News – Friday, July 19th, 2024

The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Road and Bridge Department grader operators Danny Wethy, Steve Lundy, Travis Turner and Norman Bell were in attendance. Also in attendance was Second District Commissioner Candidate Denver Ellis. During public comments Second District Commissioner Gary Polk confronted Ellis about comments he alleged Ellis had made during his interview with Stan Stevens on KSMO Radio. Ellis denied Polk’s accusations and shared his viewpoint of the comments he’d made. Polk reviewed the hours and years of grader operation experience for each man, plus commented about the training they had received. Turner explained how they pull ditches, crown the roads and grade them. He also explained the modern technology in the graders, the grading processes, and how each road actually grades different each time the graders go over them. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson pointed out that the operators have gone to proper training. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray noted that budget limitations only allow so much that they road crews can do to the roadways. The four men were thanked for their attendance as they left the Commissioners’ Office. In the road report Mobray said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5525, 6070, and 6255, while brush would be cut on county road 6180. Polk reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2050, 2060, 4270, and 4280, plus rock would be hauled to county road 2070. He also noted that 3/8-inch chips were being stockpiled for Chip and Seal patching, plus grader blades were being replaced on Grader #37. Larson reported that the Tourism Tax Committee meeting was moved to Tuesday night where two proposals were presented, and two reimbursement requests were approved. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that bills were being approved for payment and that absentee voting continues. She encouraged voters to update their voter registration information ASAP and any questions should be directed to her office at (573) 729-4144. Curley also noted that electioneering is not allowed within 25 feet of the polls and voters will need a photo id. Mobray also reported that he and Collector Shannon Vankirk went to a Bunker City Alderman meeting to discuss SB190. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to set the 2024 Tax Rate Hearing for General Revenue, Road and Bridge, SB40, and the Senior Citizens Service Fund for August 22nd at 10:00. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The St. James community is mourning the loss of a 31-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing an intersection with a juvenile at N. Jefferson and Highway B around 9 Wednesday night. The juvenile who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite a swift emergency response from, the St. James Police Department, St. James Fire Department, St. James Ambulance District, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, and Mercy Life Line Air Medical Services the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation into the accident is currently underway by the St. James Police Department and the Phelps County Coroner’s Office. The families affected are requesting privacy during this difficult time.

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo is going on now at the Commons. Today the Hog Show will begin at 7:00 this morning, followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. Later in the afternoon the Small Animal Show will start at 1:00. The Beef and Dairy Show will start at 2:00 then to cap off the day, a Buyer Supper will begin at 6:30 in the evening. Then tomorrow the 4-H FFA Market Sale will begin at 9:00 in the morning. KSMO Media will be on hand to live stream the event on their three streaming platforms, YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook. KSMO Radio 1340 AM and 95.7 FM will broadcast the live audio.

The Creative Arts Center will have a Christmas in July Ceramics Paint Party on Friday July 26th from 6:00 in the evening till 8:00. Spend a relaxing few hours painting nostalgic Christmas keepsakes. They’ll have various sizes of ceramic Christmas trees available to glaze and fire, as well as other ceramic figurines, plates, bowls, cups, etc. What better way to bring the Christmas spirit into the heat of summer, than to paint some memorable pieces to pass down from generation to generation! The cost is $5 and will go towards the cost of your ceramic pieces. To register, go the SACBA website and find the Programs tab. Find the Creative Arts Center and click to register for the class.