Archive for 2025

Missouri turkey hunters can apply online during February for 2025 spring turkey managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation website at mdc.mo.gov and you will find the managed hunts on the front page or go to the search bar and type in “turkey managed hunts.” Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 15. The spring turkey hunting youth portion will be April 12th and 13th with the regular spring season running April 21st through May 11th. Beginning in March, detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in the Department of Conservation’s 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold. The 2024 regulation change extending shooting hours from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset on private land is still in effect in 2025. Public land shooting hours will remain a half-hour before sunrise to 1:00 in the afternoon. To learn more about turkey hunting in general in Missouri, visit the Department of Conservation’s website at mdc.mo.gov. Missouri hunting permits are available from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC free mobile app called “MO Hunting” which is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $2.5 million in financial assistance to the city of Licking for upgrades to the city’s water distribution systems. The funding will cover the total cost of the project, which is anticipated to be completed by December 2025. During the project, the city will replace several thousand feet of water mains, along with service lines and hydrants on existing mains at multiple locations. These improvements will enable the city to continue offering its citizens safe drinking water for years to come with a modern and well-functioning drinking water system. Project funding consists of a $1.27 million grant and a $1.27 million low-interest loan, both provided through the department’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This funding is estimated to save the city’s ratepayers $1.27 million in principal and approximately $435,000 in interest over the loan’s 20-year term. Kurt Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources said that the department works with communities like Licking to support water and wastewater projects that help them grow and develop while keeping customers’ utility bills affordable. The department’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to water treatment plants, distribution systems, water storage and supply facilities, along with interconnection or consolidation projects. Communities that borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from assistance provided throughout their project from a project manager. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov.

It’s been an active year for earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), with 293 minor quakes reported in the past 12 months. Though most were too small to be felt, they are an important reminder that southeast Missouri is located in the heart of the NMSZ, which generated some of the most powerful earthquakes ever to jolt the nation. A series of major quakes occurred in 1811-1812, destroying buildings, ringing church bells hundreds of miles away and briefly causing the Mississippi River to run backward. The area has remained seismically active ever since and averages more than 200 small quakes annually. Each February, Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize preparedness for the risk of another major earthquake occurring in the NMSZ. While no one can predict when an earthquake will occur, scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate a 25% to 40% chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Director Jim Remillard said a large earthquake in southeast Missouri could potentially be the worst natural disaster Missouri has ever seen, and it would occur without warning. He went on to note that Earthquake AwarenessMonth is an important time to learn about the risks and how to protect yourself and your family. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury. More resources for families, schools and businesses are available on SEMA’s earthquake preparedness website, including fact sheets, interactive maps and informational videos explaining what to do in the event of an earthquake. For more information, visit sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness.

Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer wants to remind everyone your annual assessment forms that list your personal and business property for 2024 are due March 1st. You may drop off your assessment list at the assessor’s office at the courthouse. They are open from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. There is also a drop box on the front lawn of the courthouse for your convenience if you can’t make it by until after hours. You can also mail in your assessment list forms but make sure you have a postal clerk postmark your envelope by taking it to the desk inside at the post office. You can also e-file your assessment list form online until April 30th. Just follow the instructions on the assessment form you received in the mail. The penalty for not getting in your assessment form on time is determined at $10 per every $1,000 of assessed valuation with a maximum penalty of $100 if you have assessed valuation of $10,000 or more. If you have any questions or need assistance with the online form, call Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer at the Dent County Courthouse at 573-729-6010 or stop by during regular business hours.

According to preliminary data, 954 fatalities occurred on Missouri roadways in 2024. This is a decrease of 4% when compared to 2023, and a decrease of 10% compared to 2022. This is the second consecutive year that Missouri has seen a decrease in roadway fatalities. Despite the continued progress, this still amounts to nearly three lives lost on Missouri roadways every day, leaving plenty of room for improvement in 2025. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety stresses how the four simple actions of Buckle Up, Phone Down, Slow Down and Drive Sober could put a big dent in the fatality numbers. While overall roadway fatalities were down, a record number of pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2024, with 148 pedestrians being struck and killed. This is a 16% increase from 2023 and continues a concerning trend of rising pedestrian deaths. That’s the highest number ever reported in Missouri. Additionally, a notable percentage of the pedestrian fatalities were individuals who exited their vehicle due to a prior crash or breakdown on the side of the road. State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson said that we still have a lot of work to do in Missouri, and we are especially concerned by the rising number of pedestrian fatalities in our state. We all have a responsibility to use the transportation system in a safe manner, and both drivers and pedestrians can make safe choices to help make this happen. He went on to say let’s keep our heads up, watch out for each other, slow down, and put all distractions aside, whether we’re behind the wheel or taking a walk. In contrast, preliminary numbers indicate motorcyclist fatalities in Missouri were down 23%, with 133 motorcyclists killed on Missouri roadways in 2024. This is the lowest number of motorcyclist deaths since Missouri repealed the all-rider helmet law in 2020. But, prior to the repeal, motorcycle deaths were typically around 120 per year. Cell phones have proven to be one of the most persistent and consequential distractions. Distracted driving contributed to more than 100 deaths in both 2023 and 2024, and statistically, more than half of the victims are someone other than the distracted driver. Missouri’s new Siddens-Bening Law now prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices, including cell phones, by all drivers. The law has already had a positive impact and is expected to continue doing so with citations now in effect for violating the law. Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, takes a comprehensive approach in creating a safe system to reduce and eliminate traffic fatalities. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan and to learn how all Missourians can help make the roadways safer, visit www.savemolives.com.

A new online resource from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources offers information to landowners on best practices and methods for stream management. Developed in coordination with the Missouri Farm Bureau, “A Landowner’s Guide to Stream Management” details strategies for preventing eroding banks, property loss, excessive gravel and other challenges. Noah Cadwell of the department’s Waters Resources Center said that this guide is designed to empower landowners and give them a greater sense of independence when addressing their streams. He went on to say that the guide includes necessary regulatory information and the most effective stream management strategies. It will assist landowners in overcoming some common challenges that come from living by a stream while maintaining the stream’s ecosystem. Cadwell said the department developed the guide in response to concerns from farmers and landowners who face growing property loss stemming from past riparian corridor damages and historical land use changes. More than a year in the making, the guide includes information provided by experts from the department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as from other agencies and organizations.  According to Cadwell this guide is designed to clarify the fundamentals of stream regulation for landowners and to explain what options may be available for different situations, plus he noted that our hope is by making this information more accessible and transparent, landowners will feel more comfortable considering projects benefiting their streambanks. This guide also provides information for obtaining technical assistance and financial support for landowners who are considering taking on larger projects. “A Landowner’s Guide to Stream Management” provides information on permitting needs and processes but is not intended to be a resource for regulatory guidance. Landowners need to read the applicable permits and consider consulting the proper regulatory agency before beginning stream work. The new guide is available at dnr.mo.gov.

Starting this Wednesday at the Salem Community Center@The Armory, Luke and Hannah Heithold will hold the nine-week course from the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University on the fastest way to beat debt and build wealth presented by the Bank of Salem and Healthy Dent County, and sponsored by Joe Brand. The course will be held nine consecutive Wednesday evenings from 5:30 until 7:00 in the Rotary Room and will feature discussions on budgeting, understanding insurance, buying and selling your home, building wealth, outrageous generosity and more. Seating is limited and the cost is $60 per person for the entire course. Imagine a life with no debt, credit card payments and no car payments where every dollar you earn was building your future instead of paying off your past. Discover how financial freedom can be yours! The deadline to register for this class is Tuesday, February 18th! You can register by calling Carlos at 573-729-8163 or e-mailing him at Carlos@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be presenting “Art Across the Ages,” a Community Art Show starting March 3rd and lasting until March 31st at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center to celebrate the arts in our community. March is “Youth Art Month” and the Arts Council wants to recognize the amazing talent and creativity that exists in our schools and community! They are excited to invite individuals of all ages from around our area to submit recent artwork to the show for free! This is a family friendly art show and artwork may be left to the discretion of the committee to accept or reject pieces based on the number of submissions, the space available, tasteful content, etc. There is a wide variety of artists who give many perspectives, adding to the vision of an artist evolving from childhood to adult. Maturity adds to and sometimes detracts from vision and the ability to express ideas, which is why having art examples from both youth and adults is so much fun! To submit artwork for display (2-D or 3-D), please email salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com. You can then arrange a time to come and hang your work/set up your display. This year the Arts Council are adding a couple of new things.  First, they hope to have live music at the reception; and second, they plan to give each artist an opportunity to sell their artwork if they want. No money will be handled at the show, but the artist is welcome to write their price on the name tag attached to the piece. The Arts Council will collect phone numbers with each entry, and if someone expresses an interest in purchasing a particular piece, they can share the phone number with that person with the artist’s permission. Come and enjoy this unique art exhibit highlighting the talent of area artists of all ages. The exhibit begins Monday, March 3rd at the ONCRC, with an open house and reception for all artists & families being held on Tuesday, March 4th, from 4:00 until 7:00.  Live music and light snacks will be provided.  The reception provides a great opportunity for families to meet the child’s art teacher and other artists, as well as take photos. Set-up will be in the ONCRC gallery room on Thursday and Friday, February 27th and 28th, from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon; as well as on Saturday, March 1 from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. The exhibit will have visiting hours from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday depending on the volunteers available.