Archive for 2024

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda which includes the budget review and financial reports, the monthly reimbursement report will be heard. In old business, the board will discuss the AFG grant for radios before the board reviews the audit results in new business. Chief Floyd will then give his report to the board. The date will be set for the October meeting before the board adjourns. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

An accident occurred Sunday morning in Phelps County at 9:20 on Phelps County Road 7210 and County Road 7240 about nine miles south of Rolla that left a 13 year old juvenile in serious condition. According to the highway patrol report, the juvenile, was driving southbound in a 1995 Honda Fourtrax 300 failed to yield at the intersection and was struck by Emily Arthur, of Newburg, driving westbound in a 2016 Jeep Wrangler. The minor was flown by Phelps Air to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The juvenile was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. The Fourtrax sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by the owner. The Jeep sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene by Arthur.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced several road maintenance projects for this week, affecting nearby areas. In Dent County: Missouri Route 32 will have pothole patching from the Texas County line to Route F. Route CC will undergo pavement repair from Route C in Texas County to Route H. Route H will see pothole patching from Route 63 in Phelps County to Missouri Route 72. Route K will have roadside work from Route KK in Shannon County to Route E. In Phelps County: Route BB will have a seal coat operation from St. James to Rolla, today through Wednesday. Route F will undergo a seal coat operation from Route 68 to Route 72, beginning on Wednesday to conclude on Saturday. Routes 8 and DD in St. James will have ongoing pedestrian facility upgrades until October 2024. In nearby Reynolds County, Route KK will be closed for paving on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. between County Roads 900 and 906. The bridge will remain reduced to one lane until September 30. All projects will maintain one open lane with flaggers directing traffic through work zones. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use caution when traveling through these areas. Weather may affect scheduled work. Drivers are encouraged to plan accordingly and stay alert for slow-moving equipment in these areas.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters of regulation changes for the upcoming turkey hunting season. The changes include a new fall turkey permit, allowing drones for tracking wounded turkeys, and more. The fall turkey season is now divided into archery and firearms portions, and the harvest limit for both portions combined has been reduced from four to two birds of either sex. Archery turkey hunting in Missouri opens Sunday the 15th and runs through November 15th. It reopens November 27th and runs through January 15th, 2025. Fall firearms turkey hunting runs October 1st through the 31st in open counties. MDC has created a new fall turkey-hunting permit, so turkey permits are no longer included with an archery deer-hunting permit. Both fall firearms turkey hunters and fall archery turkey hunters must purchase this new permit to be able to harvest turkeys during fall seasons.

A new National Park Service report reveals that Ozark National Scenic Riverways had a significant economic impact on local communities in 2023. The park attracted 1.3 million visitors who spent $66.8 million in nearby areas, supporting 908 jobs and generating $76.8 million in economic benefits. Superintendent Jason Lott highlighted the park’s role in supporting the local economy, noting that visitors come to enjoy the Current and Jacks Fork rivers while contributing to area businesses. The report, titled “2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects,” shows that nationwide, 325.5 million visitors to national parks spent $26.4 billion in surrounding communities. This spending supported 415,400 jobs and provided $55.6 billion in economic output across the country. Lodging and restaurants were the top beneficiaries of visitor spending, with $9.9 billion and $5.2 billion in economic output respectively. For more information about national parks in Missouri and their impact, visit  ww.nps.gov/missouri.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5400, 6170, 6175 and 6240 while the Mannis brush cutter is being serviced. Mobray said rock will be hauled to a number of locations. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2403, while only grading will be done on county road 4437. Polk said brush would be cut on county roads 4380 and 6150. Polk said workers were repairing a radio on a tractor, and a crew would be installing new speed limit signs on Dent County Road 2070. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the county has received the hail damage insurance check from Tokio Marine HCC in the amount of $584,537.88, and will begin to put bid specs together so the repair projects could be put out for bid. Assistant County Clerk Melissa Piatt said she would be working on the handicapped and elderly applications that will need to be sent out soon in order for the elderly and handicapped unable to go to the polls the chance to vote in the November election. At the last meeting, Dent County Coroner Ben Pursiful told the commission he needs a vehicle with an eight-foot bed. He has been under budget the last four years and doesn’t take the county insurance that saves the county money. They would like Pursiful to look at used vehicles that may be available, but the commission will also check the state bid and compare. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Military veterans can trout fish for free at Montauk State Park Saturday which is sponsored through the partnership of “Hooked on Vets,” the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri State Parks. Veterans must pick and display a fishing tag that will be given to them at the “Hooked on Vets” tent/booth by their personnel that will be set up in the park. Veterans can also find out more about all the “Hooked on Vets” projects and services at the tent/booth.

“Ladies’ Day Trout Fishing Event” is set for this weekend at Maramec Spring Park. Women anglers of all ages are invited to a free trout-fishing event this Saturday, September 7. The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting the event from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., with no fishing license or daily trout tag required for women participants. A special area of the spring branch will be reserved for event anglers, where 100 tagged prize fish will be stocked. Catching one of these fish could win anglers prizes such as fishing rods, vests, tackle boxes, and nets. MDC staff will provide instruction on basic trout fishing tactics, casting, cleaning, and cooking. Fly tying and casting demonstrations will also be available for those interested in fly fishing. While the event focuses on women anglers, men are welcome to fish other areas of the park with the purchase of a daily tag. The park entrance fee will be waived for all female participants. Maramec Spring Park is located about six miles east of St. James on Highway 8. For more information, contact Hatchery Manager Tyler Edwards at (573) 265-7801 or tyler.edwards@mdc.mo.gov.

Healthy Dent County is hosting an informational meeting on navigating menopause on Tuesday, September 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. April Greener, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, from the Dent County Health Department will be the guest speaker. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP by contacting Susie at the Salem Community Center at 573-739-1127 or susie@salemcommunitycenter.org.

MoDOT inspectors have discovered quality problems with new concrete on the 8-mile eastbound section of Interstate 44 between Rolla and St. James. This is part of a $50.5 million project that began in April 2022. The issues, found in concrete joints, will require corrections and delay the project’s completion. MoDOT is requiring the contractor, Capital Paving & Construction, to analyze the full 8 miles of concrete and develop a remediation plan. The current traffic pattern for eastbound drivers will remain in place while the issue is addressed. A new completion date has not been set. For more information, visit modot.org/I44phelpscrawford or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT.

Monday afternoon at 1:35 in Dent County on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem, an accident happened that left a Salem man in serious condition. According to the highway patrol report, a 2023 Kia Seltos was being driven eastbound by 47-year-old Nicholas McGraw of Salem, when he traveled off the right side of the roadway where the Kia struck an embankment and overturned. McGraw suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac Medical Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Kia was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler. McGraw was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, the Salem Memorial Hospital EMS, and the Dent County Fire Protection District.

An accident happened Saturday evening in Phelps County at 6:23 on Phelps County Road 2110 about five miles north of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 21-year-old Sebastian Jones of Rolla, was operating a 2006 Honda Motorcycle and was being pursued by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, when he traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Jones was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered serious injuries. He was Mercy Life Flighted to the University Hospital in Columbia. Jones was wearing safety equipment when the accident occurred. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 4:20 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 3000 at Phelps County Road 3190, about four miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, an Arctic Cat All-Terrian Vehicle driven eastbound by 45-year-old Derek Willison of Rolla, swerved to miss another vehicle and overturned. Suffering moderate injuries was Willison, while a passenger on the ATV, 35-year-old Jennali Chasteen of Rolla, suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance District. Neither were wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Arctic Cat sustained moderate damages and was towed from the scene by a private party.

An accident happened in Dent County Wednesday morning at 7:04 on Route P about two miles west of Highway 32. according to the highway patrol report, 55-year-old Brian Miller of Salem was driving a 2006 Chevrolet 2500 northbound, when the side mirror of the truck struck 25-year old Owen Ramey of Salem, who was was walking along the edge of the roadway. Ramey suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Salem Hospital for treatment. The Chevrolet truck sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. 

Healthy Dent County is thrilled to invite the community to its 13th Annual Girls Night Out, taking place on Thursday, September 12, from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. This highly anticipated event promises an evening filled with fun and excitement for women and girls aged 12 and older. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore over 50 unique vendors showcasing a diverse range of products and services tailored to women’s interests. Highlights of the event include shopping with an array of unique vendors, prize giveaways and door prizes, FREE samples of various products, food samples for a delightful culinary experience, exciting activities and more. Admission is just $5.00, and all proceeds support Healthy Dent County’s initiatives. As a special incentive, attendees who bring a canned or non-perishable food item will receive a ticket for a chance to win a gift card. Each item donated increases the chance of winning, with all contributions going to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Grace Harbor. Healthy Dent County Executive Director Sherry Lea said this annual event is a fantastic opportunity for women to enjoy an evening of shopping and socializing while supporting a great cause. We’re excited to bring together a diverse group of vendors and offer a range of activities that promise to make this Girls’ Night Out a memorable experience. For more information or to inquire about becoming a vendor, please contact Jackie at 729-8163 or via email at jackie@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a hunter education certification course on September 16 from 5-9 p.m. at East Central Community College’s Rolla North Campus. The course is for participants 11 and older. Attendees must complete the knowledge portion beforehand, either online (for a fee) or via the free student manual. Those who choose to complete the student manual chapter review questions must bring the booklet to the class for the instructor to review at no cost. Student manuals can be found on MDC’s website. For more information on hunter education requirements and to register for the course visit mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education.