News – Tuesday, February 4th 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6250, 6400, and 6670, plus rock would be added to those roads if needed. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3360, 3370, 4270 and 4480, plus brush would be cut on county roads 4040 and 4330. He also noted that rock would be added to county roads 2405 and 4280. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that he attended the Opioid Committee meeting last week where several applications received tentative approval and were forwarded to MRPC for review and to determine if they met the requirements. The applications will be returned to the committee for awarding of funds to those meeting the criteria. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. At 10:00 representatives from Mike Keith Insurance were in to introduce themselves and let the commission know that they would like to be on the RFQ list if the commission puts it out for auto, property and liability insurance RFQ’s this fall. At 11:00 the commission held a conference call with Courtney Wagmen from LJ Hart & Company to discuss jail bonds and funding. David Messenger was in and inquired about the commission’s procedures for transferring a railroad right-of-way back to a landowner. He also asked about load limits for chip-and-seal roads. The commissioners clarified that low-water crossings have weight limits and that chip-and-seal rads can typically withstand 5 to 10 tons, depending on the materials used. Then at noon they had a conference call with MAC Attorney Travis Elliott to discuss an SB 190 ordinance and its application process. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Thursday evening at the Judicial Building, the Dent Count Opioid Settlement Committee met to discuss applications for funding from the opioid settlement monies being received by the county. The committee prioritized that funds will be used to treat or serve those in Dent County first, and that applications have no minimums or maximums. Deputy Rick Letchworth led the committee discussion which was focused on the nine applications received for funding. The fund currently has $325,609.22. The board heard about Parted Waters who requested funding for residential housing, the Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition who requested funding to expand their “Too Good for Drugs” classroom instruction to include 7th through 9th graders as well as create a mentoring program, and the Dent County Health Center who submitted three applications to provide additional meeting space in the community, provide transportation for mostly non-medical needs in the community, and wanting to create a review board for reports on opioid abuse or overdose. The board also heard about two applications from the Salem Memorial Hospital with the first concentrating on three Lucas Devices for chest compression and the creation of harm prevention kits, with the other application being the purchase of a new ambulance; an application from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for two Lucas devices, a new TruNarc analyzer and compensation for officers being taken off the road to work narcotics; and the last request was from Four Rivers Community Health Center. The total amount of the applications for funding came to $1,068,368.85. Letchworth said the committee will discuss the applications and submit their recommendations to the MRPC. Once he gets them back from the MRPC, he will present them to the Dent County Commission for their approval to be funded. He said the process should take about a week or so.

The Creative Arts Center will hold group Crafting every Sunday through February 23rd from 2:00 until 6:00 with Nicole Curtis. If you need a place to spread your crafts out or don’t like to do crafting alone, bring your supplies to the Creative Arts Center and hang out, spending time with other crafty people. You do have to have all your own supplies and only the front room and bathrooms will be available. The class is open to all those 16 years of age and older with a suggestion donation of $5.00 that goes towards utilities. No children without an adult please. On Thursday night, from 5:00 until 8:00, students can learn to make Chunky Knit Blanket with Danielle Kissir. This is a beginner’s class and is fun for all ages, open to those 10 years of age and older. Crochet or knitting experience is not required. The cost of the class is $75 with yarn and supplies included. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.