Archive for 2025

An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 on Phelps County Road 5310 at the intersection of Phelps County Road 5440. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Dodge Caravan driven southbound by a 63-year-old female and a 2017 Dodge Caravan driven southbound by a 42-year-old female, were both turning when the 2017 Dodge tried to pass the 2019 Caravan during the turn. The 2017 Dodge struck the the 2019 Dodge leaving a 12-year-old female juvenile with minor injuries. She was taken by the Phelps Health Ambulance to the Phelps Health Hospital. Both vehicles sustained moderate damages and were driven from the scene. The Missouri State Higwhay Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Rolla Rural Fire Department and Phelps Health Ambulance personnel. Everyone involved in the accident were wearing seat restraints.

The public is invited to a town hall-style meeting for Montauk State Park tonight at 5:00. Missouri State Parks team members will be available to provide information about the park and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the park and its operations. The meeting will be held at the campground amphitheater located within the park at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. The input from the public is important. These meetings, which are being held for all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give representatives the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the parks and sites, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.

Three Missouri men connected to the 2023 illegal killing of a bull elk have been sentenced in Shannon County court. The cases were a result of a months-long investigation by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the filing of multiple wildlife-related charges by the Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Michael K. O’Neail of De Soto, pleaded guilty September 3rd to illegally killing and abandoning a bull elk. O’Neail was sentenced to 60 days in jail and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The execution of the 60-day jail sentence was suspended, pending successful completion of two years of probation and full payment of the $10,000 fine within one year of his sentencing date. The two men not directly responsible for the elk poaching, Kevin B. Click and Travis R. Wadlow, both of Bonne Terre, each received a $500 fine plus court costs, and a mandatory $750 contribution to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation for the illegal take or possession of white-tailed deer. In addition to the elk poaching, the trio was also charged for being in illegal possession of a deer they did not Telecheck. The cases were prosecuted by Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney William Seay. The Department of Conservation’s’ Protection Branch began its investigation after a 14-year-old deer hunter reported finding the dead mature bull elk near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County during the November 2023 opening weekend of firearms deer season. Over the course of a nine-month investigation, conservation agents from MDC’s Ozark, Central, St. Louis, and Southeast regions interviewed numerous deer hunters in the area and contacted local businesses. They also reviewed surveillance footage and elk-monitoring camera footage to help identify the suspects. As a result, five search warrants were served, numerous pieces of evidence were sent to forensics labs, and the three men were taken into custody. The Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline allows Missourians to protect nature by reporting poaching. Please report possible violations of the Wildlife Code to your local conservation agent or call OGT at 800-392-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Plan to attend the Public Meeting at Dillard Mill State Historic Site Saturday afternoon, September 20th at 1:00. The Dillard Mill State Historic Site is hosting an open house-style meeting at the Mill located at 142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. Park representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the site and its operations. For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. 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 City of Salem Utility Committee held its regular meeting last Wednesday evening at in the Auditorium at 202 N. Washington Street. Following approval of the agenda, the committee adopted several amendments to the utility policy. These included extending the forecast lead time for utility disconnects from 24 hours to 72 hours on days when the National Weather Service predicts temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat index above 105 degrees, or temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The committee also approved a monthly flat fee for dusk-to-dawn lighting: $15.00 for incandescent bulbs and $5.00 for LED bulbs, with the fee covering future bulb replacements. In addition, a $100 refundable deposit was approved for the use of faucet meters. The committee further adopted a policy requiring new residents who refuse to provide the identification necessary to establish service to pay double the standard deposit. This will not affect the return of the deposit after two years of on-time payments. The committee also approved the implementation of customer incentives. The City of Salem will draw 20 names over a two-month period, each recipient receiving a one time $50.00 credit on their utility bill. To qualify, customers must newly enroll in one of the following: email billing, ACH/auto-draft payments, completion of the lead service line survey, or updated their contact information with the city’s administration office. City Administrator Sally Burbridge clarified that the incentive applies only to new sign-ups, not to current participants. During departmental reports, Finance Director Stacy Houston presented her financial update, to the committee before City Administrator Burbridge reported on utility billing changes, noting that after the upgrade to credit card readers, the city will no longer accept credit or debit card payments by phone, as keypad entry is now required. An automated payment option will still be available, but customers will not speak directly with a staff member. The board also received updates on recent MPUA and MMMPEP meetings and workshops. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that a planned power outage will occur on Saturday, September 20th from midnight to no later than 5:00 a.m. to allow Show-Me Power to conduct essential maintenance on the city’s substation. The meeting then adjourned.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda followed by communications from Kara Constance. William Lynch Elementary students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports, updates will be shared on the FEMA building, a water leak, CTE Enhancement Grant, SRO, Nursing changes, Staff recognition, Scoreboard, Upper Elementary/William Lynch, Track and Upper Elementary Roof. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business the board will approve the bus routes, Intervention, Title, and Dyslexia Plan. The Board will address the transfer of Fay Parker from Middle School to William Lynch and the Resignation/Retirement of William Lynch Head Nurse Debbie Baird. The Board will enter closed session to discuss personnel, student issues, and real estate, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. The meeting was moved to the Dent County Courtroom to accommodate a number of citizens that had attended the meeting in response to a social media post by a Dent County deputy. Major Lenny Pabin explained to the crowd that Deputy Julie Strebe posted a comment on Facebook that was in violation of the county’s social media policy. Pabin said Strebe has been suspended with pay while the local investigation begins as the county has to follow the proper procedures for officer discipline as outlined in the Missouri State Statute RSMO 590.502, Chapter 590, also known as the “Officer Bill of Rights.” He said the local deputies and investigators are governed by the county laws and this Missouri state law. Any discipline for Strebe will be determined from this investigation. When asked, Pabin said the investigation could take two weeks or more to complete before a determination of discipline is reached. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews will be using concrete to shore up some roads that had washed out from the previous floods and to improve some low-water crossings. Crews will also be working on and grading Dent County Road 2400, plus they did pick up a sofa that had been dropped off on a county road.  District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be working on chip and seal road repairs all week starting with Dent County Roads 2300 and 3210. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the special electronics and tire collection Saturday at the City of Salem Water and Sewer Construction Building was a big success for both tires and electronics. He said there will be another collection in Owensville in October for those who could not attend this one. Larson said last week at the Public Housing Authority meeting in St. James, he was named the Vice-Chair of the PHA. He went on to report at the MRPC meeting that a representative of MoDOT discussed a possible Highway 63 by-pass of the Westphalia area from right after the bridge going north to the Highway 50 junction. They also discussed the possible improvements to Highway 44 that would begin as early as 2026 with most of them taking place in 2027. Larson said he would be attending a Solid Waste Management District Board meeting in St. James today. He also said there will be a South Central County Commissioner Association meeting on October 10th in Houston. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk reported this year her office went with the Clearbasin software for the SB190 program for the Assessor’s program for $5,000, but she said there was a lack of communication with Clearbasin among other issues. She would like to go with FoxPro, who is her programmer, for a one-time fee of $5,000 and the commission agreed. Also at the last meeting, Bryan Williams, with McCoy Construction came in to visit about a Rollerpacker that goes behind a grader.  These cost around $37,000. He also discussed new graders and their buyback program. A new John Deere 672 P-Tier grader with a joystick control is $452,086.69 and the 672 G-Tier with the antler rack is $408,911.81. His buyback quote is $165,000 for the 672 P-Tier grader and $140,000 for the 672 G-Tier grader as long as the graders have regular services completed and have no major issues.  The buyback would occur after 5 years, or 5,000 hours is reached. Williams said there is a $200 deductible for comprehensive warranty. Williams reported McCoy would give the county a trade-in for the two Caterpillar graders 120 and 140 graders of $132,000 and $162,000, for a total of $294,000. The two new John Deere graders would cost $860,998.50, less the trade-in for the Caterpillar graders of $294,000, leaving a total of $566,998.50 for two new graders. No decision was made by the commission. The commission did discuss the purchase of two 2026 Mack Granite Triaxle dump trucks. They received a quote from Tri-State Center, Inc., out of Springfield, MO for $195,600 each. These are on the State Bid. The commission agreed to buy the trucks and lease purchase financing bids will be sought at a later time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public. 

Create a Chunky Knit Blanket on Friday, September 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 with Danielle Kissir at the Creative Arts Center. The class is open to anyone who is 10 years of age and older. Bring your own chunky yarn (at least 5-6 skeins) and learn finger knitting techniques while creating a large lap throw/chunky blanket.  Bring a friend and make it a party! This is a beginner friendly class and is fun for all ages! No prior crochet or knitting experience is required but will be beneficial, plus patterns will be provided for various styles. The cost of theis class is $35 and at least five people need to sign up for the class which will be limited to 12 attendees. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.