Archive for 2024

The City of Salem wants to remind everyone that the new Servline Protection Program for city water lines will begin July 1st and will offer up to $2,500 coverage per occurrence against high service bills that are caused by unexpected leaks. The cost of the program for residential customers is $2.35 per month and $2.50 per unit per month for Residential Master Metered Multi-Habitational customers. Commercial customers will be charged $6.50 per month for a single occupancy and $13.00 per month for a multiple occupancy location. All eligible City of Salem customers are automatically enrolled in this optional program, so if you don’t want it, you have to opt out and you only have until June 30th to do so. Otherwise the charges will appear on your utility bill when the program goes live on July 1st. Call 1-844-952-0741 to find out more information about the program including a copy of the full terms and restrictions, or to opt out of the program and decline protection. Those who keep the program can cancel at any time, but if you wanted to re-enroll, you would have to wait 30 days to do so. If a water customer declines the coverage by opting out, they will be accepting full responsibility for all excess water charges caused by the leak. If a customer has the coverage and they have an exceedingly high water bill caused by usage due to a qualifying leak or line break, the City of Salem’s leak loss protection program covers the utility bill once the active cause of the leak has been repaired. Again, if you want to “opt out” of the Servline Protection Program for your city water service, call 1-844-952-0741 before July 1st.

As more Americans plan July 4th celebrations, the Division of Fire Safety is reminding Missourians to put fireworks safety first this Independence Day. Public fireworks displays not only offer the best sights, they are the safest, but if folks choose to use consumer fireworks, please handle them with extreme caution and do not allow children to use fireworks. Remember, within the city limits of Salem, the discharge of fireworks is legal for individuals 18 years of age or older, or those under the supervision of a parent, guardian or person 18 years old or older between the period of July 1st and July 6th. By ordinance, those discharging fireworks may only do so between the hours of 8:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night except on July 4th when the hours shall be 8:00 in the morning until midnight. Only Class 1.4G fireworks in unmodified form shall be discharged. Fireworks sales at seasonal retailers are legal in Missouri starting June 20th and lasting until July 10th. Please keep in mind that July 4th is not only the busiest day of the year for fireworks, it is the busiest day of the year for fires. About 40 percent of Independence Day structure fires are the result of fireworks, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Across the U.S. in 2022, fireworks started an estimated 18,500 fires according to NFPA. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2022, eleven peopleacross the United State died as the result of fireworks, with victims ranging from 11 to 43 years old; 10,200 people were treated for injuries in hospital emergency rooms nationally with children under 15 years of age accounting for 28% of the 2022 injuries. The Product Safety Council also said that about 43% of selected and tested fireworks were found to contain illegal components that could cause severe injuries. In Missouri, about 250 people go to emergency rooms each day with fireworks-related injuries in the 30 days around July 4th. Missourians who choose to use consumer fireworks should only use fireworks in a large open space that has been cleared of flammable materials, make sure to have a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire, only light fireworks one at a time; never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned, and dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can. For questions or concerns about firework safety, firework rules, or firework dealers, contact the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930.

An accident happened in Dent County Monday morning just after 10:00 on Highway 32 about 17 miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chrysler Sebring driven westbound by 31-year old Dallas Agers of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a fence. Agers suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial Hospital. The Chrysler Sebring sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. It was unknown if Agers was wearing a seat restraint.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a Hand-stamped Copper Jewelry making class on Friday evening from 6:30-8:30 with Leann Light. The class is open to all children 14 years of age and older. You will learn how to stamp on metal, add texture (if you wish), make a chain and assemble your necklace. At the end of the class, you will take home a custom stamped, one of a kind, piece of jewelry created entirely by you. All tools and materials will be provided. You can choose up to three metal discs and add a charm or crystal, or both, all on a 20 inch stainless steel chain. The cost of the class is $50 and that includes all your supplies. at least two people need to sign up for the class which will be limited to no more than six students.To register, go the SACBA website and find the Programs tab. Find the Creative Arts Center and click to register for the class. Registrations online are on a first come, first serve basis.

On Thursday, the Mudbugs will spend time outdoors at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History exploring the grounds trying to find evidence that Bigfoot has returned. The activity will last about 1 hour and targets kids between the ages of 6 and 12 or so, but all ages are welcome. All events are held at the Bonebrake Center from 2:00 until 3:30. A donation to the Bonebrake Center of $2.00 per child is appreciated. They ask that a parent or legal guardian accompany your children (in case any emergency medical situations should arise). For more information, e-mail Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com. Don’t forget to check them out on Facebook!

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular Monday morning meeting. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave her sales tax report for the money collected this month. She said the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $103,208.48 which is $8,460.98 more than for June of 2023. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are up about $19,242.48. The Road and Bridge Fund received $48,107.09 this month, up $3,609.71 more than June 2023. Year-to-date, that fund is up $7,442.91. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $96,635.91 in May and that is up $7,219.18 from the 2023 receipts of $89,416.73. Year-to-date, those funds are up $16,076.87. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5520, while only grading would be done on Dent County Road 5080. Another grader is having maintenance performed on it including getting new blades before it returns to duty. Mobray said a man would be heading to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Mobray was also sending to Representative Ron Copeland a list of all the county road apron approaches to state highways from District 1 and District 2 that need to be repaired or replaced. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2200 in preparation for it to be chip and sealed. Grading was also going to be done on county road 4330 and brush was going to be cut on county road 5305. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported on the TAC meeting held last Thursday and on the External Relations Committee meeting before the MRPC meeting. He said the MRPC’s Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet would be held in Linn, Missouri at the Osage View Event Center on the campus of Linn State Technical College. The proposed date is October 24th and the cost of dinner is $40 per plate. He also said the Dent County Toy Drive would be holding their Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday, July 27th from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon at The Commons. They will have a craft show, poker run, cruise-in, Bar-B-Cue, silent auction, live music and more. There will be free carnival games for the kids. People can bring a toy to help fill their truck and you can even get a picture with Santa by the beach. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said excused absentee voting for the August will begin on June 25th while the last day to register to vote will be July 10th. She also said electioneering within 25 feet of the courthouse is prohibited beginning June 25th and that includes political T-shirts and even caps. Curley also wants to remind voters that if you have moved and changed addresses, or changed names due to marriage or divorce, to please stop by her office and get those voter registrations updated. Further, Curley wants to remind all voters that the August 6th election is a Primary and voters MUST select a political party ballot. They have their choice this year of Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or a non-partisan ballot that will include only issues in the county to be voted on. At the last meeting, Mike Elliott of Town and Country Insurance visited with the commission on their insurance claims from the hail damage. Sheriff Bob Wells was also in to discuss the hail damage insurance claims on deputies vehicles. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. A public hearing will be held at 6:00 followed by a public meeting on five requests. The first request is to rezone 1104 South Gertrude from Residential R-1 to commercial for a retail boutique owned by Michelle Watkins followed by a request to rezone 704 South Askins from R-1 to R-2 for the construction of a two-family dwelling on property owned by Maynard Larson. The third request will be to subdivide Lot 3 of the Scenic Rivers Plaza Subdivision located on Commercial Avenue for the building of a grocery store owned by Ridge Properties, LLC followed by a request for the subdivision of 705 North Henderson into two parcels made by owners James and Cheridal Nicholson. The last request to be heard will be for a conditional use for 1509 South Louise Street for the installation of a 26- foot by 48-foot manufactured home on property owned by Michael Florence. The hearing and meeting are both open to the public

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 in the hospital library this evening. At the meeting, Interim Administrator Wes Murray will give his report before the board hears the summary of operations for the month of May as well as statistics for the month. The board will hear about the 340B program, receive the Chief Nursing Officer report and be updated on Human Resources. In old business the Board will be updated on State and Match Funding, plus receive an update on Strategic Planning. The board will also discuss a tax levy increase. In new business, the Board will discuss and approve a new budget before going into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting tonight is open to the public. To attend the meeting electronically, contact the hospital administration office at (573) 729-6626, extension 4005.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will hold a special called meeting Wednesday at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, the Board will go into closed session to discuss personnel. Upon return from closed session, the meeting will be adjourned.

Nineteen art reproductions of paintings by Rudolph (Rudy) Wendelin, courtesy of Mark Twain National Forest, will be displayed this summer at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center in Salem. The Wendelin exhibit will showcase the historic artist’s iconic Smokey Bear campaign imagery that he created during his decades of service to the U.S. Forest Service, starting in the 1930s. The exhibit will be on public display at the ONCRC starting TODAY and lasting through July 12th, Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon. On loan from the USDA National Agricultural Library, these replica paintings were completed from 1977 through 1995 and remain the most famous depictions of Smokey Bear. Painter Rudy Wendelin worked for the Forest Service as an illustrator beginning in 1933 and was the mastermind behind Smokey’s human-like appearance in his signature ranger hat and blue jeans. Thanks to Wendelin’s art, Smokey’s message “Only YOU can prevent wildfires” has prevailed through the generations. Jordan Mays, Community Engagement Specialist for Mark Twain National Forest helped arrange this special event and hopes it will spread awareness of Smokey Bear and his important message of caring for forests through wildfire prevention. Forest Service staff, art presentations, educational content, commemorative memorabilia, and special appearances by Smokey Bear will occur at times during the scheduled showing. The ONCRC is located at 202 S Main St in Salem. Updates about special appearances, like when Smokey Bear will be in attendance, will be shared on the Mark Twain National Forest’s Facebook page. If you have any questions about the exhibit, contact Jordan Mays at (573) 210-5393 or the Forest’s office in Salem at (573) 729-6656.

A Kids Summer Art Camp will be held Monday, June 24th to Friday, June 28th from 8:00 in the morning until noon for four hours each day. The instructors will be Tana Kettner, Danielle Norris as well as other teachers from the Creative Arts Center. This camp is for children between the ages of 6 and 16 and parents need to sign up their children by TODAY. The cost is $120 for the five days or it is $25 per day. All supplies for the week are included as well as a small snack each day. Do not let your little ones miss out on Art Camp 2024!! Your kids will get to do some amazing art projects, as well as learn valuable art skills. They cannot wait to get creative with your children and create masterpieces! The camps will feature visiting artists with special additional projects such as: tie dye, sculpture, squeegee art, watercolor painting, glass fusing, acrylic painting, paper mache, decoupage, and so much more! Parents…when checking out please add a T-shirt size to your order! All ticket sales close on June 17th to allow time to order t-shirts. All extra proceeds go towards the Arts Center fundraising goal.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new and improved Red Bluff Campground on Mark Twain National Forest will take place TODAY at 11:00 this morning at the new pavilion near the campground host’s campsite. This grand opening celebration will highlight the new and modernized camping facilities at this beautiful site. To provide the public a chance to enjoy all this site has to offer, Forest Service officials have waived all fees for camping and day-use activities at Red Bluff today. Guided tours of the site and its improvements including new campsites, showers, a dump station, additional paved loops, as well as improved electric and water will be presented to visitors immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony. In the past, flooding from storms repeatedly damaged campsites, roads, and facilities located in the floodplain at Red Bluff. Visitors are welcome to arrive earlier if they choose. Parking will be available by the old well house and by the Sitze Pavilion. The entrance to Red Bluff Recreation Area is located on Route V in Crawford County, about one mile east of Davisville. A map of Red Bluff is available on the Mark Twain National Forest’s website. Visitors are welcome to walk around and enjoy the site before and after the ribbon cutting.

The Prevention Consultants of Missouri and the Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition are inviting everyone to a Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on June 21st at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. This is great training for teachers, school staff, coaches, camp counselors, youth group leadres, parents and adults who work with the youth. The course teaches you how to identlfy and understand as well as respond to signs of mental health and substance abuse use challenges among childre and adolescents age 12 through 18. The training is free but you do have to register and complete a pre-class, online module. You will need to register for the program and registration ENDS TODAY! Contact Linda Kozlowski at 573-368-4755 or e-mail her for more information at linda@preventionconsultants.org. Lunch will be provided! This training is FREE!!

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ‘live” Music Festival this Saturday at the Commons featuring the Crowe Boys from New Orleans with opening act, Devon Sutterfield from Salem and St. James. The gates will open at 6:00 and the live concert begins at 7:00. Sutterfield was featured recently on “The Voice” while the Crowe Boys have had success on the Internet with their single “Where Did I Go Wrong” and “The Simple Truth Hurts.” Tickets are available for $30 and are available at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and online at croweboys.com. There will be food trucks, a beer garden and more! To find out about the concert or tickets, contact the Salem Chamber of Commece at 573-729-6900.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, June 20th.