Posts by Stan Podorski

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, the commissioners discussed a road issue before giving road reports. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6090 while only grading would be done on county roads 5170 and 5510. He said brush would be cut on county road 5015 and a man would be picking up a truck from Springfield that has been repaired. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2200 while only grading would be done on county roads 2190 and 2370. He said brush would be cut on county roads 2250 and 2260 and a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair as well as taking a man from District 1 to bring the repaired truck back. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation board meeting last week in St. James where they discussed the MRPC lease and went over some grants including one for the SMTS busses. He also said he was elected as Vice-Chairman of the MCEC. At 10:00, Randy Beech, who is the Vice President of Special Projects at Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC, and Tim Jones, the plant manager at the Royal Oak plant in Salem, met with the commission on the problems of semi-trucks using and damaging county roads going to and from Royal Oak. Beech discussed Royal Oak wanting to address the problem with a two-pronged approach: the first way was addressing the issue through their bills of lading, and the second was to post signs at the Royal Oak plant in Salem to strategically instruct the drivers once arriving at the plant, be it the warehouse or scales. These signs will use the international symbols and will be installed soon. The county is also planning to install their own signs on the county right-of-way on the county roads to deter the truck traffic. Commissioner Larson said the commission is not against Royal Oak Charcoal being in Dent County and were excited about their expansion, but wanted to find a mutual solution to the trucking issues after the group of citizens made their appearance at the commission meeting. Beech asked if the commission had an ordinance prohibiting truck traffic in place so that violations could be enforced. He was told not yet as the county is waiting to install the signs first, but they have a sample ordinance ready to adopt. The commission did want to take another tour of the plant now that the expansion is complete and Jones said that would not be a problem to just call and set up a time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Friday, May 31st, deputies responded to the 4500 block of Dent County Road 2050 for the report of a burglary. During the investigation, it was determined that items were stolen from the residence. Suspect information was developed and the investigation is ongoing. The next day, June 1st, deputies responded to the 100 block of Dent County Road 5120 for the report of a wanted subject. During the course of the investigation, a 20-year-old Salem woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Additional charges for the possession of a controlled substance will be applied for. On Friday, June 7th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of South Main Street. The driver, a 28-year-old Viburnum man, was arrested for driving on a suspended driving privilege. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. If you have any information regarding and investigation please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

To help Missourians prepare for summer weather, the state will observe “Summer Safety Day” this Wednesday. SEMA and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourage all persons to pay attention to local forecasts and plan accordingly when activities are outside. Humidity can amplify the feeling of heat measured by a heat index, so it is especially important to keep a close eye on friends and family and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Remember, never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Even on a cooler day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in 10 minutes and pose a real threat to anyone left inside. Always “look before you lock” and check the back seat each time you exit your vehicle. Remember these safety measures to protect yourself and your family during the summer heat. If the weather forecast calls for heat and humidity, limit outdoor exposure. Also drink plenty of water and limit intake of alcoholic beverages. People should eat light, well-balanced meals at regular intervals and wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. If in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head; and use at least SPF 30 sunscreen. If possible, avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. If you do not have air conditioning, consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls or other community facilities. Find out before the heat arrives about nearby cooling centers. Check on family, friends and neighbors who may not have air conditioning or spend much of their time alone. Also, people need to be aware of medications that may impair the body’s response to heat, including antihistamines, tranquilizers and some medications for heart disease. Don’t forget you pets! If left outside, make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water and access to shade.

The University of Missouri Extension in Shannon County will be holding “Backyard Chickens 101” Thursday from 5:30 until 7:00. The course will be held at the Shannon County Extension Meeting Room in the Shannon County Extension in Eminence. This in-person course will teach you how much fun it is to raise chickens in your backyard! The topics include getting started, breeds, nutrition, housing, local regulations, the basics on marketing eggs, and more. There is no cost to attend. Those who want to attend need to register by calling the Shannon County Extension Office at 226-3268 or register at extension.missouri.edu/events. For more information, call Eric Meusch at 573-729-3196.

A fatality accident happened Friday evening just after 6:00 in Crawford County on Highway 8 at Indian Springs Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Dodge 1500 being driven by 30-year-old Cody Carey of Steelville, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane and struck head-on a 2019 Ford F-150 being driven eastbound by 37-year-old Joshua Morgan of Steelville. Morgan was pronounced dead at 7:14 by Dr. McCarthy at the Missouri Baptist hospital. A passenger in the Morgan vehicle, 40-year-old Leah Morgan of Steelville, suffered serious injuries and was taken by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Carey suffered minor injuries and was taken by the North Crawford County ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. All involved in the accident were wearing seat restraints. Carey was arrested by the highway patrol for DWI-causing the death of another, DWI-causing serious injury, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway, careless and imprudent driving causing an accident, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and failure to properly affix a license plate. He was taken to the Crawford County Jail for an initial 24-hour hold.

The City of Salem’s Finance and Capital Improvements Committee will hold a meeting Monday evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. After the call to order will be the review of the proposed fiscal year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Plan and recommendation, to be followed by the fiscal year budget review and recommendation, which will be followed by adjournment. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, Chairman of the Finance Committee.

At the Dent County Commissioner meeting on Thursday, the commissioners heard from Jeff and Austin with Great Rivers Engineering on FLAP Project #077 which is for the paving and road improvements to be made to Dent County Road 6670 which is the back way into Montauk State Park. The cost of the project will be $725,000 which will widen the road, improve curves, stabilize slopes along the Current River and asphalt the road within the right-of-way. The county could do some of the work which would reduce the cost, but this project is 100% grant with no match, so the entire project will be bid out. The engineers then talked about the FLAP/TAP sidewalk project for the courthouse square. This is an 80/20 match grant. The survey has been finished and the project will include replacing the current sidewalks and the improving ADA access with sidewalks being moved to street level where possible, and installing a block retaining wall where the outside sidewalks still have to be elevated. They will eliminate the three angled sidewalks that don’t go to the entrance doors of the courthouse and replace them with wider sidewalks to the exterior doors. The projected budget is $491,603.75, the TAP portion would be $393,283 and the county’s portion would be $98,320.50. Great Rivers Engineering will be advertising bids this October with the bid opening this November with the construction expected to begin in October of 2025. Brandi Richardson and members of the Dent County University Extension Council came in to update the commission on recent programs. Richardson reported the extension office is short-handed and the University of Missouri has a freeze on hiring. The county has been impacted by the university’s youth program associate guidelines but is still well served with specialists. They wanted to let the commission know the 4-H and FFA Expo will be held July 18th through the 20th at The Commons. Richardson also said she would be attending an infrastructure meeting that will include a discussion on broadband in September and would like to have community leaders including the commissioners attend. She discussed the need for the Internet as she would like to see the Extension have a computer available to the public for those who could use it for telehealth services. She also discussed the university’s BioChar Climate-Smart Fieldscapes project program and a possible program with that in the future. Richardson also said the extension council would provide a monthly report from now on to the commission. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda the board will review the minutes of the May meeting then review the financial report before approving bills and reviewing the budget. Following the monthly reimbursement report the board will deal with old business including the repair and sealing of the parking lot at the station. The board will then hear any new business before Chief Floyd gives his report. The board will then set the date for the July meeting before going into closed session if needed before adjourning. The meeting Tuesday evening is open to the public.

The Salem Public Library will host a sidewalk chalk competition! This program will take place outside, on the north side of the library on 5th Street on Tuesday, June 11th from 10:30 in the morning until 12:30 in the afternoon. Children are not required to attend the full length of time allotted to the program. There will be four categories: Elementary: K – 1st Grade, Juvenile: 2nd Grade – 4th Grade, Tweens: 5th – 8th Grade, Teens: 9th – 12th Grade. Winners will be announced by 1:30 that afternoon. The four winners will receive a small prize. No library card is necessary to participate. This program is intended for children from K -12th Grade.

On Friday, June 14th, Montauk State Park will pay tribute to Flag Day held in honor of the “birthday” or the adoption of the Stars and Stripes on June 14th, 1777. Numerous American flags will be on display throughout the park on cabins, the lodge, shelters, bridges and more. Drive by or walk through and see “Old Glory” flying throughout Montauk State Park.