Archive for 2025

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that an accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at 12:55 on Highway 32 five miles west of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2001 Chevrolet S10, driven by a 33-year-old Salem woman, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck several trees, and a fence. The woman suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that the woman was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by a private party.

The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training program is coming to Rolla at the Rolla Fire Department at 1490 East 10th Street on June 10th for those interested in becoming certified. Safe Kids Worldwide is the certifying body and responsible for managing all aspects of the program. They work closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Child Passenger Safety Board, and are sponsored by State Farm. Child Passenger Safety technicians and instructors use their considerable knowledge and expertise at a variety of community-based activities, such as child safety seat checks, where parents and caregivers receive education and hands-on assistance. CPS technicians and instructors also keep up-to-date on the latest technical information about child passenger safety through seminars and other continuing education opportunities. All CPS technicians must take and pass the CPS Certification Course and pay a course fee of $95. To learn more about the course and/or about becoming a tech, visit cert.safekids.org. If you are interested in attending the course in Rolla, you must be at least 18 years old at the time the course starts. The standardized child passenger safety technician (CPST) certification course is usually 3-4 days long and combines classroom instruction, hands-on work with car seats and vehicles, and a community safety seat checkup. Attendance is required for the entire course and the ID number to use on your application is MO20250127151.
Echo Bluff State Park will host a festival all about our feathered friends and the native plants that can keep them happy and healthy. The event will begin at the amphitheater with a live bird program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. On Saturday, June 7th from 11:00 in the mroning until 2:00 in the afternoon, visitors of all ages can participate in a variety of activities related to birds and blossoms. Activities will include arts and crafts, games, bird-watching opportunities, and more. This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Pets will not be allowed at the live bird program. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive, just off Highway 19 south of Salem. You can call 573-751-1224 for more information.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has proposed increases to hunting, fishing, and trapping permit prices for 2026, receiving initial approval from the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 16 meeting in Jefferson City. The changes aim to help MDC maintain infrastructure and services while addressing rising costs. The proposal includes significant increases to nonresident deer and turkey hunting permits to align more closely with surrounding states’ pricing. MDC also plans to create new nonresident permits, including a $60 migratory bird permit and a $40 trout permit. MDC Director Jason Sumners noted that resident hunters generally support adjusting nonresident permit prices to be comparable with neighboring states. Missouri currently hosts approximately 43,000 nonresident deer hunters, 10,000 nonresident spring turkey hunters, and 165,000 nonresident anglers annually. Notable proposed increases include resident hunting and fishing combination permits rising from $20.50 to $22.50; nonresident firearm deer permits increasing from $288 to $360; and nonresident spring turkey permits going from $243.50 to $304.50. Most resident permits will see modest increases of $1-2. The price adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index related to cost-of-living increases from 2008 to 2024. MDC recommends a gradual 50% CPI-based increase over ten years for resident permits, while accelerating increases for nonresident deer and turkey permits. The public comment period for the proposed changes runs from July 2 to July 31, 2025. Comments can be submitted at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities. The Commission will consider final approval at its September 12 meeting, with changes taking effect January 1, 2026, if approved. Permit sales represent approximately 17% of MDC’s annual revenue, with the Conservation Sales Tax providing about 62% and federal reimbursements accounting for 15%. MDC receives no funding from tickets, citations, or the state’s general revenue budget. The average Missourian pays about $24 annually for conservation efforts through the Conservation Sales Tax. For complete details on all proposed permit changes and MDC’s fiscal information, residents can read the MDC Annual Review for Fiscal Year 2024 in the January 2025 issue of the Missouri Conservationist, available online at mdc.mo.gov/magazines/missouri-conservationist/2025-01.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 63-year-old Salem woman drowned Sunday, June 1st, while kayaking on the Current River. According to the report a strong current pushed the woman into a downed tree, causing the kayak to overturn. Other floaters pulled the woman from the water. The patrol stated that the woman was not wearing a life jacket.

An accident occurred Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in Iron County on Highway 21 two miles west of Glover. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2017 Ford Escape, driven by a 70-year-old Salem woman, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned. The woman suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Iron County Medical Center. The report stated that the woman was wearing a safety restraint. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Adam’s Custom Auto.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on Thursday evening in the Old City Hall Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington. After calling the meeting to order, the Board went into executive session to discuss litigation pertaining to the request for utilities by Terry Perkins. During the regular session, the Board announced that water service would be extended to the Perkins property contingent upon voluntary annexation into the City limits. Previous cases in which water service had been provided without annexation following the adoption of this policy, were brought to the Board’s attention, and due to lack of consensus, no resolution was reached and the Board voted to table the matter until the end of June. The Board then discussed nine bills from Bill #3663 to Bill #3671 that establishes a user charge system for the City of Salem’s wastewater system to provide funds needed to pay for all expenses associated with the wastewater system. Customers within City limits will have a base rate of $12.00, and $11.04 per 1,000 gallons. Customers outside of City limits can expect a base rate of $24.00, and $13.84 per 1,000 gallons. The monthly sewer rate for customers without a water meter will be $103.05 for the first unit and each additional unit will be $68.76 thereafter. The next Aldermen meeting is scheduled for June 10th, and is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse.  In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said men will be installing crossover pipes in the Phillips Subdivision and also doing drainage work. Green said grading was going to be done in the Turtle area and on county road 5390. He also said pipes would be installed on county road 6100 and rock would be hauled where needed. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said rock would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Road 4060 as well as on county roads 5333 and 5340 in Boss. Williams indicated grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 2303 and brush cut on county road 6150. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reiterate her request for any business that has a liquor license in the county, will need to have the license request submitted to the county clerk’s office by June 30th. If anyone has questions, please call the clerk’s office at 573-729-4144. Van Kitchens and Tyler Rensch from Attentive Management Company were in attendance to reveal to the commissioners what they had calculated the savings the county could have by going with their plan to utilize the Section 125 savings that provides benefits to county employers and provides FICA tax savings to the commissioners. They said each employee would have an average of about $150 per month to use for benefits that many of the employees already pay out of their checks which would come to about $13,569 per month. The Section 125 of the ACA Act allows employers to deduct those costs to provide additional benefits to employees before taxes, which would lower the FICA Tax liability for the county and keep the take home pay for the employee about the same or it could increase slightly. The total savings would be about $48,000 net to the county after their fee, and that would be divided among the different funds that have payroll. There was some concern about the reduction in Social Security benefits with this program, but Kitchens said that over time, the difference is minimal. It would also not affect the employees tax return much as their withholding can be what the employee wishes per paycheck. Commissioner Green wanted to talk with the other counties and businesses that have used this program before going any further, and Kitchens and Rensch said they would get them a list of references to contact. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART Tax money received in May and said the county took in $87,096.19 which is $5,502.42 over last May, and year-to-date, the CART tax receipts are up $30,767.01. The commission then opened bids to sell the gazebo in the front yard of the courthouse. They received two bids: on from Eli Trower and one from Healthy Dent County, but they rejected both bids. They will get bids to repair the gazebo and keep it on the courthouse lawn. Mike Smith from Hope Construction was in to report on the leak in the annex building. He said there is hail damage to the brick wall next door to the annex which is causing much of the problem and until that is corrected, he is limited in what he feels he can do without wasting the county’s money. They did ask him to do a temporary dry seal until he can contact the insurance company and find out what they will do about the problem. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and is open to the public.

Agingbest wants to see every person live the best life possible. To help our community do this they are asking for volunteers. There are many volunteer opportunities here are a few; meal delivery to homebound clients, lawn care, technology education assistance, and pet care assistance. Call 800-369-5211 to volunteer in one of the 19 counties in Central Missouri.