Archive for 2024

The City of Salem has announced they have contracted with Forrester Works LLC to begin tree clearing and limb trimming along their electrical feeder lines to ensure safe and reliable electricity for city residents. The work, which started yesterday will continue through mid-January 2025. The electrical line clearing is critical to maintain public safety, protect infrastructure, and meet environmental standards. A map outlining the specific areas scheduled for clearing by Forrester Works LLC, is available for public viewing on Facebook, and affected areas are primarily those located along the noted electric routes. The work will be done along right-of-ways to keep the power lines free from obstruction. The goals from this project are to provide citizens with electricity in a safe manner, allow work to be done on the line safely and efficiently, and protect the electric distribution system. This project will also minimize negative impacts on the environment will allowing the city to comply with federal, state, and local regulations. By doing this work, the city hopes to reduce power outages and minimize storm clean up and dangers. A proper and safe reliable right-of-way primary line should have a minimum of 10 feet of ground to sky clearance on either side of the electric pole. The city wants to people to know that the contractor may need to side trim large trees planted outside of the 20-foot span to achieve this. When trees come into contact with power lines, children, adults, and even livestock are at risk of serious injury or worse. A clean right-of-way keeps you and your family, as well as our crews working out in the field, safe. Reliable power delivered safely is always the goal. The City of Salem also has “right-of-way” crews that will be performing routine maintenance and clearing, including the removal of trees and brush that have grown into or under city-maintained power lines and right-of-ways. In non-maintained areas, brush and/or large wood debris will be spread by brush hogging and/or shredding on city-maintained rights-of-way. The debris may also be piled along sides. Any trees located outside the rights-of-way that are a threat to the electric system (such as dying, diseased, leaning, or storm damaged trees) shall be stubbed, cut or appropriately topped to avoid outages, and clean-up will not be provided. Any further restoration/maintenance of the site will be the property owner’s responsibility. For more information or questions regarding the project, please contact the City of Salem’s Public Works Director Steve Paine at 573-729-4811. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to inform the public of upcoming changes to the driver license testing process. In preparation for the transition, driver examination stations throughout the state will close at 12 noon on Thursday, November 7, and all-day November 8. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, November 12, following the Veterans Day holiday. Driver examination testing facilities will be closed due to converting to a modernized system, directly integrated into the Department of Revenue’s new driver license system. Follow this link for further information on the driver’s license system changes being implemented by the Missouri Department of Revenue MV-DL System Changes (mo.gov). As part of this upgrade, the Patrol will now offer the Class F written test in a total of 20 languages, which includes a newly created sign language video version of the test made possible by the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The new system will provide a direct digital reporting network to the Department of Revenue. The system will increase efficiency by sending test results directly to the Department of Revenue. The new system will also help deter driver license fraud. For more information, please visit our website at mshp.dps.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Missouri hunters harvested 15 black bears during the state’s fourth bear hunting season, October 21st-30th. More than 5,969 hunters applied during May for 400 permits for the season with the maximum total harvest being 40 bears. Of the 400 hunters selected through a random drawing of all applicants, 319 hunters purchased permits for the season. Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricted to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Each permit issued is for a specific BMZ and hunting is limited to public or private property within the BMZ. Twelve bears were harvested in BMZ 1 out of a maximum of 20 with 166 hunters purchasing permits to hunt the zone. Three bears were harvested in BMZ 2 out of a maximum of 15 with 121 hunters purchasing permits to hunt the zone. No bears were harvested in BMZ 3 out of a maximum of five with 32 hunters purchasing permits to hunt the zone. Of the bears taken, 13 were harvested using firearms methods, one was harvested with archery equipment, and one was harvested with a crossbow. Ten of the harvested bears were males and five were females. MDC Furbearer Biologist Nate Bowersock said we had another successful black bear hunting season this year and despite the acorn crop potentially being above average, hunters were able to harvest a record number of bears. This could be due to the dryer fall conditions, which likely caused bears to move more often in search of water. Learn more about Missouri black bears and bear hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways last free guided hiking adventures this fall will be November 9th and it is open to the public. This will be the “Hike to Honor Veterans” which is a five-mile round trip to Stegall Mountain. The hike begins at 10:00 in the morning.  Hikers are advised to come prepared with appropriate gear, water, and snacks. For more information or details on meeting locations, call (573) 226-3945 or visit the park’s website.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of directors held their regular meeting last Tuesday evening at 6:30 in the Doctor’s Library. The Board approved the minutes from the last three meetings. Hospital CEO, Brooke Bollman gave her report, in which she stated she is working to complete the due diligence request from Phelps Health. She is seeking additional funding opportunities for the hospital, and working on the Cost Report Preparations. Ms. Bollman also presented the Summary of Operations and Statistics. For the month of September, the hospital saw a decrease in inpatient admissions, a slight decrease in outpatient registrations, and a decrease in ambulance runs, but an increase in Emergency Room visits, as compared to August. Total operating revenue for September was $2.8 million.  The 340B program had a net revenue of $36,772. Ms. Bollman stated the hospital is spending less in salaries and payroll, but they are expecting a 35.5% aggregate increase in health insurance premiums, when they renew in November. Total operating expenses for the month were $1.9 million, leaving a profit of about $880,000. She did clarify that the profit for this month went straight to accounts payable, so cash flow is still negative, though they are making improvements. Accounts payable is currently at $1.4 million, which is down significantly from February when the account was over $2 million. The board also voted to not change the banks where the hospital’s CD Investments are kept. The hospital hired two full time employees, but lost seven. The hospital is currently planning an Employee Benefits Fair for open enrollment this month. During the QAPI report, it was noted that the hospital’s medication process now uses the Pyxis Profiling and Medication Scanning. In the Quality Projects, there have been sixteen recorded documentation errors, and not medication errors, in the month of September, and 47 total incident reports between August 26th and September 30th. Organizations interested in applying for the ToRCH Grant must submit applications by December 12th. The Board approved the Foundation Bylaws and before adjourning to closed session, the Board updated the date and time of the next meeting to the evening of November 21st at 7:00. 

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, Planning Manager Anne Freand and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Meramec Area Engineer Preston Kramer will meet with Dent County commissioners and citizens to discuss transportation needs on the state system today at the Dent County Courthouse Commission meeting room at 400 N. Main in Salem. The meeting will start at 10:00 in the morning. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting and share concerns or needs about road and bridge as well as multimodal transportation needs such as bike, pedestrian, airports, transit, rail and port. MRPC and MoDOT will be meeting with all eight counties in the region. Each county is asked to select its top three or four needs to be prioritized with the other projects in the Meramec Region. If you cannot attend the meeting, please reach out to the MRPC at 573-265-2993 at any time to add a need to the list.

Despite this week’s mild temperatures, winter – and the snow, sleet and ice that come along with it – is just around the corner. To help Missourians prepare and stay safe during the winter months, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Weather Service (NWS) are partnering to promote November 4th through the 8th as “Winter Weather Preparedness Week” in Missouri. SEMA and NWS Forecast Offices serving Missouri will be sharing winter weather safety messaging via social media throughout the week. Each day they will focus on a different theme starting Monday with Winter Weather Terminology, Ice Safety will be addressed on Tuesday, Wednesday will be Snow Safety while Thursday will be on Frostbite and Hypothermia, finishing up Friday with Planning for Snow, Ice and Cold. Road safety is also a concern during the winter months. According to preliminary results provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were more than 3,800 vehicle crashes in Missouri in 2023 during periods of snow, sleet, hail or ice, which resulted in 1,198 injuries and 22 deaths. Often, too little attention is paid to the danger posed by prolonged exposure to the cold. According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, 37 people died in Missouri as a result of low body temperatures due to prolonged exposure to cold weather in 2023. Listen to KSMO Radio or check out Your World Today this week during “Winter Weather Preparedness Week” for tips on how you can be ready for winter. 

Chiefs fans! The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks invites you to make a life-saving touchdown for local patients. Join them at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 201 North McArthur from Noon today until 6:00 in the evening. All successful donors will receive an all-new Kansas City Chiefs Kingdom T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors can also enter for a chance to win a game day package that includes two tickets and a parking pass to Kansas City’s December 21, 2024, game against the Houston Texans. Donors can schedule an appointment at cbco.org/donate-blood or calling 417-227-5006.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5220, while a new crossover pipe will be installed on county road 5690 with rock added afterward. Mobray was also going to check out a report of concrete being dumped in the ditch line of Dent County Road 5150. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said maintenance was being done on dump truck #122 and workers were going to pick up county truck #116 from Knapheide after repairs had been made. Polk said rip-rap would be put around some culverts on Dent County Road 4283. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson congratulated KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski on receiving the Eugene E. Northern Award and Bryce Mobray on receiving an Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award last Thursday night at the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet since he missed the last meeting. He also said the MRPC and MoDOT would be at the next commission meeting Monday at 10:00 to discuss road priorities. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the county set a new daily record for absentee voting Tuesday with 225 people voting with another 191 voting on Wednesday. She said the county has already had over 1,600 people vote absentee for this election. Curley said  the“no excuse” absentee voting continues at the courthouse and the last day to absentee vote will be Monday, November 4th from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon at the courthouse. Curley said her office will be open Saturday from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon for absentee voting. If you need to make changes to your voter registration such as a name or address change, please do that as soon as possible so that it will be completed before you go to vote. On Tuesday, November 5th, the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00, and you MUST vote at your polling location, not the courthouse. Bring a photo ID with you when you vote and no electioneering is allowed which means you cannot wear a candidate’s cap, button, T-Shirt, bring candidate literature, etc to the polling location or to the courthouse. The same criteria goes for any issue on the ballot as well. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Healthy Dent County will be having their Sixth Annual Casino Night Fundraiser Saturday, November 2nd at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory with a “Disco” theme. Doors will open that Saturday evening at 5:30 with the gaming beginning at 6:30 and lasting until 9:00. The event features game tables much like the ones you will find in a real casino, as well as a number of professional dealers to run the games. Traditional games such as craps, roulette and blackjack are available as well as two poker tables. Food and a cash bar will also be available. The video simulated horse races created by KSMO Media will return this year as well. Winners of these races will receive special tickets for a drawing to win a five-day, two-bedroom Florida vacation in Orlando at Tuscany Village in May. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after exchanging gaming money for tickets. Some of those prizes include a $300 Visa gift card; Blackstone Griddle; a three-day Branson Trip, Dewalt Tools, Outdoor Furniture, Fire Pit, 3-piece Suitcase set, Adult Tricycle, Propane Gift Certificate, Treadmill, Charcoal, and more. Tickets are available for $50 per person of $85 per couple. Event ticket holders will receive $10,000 in “gaming” money to play the casino games of their choice throughout the evening. Guests are asked to come dressed in their best disco attire and receive an extra $1,000 in gaming money. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after exchanging gaming money for tickets. The event would not be possible without many local businesses sponsoring the event with American Family Insurance agent Jonah Schafer being the main event sponsor. Casino Night tickets are available at Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. For more information, please call 729-8163.

Healthy Dent County is pleased to announce that “Spin” access is now included in the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center membership! It is no longer an additional fee. All members have access to our “spin” room for an individual cardio workout or a class. Join them at the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center, inside the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, where members have access to a fully equipped cardio and weight room, as well as a full-court gymnasium where you can play pickleball, basketball, and volleyball! If you’re a Renew Active or Silver Sneakers member, enjoy a free membership! For questions or membership rates, please give us a call at 573-739-1127 or email lanessa@salemcommunitycenter.org

Tuesday afternoon in a sentencing hearing in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in Dent County, former mayor and alderman of Salem, and former Dent County Fire Protection District fire chief Brad Nash, received a 15-year sentence ruling on each of two felony counts of second-degree child molestation on children less than 17-years of age and the offender greater than four years older which is an aggravated sexual offense. The two terms are to be served concurrently in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Nash had pled guilty on August 28th to the two felony counts. Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released other reports on hearings held Tuesday. Those cases included James Hobson of Salem, who pled guilty to felony drawing or exhibiting of a firearm. Hobson’s probation for the unlawful use of a weapon was revoked and he was sentenced to serve 12-years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecuting Attorney Curley. The defendant had previously served a 12-year RSMO Section 559.115 for the unlawful use of a weapon as a persistent felony offender. Monica Easton pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance. Her probation was revoked, and she was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by Curley. Tenille Hobson of Bunker pled guilty to driving while being impaired and also driving with a revoked license for her involvement in a single vehicle crash in Dent County back in April. She was sentenced to serve eight years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. In the last case heard on Tuesday, Tommy Johnson of Salem, pled guilty on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, meth and fentanyl. He was sentenced to serve seven years under RSMO Section 217.362 as requested by Curley.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to have a safe Halloween. It’s that time of year when young ghosts, vampires, superheroes, and cartoon characters are planning their night of trick-or-treating. It’s imperative that drivers and pedestrians stay alert. Young children excited by Halloween could dart in front of a vehicle. Slow down and drive with extra caution. Expect an increase in the number of slow-moving vehicles in neighborhoods as motorists pick up and drop off trick-or-treaters. Please be courteous and stay alert for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers when you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone! Parents, please remind children to approach only familiar houses that are well-lit. Remind them they should never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle. Consider trick-or-treating with your children for their safety and because it’s a fun way to spend an evening. Give some thought to safety when choosing a costume. Consider using make-up rather than wearing a mask, which can obstruct a child’s vision making it difficult to see an oncoming car. A light-colored costume is easier for drivers to see at night and adding reflective tape to dark costumes makes them visible. Flame resistant costumes are encouraged. All trick-or-treaters are reminded to watch for traffic while they are out and about this Halloween. Remember to look both ways when crossing the street. Use sidewalks wherever possible and trick-or-treat while it is light outside. If you do go out after dark, increase your visibility by using a flashlight and wearing a light-colored costume. An adult should always accompany small children, and older children should stay in groups. Many adults enjoy dressing up and visiting haunted houses or attending gatherings of friends. If you are driving to a costume party, make sure your costume doesn’t hamper your vision. If you attend a Halloween party that includes alcohol, designate a sober driver for the trip home. Alcohol, even in small amounts, slows reaction time and dulls the senses. Driving after you’ve had alcohol could have a sad and possibly deadly result. Have a safe, happy Halloween!

The Dent County Fire Protection District will be handing out free hotdogs at the fire station tonight from 5:30 till 8:00 to everyone in the car! They will also have Ladder Truck 8012 on 4th Street for the 3rd Annual Dent County Trunk or Treat giving out candy. They can’t wait to see all the great costumes.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways has announced deer hunting season dates and guidelines for the upcoming season. The annual firearms deer season runs November 16-26, with youth seasons set for November 2-3 and November 29-December 1. Alternative methods season will run December 28 to January 7. Dent County hunters should note two additional hunting opportunities. The county is included in the antlerless firearms season December 7-15, and will be open during the Chronic Wasting Disease season from November 27 to December 1. Hunting is permitted in most areas of the park except within 300 yards of developed zones, which include buildings, campgrounds, hiking trails, and public facilities. Hunters must wear orange clothing and follow all state regulations. Tree stands must be labeled with owner information and removed by February 15. Ground blinds are allowed but must be removed after each hunt. Superintendent Jason Lott reminds visitors that the park remains open to all during hunting season. To report wildlife violations, contact NPS Arrowhead Dispatch at 844-460-3604 or Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111. For complete regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.