Posts by Stan Podorski

The Dent County Commission will hold a special meeting will be held this morning at 9:00 to discuss the Emergency Management Director salary for budgeting. The meeting is open to the public at the Dent County Courthouse.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 10:00 in Texas County on Highway 137 three miles north of Raymondville that left two Salem residents with minor injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2008 Toyota Prius, driven by a 54-year-old female, traveled off the right side of the roadway impacting a metal sign and a tree. The driver, along with a 48-year-old male passenger, were both wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing at the owner’s request.

The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully reached their Christmas Kettle Campaign goal of $37,500. Along with the monetary donations received this year, nearly 180 local children were adopted at the Angel Tree that was located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or who adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2025 to those in need in Dent County. If you would like to find out more about the Salvation Army Service Unit helping during the 2025 holiday season with bell ringing, please call 573-729-8163.

The Salem R-80 School district held their regular meeting Thursday evening at 5:30 in the district office. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board recognized Salem Middle School students Braxton Hopkins, John Kiser, and Jermaine Watson for their work on Tiger Talk Middle School News Production, and received an update from Cahill’s Construction regarding the FEMA building. During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Nathan Wills addressed various CSIP Goals and provided updates on the high school men’s restroom. He also acknowledged significant donations totaling $126,000, including $58,000 from the Dragonfly Wing Foundation, $50,000 from the Judson Young Foundation, and $8,000 from Mary Coffman for the Construction Trades Building, and $10,000 from the Judson Young Foundation for the Family and Consumer Science Program. In New Business, the board approved several items, including MSBA Policy Updates, the Conflict of Interest Ordinance, and a transfer of $148,796 from Fund 1 to Fund 4 for food service purchases. The board then moved into Executive Session to discuss student and personnel matters before adjourning. 

Each January, EPA seeks to raise awareness of radon exposure during National Radon Action Month, encouraging residents to protect themselves and their families by having their homes tested for the presence of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. If left untreated, radon can build up indoors, leading to adverse health effects. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., taking the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans every year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk, and testing for radon can help prevent prolonged exposure. It is estimated that on the average, one in three homes in Missouri have dangerously high level as of radon. You can check the EPA’s website to view a map of Radon Zones for Missouri. The EPA recommends taking action to fix your home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If your home does have elevated levels of radon, a qualified professional can install a system to lower your indoor radon levels. For more guidance on how to address radon risks, see the EPA’s radon website.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, January 16th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that due to the departure of the Communicable Disease Nurse there were no COVID-19,  lead, Influenza, or animal bite reports, however there were 8 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, but total tests were not reported. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 11 total inspections conducted, no recalls, one sewer complaint, and 14 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was no car seats distributed, two CPR Courses conducted, no consultations for Childcare Health, no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 10 Title X appointments, 3 Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), and 334 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 419 total appointments other than WIC, 161 total provider appointments, 111 treatment court visits, 157 lab appointments and 86 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 1 family planning, no well-child visit, 6 online appointments, no other well-woman exams, no other physicals, 3 SEMO physicals, 11 other visits, and 39 acute illness appointments. Physician Service Details showed no well visits, 3 online appointments, no other physicals, 9 SEMO physicals, 35 other visits, and 54 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 145 individual patients, 19 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests and 5 lead tests reported. Immunizations for December totaled 43 for COVID-19, 37 for Influenza, and 113 other vaccines given for a total of 193 total doses given. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Health Center Lead Assessor had passed her tests. He reminded the Board that community members can bring in items to be tested with the XRF scanner to see if they have lead. Moser went on to report that the Health Center would conduct a Health Fair May 2nd, plus with the purchase of the property at 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard the conference room had been moved to the new building and the old conference room had been set up for office space. He reported on the ToRCH grant the Health Center received to support a DCHC Dietitian. The Board moved to approve the addition of the dietitian position. Moser gave a summary of other grants which had been applied for or were in process, including a proposal sent to the Opioid Settlement Board for Dent County as well as a partnership grant between Health Dent County, Salem Memorial Hospital and DCHC. Financial reports showed the Health Center revenue for FY24 was $1,766,750.66 and expenses were $1,369,203.88 for net revenue of $397,546.78. Financials were reviewed and approved. No closed session was held. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, February 20th at 5:00.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a Winter “Paint N’ Sip” class on Friday, January 31st from 6:00 until 8:30 with Danielle Norris. Come and paint a winter scene with a cardinal complete with glitter! Bring your bestie, your favorite snack and a beverage of your choice! Adults only. The cost is $25. The class is open adults only. All supplies are included. There must be six people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 20. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Bob Gravely Jr. was in and had questions about how the budget is prepared by the commission. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson and County Clerk Angie Curley explained the process starts about two months before the end of the year, then officer holders will receive income and expense reports in December for the current year before submitting their budget requests to the commission for the next year. The commissioners review all the requests and then may ask the office holders to come into a regular meeting to discuss their needs before a tentative budget is prepared. The public hearing to approve the budget will be held on Thursday morning at 10:00, January 23rd at the commissioner’s office in the courthouse at which time the commission will go over key points of the budget before it is approved. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in and congratulated Commissioners Keith Green and Jimmy Williams on taking office. He said the 119th Congress has been busy passing FEMA bills with bi-partisan support to help expedite claims and hold them accountable for getting to the stricken areas to assess the damage and provide help to those citizens. He also said they have passed bills on not allowing men to participate in female sports, and for the United States to enter into a tax treaty with Taiwan that should help decrease the reliance on China. Wilson said they are working on a bill that would extend the Trump tax cuts, reduce spending and work on the energy situation, but that is still being discussed in Congress. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said workers will be picking up a truck that broke down on the way to Knapheide in Jefferson City to have the salt spreader installed and are bringing it back to the shop for repairs. He also said crews would be out checking roads for slick spots. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers are spreading salt and sand on remaining slick spots, doing some minor grading, and cutting brush and low limbs on county road 4330. Commissioner Williams said the county is waiting on bids to extend the warranty on the Caterpillar graders from Fabick as the warranty has already expired. Gary Parker also came in and said there is ice on a hill as well as on a bridge on Dent County Road 5225, and Commissioner Williams said he will have someone check that out. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he and Commissioner Green attended the FEMA meeting Tuesday. He said Dent County sustained between six and seven million dollars in road damages, and after meeting with the FEMA officials, the county will address the damaged roads and bridges in projects. According to Commissioner Green, crews will be doing repairs one project at a time, then submitting the paperwork necessary to be reimbursed before moving on to the next project. He said a project may be six or seven roads, or could just be one bridge, depending on the severity and the costs associated with making the repairs. He said this is the only way the county can afford to make the needed repairs without having to borrow money. Clerk Angie Curley said the preliminary county budget is available in her office and can be picked up, or you can contact them and they can e-mail you the budget. Call 729-4144 for more information. She also said tax entity certifications are due by January 28th in her office. Curley went on to say the courthouse would be closed on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King’s birthday. She also said she would be attending a Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting on Thursday, January 23rd. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning, January 23rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.