Archive for 2024

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo is underway. Exhibit Entries were judged yesterday followed by the dessert auction in the evening. Today, livestock registration will be from 9:30 until 11:30 and all livestock must be in place by 11:00am. Livestock weigh-ins are scheduled to start at noon. The “Pig Pals” show is at 5:00 followed by the exhibitor and family supper at 6:30. 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. Buyer supper is at 6:30. 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.

To celebrate 35 years of river conservation, Stream Teams United and the Missouri Stream Team Program are hosting the 2024 Watershed Celebration at Meramec State Park on Saturday, July 27th. Missouri Stream Teams from around the state are invited to attend the festival, which also celebrates the 25th anniversary of Stream Teams United, a non-profit partner of the program. The Missouri Stream Team Program is a volunteer-led effort to conserve Missouri streams. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the program focuses on education, stewardship, and advocacy for Missouri stream resources. In 1988, a small group of anglers became fed up with unsightly trash disrupting their fishing in Roubidoux Creek in Pulaski County. These conservation-minded Missourians decided to clean this section of stream, thus forming the first Missouri Stream Team in 1989. The Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association, Stream Team #1, is still going strong 35 years later. The program has since grown to more than 6,000 Stream Teams around the state with more than 135,000 volunteers. MDC Evgagement Specialist Cara Coates Coates says the ongoing work of more than 6,000 Stream Teams and their volunteers have made significant positive impacts on the health of Missouri’s streams over the last 35 years. That work includes volunteers giving more than 3.5 million hours of time, removing more than 14,127 tons of trash from Missouri waterways, planting 405,794 trees along streams, conducting 35,049 water quality monitoring trips, and stenciling 21,741 storm drains. As part of the Missouri Stream Team Program celebrations they invite all Teams to attend the 28th Annual Watershed Celebration at Meramec State Park on Saturday, July 27. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes lunch provided by the Missouri Stream Team Program, kids games and crafts, tubing on the Meramec River with complimentary shuttle and other activities including free camping offered to Stream Teams Friday and Saturday evenings on a first-come, first-serve at Group Site A at Meramec State Park. Registration is required to estimate attendance. To learn more about Missouri Stream Teams and how you can participate, visit mostreamteam.org.

Onondaga Cave State Park will celebrate the reopening of its famous cave on Friday, July 19, at 10 a.m. with a special lighting ceremony. The cave has been closed while a new LED lighting system was installed, marking the completion of the first of several revenue bond projects for Missouri State Parks. Discovered in 1886 and opened for tours in 1904, Onondaga Cave has been a popular tourist attraction for 120 years. As a National Natural Landmark, it draws over 20,000 visitors annually to view its rare and majestic speleothems. The new LED system replaces the outdated incandescent lighting installed in the 1950s. This upgrade will benefit the cave’s ecosystem by reducing invasive algae growth and providing a more suitable environment for cave-dwelling creatures. Onondaga Cave State Park is located at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy is now accepting applications for subgrants under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), with applications being accepted through July 30th. Nearly $2.4 million is available to local governments for projects that will promote energy savings, energy conservation or emissions reductions in communities that were not eligible for formula EECBG funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Applicants may request between $100,000 and $500,000 for eligible projects. To learn more about EECBG and download the required application forms, visit dnr.mo.gov/energy/grants-loans/efficiency-conservation-block-grant. Questions about the application process can be directed to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy at energy@dnr.mo.gov, 573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.

Dent County and MO 911 will launch a Countywide GIS Remediation Project to update the 911 mapping and improve 911 services throughout the county and the State of Missouri. The project is funded by grants using federal ARPA funds. This project aims to improve the accuracy of the county map and addressing data used by emergency responders. The Missouri 911 Service Board requires this work so that our local mapping data can be used to route 911 calls more accurately. Mapping engineers from Dent County’s 911 mapping contractor, SDR Inc., will drive throughout the cities, towns, and some recreational areas during daylight hours to verify locations. The 911 field vehicle will be clearly marked with white signs and “911 Mapping” in red letters. The 911 field vehicle will stop in front of structures to observe, verify, and document the posted address but will not knock on doors or conduct interviews with residents. If no address is posted or legible, the technician will mark the record for further investigation. They may leave the vehicle to verify the layout of apartment units in buildings but will not trespass on private property. The field work for this project is expected to be complete by the end of July. For questions regarding this project please contact Sherry Lea or Lacey Hampton with the Dent County Rural Addressing located in the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 573-729-8163; or Julie Kellerman, the project manager from SDR, Inc. at 1-800-283-1911, extension 706.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of June. The department responded to 13 accidents during the month. Officers responded to seven alarms sounding and addressed 30 animal calls, investigated six assaults or fights, one burglary, performed 31 well-being checks and 13 area checks in June. Police investigated eight domestic disputes, nine verbal disturbances, conducted 50 follow-up investigations, and provided 15 escorts. They investigated three nuisance violations, one report of fraud, and offered assistance to four motorists. The Salem Police wrote two property damage reports, made ten stealing reports, and responded to four traffic complaints. Officers investigated three suicidal persons, 18 suspicious circumstance calls, four suspicious person calls, and nine suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve two warrants and conducted 81 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 479 incidents in June with the average response time to calls being one minute and 47 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 17 minutes and 31 seconds.

A little can change a lot! Missouri State Parks has always been a proud supporter of our veterans and once again for the month of July, all proceeds from the Round Up program will be earmarked for events designed specifically with veterans in mind. The Round Up program provides guests with an easy opportunity to donate to state parks and historic sites by rounding up their total purchase to the nearest dollar. Normally, the money rounded up will be used at the park where the purchase is made. However, in July all money raised will help fund special events and programs for veterans. In the past, funds have been used for events such as the Hero Deer Hunt held at Mark Twain State Park and the Veteran Deer Hunt held at Crowder State Park. These events invite veterans to apply and be chosen to participate in a managed deer hunt at the parks. All permits, food, lodging and guide services are free to the veterans, thanks in part to the donations from the Round Up program. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved the largest Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to date, allocating $14.6 billion for transportation projects from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The FY 2025-2029 STIP includes additional funding from General Revenue, approved by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Governor Mike Parson. Key projects include improvements to Interstates 70 and 44, repairs to low-volume minor roads, and upgrades to bridges, airports, and rail crossings. Of the total $14.6 billion, $10.7 billion is earmarked for road and bridge construction, averaging about $2.1 billion per year. Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna said, “This historic investment in transportation infrastructure will benefit Missourians across the state.” The STIP covers maintenance for Missouri’s 33,811 miles of roads and 10,392 bridges and culverts. It also includes plans for non-highway transportation and details on operations and maintenance activities for the next three years. For more information or updates, visit modot.org or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in to touch base with the Commissioners. Wilson reported that as a result of the assassination attempt Saturday of former President Donald Trump the House Oversight Committee has scheduled a meeting with the Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for Monday, July 22nd. He also noted that Congress is off this week necessitating the weeklong wait for the meeting. In the road report District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2400, 4235, 4237, 4240 and 5600. He also reported that a man had gone to Springfield for oil for chip and seal, and he had two of his crew out. Mobray also noted that he and Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk would be attending a City Hall meeting that night at Bunker regarding SB190. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2010, 2020, 2025, 4310, and 4340. He said rock would be added and grading done on county road 3355. Polk also reported that Monday part of his crew took the backhoe to the Sligo area to clean out culverts and bridges on county roads 4010, 4032, and 4480. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he was gone on vacation last week and would meet with the Tourism Tax Committee Monday night. Larson also mentioned that the County had received information from the Missouri Department of Agriculture about the opportunity to enroll in the Department’s Re-monumentation Program for 2025. The Commission will meet with the County Surveyor before making a decision for next year. Dent County is already participating in the program this year and has $8,300 budgeted for it. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that bills and payroll were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She also noted that absentee voting continues through August 5th and July 24th is the last date to mail out a ballot. If you have questions about voting, registration, dates, etc., contact her office at 573-729-4144. Vankirk was in to discuss SB190 after speaking with MAC attorney Travis Elliott. She also sent Elliott the City/County Collection contact to review and get more clarification on that due to SB190. At 10:30 the Commissioners opened bids for concrete work at the road department salt shed. The bid from Godi Excavating was for $28,490.00 and from Gray Construction was $27,880.00. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the Gray Construction bid. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at 12:44 on Highway K at Highway Z. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2012 Nissan Versa, driven by 75-year-old Joan Sutton of Salem, pulled into the path of an eastbound 2014 Ram 1500, driven by 40-year-old Thomas Barnard of Rolla. Sutton suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The report stated that Sutton and Barnard were both wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred Sunday evening at 5:30 in Phelps County on private property near County Road 3140. According to the Highway Patrol report 69-year-old Randy Romine of Rolla was operating a southbound 2005 Honda Rancher. The Honda overturned, ejecting Romine, and then rolling over him. He suffered serious injuries and was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The report stated that Romine was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Honda sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at 1:14 on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 5240. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2010 Ford Edge, driven by 47-year-old Esther Gann of Licking, was following a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, driven by 38-year-old Scott Jenkins of Newburg. Jenkins slowed to make a right turn and Gann failed to yield causing the Ford to strike the rear of the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet then traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Jenkins, along with a 14-year-old male juvenile, suffered serious injuries and both were transported by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health. The report stated that Gann and the juvenile were both wearing safety restraints, while Jenkins was not. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by D and D Towing, while the Ford sustained extensive damage and was driven from the scene.