Posts by Stan Podorski

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to inform the public of upcoming changes to the driver license testing process. In preparation for the transition, driver examination stations throughout the state will close at 12 noon today,  and all-day tomorrow. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, November 12, following the Veterans Day holiday. Driver examination testing facilities will be closed due to converting to a modernized system, directly integrated into the Department of Revenue’s new driver license system. Follow this link for further information on the driver’s license system changes being implemented by the Missouri Department of Revenue MV-DL System Changes (mo.gov). As part of this upgrade, the Patrol will now offer the Class F written test in a total of 20 languages, which includes a newly created sign language video version of the test made possible by the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The new system will provide a direct digital reporting network to the Department of Revenue. The system will increase efficiency by sending test results directly to the Department of Revenue. The new system will also help deter driver license fraud. For more information, please visit our website at mshp.dps.mo.gov.

Due to flooding in the area, the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Jay Nixon Backcountry conceptual development plan meeting originally scheduled for November 9th has been postponed to Saturday, December 7th at 9:00 in the morning. The guided hikes being held in conjunction with the meeting, including the overnight trip to Jay Nixon Backcountry, are also postponed due to flooded trails. Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend rescheduled informational meetings for both the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Jay Nixon Backcountry on Saturday, December 7th. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the facilities and their operations. These informational meetings are being held in conjunction with the two parks’ conceptual development planning open house. The open house will be held at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. In the event of inclement weather, the open house may be moved to a different location, but an update will be provided prior to the date. As the long-range plan for the park is updated, the public is encouraged to come learn more about the planning process, ask questions and provide input regarding future park use and development. A 30-day comment period will begin December 7th with a survey available online at mostateparks.com/CDP. A guided hike to Mina Sauk Falls will be available for those attending and will begin at 10:30 December 7th and it is a strenuous 3.5-mile hike. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being heldvirtually or in-person in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning around 7:30 in Dent County on Hwy 19 and County Road 5520. According to the highway patrol report a 2015 Toyota Corolla driven by a 54-year-old Salem female was travelling northbound and lost control of the vehicle. The Toyota ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree and a fence. The female suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to Salm Memorial District Hospital. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report goes on to state that she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

Due to significant flooding, Montauk State Park is closed to guests until further notice. Park crews are responding and assessing safety concerns and damage to the infrastructure. As floodwaters recede, they will gain a better understanding of the extent of the damage and the scope of work necessary to reopen the park. Montauk State Park is located at 345 State Road 6670 in Salem. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Creative Arts Center will hold a beginner and intermediate Seed Beading class on Saturday, November 9th from 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon with Cynthia Grigsby. The class is appropriate for all ages! Children (with parent/legal guardian) and adults alike can participate. Each participant will learn the history seed beaded jewelry and make a piece for a keepsake. The cost of the class is $30 and all supplies are included. There must be five people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 15. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

Yesterday, a General Election was held nationally to determine a number of state and national offices as well as number of county offices. In Dent County, 7,176 ballots were cast which comes to 70.20% of registered voters cast their ballot. Only the locally contested races directly affecting Dent County are presented here. These results are unofficial. * Denotes winner

US Representative District 8 (Dent County Precincts Reported)

*Jason Smith (REP) 5,775 votes
Randi McCallian (DEM) 1,010 votes
Jake Dawson (LIB) 193 votes
Write In 10 votes

State Representative District 120 (Dent County Precincts Reported)
*John W. Hewkin (REP) 5,673 votes
Jen Tracy (DEM) 1,208 votes
Write In 14 votes

Presiding Commissioner Unexpired Term
*Gary Larson (REP) 5,522 votes
Write In 416 votes

Senior Homestead Property Tax Credit Question
*Yes 5,197 votes
No 1,708 votes

To all Salem residents impacted by recent flooding, please contact the City of Salem to share your name, address, and contact information if you have sustained property damage. As a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the City of Salem is working to assess the extent of flood damage in our community, whether property is insured through NFIP or not. The NFIP, a federal program, helps protect homeowners from the financial burden of flood damage by offering affordable flood insurance. This insurance provides coverage for both property damage and loss of personal belongings, giving homeowners faster access to funds for repair and recovery than they might receive through other disaster aid programs. Additionally, NFIP participation means that our community follows floodplain management practices, which help reduce flood risk over time. For us to conduct thorough assessments, it is crucial that we compile a complete list of affected properties as soon as possible. While we understand the need to begin cleanup and repair to restore your daily life, conducting assessments prior to these activities is vital. Early evaluations help document the extent of damage, supporting insurance claims and ensuring resources are directed where they are most needed. According to NFIP guidelines, certain cleanup activities can begin prior to assessment, as long as they do not involve structural repairs. Allowable cleanup includes removing mud, silt, or debris, discarding flood-damaged items such as furniture and appliances, and drying out wet areas. However, any repairs to walls, floors, or structural components should wait until after the assessment to ensure eligibility for insurance claims and proper documentation. If your property was affected, please add it to the assessment list by contacting the City of Salem at 573-729-4811 or by e-mailing your information to administration@salemmo.com. We appreciate your cooperation and understand the challenges this flooding has brought to our community. Working together, we aim to recover and rebuild swiftly and effectively.

The City of Salem has announced they have contracted with Forrester Works LLC to begin tree clearing and limb trimming along their electrical feeder lines to ensure safe and reliable electricity for city residents. The work, which started yesterday will continue through mid-January 2025. The electrical line clearing is critical to maintain public safety, protect infrastructure, and meet environmental standards. A map outlining the specific areas scheduled for clearing by Forrester Works LLC, is available for public viewing on Facebook, and affected areas are primarily those located along the noted electric routes. The work will be done along right-of-ways to keep the power lines free from obstruction. The goals from this project are to provide citizens with electricity in a safe manner, allow work to be done on the line safely and efficiently, and protect the electric distribution system. This project will also minimize negative impacts on the environment will allowing the city to comply with federal, state, and local regulations. By doing this work, the city hopes to reduce power outages and minimize storm clean up and dangers. A proper and safe reliable right-of-way primary line should have a minimum of 10 feet of ground to sky clearance on either side of the electric pole. The city wants to people to know that the contractor may need to side trim large trees planted outside of the 20-foot span to achieve this. When trees come into contact with power lines, children, adults, and even livestock are at risk of serious injury or worse. A clean right-of-way keeps you and your family, as well as our crews working out in the field, safe. 

Reliable power delivered safely is always the goal. The City of Salem also has “right-of-way” crews that will be performing routine maintenance and clearing, including the removal of trees and brush that have grown into or under city-maintained power lines and right-of-ways. In non-maintained areas, brush and/or large wood debris will be spread by brush hogging and/or shredding on city-maintained rights-of-way. The debris may also be piled along sides. Any trees located outside the rights-of-way that are a threat to the electric system (such as dying, diseased, leaning, or storm damaged trees) shall be stubbed, cut or appropriately topped to avoid outages, and clean-up will not be provided. Any further restoration/maintenance of the site will be the property owner’s responsibility. For more information or questions regarding the project, please contact the City of Salem’s Public Works Director Steve Paine at 573-729-4811.

The City of Salem has announced they have contracted with Forrester Works LLC to begin tree clearing and limb trimming along their electrical feeder lines to ensure safe and reliable electricity for city residents. The work, which started yesterday will continue through mid-January 2025. The electrical line clearing is critical to maintain public safety, protect infrastructure, and meet environmental standards. A map outlining the specific areas scheduled for clearing by Forrester Works LLC, is available for public viewing on Facebook, and affected areas are primarily those located along the noted electric routes. The work will be done along right-of-ways to keep the power lines free from obstruction. The goals from this project are to provide citizens with electricity in a safe manner, allow work to be done on the line safely and efficiently, and protect the electric distribution system. This project will also minimize negative impacts on the environment will allowing the city to comply with federal, state, and local regulations. By doing this work, the city hopes to reduce power outages and minimize storm clean up and dangers. A proper and safe reliable right-of-way primary line should have a minimum of 10 feet of ground to sky clearance on either side of the electric pole. The city wants to people to know that the contractor may need to side trim large trees planted outside of the 20-foot span to achieve this. When trees come into contact with power lines, children, adults, and even livestock are at risk of serious injury or worse. A clean right-of-way keeps you and your family, as well as our crews working out in the field, safe. Reliable power delivered safely is always the goal. The City of Salem also has “right-of-way” crews that will be performing routine maintenance and clearing, including the removal of trees and brush that have grown into or under city-maintained power lines and right-of-ways. In non-maintained areas, brush and/or large wood debris will be spread by brush hogging and/or shredding on city-maintained rights-of-way. The debris may also be piled along sides. Any trees located outside the rights-of-way that are a threat to the electric system (such as dying, diseased, leaning, or storm damaged trees) shall be stubbed, cut or appropriately topped to avoid outages, and clean-up will not be provided. Any further restoration/maintenance of the site will be the property owner’s responsibility. For more information or questions regarding the project, please contact the City of Salem’s Public Works Director Steve Paine at 573-729-4811. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to inform the public of upcoming changes to the driver license testing process. In preparation for the transition, driver examination stations throughout the state will close at 12 noon on Thursday, November 7, and all-day November 8. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, November 12, following the Veterans Day holiday. Driver examination testing facilities will be closed due to converting to a modernized system, directly integrated into the Department of Revenue’s new driver license system. Follow this link for further information on the driver’s license system changes being implemented by the Missouri Department of Revenue MV-DL System Changes (mo.gov). As part of this upgrade, the Patrol will now offer the Class F written test in a total of 20 languages, which includes a newly created sign language video version of the test made possible by the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The new system will provide a direct digital reporting network to the Department of Revenue. The system will increase efficiency by sending test results directly to the Department of Revenue. The new system will also help deter driver license fraud. For more information, please visit our website at mshp.dps.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Missouri hunters harvested 15 black bears during the state’s fourth bear hunting season, October 21st-30th. More than 5,969 hunters applied during May for 400 permits for the season with the maximum total harvest being 40 bears. Of the 400 hunters selected through a random drawing of all applicants, 319 hunters purchased permits for the season. Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricted to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Each permit issued is for a specific BMZ and hunting is limited to public or private property within the BMZ. Twelve bears were harvested in BMZ 1 out of a maximum of 20 with 166 hunters purchasing permits to hunt the zone. Three bears were harvested in BMZ 2 out of a maximum of 15 with 121 hunters purchasing permits to hunt the zone. No bears were harvested in BMZ 3 out of a maximum of five with 32 hunters purchasing permits to hunt the zone. Of the bears taken, 13 were harvested using firearms methods, one was harvested with archery equipment, and one was harvested with a crossbow. Ten of the harvested bears were males and five were females. MDC Furbearer Biologist Nate Bowersock said we had another successful black bear hunting season this year and despite the acorn crop potentially being above average, hunters were able to harvest a record number of bears. This could be due to the dryer fall conditions, which likely caused bears to move more often in search of water. Learn more about Missouri black bears and bear hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways last free guided hiking adventures this fall will be November 9th and it is open to the public. This will be the “Hike to Honor Veterans” which is a five-mile round trip to Stegall Mountain. The hike begins at 10:00 in the morning.  Hikers are advised to come prepared with appropriate gear, water, and snacks. For more information or details on meeting locations, call (573) 226-3945 or visit the park’s website.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of directors held their regular meeting last Tuesday evening at 6:30 in the Doctor’s Library. The Board approved the minutes from the last three meetings. Hospital CEO, Brooke Bollman gave her report, in which she stated she is working to complete the due diligence request from Phelps Health. She is seeking additional funding opportunities for the hospital, and working on the Cost Report Preparations. Ms. Bollman also presented the Summary of Operations and Statistics. For the month of September, the hospital saw a decrease in inpatient admissions, a slight decrease in outpatient registrations, and a decrease in ambulance runs, but an increase in Emergency Room visits, as compared to August. Total operating revenue for September was $2.8 million.  The 340B program had a net revenue of $36,772. Ms. Bollman stated the hospital is spending less in salaries and payroll, but they are expecting a 35.5% aggregate increase in health insurance premiums, when they renew in November. Total operating expenses for the month were $1.9 million, leaving a profit of about $880,000. She did clarify that the profit for this month went straight to accounts payable, so cash flow is still negative, though they are making improvements. Accounts payable is currently at $1.4 million, which is down significantly from February when the account was over $2 million. The board also voted to not change the banks where the hospital’s CD Investments are kept. The hospital hired two full time employees, but lost seven. The hospital is currently planning an Employee Benefits Fair for open enrollment this month. During the QAPI report, it was noted that the hospital’s medication process now uses the Pyxis Profiling and Medication Scanning. In the Quality Projects, there have been sixteen recorded documentation errors, and not medication errors, in the month of September, and 47 total incident reports between August 26th and September 30th. Organizations interested in applying for the ToRCH Grant must submit applications by December 12th. The Board approved the Foundation Bylaws and before adjourning to closed session, the Board updated the date and time of the next meeting to the evening of November 21st at 7:00. 

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, Planning Manager Anne Freand and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Meramec Area Engineer Preston Kramer will meet with Dent County commissioners and citizens to discuss transportation needs on the state system today at the Dent County Courthouse Commission meeting room at 400 N. Main in Salem. The meeting will start at 10:00 in the morning. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting and share concerns or needs about road and bridge as well as multimodal transportation needs such as bike, pedestrian, airports, transit, rail and port. MRPC and MoDOT will be meeting with all eight counties in the region. Each county is asked to select its top three or four needs to be prioritized with the other projects in the Meramec Region. If you cannot attend the meeting, please reach out to the MRPC at 573-265-2993 at any time to add a need to the list.

Despite this week’s mild temperatures, winter – and the snow, sleet and ice that come along with it – is just around the corner. To help Missourians prepare and stay safe during the winter months, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Weather Service (NWS) are partnering to promote November 4th through the 8th as “Winter Weather Preparedness Week” in Missouri. SEMA and NWS Forecast Offices serving Missouri will be sharing winter weather safety messaging via social media throughout the week. Each day they will focus on a different theme starting Monday with Winter Weather Terminology, Ice Safety will be addressed on Tuesday, Wednesday will be Snow Safety while Thursday will be on Frostbite and Hypothermia, finishing up Friday with Planning for Snow, Ice and Cold. Road safety is also a concern during the winter months. According to preliminary results provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were more than 3,800 vehicle crashes in Missouri in 2023 during periods of snow, sleet, hail or ice, which resulted in 1,198 injuries and 22 deaths. Often, too little attention is paid to the danger posed by prolonged exposure to the cold. According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, 37 people died in Missouri as a result of low body temperatures due to prolonged exposure to cold weather in 2023. Listen to KSMO Radio or check out Your World Today this week during “Winter Weather Preparedness Week” for tips on how you can be ready for winter. 

Chiefs fans! The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks invites you to make a life-saving touchdown for local patients. Join them at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 201 North McArthur from Noon today until 6:00 in the evening. All successful donors will receive an all-new Kansas City Chiefs Kingdom T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors can also enter for a chance to win a game day package that includes two tickets and a parking pass to Kansas City’s December 21, 2024, game against the Houston Texans. Donors can schedule an appointment at cbco.org/donate-blood or calling 417-227-5006.