Local News – Thursday, November 8th, 2018

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the Dent County Fire House. After an approval of the consent agenda, the bills for the month of October were reviewed and approved, and the budget was reviewed. The budget showed a general revenue balance at the end of October of $115,129.04. The capital improvement account from Progressive Ozark Bank has a balance of $16,880.75 as of the end of October. The Dent County Emergency Response account, has a balance of $349.55 as of the end of October. All other accounts balanced and are on track with previous years. In the calendar review, sign ups for the toy drive will be on Monday, November 26th and Thursday, November 29th with the distribution of the toys occurring on Wednesday, December 19th. The monthly reimbursement report was presented for October and it showed a total of 10 calls for the month. In October, there were two structure fire calls, a brush fire call, three first responder calls, seven vehicle accident calls, one mutual aid call with the Jadwin Fire Department, two trainings, and one call classified as “other”.

There has been 238 calls year to date with the average cost per call being $115.62. The department costs to date submitted for reimbursement is $27,517.20. A total of $35,000.00 was budgeted for reimbursement with one month left. Chief Brad Nash reported on the progress of the grant for the needed improvement of the Dent County Fire House. He said the construction could possibly start by the first of the year as the engineering reports are in and have been reviewed and with changes being made. Chief Nash also reported the waste oil furnace in the bay area is failing and will have to be repaired or replaced. Chief Nash said it is becoming harder to find parts and finding someone who can do the repair. Discussion was held by the board on replacing the furnace with an infrared heating system. The board asked Chief Nash to look into the pricing and installation of the infrared heating system. Chief Nash also reported that the department needed to update the board bonds for the department. The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, December 4th at 6:00 at the Dent County Fire House. The meeting was then adjourned.

A two vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at 5:35 in Phelps County on Highway 63, about three miles south of Rolla. According to a report released by the highway patrol, a 2017 Ford Fusion driven by 26-year old Melissa Persicke of Rolla was northbound on Highway 63 and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive and crossed into the southbound lane. When she could no longer safely make the left turn, the vehicle crossed back into the northbound lane. At that moment, a 2007 Chevrolet 1500, operated by 54-year old Cynthia Jasper of Rolla, attempted to avoid the
Fusion and crossed the center of the highway and collided with the Ford. The Fusion was pushed backwards and the Chevrolet traveled off the left side of the road and struck a rock wall. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The Ford Fusion was removed from the scene by C&C Towing while the Chevrolet was removed by Dishman’s Towing. Persicke and a passenger, 8-year old Makenzie Delanois from Rolla, both sustained minor injuries and were transported by Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. Everyone involved was wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

A Stained Glass Workshop will be held tonight from 5:30 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center located behind the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Led by artist and art teacher Amber Pryor, the cost is $25 per person and all materials will be provided for each person to make a project. Reservations can be made by calling 247-0279. At that time you can make payment arrangements and reserve your space. Hurry as this workshop is limited to only eight participants. This workshop is not suggested for pregnant women or small children.
Here are the cumulative totals from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office for all the counties that were involved in these races that shared a local interest from Tuesday’s general Election. The winner is denoted by an *.

Circuit Judge Circuit 42 – Division 1

Megan Seay* 18,072 votes
Sid Pearson 6,860 votes

State Senator – 16th District

Justin Dan Brown* 41,985 votes
Ryan Dillon 17,839 votes

US State Representative District 8

Jason Smith* 190,826 votes
Kathy Ellis 65,043 votes
Jonathan L. Shell 4,418 votes