Posts by Stan Podorski

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5220, while a new crossover pipe will be installed on county road 5690 with rock added afterward. Mobray was also going to check out a report of concrete being dumped in the ditch line of Dent County Road 5150. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said maintenance was being done on dump truck #122 and workers were going to pick up county truck #116 from Knapheide after repairs had been made. Polk said rip-rap would be put around some culverts on Dent County Road 4283. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson congratulated KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski on receiving the Eugene E. Northern Award and Bryce Mobray on receiving an Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award last Thursday night at the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet since he missed the last meeting. He also said the MRPC and MoDOT would be at the next commission meeting Monday at 10:00 to discuss road priorities. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the county set a new daily record for absentee voting Tuesday with 225 people voting with another 191 voting on Wednesday. She said the county has already had over 1,600 people vote absentee for this election. Curley said  the“no excuse” absentee voting continues at the courthouse and the last day to absentee vote will be Monday, November 4th from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon at the courthouse. Curley said her office will be open Saturday from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon for absentee voting. If you need to make changes to your voter registration such as a name or address change, please do that as soon as possible so that it will be completed before you go to vote. On Tuesday, November 5th, the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00, and you MUST vote at your polling location, not the courthouse. Bring a photo ID with you when you vote and no electioneering is allowed which means you cannot wear a candidate’s cap, button, T-Shirt, bring candidate literature, etc to the polling location or to the courthouse. The same criteria goes for any issue on the ballot as well. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Healthy Dent County will be having their Sixth Annual Casino Night Fundraiser Saturday, November 2nd at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory with a “Disco” theme. Doors will open that Saturday evening at 5:30 with the gaming beginning at 6:30 and lasting until 9:00. The event features game tables much like the ones you will find in a real casino, as well as a number of professional dealers to run the games. Traditional games such as craps, roulette and blackjack are available as well as two poker tables. Food and a cash bar will also be available. The video simulated horse races created by KSMO Media will return this year as well. Winners of these races will receive special tickets for a drawing to win a five-day, two-bedroom Florida vacation in Orlando at Tuscany Village in May. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after exchanging gaming money for tickets. Some of those prizes include a $300 Visa gift card; Blackstone Griddle; a three-day Branson Trip, Dewalt Tools, Outdoor Furniture, Fire Pit, 3-piece Suitcase set, Adult Tricycle, Propane Gift Certificate, Treadmill, Charcoal, and more. Tickets are available for $50 per person of $85 per couple. Event ticket holders will receive $10,000 in “gaming” money to play the casino games of their choice throughout the evening. Guests are asked to come dressed in their best disco attire and receive an extra $1,000 in gaming money. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after exchanging gaming money for tickets. The event would not be possible without many local businesses sponsoring the event with American Family Insurance agent Jonah Schafer being the main event sponsor. Casino Night tickets are available at Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. For more information, please call 729-8163.

Healthy Dent County is pleased to announce that “Spin” access is now included in the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center membership! It is no longer an additional fee. All members have access to our “spin” room for an individual cardio workout or a class. Join them at the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center, inside the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, where members have access to a fully equipped cardio and weight room, as well as a full-court gymnasium where you can play pickleball, basketball, and volleyball! If you’re a Renew Active or Silver Sneakers member, enjoy a free membership! For questions or membership rates, please give us a call at 573-739-1127 or email lanessa@salemcommunitycenter.org

Tuesday afternoon in a sentencing hearing in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in Dent County, former mayor and alderman of Salem, and former Dent County Fire Protection District fire chief Brad Nash, received a 15-year sentence ruling on each of two felony counts of second-degree child molestation on children less than 17-years of age and the offender greater than four years older which is an aggravated sexual offense. The two terms are to be served concurrently in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Nash had pled guilty on August 28th to the two felony counts. Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released other reports on hearings held Tuesday. Those cases included James Hobson of Salem, who pled guilty to felony drawing or exhibiting of a firearm. Hobson’s probation for the unlawful use of a weapon was revoked and he was sentenced to serve 12-years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecuting Attorney Curley. The defendant had previously served a 12-year RSMO Section 559.115 for the unlawful use of a weapon as a persistent felony offender. Monica Easton pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance. Her probation was revoked, and she was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by Curley. Tenille Hobson of Bunker pled guilty to driving while being impaired and also driving with a revoked license for her involvement in a single vehicle crash in Dent County back in April. She was sentenced to serve eight years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. In the last case heard on Tuesday, Tommy Johnson of Salem, pled guilty on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, meth and fentanyl. He was sentenced to serve seven years under RSMO Section 217.362 as requested by Curley.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to have a safe Halloween. It’s that time of year when young ghosts, vampires, superheroes, and cartoon characters are planning their night of trick-or-treating. It’s imperative that drivers and pedestrians stay alert. Young children excited by Halloween could dart in front of a vehicle. Slow down and drive with extra caution. Expect an increase in the number of slow-moving vehicles in neighborhoods as motorists pick up and drop off trick-or-treaters. Please be courteous and stay alert for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers when you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone! Parents, please remind children to approach only familiar houses that are well-lit. Remind them they should never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle. Consider trick-or-treating with your children for their safety and because it’s a fun way to spend an evening. Give some thought to safety when choosing a costume. Consider using make-up rather than wearing a mask, which can obstruct a child’s vision making it difficult to see an oncoming car. A light-colored costume is easier for drivers to see at night and adding reflective tape to dark costumes makes them visible. Flame resistant costumes are encouraged. All trick-or-treaters are reminded to watch for traffic while they are out and about this Halloween. Remember to look both ways when crossing the street. Use sidewalks wherever possible and trick-or-treat while it is light outside. If you do go out after dark, increase your visibility by using a flashlight and wearing a light-colored costume. An adult should always accompany small children, and older children should stay in groups. Many adults enjoy dressing up and visiting haunted houses or attending gatherings of friends. If you are driving to a costume party, make sure your costume doesn’t hamper your vision. If you attend a Halloween party that includes alcohol, designate a sober driver for the trip home. Alcohol, even in small amounts, slows reaction time and dulls the senses. Driving after you’ve had alcohol could have a sad and possibly deadly result. Have a safe, happy Halloween!

The Dent County Fire Protection District will be handing out free hotdogs at the fire station tonight from 5:30 till 8:00 to everyone in the car! They will also have Ladder Truck 8012 on 4th Street for the 3rd Annual Dent County Trunk or Treat giving out candy. They can’t wait to see all the great costumes.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways has announced deer hunting season dates and guidelines for the upcoming season. The annual firearms deer season runs November 16-26, with youth seasons set for November 2-3 and November 29-December 1. Alternative methods season will run December 28 to January 7. Dent County hunters should note two additional hunting opportunities. The county is included in the antlerless firearms season December 7-15, and will be open during the Chronic Wasting Disease season from November 27 to December 1. Hunting is permitted in most areas of the park except within 300 yards of developed zones, which include buildings, campgrounds, hiking trails, and public facilities. Hunters must wear orange clothing and follow all state regulations. Tree stands must be labeled with owner information and removed by February 15. Ground blinds are allowed but must be removed after each hunt. Superintendent Jason Lott reminds visitors that the park remains open to all during hunting season. To report wildlife violations, contact NPS Arrowhead Dispatch at 844-460-3604 or Operation Game Thief at 800-392-1111. For complete regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.

The City of Salem will launch a city-wide fire hydrant maintenance program on Monday, November 4th, with all work, including painting, expected to be completed in December by Fire Hydrant Services and Repair out of Arkansas. The project will address all 290 hydrants across Salem, with a focus on ensuring optimal functionality and uniform appearance. Over the next month, crews will clear vegetation, replace bonnet seals, oil internal components, inspect outlet threads, and install reflective rings on each hydrant. Fire Hydrant Services and Repair will be documenting each hydrant’s condition, including any leaks, damage, or worn parts, which will help the City proactively address issues moving forward. The Dent County Fire Department has endorsed the use of safety yellow paint for all public hydrant barrels, in alignment with NFPA 291 recommendations. This safety yellow color is designed for visibility and rapid identification, particularly at night, further enhancing each hydrant’s visibility. Water valves for the hydrants will also be painted in the same safety yellow color to maintain consistency. The City of Salem is proud to be taking proactive steps to maintain and beautify our infrastructure in the interest of public safety and aesthetics. For more information, please contact the City of Salem at (573) 729-4811.

For the eighth year, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners, schools and businesses throughout the state, are encouraging better driving behaviors as part of the annual “Buckle Up – Phone Down” Day today. The day challenges all drivers to do the two most important steps while driving to reduce your risk of a fatal crash. The goal of BUPD Day is to have zero traffic fatalities on Missouri roads throughout the day. To date in 2024, of the more than 740 fatalities in Missouri, 63% of vehicle occupants killed were unbuckled. Distracted driving is also a leading cause of crashes in Missouri. In 2023, distracted driving was cited in crashes that claimed 106 lives. In August of 2023, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri, prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The law aims to address distracted driving, which contributed to crashes that claimed the lives of more than 800 people across the state during the last decade. Paired with the requirement to wear a seat belt, the enactment of the hands-free legislation means BUPD is officially law in Missouri. Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has been educating drivers on the new law for the past year, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will begin writing citations for driving distracted beginning January 1, 2025. Drivers can accept the challenge to BUPD at modot.org/bupd.

The 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat is in the works and the committee is looking for amazing organizations and businesses to participate. Some ways you can contribute is by handing out candy on 4th street Halloween evening this Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00. If you are unable to hand out candy due to personnel, time, or wanting to attend with your children donations of prepackaged candy or monetary contributions to purchase more candy is being excepted. As a community, we can help keep our children safe with a blocked off section of 4th street between MacArther and Main Streets. For more information, please contact Deputy Derrick Marfitt at dmarfitt@dentcountysheriff.org or Patrolman John Brown at jmbrown@salemmo.com.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced important changes to fall turkey hunting regulations. Hunters must now purchase a new fall turkey permit, regardless of whether they’re using firearms or archery. This permit is separate from the archery deer-hunting permit. The combined harvest limit for fall turkey hunting has been reduced from four to two birds of either sex. In the Ozark Region, the average fall turkey harvest over the past five years has been 597 turkeys, with 55% to 75% being hens. For deer hunters, the antler-point restriction has been removed for counties within the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone, affecting 13 counties including Phelps. MDC Protection Captain Gerald Smith reminds hunters to purchase permits before hunting, properly notch permits immediately after harvesting an animal, and check deer or turkey by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. Notching can be done on paper permitsor through the MO Hunting mobile app, even without cell service. The archery turkey season runs through November 15, reopens November 27, and continues until January 15, 2025. Fall firearms turkey hunting is now through October 31st in open counties. For more information, hunters can visit the MDC website.

University of Missouri Extension website lists numerous apps to help in decision-making on the farm, says MU Extension agricultural engineering specialist Charles Ellis. Ellis says these apps can help you make objective decisions to better manage your crops and livestock. By entering information from your farm, you can get answers specific to your operation. MU Extension has a large list of helpful apps on their website. Another comprehensive app website is AgPhD. It contains a planting population calculator, spray tip guides and apps on fertilizer removal and corn and soybean diseases, among others. Find it at agphd.com/agphdmobileapps.

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White State Forest Nursery, just north of Licking, is now taking orders for native tree and shrub seedlings. These low-cost seedlings can improve wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, and property value. Available species include pine, oak, walnut, maple, redbud, elderberry, and many others. Seedlings are sold in bundles of 10 or increments of 25, with prices ranging from 40 cents to $1.17 per seedling. Orders can be placed now through April 15, 2025. Early ordering is recommended for best selection. Seedlings will be available for shipping or pickup from February through May. To order or for more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-seedlings.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting this morning in the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a prior commitment and County Clerk Angie Curley appointed Wes Mobray as temporary presiding commissioner. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the updated CART Tax report and said the county received $88,956.90 which is $6,325.44 more than October of 2023. Year-to-date, the county has received over $130,000 more than in 2023 which is a 17% increase. In the District One report, Commissioner Mobray congratulated KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski on receiving the Eugene E. Northern Award and Bryce Mobray on receiving an Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award Thursday night at the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet in Linn, Missouri.  In the road report, he said culverts were being installed and rock would be added to Dent County Roads 5600 and 5615. He added that a man would be going to Springfield to get a load of oil for chip and seal repair. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said work crews would be cleaning up gravel and concrete around the section of the bridge on Dent County Road 4480 that was replaced. He went on to report that bridge repair would be made on Dent County Road 2110 and brush would be cut on county roads 2370 and 5260. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said “no excuse” absentee voting continues at the courthouse, and as of Friday, over 1,030 people have voted absentee. The last day to absentee vote will be Monday, November 4th from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon at the courthouse. Curley said her office will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon this Saturday, November 2nd for absentee voting. If you need to make changes to your voter registration such as a name or address change, please do that as soon as possible so that it will be completed before you go to vote. On Tuesday, November 5th, the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00, and you must vote at your polling location. Bring a photo ID with you when you go to vote.  The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:30 in the hospital library. At the meeting, the Board will review and approve minutes from previous meetings, before they hear the report from CEO Brooke Bollman. The Board will then hear the summary of operations and statistics for the month of September, be updated on the 340B program, hear the Chief Nursing Officer report, and be updated on Human Resources before hearing a report on quality information. The Board will address old business followed by new business that includes CD investments and the foundation bylaw review. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting tonight at 6:30 at the hospital library is open to the public. To attend the meeting electronically, contact the hospital administration office at 729-6626, extension 4005.

KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski was presented the Eugene E. Northern Award at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission Annual Awards Dinner Thursday night in Linn, Missouri at the Osage View. It is the highest award presented by the MRPC for volunteerism. Podorski came to Salem in 1984 and was a volunteer on the Police Personnel Board, Handicapped Services of Dent County Board and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. A few years later, Podorski served on the Salem Park and Recreation Board for eight years, then assisted the Dent County Fall Festival Board with their sound system at the old fairgrounds, then installed the new sound system at the Commons Youth Building, the rodeo arena, the grandstand and livestock arena. Podorski went on to raise over $9,000 in funds for the press box renovations for both the football and baseball press boxes in 2009 and no school funds were used for the improvements. In 2017, Podorski volunteered to help the newly formed Salem Park and Recreation Board and was voted in as president. That board went on to get a TAP grant to create a trail from the park to the high school baseball field, install a splash pad at the city park, renovate the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool and pool house, finish the all-inclusive Billy’s Playground, installed concrete at the blue softball field at the concession stand, renovated the pavilions and secured the old fairgrounds property for the purpose of creating soccer fields. Podorski was instrumental in creating Your World Today in 1991 which is a FREE four-page publication, and in 2022, helped create Town Screen in Salem. Podorski is the second consecutive Dent Countian to receive this prestigious award as last year, Deloris Gray Wood was honored with the Eugene E. Northern Award. Also honored from Dent County was Bryce Mobray, the son of Wes and Kendra Mobray, as he received the Youth Volunteer Award for his work with the Spring Creek 4-H and being a youth project leader for beef projects. Mobray offers market steers and breeding stock heifers for local and state youth involved in beef projects at an affordable price, then helps them to succeed with the development of the animal to show and sell. Congratulations to Stan and Bryce!!!

Missouri is home to more than 900 black bears and their numbers are growing. Many Missourians find these furbearers fascinating and have many questions about them. Are all black bears black? Where do bears spend the winter? What can bear scat show about diet and other things? What’s the biggest bear recorded in Missouri? Why is a fed bear a dead bear? How can people and communities Be Bear Aware? Why is fall a prime time for people and bears to encounter each other out in the woods or on the roads? Get answers to these and other questions through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) upcoming Wild Webcast on Black Bears in Missouri and How to Be Bear Aware tomorrow from noon to 1:00. MDC Black Bear Biologist Nate Bowersock will present information and facts about black bears in Missouri. Vist mdc.gov to register for free.