Archive for 2023

A Municipal Election will be held tomorrow with the polls opening at 6:00 in the morning and closing at 7:00 in the evening. The City of Salem will have a race for a West Ward Alderman as incumbent Amanda Duncan and former alderman Bill Riley are both on the ballot, while East Ward Alderman Shawn Bolerjack is unopposed. For the Dent County Fire Protection District, David Greenshields is unopposed for his seat for the six-year term on the fire board, while Leigh Ann Price and Jeff Stokes, Jr. are the choices for the two-year term. The Oak Hill R-1 School District have seven people running for the three seats available on the board. Those running include Rhonda Wolfe-Hutsell, John Hoodenpyle, Jerry Norris, Daniel England, April Greener, Thomas England and Sarah Hoffman. The Salem R-80 School Board also has seven people running for three seats on the board and they are Andrew Wynn, Calvin Malone, Bret Bailey, Gregory Moravec, Marjorie Wilber Pyatt, Drusilla Howard and Brian Mink. There are four candidates for the three seats on the Bunker School District on the ballot and they are Allen Ritter, Jason Davis, Mark. D. Brickley and C.J. Wisdom. There are also two issues for the City of Salem residents to vote on. The first is to cast a vote to allow the city to issue sewerage system revenue bonds in the amount of $4,630,000 for the purpose of extending and improving the city’s sewerage system. This improvement is mandated by the federal government and this vote will determine how the citizens want to pay for these improvements. If the issues passes, the monthly increase to sewer bills will be much less than if the issue fails. The second issue placed on the ballot is asking the citizens of Salem to approve a city sales tax of one percent. The passing of this issue would allow the city to replenish their utility reserves to be available in case of an emergency by not having to take money from the utility funds for general revenue, and also to allow the city to continue to provide full services reliant on the General Revenue Fund such as the police department, street department and others. No-excuse or excused absentee voting continues today at the courthouse until 5:00. Remember, you must have an ID to vote! If you have any questions, call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports for the last week of March. On Wednesday, the 29th, deputies responded to the 200 block of Dent County Road 3090 for a reported assault. The investigation revealed that a 73-year-old Rolla man had been assaulted by his 37-year-old daughter. The victim did not wish to pursue criminal charges against the subject and the case was closed. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route H and Dent County Road 2530. A passenger in the vehicle, a 24-year-old Salem man, was found to have an active Phelps County arrest warrant. The man was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was booked per departmental procedure. On Thursday, March 30th, a 41-year-old Salem man reported that his license plates from his truck where stolen. The plates were taken from the vehicle by an unknown party while the it was parked at Highway 68 and Route FF. The investigation will continue, pending any investigative leads. Also on Thursday, a 50-year-old Salem woman was arrested on a City of Rolla arrest warrant. She was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where she posted bond. If you have information regarding an investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday morning just before noon in Dent County on Highway 72 at Lake Spring. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Ford Ranger being driven by a 17-year-old male teen from St. James, hydroplaned on the wet pavement. The Ford then traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck the guard rail and overturned. The teen was taken by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries. The Ford Ranger was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s towing. The report stated the teen was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

On Saturday, April 8th, the Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is holding its annual Easter Extravaganza. Starting at noon, kids of all ages are invited to join park team members for a fun-filled day of crafts, games and more. Participants are encouraged to bring a basket or bag for the Easter egg hunt. All activities will take place in the north day-use area. For more information about the event, please contact the park naturalist at 573-546-2450 ext.1003. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed Commissioner Gary Larson as the acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. Deloris Gray Wood from the Dent County Historical Society was in to update the commission on the project of telling the history of the Current River “from the road.” She reported she and KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski met with the MRPC to discuss possible grants for the project that could possibly include money for roadsides and plaques to digital kiosks that would feature information about history on and around the Current River. Wood plans on writing a National Park Service grant once it opens up. She will continue to keep the commission in the loop on any future decisions or developments. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented her report on the CART monies received in March from the Department of Revenue. She said the county received $73,146.81 which is $19,343.26 more than the $54,803.55 the county received in March of 2022. Year-to-date, CART funds in 2023 are up 23% amounting to $42,131.41. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said he had three trucks getting rock to stockpile at the county shed since gravel right now is not available in Dent County. He said a work crew and grader are working on a washout on Dent County Road 5520 before the grader will move on to county road 5650 and grade it. He also said grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 2410, 4080 and 4210. District 2 Commissioner Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2590 while only grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 2160, 2593 and 5240. He said brush will be cut on county roads 2160 and 2350. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office in the courthouse would be open this Saturday from 8:00 until 12:00 noon for absentee voting, both excused and unexcused. She said the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening Tuesday for the Municipal Election. People still have time to update their voting registration through Monday before election day in her office. The commissioners added they are actively seeking bids on 40 grader blades to their minutes from the last meeting that will be due in April 13th at 10:00 in her office. The commission discussed looking at replacing two John Deere graders this year with two new John Deere graders using the state bid. They will move forward with this once a new presiding commissioner is appointed. The commission did approve a new seat belt policy for county employees that was requested to be used by the Missouri Association of Counties to help reduce the amount of workman’s comp insurance counties are paying. At 10:00 Thursday, the commissioners received two bids for the county’s banking needs that will include electronic payments, payroll, checking and savings accounts and more. The county received bids from the Bank of Salem and Progressive Ozark Bank. The other three financial institutions in town did not submit bids. At the last meeting, the board approved alowing the Dent County Baptist Association to use the courthouse lawn on Thursday, May 4th for the National Day of Prayer. They also awarded the bids for diesel and unleaded gas to County Fuels for $2.85.5 and $2.68, respectively. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Learn how to do kitchen knife sharpening with wets stones this Saturday from noon until 2:00 in the afternoon with Derek Turner. Students are encouraged to bring their own knives for sharpening as they will practice at sharpening stations and don’t forget to bring cardboard to cover you freshly sharpened knives. The cost of the class is $25. or more information, call or text 573-247-0651, or you can go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. City Finance Director Stacey Houston reported on the sales tax revenues and said the electric, water and sewer revenues are tracking more than budgeted but the expenses are as well. Total year to date, the General Revenue Fund is $1,156,490 with $1,252,600 budgeted. The Park and Rec Sales Tax Fund revenue is at $433,679 with $425,000 budgeted and the Capital Improvement Sales Tax Fund revenue is at $578,246 with $650,000 budgeted. The board approved the bid from Nexgrid for 40 Lora Modules in the amount of $5,593.60. These modules with be for the Dilworth, Al Brown Fields area and used to collect information from the water meters and transfer it through a wi-fi connection. Kristen Deluca presented the audit report for year ending June 30, 2022. The audit showed the city’s total assets are $30,481,514 and total liabilities are $11,460,237. The total net position for the city is $18,544,871 with a change in net position for the year of $377,658. The net change in fund balances, which include the General Revenue Fund, Park and Recreation Fund and Capital Improvement Fund was $1,349,989. The electric fund showed a decrease in net position of $268,392, while the water fund showed an increase of $6,553. The Airport Fund showed a decrease of $118,756 and the Sewer Fund also showed a decrease of $175,295. Findings for the audit included the financial statements preparation and review were in accordance with GAAP practices, and that no one on city staff is qualified to perform this service. As always, the auditor reported that segregation of duties is encouraged in the office, but she did note the absence of a significant portion of board minutes as they were unavailable. Deluca strongly suggested that these minutes be brought up to date as quickly as possible. The board approved Bill #3537 a Task Order engineering contract for CM Archer Elgin for services for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase 2A for a total of $842,000 to be paid from ARPA funding, and Phase 2B for $743,000 to be paid by an alternative source to be determined after the April election results are known. The board also approved Bill #3538 for a Task Order engineering contract with CM Archer Elgin for a new water well and elevated storage tank at a cost of $628,000. This will be part of the $3.7 million Drinking Water Infrastructure ARPA grant awarded to the city. City Administrator Sally Burbridge requested that the board allow all future minutes to be in a more streamlined manner by eliminating all discussion and only including the motions and votes. This will assist the City Clerk in getting caught up on the outstanding minutes as noted by the auditor. She also requested that ordinances be read only one time, then the two week review period, then read at the next meeting for recommendation. This would give the citizens additional time to comment as well. The last Town Hall meeting will be held on Thursday at 6:30 pm at the City Hall Auditorium. She said a demonstration for lining material for manhole covers will be held on Monday, April 17th from 9 in the morning until noon. Public Works Director Mark Nash noted that asphalt will arrive on Monday and pothole patching will begin. An audit of the city’s power poles is needed to determine the ones that need to be replaced. Two of the city’s bucket trucks have been red tagged and cannot be used without required repairs. One truck will cost more than $40,000 to repair. Mayor Greg Parker thanked Catherine Dent and the Cosmopolitan Club for their recent fireworks fundraiser. Aldermen Kala Sisco noted that the Park and Rec Department is seeking local businesses that want to advertise on the sports fence banners. Aldermen Shwan Bolerjack wanted to remind everyone that the city has the sewer bond issue and sales tax issue on the ballot at the upcoming April 4th election. Alderman Kyle Williams, on behalf of the 100 Acre Wood Rally committee, thanked the fans and citizens for a great rally this year. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriffs office has released some reports. On Thursday the 16th, deputies responded to the 11000 block of Route K for a wanted subject. During the course of the arrest, it was discovered a 32-year-old Salem man had an active felony warrant out of Texas County. The man resisted arrest by deputies before being taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. That same day, a 34-year-old Salem man assaulted two court officers before fleeing from the courtroom. The same subject was apprehended the following day and after assaulting two deputies, he was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On Wednesday, March 22nd, deputies assisted the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office by recovering a stolen vehicle on Route B that had been stolen from the Bunker area. The vehicle was towed from the scene and the investigation was turned over to the Reynolds County authorities. The next day on March 23rd, deputies and EMS personnel responded to the 3100 block of Dent County Road 6580 for a report of an unconscious subject in a vehicle. During the course of the investigation, a 39-year-old Salem woman was arrested for a DWI. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was processed per departmental procedures and released with a citation. If you any information regarding an investigation please call the Dent County sheriffs office at 729-3241.