Archive for 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6400, while work would continue on county roads 5670 and 5680, which are in the Bunker area. The work will involve adding rip-rap to the bridges as part of the FEMA work. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams was absent due to a prior commitment. Road Superintendent Travis Turner reported that brush was being cut on Dent County Road 4340 and rock was being added to county roads 3330 and 4230. Turner also reported that a culvert extension was being replaced on county road 4280 and a 15 inch culvert was being replaced on county road 4290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that on Wednesday he was in Jefferson City where as President of the Solid Waste Advisory Board he reported on the activities of the board. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she balance with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for January. The commissioners reviewed her reports. She noted that absentee voting for the April elections will begin February 25th. Curley went on to say that the only entities holding elections in April are the City of Salem, Dent County Fire Protection District, Iron County C4, Bunker R3, Rolla #31, and Rolla Fire District. She clarified that citizens that do not live in these districts will not have anything to vote on. Curley said that anyone with election questions should call her office at 573-729-4144. The Commissioners approved quit-claim deeds transferring ownership of railroad rights-of-way to landowners whose property the railways cross. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer and Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk discussed the SB190 application and clarified the ordinance. The Commission clarified and agreed 2-0 that any “Homestead” real property occupied by an eligible taxpayer as the primary residence and surrounding real property up to 5 acres. An eligible taxpayer shall not claim more than one primary residence. Applications will be available beginning April 1st, with a deadline of June 30th. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zach Moser was in to discuss the illnesses in the community and the closure of Oak Hill R1 School due to the outbreak. Moser presented a resolution appointing the administrator of the Dent County Health Center as Health Officer pursuant to RSMO 205.100. The Commission agree 2-0 adopting the resolution. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda including review of the minutes, the financial review and approval of bills, and the budget review followed by the monthly reimbursement report. In old business, the board will hear a bond issue update followed by new business. New business will include hearing of persons relative to annexation into the fire district. Also, the ice maker renewal will be considered. Chief Floyd will then give his report to the board. The date will be set for the March meeting, and a closed session may be held, if necessary, before the board adjourns. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

The Salem Police Department responded to 295 calls for service between January 4th and January 24th.  Officers conducted 49 traffic stops for various traffic violations with 5 resulting in a summons or arrest. They also conducted 11 traffic accident investigations along with 7 informational reports. The calls for service generated the following reports. On Saturday afternoon, January 4th, at approximately 5:00 officers were dispatched to the intersection of Missouri Highway 19 and 32 for a report of an erratic driver believed to be intoxicated. Contact was made with the vehicle stopped at the intersection and an investigation was conducted. As a result of the investigation a 40-year-old Salem female was arrested and later released on summons for excessive BAC. Then on Sunday January 12th, at approximately noon, officers were dispatched to SEMO near the intersection of Third and Grand Street. It was reported that a patient was out of control damaging the inside of the building, causing approximately $3350 in damage. Contact was made with the reported suspect. The suspect was failing to obey lawful orders of police. While trying to make further contact with the suspect he resisted arrest and was subsequently taken into custody. As a result, a 45-year-old Jefferson City male was placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. On Tuesday the 21st at approximately 5:00 in the afternoon officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of south Gertrude for a report of a disturbance. It was reported that a male subject was out of control and had kicked a door into the residence and threw an object through the kitchen window breaking it. The male subject had fled on foot prior to officers arriving. Contact was made with the suspect and an investigation was conducted. As a result, a 27-year-old Salem male was arrested for property damage and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. Finally on Wednesday afternoon, January 22nd, at approximately 2:30 an officer arrested a male subject on an active capias warrant for his arrest. While arresting the male he was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine. As a result, a 55-year-old Salem male was incarcerated on the warrants and an application for charges pertaining to the methamphetamine was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for consideration of charges. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

A project is in the planning stage to rehabilitate the U.S. Route 63 Little Piney Creek Bridge in Phelps County. The bridge deck has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement, but the supporting structures are in good condition. The current plan involves temporary traffic signals keeping the bridge open but narrowing it to one lane with a 10 foot lane. Learn more about the $1.3 million bridge project on the website: https://www.modot.org/us-route-63-bridge-rehabilitation-phelps. While there, sign up for project updates. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on social media.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 6:51 on Route Z 4 miles south of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2000 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by an 18-year-old Salem Female, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and did suffer minor injuries. She was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by Salem EMS. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

Due to illness Oak Hill R-1 Schools will be closed February 5th through 7th. Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday February 10th.

The Dent County Commissioners held conference calls Monday morning with Courtney Wegman of LJ Hart and Company and MAC Attorney Travis Elliot. During the call at 11:00 with Wegman the commissioners were joined by Bev Irons, Secretary to Judge Seay and Sheriff Bob Wells. The commission reviewed the written demand from Circuit Court Judge Megan Seay regarding the installation of a courthouse elevator. Wagmen provided insight into the ballot language of the two sales taxes approved for jail construction and funding. She noted that using these funds for a chair lift or elevator in the courthouse would be a stretch. However, the county could allocate the funds toward constructing a new courtroom in the jail facility, which would fully comply with ADA requirements. Wagmen also addressed financial matters, including the transfer of $1.1 million from UMB Bank to the certificate fund for jail payments in 2024. Due to IRS restrictions on earned interest, this transfer was necessary. The commissioners agreed to move the funds for 2024. The 2025 jail payment will be $994,807.50, depleting the certificate fund. Beginning in 2026, payments will be drawn from the County Jail Construction Fund, which generates a little over $1 million annually in sales tax revenue. Looking ahead Wegman requested a rough estimate for constructing a new courtroom to assess funding options, including direct payment for the jail construction fund or financing alternatives. She noted that the sales tax funding jail construction is set for 20 years and will expire in 2038. Judge Randazzo joined the discussion and highlighted the lack of planning in older courthouse designs. Sheriff Wells was concerned that chair lifts might not meet ADA compliance standards. Randazzo agreed that funds should not be wasted on non-compliant attempts and emphasized the need for proper permitting and engineering for any courthouse elevator project. The commissioners thanked Courtney Wegman, participants in the discussion and agreed to continue working on the issue. The commissioners were joined by Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk during the conference call with MAC Attorney Travis Elliot about SB190 ordinance and its application process. Elliot recommended freezing applications for 2024 and applying credits in 2025 due to reassessment. He clarified that homestead eligibility follows the Circuit Tax Breaker definition, covering homes on up to five acres. He also noted that tax credits do not apply to new construction, improvements, the Blind Pension Fund, or passed bonds. The commissioners will continue to refine the application process.

A project is in the planning stage to rehabilitate the U.S. Route 63 Little Piney Creek Bridge in Phelps County. The bridge deck has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement, but the supporting structures are in good condition. The current plan involves temporary traffic signals keeping the bridge open but narrowing it to one lane with a 10 foot lane. Learn more about the $1.3 million bridge project on the website: https://www.modot.org/us-route-63-bridge-rehabilitation-phelps. While there, sign up for project updates. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on social media.