Posts by Stan Podorski

The Dent County Commission held their 2025 budget hearing Thursday morning at the Dent County Judicial Building. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson presided over the hearing. The General Revenue Fund ended 2024 with net cash available at $2,583,638.27. The estimated revenues for 2025 are $2.505 million dollars while estimated expenses for 2025 are expected to be $2.960 million dollars. This would result in an estimated ending balance of $2,128,313.58 as of December 31st, 2025. Former county commissioner Darrell Skiles questioned the proposed cost of living increase for elected officials without a salary commission meeting in 2024 which is required by state statute to determine an increase, if any. The statute says that without a salary meeting being held, officer’s salaries will be the same as before. The commission said they would check that out and see if the COLA increase based upon previous salary commission meeting minutes is permissible. The Road and Bridge Fund ending cash balance in 2024 was $368,939.36. The commissioners have estimated revenues in 2025 at $3.054 million dollars, and estimated expenses of $3.031 million dollars. This would result in an estimated ending balance of $391,454.36 at the end of 2025. Major expenses will include the road repairs from the November flood of which many will be reimbursed through FEMA, but in what time frame will the money arrive. The Assessment Fund ending balance for 2024 was $110,370.76. The estimated revenues for 2025 came to $237,516.00, and with estimated expenses of $297,327.42, an estimated ending balance at the end of 2025 of $50,559.84 would be expected. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax (LEST) Fund ending balance in 2024 was $889,803.90. With estimate revenues in 2025 expected to be $1.232 million dollars and estimated deductions of $1.410 million dollars, this should leave an estimated ending balance of $711,046.92 at the end of 2025. The 9-1-1 fund had an ending balance of $57,441.13 in 2024. With expected estimated revenues of $35,001 in 2025 and estimated expenses of $45,500, there would be an expected ending balance at the end of 2025 of $46,942.36. The Jail Construction and Operations Fund finished the 2024 year with cash available of $2,442,035.45. The fund is expected to have revenues in 2025 of $2.383 million dollars, and with estimated expenses of $2.674 million dollars, that would leave an estimated ending balance of $2,150,892.19 at the end of 2025. The Jail Construction Trust Fund finished 2024 with an ending balance of $1.672 million dollars. The commissioners estimated revenues of $1.145 million dollars, and with anticipated expenses of $1.360 million dollars, that would leave the fund with a projected ending balance of $1,457,644.37 at the end of 2025. The budget for 2025 was then approved unanimously by the commissioners with the salary increase contingency for the elected officials. The hearing was then adjourned. 

On January 24, 2025, Sheriff Bob Wells and Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley presented a check for the sum of $415.60 to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams to be placed into the general revenue fund for Dent County. The money is the result of efforts by law enforcement involving the seizure of firearms and prosecution of a James M. Larson for an arrest that occurred on April 30, 2024. James Larson was prosecuted for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition to the criminal conviction, the seizure is authorized by Missouri law as a punishment and deterrent to persons that commit a criminal offense. This money will be used for the benefit of Dent County Government.

MoDOT has scheduled road work. In Dent County, roadside work is planned for Routes 32 and H. The Route 19 bridge replacement project at Standing Rock Creek continues, with intermittent lane closures expected through May 2025. In Crawford County, Interstate 44 will undergo pavement repairs from mile marker 224 to 214. Route 49 roadside work is planned from Route 19 to Route Y during the same period. In Phelps County, projects include bridge maintenance on Route 63 at Yancy Mills, culvert replacement on Routes H and M, and roadside work on Routes E and CC. Outer Road 44 will see bridge maintenance starting this week until February 7.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Corky Stack with AEA Stack Design Company was in with his company’s final bill for the work on the courthouse as well as the release of the retainage to Alexander Construction. Stack said the county held out $10,005.19 retainage to pay for any last-minute repairs or oversights, and the commission approved paying the retainage less any expenses to Alexander Construction. They also approved the last bill from AEA Stack Design Company of $138 for the project. Denver Ellis asked the commission about the new water tower the city is putting up out by the hospital and if the commission had checked with the city to see if that was going to affect residents in the area. Former Commissioner Wes Mobray was in attendance and said he spoke with the city about it as well as reviewed the engineers reports which stated there would not be a problem as the municipal well will be deeper than most residential wells. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said maintenance work was being done on a grader and then a dump truck. He also said crews would be working on doing the FEMA estimates for the road repair work that has already been done as well as work yet to be done from the November flood. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said brush would be cut on county road 4370, and rock was being added to county road 2070. That road is being worked on to repair it from the damage of the November flood. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was to attend the MRPC Day at the capital Tuesday but was unable to attend due to a special meeting called by the commission. At that special meeting, the commission approved to raise the Emergency Management Director’s salary during this time where he is putting in the extra time for the FEMA Disaster work for the flood to $20,000 a year. Once the disaster reporting is complete, the salary will return to $3,300 per year. Deputy Clerk Melissa Piatt said Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting Thursday in Jefferson City, and following the approval of the budget, bills would be paid. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public. 

The Salem Police Department has recently released their report for the month of December. The department responded to 10 accidents during the month. Officers responded to seven alarms sounding and addressed 18 animal calls, investigated two assaults or fights, two burglaries, performed 13 well-being checks and 11 area checks in December. Police investigated seven domestic disputes, six verbal disturbances, conducted 27 follow-up investigations, and provided 16 escorts. They investigated three fraud reports, a parking complaint call, an intoxicated pedestrian report, one peace disturbance report, three shoplifting reports and three property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote seven stealing reports, five trespassing reports, responded to seven traffic complaints and assisted four motorists. Officers responded to three reports of suicidal persons, 12 suspicious circumstance calls, nine suspicious person calls, and seven suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve ten warrants and conducted 35 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 390 incidents in December with the average response time to calls being one minute and 56 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 32 minutes and five seconds. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation you can contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.

Volunteers for AARP have been helping Dent County Citizens with free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory. You still have time to make your appointment, but the earliest date for an appointment is now February 7th. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163 through April 4th. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers and will be the 21st year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163. 

The Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council election will end at 4:00 on Friday, January 31st. Dent County voters will have the opportunity to elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of Dent County in January. The council has two positions that need to be filled in the Northern District, five in the Central District and two in the Southern District. Voting may be done at the Dent County Extension Center in the Judicial Building at 112 East 5th Street on the second floor of the Judicial Building. Completed ballots can be mailed to the Dent County Extension Center, 112 East 5th Street, Suite 4, Salem, MO 65560. You can also drop off ballots at the office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. Ballots must be returned by 4:00 on January 31st. Candidates this year include Krystal Sims and Karla Tiefenthaler in the Northern District; Cathy Burrus and Sierra Connell in the Central District; and Lyndsey Loughridge and Mackenzie Wulff-Peterson in the Southern District. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196.

A hands-on workshop on prescribed burning for grassland management will be held Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon and is being organized by the Missouri Department of Conservation. This workshop is offering essential training on planning and executing controlled burns safely and effectively. Prescribed burns are a valuable tool for maintaining native plant diversity and managing invasive vegetation, but improper use can ineffective or dangerous. This workshop will cover burn equipment, weather conditions, ignition techniques, and fire line installation. Participants must complete the online “Official Missouri Prescribed Burn Course” before attending. The course, hosted by a third party for a $25 fee, takes about 2-4 hours to complete. A certificate of completion and mileage sheet must be presented at the in-person field day. Attendees should dress appropriately for the burn, including leather boots, gloves, cotton pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and safety glasses. In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified via email. The workshop is open to adults 18 and older, with registration cancellations accepted through February 7th. For more details visit mdc.mo.gov and select the “Events” link. To complete the required online course, visit hunter-ed.com/prescribedburn.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors have called for a special meeting this evening at 7:00 in the Hospital Library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda will be Public Comments/Presentations. Speakers must sign in and will be limited to a time limit of 3 minutes. No old or new business is scheduled and there will be an Executive Session for discussion with Legal Counsel. Any person that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626, extension 4005, to obtain access information.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Monday afternoon at 2:58 on eastbound I-44 near the 183-mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol report a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by a 46-year-old Rolla male, lost a tire, traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned and struck a group of trees. A passenger, a 14-year-old Rolla male juvenile, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health. Another passenger, a 49-year-old Rolla female, suffered moderate injuries and was also transported to Phelps Health. The report stated that none of the three occupants were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing.

The Doe Run Company and its employees showed support for local communities in 2024 through food drives, event sponsorships, and charitable activities. Throughout the Southeast Missouri region, the company and its employees closed out the year collectively donating nearly $92,000 and devoting more than 545 hours to help a variety of local charities. As part of this charitable initiative, Doe Run’s Buick Resource Recycling Division and Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling teams collectively donated $10,000 to the Old Miners’ Day Committee, and $5,000 to the Salem Community Center at the Armory. These teams made additional donations to the Dent County Trunk or Treat event, Viburnum Sports Club and Salem High School Project Graduation. Leading up to the holidays, Doe Run employees contributed more than 1,300 canned and dry goods to the Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence food drive in Viburnum. Through the “Santas for Seniors” program, Doe Run employees donated $800 worth of gifts to the Guardian Angel Settlement Association, and by donating $537 worth of toys and gifts to children in need through the Iron County School District’s adopt-a-family program. Throughout the year, volunteer hours were devoted to these organizations as well as a variety of additional community events, including Trash Bashes at Sweetwater, Casteel and Buick sites, and organizing and staffing the Spring Rocks ‘n Roll event at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site. Additional donations were made to the Missouri University of Science & Technology for STEM summer camps, VFW Post 6660 of Reynolds County, Reynolds County Sheltered Workshop, Reynolds County Rotary Club, Bunker Volunteer Fire Department, Bunker R-3 School District, Valley R-6 School District, backpack programs at local schools, the Iron County Fair Board, Shriners Hospital, Ellington Chamber of Commerce, Viburnum Lions Club, multiple community sports teams, as well as school band programs and more.

The Dent County Health Center is providing warming items for those in need with winter coats, gloves, mittens, hats and NEW socks. They will continue to provide the service this year. If you would like to help restock the items people have already picked up, you can donate gloves, mittens, all sizes of hats, new socks and blankets. For more information, to donate items or to make monetary donations for staff to purchase items for the warming center at the Dent County Health Center, or if you need someone to pick up your donations, feel free to call them at 729-3106 or stop by the Dent County Health Center on Highway 32-72 East.