welcome. All monies collected go to the Bonebrake Center. Each program is geared toward children from six to 12-years of age, but all aged children are welcome. They ask that parents please accompany their children. For more information, contact Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com.

A one vehicle accident happened Sunday afternoon around 4:50 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 3010. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Lincoln Town Car being driven north by 83-year-old Richard Miller of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway before striking an embankment and a mailbox. A passenger in the vehicle, 82-year-old Barbara Miller, also of Rolla, suffered minor injuries and was taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health Hospital. The Lincoln sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing. The Millers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Sunday morning just after 8:00 in Iron County on Highway 32 about two miles west of Banner. The highway patrol report states that a 2015 Ford F-250 being driven eastbound by 72-year-old Joyce Lepley of Boss, failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to travel off the right side of the road and strike a tree. Lepley suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing. Lepley was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Capital Improvement Committee was to meet Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory but they did not have enough for a quorum. City Administrator Sally Burbridge discussed nine updated or new projects she added for the meeting including a new Animal Shelter roof for $15,000, Old City Hall updating for $10,000, copier replacement for $10,000, a change in the match and grant figures for the Salem Airport plus $25,000 for improvements to the pilot lounge, $10,000 for the City Hall Council Chambers improvements, a new taxiway for the airport in fiscal year 2025, and also money to be set aside for cybersecurity once an assessment is made. Chief of Police Joe Chase discussed the Salem Police Fleet Management System and why it is financially beneficial. Since there was not a quorum, the numbers presented by the staff will be recommended to the Finance Committee at their next meeting.