Archive for 2024

The Salem R-80 School District will hold an informational meeting in the Rotary Club room at the Salem Community Center@The Armory on Thursday, January 11th, at 4:00 in the afternoon, to share information regarding the Salem R-80 School District initiatives for a bond issue and increase in the property tax operating levy that will be on the April ballot. According to a press release from Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed, with the district having successfully completed most projects in their existing long-term facilities plan, the focus now lies on the replacement of William Lynch Elementary School which is the major reason for a new six million dollar bond issue. The approximate replacement cost for the school stands at $16 million, with an estimated cost of $375 to 400 per square foot for new construction. This would cause the district to reach its maximum bonding capacity of $9.5 million, while still dependent on a FEMA grant. However, a silver lining emerged as the District secured a 90/10 FEMA grant, where FEMA will pay 90% of the cost of a storm shelter shell, enabling the district to save approximately $4 million in construction costs where a wing will be built at the Upper Elementary that will house approximately eight classrooms. Additionally, the future acquisition of the Gott building currently owned by SBU for $750,000, priced at $50 per square foot, is significantly lower than the new construction cost and would further aid the effort to find a cost effective replacement for William Lynch. Once the FEMA addition is complete at the Upper Elementary and the Gott building is remodeled for the change, Salem R-80 would relocate Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes to the Gott building, and first grade to the Upper Elementary, all at a fraction of the expense of constructing an entirely new building. The bond would not only purchase the Gott Building, but provide funding for other capital projects include the District’s portion of the FEMA building, renovations at the Gott building to tailor it for an early childhood center, completion of the interior for the construction trades building, structural repairs to the AG building, and several smaller projects aimed at facility repairs. If passed, the increase in the debt service would be an additional 34 cents per $100 assessed valuation bringing the new total to 79 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The school is looking to also increase the operating tax levy from the state minimum of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation to $3.65 per $100 assessed valuation. This would allow the district to remain competitive with teacher salaries to other schools in the immediate area. Salem’s base salary is $32,000 which is lower than eight surrounding districts, and the assessed valuation per student for Salem is $75, the lowest among those eight surrounding districts. Salem’s support staff base salaries had a 20% raise in the last three years going from $8.86 to $10.87 per hour, but that is still below the state minimum wage by $1.43. This would allow the district to increase the support staff base as well. In the release, Reed says to provide Salem students with an exceptional education that prepares them for success after graduation, the district must have the best teachers available. With funding from the increased operating levy, the District will offer more competitive pay and benefits, improving our ability to recruit and retain high-quality teachers and staff. If both issues are passed, the citizens who pay Salem R-80 District taxes would see an increase of $1.24 per $100 assessed valuation to their tax bills going $3.20 to $4.24 per $100 assessed valuation. Any one interested in learning more about the projects or how the funds are to be used is welcome to attend the meeting Thursday afternoon at the Salem Community Center@ The Armory!

An accident happened Friday night in Franklin County on westbound I-44 at the 245.6 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Kia Optima driven westbound by 29-year-old Kyla Destifanes of Salem, was going too fast for the road conditions. She lost control of the vehicle which then went off the left side of the roadway with the left front of the vehicle striking the median wall. The Kia then re-entered the roadway and crossed I-44 exiting the roadway to the right where the vehicle struck a ditch. Destifanes suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Union Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Washington. Destifanes was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Kia was totaled and left at the scene. It was secured by the highway patrol.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their first meeting of the new year. Thom Haines was in to ask the commission if any charges had been filed against the person who struck the Dent County Assessor’s vehicle from behind and the Presiding Commission Gary Larson said HE was not aware of any at this time, but told Haines to check with the assessor to see if she knew. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said two trucks would be adding rock to Dent County Road 6420 and it will also be graded. Mobray also reported grading would be done on county road 6600 and brush would be cut on county road 6580. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4060 while only grading would be done on county roads 4070 and 5280. Polk further went on to say brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2070. Commissioner Larson said he talked with Sheriff Bob Wells and the Next Generation 9-1-1 system in our area is moving forward. He said the governor has set aside money to pay for the project for the first five years and the counties will have to figure out how to pay for it after that. He also said the commission is now working on the budget. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said March 6th would be the last day to register to vote for the April Municipal Election, and that first day to file for August 6th Primary will be February 27th at 8:00 in the morning at the courthouse. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Dent County Recorder Cindy Ard at the Dent County Commission meeting Thursday talked about a new website where you can sign up to find out if someone is recording a document or changing a recorded document with your name on it. The website is www.deedwatch.com and once signed up, you would receive an e-mail letting you know if a document is recorded with your name on it. There is no charge for this service. Just go to the website, and in the drop-down box select Dent County, Missouri. In the second box, enter your e-mail that you want the notification to come to. From that point, just follow the simple directions to finish signing up. You could include the name that should be on your deed, or any other form of your name the deed may have been recorded. This service is provided by the Dent County Recorders Office to prevent anyone from being scammed out of their property or having someone attached their name to your deed without your knowledge. If you have questions about this service, contact Cindy Ard at the Dent County Recorders Office at 573-729-2198. You can also e-mail her at dcrecorder07@gmail.com.

A fatality accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday morning at approximately 7:25 on Phelps County Road 1160 about six miles northeast of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2000 Chevrolet Blazer driven by 33-year-old Ryan Curtis of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway crossing over Phelps County Road 1210, then overturned into a waterway. Curtis was pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdale. Curtis’ body was released to the Phelps County Coroner. The report stated that Curtis was not wearing a safety restraint. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

As we enter into the thick of winter, Doxo Insights have released a report called U.S. Utilities Market Size and Household Spending Report for 2023. The report examines how much Americans spend on utility bills such electric, gas, water & sewer, and waste & recycling. Doxo provides direct insight into the household financial health and spending activity by leveraging doxo’s unique aggregate bill pay data which is comprised of actual household bill payment activity pulling information from over eight million paying consumers across over 97% of the US Zip Codes. Data comes from over 120,000 billers in 45 different service categories and enables payments using bank accounts, credit cards and debit cards. From this uniquely broad statistical foundation, Doxo has their findings that show utility bills in Salem average $284 per month which is up 5.5% year over year, but is the same as the average utility bill in the State of Missouri. Nationally, the average utility bill is about $351 per month. For households in Salem, the average cost of living for normal household expenses is $1,356 per month or $16,270 per year for the 10 most common household bills. This makes Salem the #76 most expensive city to reside in Missouri. The cost of living in Salem is 33.7% lower than the national average of $2,046, and 23.2% lower than the state average of $1,766. From the data collected, Salem households spend 39% of their income on household bills. Overall, the information shows Salem bills are $8,287 per year lower than the US average.

The time is now to start thinking about the Salem Community Garden behind the Salem United Methodist Church. If you are interested in a plot, contact Master Gardener Charlie Grimm at 573-368-9902 and he will assign you a plot. You can get more than one plot, but there will be a slight charge for each additional plot. Water and tools are provided, and all you need to bring is your love of gardening and the seeds you want to plant. For more information, call Master Gardener Charlie Grimm or the Dent County Extension at 729-3196.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday, December 21st. The minutes of the December 18th budget meeting were approved followed by Administrator Zach Moser’s report. The Communicable Disease Report showed that there were 128 cases of COVID19 reported in November, plus 38 lead cases, 17 sexually transmitted infection screenings, nine cases of Influenza and three animal bites. In the diagnostics report, Moser said 164 blood draw appointments were completed in November, plus there were 41 COVID tests and six lead tests performed. COVID-19 vaccinations totaled 116, while there were 130 influenza doses and 60 other vaccinations administered. A total of 573 appointments were held during November, plus WIC appointments totaled 302. There were no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, while there were seven Title X Family Planning appointments. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report where nine total inspections were conducted. There was one recall, two sewer complaints and 13 environmental questions that were fielded. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that Miller Glass has tentatively scheduled January 19th for the installation of the new doors. Moser explained that he has signed up for Grantwatch Service to monitor for additional non-profit grants. He notified the Board that the regular WIC Audit is scheduled for January. The Health Center financial reports for November, including the review from H & R Block, were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After these questions were answered, the financial reports and the report from H & R Block were approved. In New Business, the Board discussed the election filings and Resolution 2023-R006 regarding the scope of services offered by DCHC. The resolution was approved by the Board. Moser presented the Board with the estimate for audit services to be provided by Maloney, Wright, and Robbins, LLC for 2023 in the amount of $11,700. He explained that due to DCHC receiving over $750,000 in federal funds, a federal single audit is required, which is a more expensive process. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, January 25th at 5:00.

Today, Sheriff Bob Wells and Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley will present a check for the sum of $1,793.89 to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams to be placed into the local school fund for Dent County. The money is the result of efforts by law enforcement involving the seizure of firearms from an investigation in 2017. In addition to the criminal conviction, the seizure is authorized by Missouri law as a punishment and deterrent to persons that commit a criminal offense. This money will be used for the benefit of the local school system.

If you did not apply for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) within three months before or after turning age 65, you have another chance each year during the General Enrollment Period. The period started January 1st and will run to March 31st. If you don’t enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible for it, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Your monthly premium will increase 10% for each 12-month period that you were eligible for Part B but did not sign up for it. Your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. To learn more about Medicare, please visit our Medicare Benefits page at www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows deer hunters in Missouri harvested 12,465 deer during the alternative methods portion of firearms deer season, December 23rd through January 2nd. Of the 12,465 deer harvested, 3,130 were antlered bucks, 1,450 were button bucks, and 7,885 were does. Top harvest counties were Callaway with 296 deer harvested, Franklin with 250, and Macon with 228. County totals in our area included Crawford with 160 deer harvested, Dent County totaled 184, Phelps County had 117 deer taken, Shannon County total was 158 and Texas County saw 207 deer harvested during the alternative methods season. The harvest total for last year’s alternative methods portion was 8,724. This year’s harvest total was eight-percent higher than the previous five-year average. For current ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov. The archery deer and turkey season runs through Jan. 15. Find more information on deer hunting from MDC’s 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.