Posts by Stan Podorski

The ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week featuring tips for people to avoid scams and protect their sensitive data. The special week is part of the Security Summit initiative, a joint effort between the IRS, states, the tax industry and tax professionals that works to protect everyone as well as the tax system against identity theft. Abundant scams and rip-offs being seen by the IRS and the Security Summit partners include ever-evolving and increasingly sophisticated phishing emails and related attacks on the unsuspecting. Taxpayers can be duped into unwittingly handing over their confidential tax and financial information. Would-be victims could also get tricked into disclosing their addresses, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers or passwords, which can lead to tax-related identity theft and fraud. A common example right now involves false messages made to look like they’re coming from delivery services. In these scams, victims receive a text or email purporting to be from a company or business saying a delivery can’t be made along with a link to click to reschedule. But in reality, the link represents a form of phishing that attempts to steal personal information or download malware. It’s a very prevalent scam expected to intensify during the holidays. Remember, don’t click on anything unknown, even if you just ordered gifts and you’re expecting packages to come to your door soon. Double-check before you click! Another common scam expected to intensify soon will involve emails pretending to be from the IRS or others in the tax industry. These frequently involve unexpected, good news, like a tax refund. But they can also involve variants telling people they have a tax bill or have tax documents available to download. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says everyone should use extra caution this holiday season to protect their valuable personal and financial information, whether shopping online or clicking on links in email and other messages. A little extra caution can protect taxpayers’ confidential information and reduce the risk of identity theft in the upcoming tax filing season where scam artists will use the information to file fraudulent tax returns and steal your refund.

The City of Salem has announced its Holiday Lighting Contest. Residents and business owners are invited to light up the holiday season by participating in the 2024 Holiday Lighting Contest. Open to both residential and commercial properties, the contest encourages festive displays that celebrate the spirit of the holidays. Participants must register by Friday, December 6, at the City Utility Office to be eligible. The Holiday Lighting Contest will have two categories: Residential and Commercial. The judging will take place in mid-December, with winners announced on December 27th. Decorated displays must be set up by the evening of the Christmas Parade on the first Saturday of December and remain in place through December 25th, allowing community members ample time to enjoy them. Winning entries in each category will receive credits on their City Utility bills in the amounts of $100 for 1st Place, $50 for 2nd Place and $25 for 3rd Place. Funds for contest awards come from the Community Support line in the City’s General Fund, not from Utility revenues. To promote community viewing, the city will publish a map of contest locations, allowing residents and visitors to explore these holiday displays. By entering, participants agree to have their address sharedpublicly for this purpose. Individuals affiliated with the City of Salem are not eligible to participate in the contest. For more information and a registration form, visit our website at salemmo.com/city then scroll down to the News Feature and click on “Holiday Lighting Contest”. You may also contact the City Utility Office at 573-729-4117.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association is proud to announce the “Old Fashioned Christmas” Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is now open! Trees and Trains is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. On Saturdays, from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon, and Sundays from 1:00 until 5:00 in the afternoon. Groups are welcome. This community event is only possible with the support of numerous organizations, businesses and individuals creating a beautiful collection of unique Christmas trees complimented by fun trains that catch every child’s eye. SACBA also wants to send out their heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers who give of their time during the holidays to make this event special. Donations are encouraged to thank the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for hosting this festive event!

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports four people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period that started at 6:00 Wednesday, November 27, and lasted through 11:59 Sunday night. During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following preliminary traffic statistics for 2024 show there were 362 crashes with 120 injuries and four fatalities which were all investigated by the highway patrol. There were also 106 DWI arrests made by troopers. During the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 431 traffic crashes, which included four fatalities and 138 injuries. Statewide, nine people died and 483 people were injured in 1,342 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 103 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, one traffic fatality occurred in the Troop C area near Weldon Spring, MO; one traffic fatality occurred in the Troop D, Springfield area; one traffic fatality occurred in Troop F in the Jefferson City area; and one traffic fatality occurred in Troop G, Willow Springs area. On the water this year, there were zero boating crashes, zero boating fatalities, zero drownings, and zero boating while intoxicated arrests reported during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. In the road report for District 1, rock was going to be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6210, while only grading was being done on county roads 5180 and 6090. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated that rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2120 and 5310. He said crews would be changing a filter on grader #42 and the grader blades were being changed on grader #37. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley all attended the MAC Conference last week before Thanksgiving and said it was a very good conference. He did say he would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District meeting today in St. James which will be followed by their awards banquet which Larson will also attend. Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for October. The commission also voted to approve a requested budget adjustment for the Sheltered Workshop for 2024 showing an additional $45,608 in income. The next commissioner meeting will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

These reports were released for the last week of November from the Dent County Sheriff’s office. On Saturday November 23rd deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 1800 block of County Road 2400. During the stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. Subject was transported to the Dent County Jail. Then on Monday November 25th deputies conducted a traffic stop at W. Franklin and Highway 19. During the stop, a consent search was conducted, and a 42-year-old Salem man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Subject was transported to the Dent County Jail. The next day Tuesday November 26th deputies conducted a well-being check at County Road 3240 and 3230. During the call, a 42-year-old Salem man was found to be in possession of a firearm. Charges are pending based on the subject being a convicted felon. Later that same day deputies conducted a traffic stop at Hunt St. and Highway 19. During the stop, the operator, a 62-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving without a valid license. Additional charges for failing to register as a sex offender are pending. On Wednesday November 27th deputies responded to the 500 block of County Road 5110 for a physical assault. During the call, a 47-year-old Salem woman was arrested for assaulting her 67-year-old father. Subject was transported to the Dent County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold pending issuance of formal charges. The next day Thursday November 28th deputies responded to the 800 block of E. Hawkins St. for a wanted subject. The suspect, a 51-year-old Salem man, was arrested on a warrant and transported to the Dent County Jail. The following day Friday November 29th deputies responded to the 5800 block of W. Highway 32 for a stranded motorist. During the call, a 50-year-old Salem man was arrested on an active warrant and transported to the Dent County Jail. If you have any information on any ongoing investigation, please contact the Sheriff’s office at 573-729-3241.

Tuesday night, November 26th in closed session, the Board of Aldermen met in closed session to discuss personnel matters. During this session, the Board unanimously approved a merit pay adjustment for the City Administrator, Sally Burbridge. The decision was made following a roll call vote, with all members voting in favor. The adjustment reflects the merit percentage previously approved for city employees in the current fiscal year and takes effect immediately. Burbridge appointment in January of 2023 and has demonstrated steadfast leadership, with a vision and dedication to making progress in our community. The Board of Aldermen and the Mayor extend their gratitude to Mrs. Burbridge for her outstanding contributions.

The 2024 Christmas Fest Art show and Sale with the Ozark Heritage Artisans will be held Saturday, December 7th from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon at the Creative Arts Center on South Main, next the ONCRC. Everyone is welcome to shop for unique handcrafted gifts and home accessories created by local artists at the annual Christmas Fest Art Show and Sale! There will be demonstrations, free snacks and a free kid’s craft table, an elementary art show, and a holiday door prize.  Thanks for supporting the Arts and shopping local in our community!

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 159,120 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, November 16th through the 26th. Of the 159,120 deer harvested, 82,613 were antlered bucks, 13,203 were button bucks, and 63,304 were does. Top harvest counties statewide were Franklin with 3,530 deer harvested, Texas with 2,935, and Howell with 2,741. Top counties in our area include Dent County with 1,594 deer harvested, Crawford County reported 833 deer had been taken, Reynolds County had 1,114 deer harvested, Phelps County hunters took 1,417 deer, and Iron County saw 1,400 deer taken. This year’s harvest total was 15% below the five-year average. Less than ideal hunting conditions throughout much of the November portion was a factor that contributed to this year’s lower opening weekend harvest total with another factor being an abundance of acorns that had an effect on deer movement. Deer hunting continues in Missouri with the Late Antlerless portion starting December 7th and lasting until the 15th in open counties. The Alternative Methods portion of the hunting season will be from December 28th through January 7th, 2025. The archery deer season reopens Wednesday, November 27 and runs through January 15th, 2025. Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov. 

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) has closed its waiting list, effective Tuesday, November 26th and is no longer accepting new applications for housing assistance. This action came as a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency that provides the rental assistance funding, to head off a projected funding shortfall in 2025. Current participants of the HUD Choice Voucher Program, administered by the Phelps County PHA, are not impacted by this closure. Only those wishing to apply for assistance or those currently on the waitlist but have not yet received a voucher will be impacted by the closure of the waitlist. The reason for closing the wiat list is the high demand for housing assistance that have higher than normal rents which could cause a budget shortfall. Public notice will be provided once the waitlist has reopened. Those currently on the waiting list will not need to reapply but will maintain their position on the waitlist, once the list has reopened. There are roughly 148 families with approved vouchers looking for housing in the six-county area. The Phelps County PHA provides HUD Section 8 rental assistance to about 700 families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city of Rolla) and Washington counties at a cost of $3.5 million annually. Persons needing more information should call 573-265-4200 or via email at dkeeney@meramecregion.org. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) provides staffing to the Phelps County PHA. Tim Schulte, presiding commissioner of Gasconade County, chairs the PHA board. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs. 

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a Winter Themed Clay Handbuilding class with Wanda Nickles and Tana Kettner tomorrow and on the 10th from 5:30-7:30 in the evening. The two-evening class includes sculpting & glazing, then pick up your figurine later. Attendees will learn the basics of handbuilding with clay to create your own winter decorative figurines. The class is appropriate for all those 12 and older. The cost of the class is $40 and for the classes and firings, and all supplies are included. There must be four people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited at 12. Then on Thursday evening, there will be a class on Hand-stamped Copper Jewelry Making, from 6:30 to 8:30 with Leann Light. Attendees will learn how to stamp on metal, add texture  (if you wish), make a chain and assemble your necklace. At the end of the class you will take home a custom stamped, one of a kind, piece of jewelry created entirely by you. All tools and materials will be provided. The class is appropriate for all those 14 and older. The cost of the class is $50 and all supplies are included. There must be two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited at six. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting yesterday evening at 6:00 in the auditorium. The session began with a public hearing regarding a utility committee recommendation to increase sewer fees for water meters three inches and larger, followed by a citizen’s concerns about a fire hydrant and a dilapidated house. Notable approvals included an $18,400 bid from Willard Asphalt for hot mix asphalt that will be used for street repairs and a $4.2 million bid from Midstate Pipeline Maintenance for the grant-funded Water Tower Project. The Board addressed multiple legislative items, including the first reading of Bill 3630 concerning sewer service fees, and approved second readings of bills 3631, 3632, and 3633 related to the water tower construction. They also reviewed and approved Bill 3634, which requested a change order for the Downtown Sidewalk Project, adding $1,943 in concrete work pending MoDOT approval. Additionally, the Board approved the sale of three vehicles from the Police Department through Purple Wave, with proceeds going to the General Fund. City officials provided various updates during their reports. Finance Director Stacy Houston discussed city finances, while City Administrator Sally Burbridge covered ongoing projects and announced BHMG Engineers will be making a presentation during the next Utility Committee meeting. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported on utility crew activities and reminded citizens that the proper procedure for reporting utility issues, within city limits, is contacting the administration office at 573-729-4811. The meeting concluded with several community announcements, including the upcoming Christmas Parade on December 7th and PJs and Pancakes event on December 14th. Former Alderwoman Kayla Sisco received an award for her service, and Alderman John Whelan promoted the ongoing Trees and Trains exhibit at the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center. The meeting then adjourned to closed session. 

The Dent County Commission met last Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In other business address late in the meeting, Alexander Construction Company talked with the commissioners about the roof repairs and the Christmas Lights. The commission awarded the roof repair bid to Trainer and Company, but the commissioners are still having trouble with the Christmas Lights. Alexander recommended to the commission to talk with the company and have their warranty begin from the date of November 21st as Alexander will no longer be responsible. He said the commissioners need to take pictures when there is a problem to send to the company. Alexander also talked about the vent that was damaged from the storm and water that is leaking through that. The commission approved Alexander repair the exterior vent damage. The commission talked with Curt Faigle from the 100-Acre Wood Rally which will be held March 14th and 15th. The only difference from last year’s rally is this year Dent County Road 5550 will be used. A landowner that lives on the road is a big supporter and loves the rally. The commissioners also discussed nominating a person for the CLERF Board. The commission nominated and approved adding Will Woolman to the board. The meeting was then adjourned. The commission will be meeting Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Creative Arts Center will hold a Flat Reed Basket Weaving class on Monday evening, December 2nd from 6:30-8:30 with Connie Light Come and make a white oak flat reed napkin basket! Basket will be approximately 8” square. You will finish the basket in class, so you can take it home that day. No prior knowledge is required. The class is appropriate for all those 14 and older. The cost of the class is $40 and all supplies are included. There must be two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited at six. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will hold the Christmas Parade of Lights in Salem on Saturday, December 7th starting at 6:00 with this year’s theme: “Have Your Elf a Merry Little Christmas.”  This year’s Grand Marshalls will be Mike and Diane Godi. Entry forms are now available at the office of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce in Salem. Forms need to be returned by December 2nd. If you have any questions, you can call the Chamber at 573-729-6900.