Local News

Everyone is welcome to come out to Salem’s First Annual Trunk or Treat tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 on Fourth Street between MacArthur and Highway 19. Local organizations and businesses will be handing out treats from their decorated cars and stalls. The street will only be for foot traffic so plan ahead for parking.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday, October 13th. DCHC Administrator Zach Moser presented the communicable disease report which included 83 new COVID-19 cases for September. Moser reported the Communicable Disease report will be limited until the new CD Nurse is up to speed. In the diagnostics report, Moser said that 190 blood draw appointments were completed and the DCHC can conduct most tests at reduced cost for those without insurance. There were 92 COVID tests during the month. COVID tests are $10 for rapid antigen test, $35 for COVID/FLU combo test, and $50 for molecular C19 Test. Most people can qualify for free testing and no doctor’s orders are required. Moser said that 160 COVID-19 vaccines were administered, plus 53 Influenza vaccines and 179 other vaccines. There was a total of 640 appointments held during the month, plus 349 WIC appointments. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report and said she conducted 14 inspections and fielded 13 environmental questions. In the Administrators report, Moser said that 238 children are enrolled in the childcare subsidy program. He reported on the DCHC’s involvement in Girls Night Out, the Health Expo and the October 6th flu and COVID vaccination drive through clinic. Jones noted that she and Joan Raulston would be attending the Annual WIC Conference the last week of October. In new business, Moser reported on a new grant from the State of Missouri for $132,336 for 21 months to augment the workforce response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To facilitate the grant, the board approved the creation of one full time medical assistant position and one part time scheduler/clerk position. Moser reported on the “Building Communities for Better Health” Grant which has not yet been awarded. The board approved advertising the position for the Grant contingent upon the DCHC receiving the funding. The board approved changes to the personnel manual to accurately reflect who can receive compensatory time and who is paid overtime. Moser presented a proposal with estimated costs to improve the breakroom with new cabinetry and appliances. The board felt the DCHC Staff was definitely deserving of the improvements and approved the proposal. Dent County Health Center expenses for August and September were approved. The next regular meeting of the DCHC Board was set for Thursday, November 17th.

An accident happened in Dent County at 12:05 Sunday afternoon on Highway 119 about two miles south of Highway 32. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Dodge 2500 driven northbound by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Licking, lost part of the load the truck was carrying in the roadway which was the struck by a 2014 Ford Explorer driven northbound by 36-year-old Marsha Osborne of Licking. At that time, a 2019 Dodge Journey driven northbound by 18-year-old Deszeray Warren of Licking, struck the Ford Explorer from behind. Suffering minor injuries in the accident who were occupants in the Dodge Journey were 19-year-old Kaleb Mashek, 20-year-old Kendra Sullins and 22-year-old Andrew Newdeck, all from Ellington. Mashek was taken by an ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital while Sullins was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private conveyance. Newdeck was transported by the Texas County Ambulance to the Texas County Memorial District Hospital. Mashek and Sullins were not wearing seat restraints while Newdeck was. The Dodge Journey sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Ford Explorer sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. The Dodge 2500 did not sustain any damage.

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 11:47 in Phelps County on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 2000. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Ford Bronco driven by 56-year-old Dennis Cole of Davisville, was turning from County Road 2000 onto Highway 63 and failed to yield to a 2016 Ford F-350 driven by 63-year-old Rebecca Krueger of Kahoka. Cole and a 54-year-old passenger, Camella Cole of Davisville, both suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. Both injured parties were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Bronco was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The F-350 sustained extensive damage and was towed by Dishman’s Towing.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is asking everyone to help tackle the blood needs in their community by donating blood at the blood drive in Salem on Tuesday from 1:00 until 6:00 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 201 North MacArthur. Successful donors will receive a free Kansas City Chiefs T-shirt. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks donors provide all the blood for patients for the local hospitals. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.cbco.org/donate-blood or by calling 417-227-5006.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Beth Frizzell with the Senior Citizen Service Fund Board was in attendance along with Linda Johnson from the Salem Nutrition Center Board and Lead Center Administrator Jody Schaefer. They were there to discuss the special budget hearing that was to be held Monday concerning amending their budget. Their budget showed that Aging Best picks up about $212,797 of the annual expenses while local funds must account for $100,359. Schaefer said the Nutrition Center received a letter from Aging Best stating they would no longer cover about $25,400 of the raw food costs. This came as quite a blow as the Salem Nutrition Center is expected to serve about 43,900 people this year. It was also revealed that the books had not been kept very well in the last few years and the board knows they owe the IRS a penalty and there are other expenses they believe have not been paid. With the combination of the rising costs of food and the reduction of funds provided by Aging Best to pay for raw food, the Nutrition Center Board was asking for emergency funds of $50,000. The Senior Citizen Service Fund provides funds for the Nutrition Center as well as the SMTS bus system and does not have a lot of reserves. Frizzell asked about the Certificate of Deposit and the Money Market Fund the Nutrition Center has, but the money that is there would only tide them over for a year or so. They were hoping the additional funds could come from the ARPA money the county has or possibly from another fund. The commission was not satisfied with the financial information provided as there was no listing of any deposits made or any statements accurately depicting the expenses for the year. They would need to prepare financials before any funds could be distributed that would accurately depict the financial situation at hand. Since they didn’t have that information immediately available, the special meeting of the Senior Citizen Service Board for Monday was postponed and will be rescheduled. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray reported that since the county received some rain, materials were going to be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 6090 and 6100 while only grading would be done on county roads 5450 and 6380.Brush was going to be cut on county roads 6220 and 6230 and chip and seal work was going to be done on Dent County Road 4110. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2570, 2590 and 3020 while only grading would be done on county roads 2593, 2600, 3050, 3080 and 3090. Materials were also going to be added to county roads 2210 and 3040 while brush would be cut on county road 2240. Larson reported the chip and seal on county roads 2300 would be patched and he said he will be in checking into the report that the National Forest Service is blocking off access spaces on Dent County Road 4330 that have been used by hunters for years. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the excused absentee and non-excused absentee voting continues at her office through 5:00 on November 7th. She said her office will be open on Saturday, November 5th from 8:00 in the morning until noon for those who want to vote absentee. Remember to vote, you MUST bring a valid photo ID. At 10;00, the commission planned on opening bids for the FLAP Tan Vat paving project, but again the county received no bids. It will be rebid next year in February. Dave Wells with Automated Business Systems stopped by and thanked the commissioners for their loyal support over the years and they wished him the best. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

After a two-year hiatus, the annual Fall Rocks celebration returns to the Missouri Mines State Historic Site Powerhouse Museum in Park Hills, Missouri, this Saturday evening from 5:00 until 8:00. Co-sponsored by the Missouri Mines State Historic Site and The Doe Run Company, the family-friendly event features activities and games that teach the importance of Missouri’s mineral resources. Fall Rocks is free and open to the public. Hard hat decorating, cookie mining, toothpaste making, and a mineral challenge are just a few of the activities that families can look forward to this year. Free snacks and refreshments will also be provided. Doe Run staff and volunteers will run the activity stations, and state park staff will be available to answer questions about mining and minerals in the Old Lead Belt. The Powerhouse Museum will be open for guests to explore exhibits about the history of mining technology, including both the mining equipment and mineral gallery. The Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located at 4000 State Highway 32 in Park Hills, which is on the south side of Highway 32 at the Flat River Drive overpass, 1.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 67. For more information, visit the Missouri State Parks website at mostateparks.com

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on cases heard on Friday, October 21st in Dent County in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. In the first case heard, Roger Burgess of Eunice, Missouri, was on probation for the felony possession of a controlled substance. At the hearing, the defendant admitted to violating his probation and was he sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. Next, Stephane Culberson of Salem, pled guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine from a 2018 incident. Curley sought 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections due to the prior and persistent felony offender status of the defendant. The defense sought probation with a conviction. Over the objection of the state, the Culberson was sentenced to serve five years’ probation with a 10-year suspended sentence, as recommended by probation and parole. In the next case, Jeffrey Clark of Columbia, Missouri, pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance (meth) in the jail. This came in connection with a traffic stop and subsequent arrest. Clark was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as a requested by Prosecutor Curley. The defendant requested a 120-day incarceration through state’s RSMO 559.115 program. His request was denied due to his prior felony criminal history and persistent drug offender status. In the last case of the day, Damon Stiff of Salem pled guilty to failing to register as a sex offender. Stiff was sentenced to 10-years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday morning just after 8:00 in Dent County on Highway 72 about a mile north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report a 2015 Dodge Dart being driven by 58-year-old Penny Dawson of Salem swerved to avoid a southbound vehicle which was traveling in her lane. Dawson traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Dawson suffered minor injuries and was taken by Salem ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing. The report went on to state that Dawson was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

This Saturday from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon, you can turn in your unneeded or outdated medication during the DEA “National Drug Takeback Day” at Country Mart and Wal-Mart in Salem. Any prescriptions you no longer take, that are old, those who may have belonged to a loved one who has passed on, or drugs you have in the medicine cabinet that you are not sure what they actually are can be dropped off at either Country Mart or Wal-Mart. The Dent County Prevention Coalition, the Prevention Consultants of Missouri and Healthy Dent County are sponsoring Drug Takeback Day locally. A big thank you goes out to the Salem Police Department and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. Remember, this is extremely important if you have children. Keep your children safe by clearing those unneeded prescriptions out of your home and taking them back where they can be properly handled and destroyed. If you can’t make it to Country Mart or Wal-Mart this Saturday, you can also visit DEAtakeback.com for a collection site near you that can accept your medication drop-off.

The Dent County Senior Service Board will be holding a special budget meeting to discuss budget adjustments for the current fiscal year on Monday, October 31st at noon in the Salem Housing Authority meeting room at 606 McGrath Lane. The meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital board of directors will be holding a special meeting this afternoon at 1:00 in hospital library. After the call to order and roll call, new business to be addressed will be a resolution and discussion on the masking policy. The meeting will then be adjourned. The meeting will be open to the public via Zoom.

Fall is in the air and Halloween is in the park! Come on out to Echo Bluff State Park this Saturday for a fun-filled afternoon and night of spooky, exciting activities. Event activities start with a special Halloween Hike – animals that “trick” you! Visitors should meet at 2:00 in the afternoon at the “Stairs to No WHERE” for the hike. Also starting at 2:00 that afternoon the grab-and-go craft bags will be available across from the check station while supplies last. All campers participating in the camper decorating contest will need submit forms to the check station no later than 3:00 in the afternoon. All cabin door decorating participants will need to submit paperwork to the front desk no later than 3:00 also. The trick-or-treating parade starts at 5:00 in the evening. Participants should meet at the cemetery. The last event will be the night program and contest winner announcements. Winners must be present to accept prizes. The night program starts at 8:00 and includes Ozark stories and songs at the fire ring in the field by the cemetery. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence. For more information, call 573-751-5211.

Dent County Clerk Angie Curley is reminding everyone they have sample ballots available for you if you would like to pick one up before voting in the November General Election at the courthouse in her office. They are free. She can also e-mail or fax one to you. Just call her office at 729-4144. On the ballot, there are contested races for the US Senator seat, a state auditor, US Representative for the 8th District, State Senator Seat for the 16th District, Missouri Supreme Court Judges, Missouri Appellate Court Judges in the Southern District and four constitutional amendments. They also have in the office the plain language explanations of those constitutional amendments. They are lengthy and are too large to be copied by the clerk’s office, but you are more than welcome to bring your phone and photograph them to review at your leisure. Unexcused absentee voting will continue through Monday, November 7th during normal business hours, and you must have a photo ID to vote. Acceptable photo ID’s are a nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license; a nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card; a nonexpired United States passport; or another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening for their regular meeting. The board approved listing for sale the old 1932 City Firetruck that no longer runs. They also approved the contract from the Dent County Collector for the printing and mailing of the city real estate and personal property tax bills and the collection of those taxes for a total of $17,500. The board approved the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation for the conditional use permit for a childcare facility at 1111 South Hickory Street as well as the recommendation for a conditional use permit for the installation of a new AT&T Cell Tower on property at 1702 Doss Road. The board approved the bid from Schulte Supply, Inc. for 12 4” Hymax Couplings for $3,105.60 for the water department. The board approved Bill #3524 that allowed the mayor to sign Task Order #14 from the C.M. Archer Group for an engineering report to determine the magnitude of the inflow and infiltration in the waste-water collection system. The original cost of the report was to be $62,500, but the price increased to $72,850 and the city’s share will be $22,850. The DNR grant will pay for the rest. The board approved Bill #3525 that set the procedures for purchases by the city, and approved Bill #3526 for services and contractual services as well as for the sale of city property that has become obsolete. If it is over $12,000, it must be in the form of written bid contracts. They approved Bill #3527 about the soliciting of sealed bids of purchases for the city or for the sale of city property, and Bill #3528 that address the soliciting of non-sealed bids. The board approved Resolution #36-2022 that changed dollar thresholds in the purchasing policies of the city. Purchase orders will be now required for purchases over $500 instead of $300; changed departmental purchases that require city administrator approval to go from $300 to $3,000 and from $500 to $5,000; changed the threshold from $3,000 to $5,000 for board approval on written bids; and added the category for purchases exceeding $12,000 to make it the same as state statutes. Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge said there was a conference call on the airport hangar project and that the plans for the project will be resubmitted to the city and MoDOT since there has been a delay in the work and a cost increase. Burbridge said the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Bill will make up the difference in funding and the project should begin in May. A project oversight agreement should be coming to the city by next month. Burbridge said she met with the MPUA and state legislators last Friday concerning utility needs and signed a letter of support for them to apply for a Workforce Development Grant for the training of people from the area. She stated she also sent a letter to the MRPC to apply for an additional extension of the CDBG grant for the work to be done on the R-80 Construction Trades Building Project as the current extension will expire December 31st. Mayor Greg Parker wanted to invite everyone to the 1st Annual Salem Community Trunk or Treat that will be held downtown on 4th Street between MacArthur and Highway 19 on Monday, October 31st. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the city’s property was sold Monday on the Purple Wave auction site and brought in $42,650 as they sold eight items. He said he talked with two local electrical contractors about the lighting at the Al Brown Field to get that project moving forward. He indicated he will talk with two companies who do “pipe bursting” with material that replaces the pipe that is bad. He will try get some pricing that may be able to be used for budgeting. He also said Akins Technology who was supposed to clean out the old fuel tank at the airport has been unable to do the work due to their company employees having COVID-19 as they have been off work for about three weeks. He said they are back and will get here as quickly as possible. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said from his Missouri Municipal League information that 56% of the 283 cities served by them have a water loss of 20% or more with 51 of those cities having over a 40% water loss. Aldermen Kyle Williams wanted to remind the public the Disc Golf “Welcome and Ribbon Cutting” will be today at 5:30 at the Salem City Park with open play beginning at 6:00. Alderwoman Kala Sisco thanked the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for the Family Feud night and congratulated the Salem Lady Volleyball Tigers on a great year. Alderwoman Amanda Duncan wanted to remind everyone about the Healthy Dent County Casino Night with a Kentucky Derby theme to be held November 5th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Temporary City Administrator Burbridge wanted to remind everyone the next alderman meeting would be held at the Salem Community Center @The Armory on November 8th due to it being election day. The board then went into closed session.

“Halloween in the Holler” will be held this Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, and people will be “going batty”. Mill around with some crafts and a photo booth until our guest speaker (Count Batula) officially kicks things off. They’ll be making “Bat-crows” (You’ve gotta come to see what that is), hear some bat jokes, sing a batty song, walk the Bat-Trail to the bat cave (Bring a flashlight) and more! “Halloween in the Holler” is designed to NOT be scary, so all ages are welcome and is a great full-family event! The program and activities are free. Donations of $2 per person or $5 per family to the Bonebrake Center would be appreciated. All activities will be held outside, so please dress for the weather. The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History is located at 601 N. Hickory. For more information about “Halloween in the Holler”, e-mail moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in with the CART receipts for the month of October which was $78,410.78. The receipts are up $19,029.03 when compared to the $59,381.75 received in October of 2021, which is an increase of 10.88%. In the road report, District I Commissioner Wes Mobray said that his men continue hauling Title II Rock to Dent County Road 5600. He said that the final load count will be around 190. Mobray also reported that his crew was cleaning pipes on county road 2470, cleaning out both sides of a bridge on county road 6080, and working on a bridge on county road 5600. District II Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that materials were being hauled to Dent County Road 2570 and a culvert was being installed on that road. He went on to report that his crew was hauling brown rock to the maintenance shed and tractor #9 was being serviced. Larson added that he had two men going to county road 4055 to check on a report of some low hanging limbs, plus a man was loading chips for the chip and seal contractor. Mobray noted that he and Larson both want to make sure county residents are aware that once the chip and seal contractor has done their initial work, they will be going back over those roadways to correct any flaws or problems. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he had some good financial news in that on September 29th the US Treasury announced the availability of Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds for counties with Federal Lands. These dollars are part of ARPA and Treasurer Williams submitted Dent County’s application last Friday. He went on to say that there would be one payment in 2022 and one in 2023, each in the amount of $244,227.63. Commissioner Larson noted that he heard that the Feds have blocked off areas where hunters have camped for years. He plans to confirm the report and then make the appropriate contact. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills and payroll were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She noted that Wednesday is the last day to mail out an absentee ballot, that no excuse absentee voting starts today, and absentee voting will continue until 5:00 on November 7th. In other business Commissioner Larson brought to the commission’s attention invoices from McCoy Equipment on the new graders for rental charges that were not discussed as part of the deal. These will be discussed with the McCoy salesman, especially since the loaner graders McCoy provided have either been unusable or have repeatedly broken down. Curley initiated a discussion of the County’s technical service provider with this week’s closing of ABS. She has been in contact with Karl Kindel with PC Technologies in Rolla. She shared that her office contract amount would be $1,275 annually for 10 hours of tech service. Travel time is not included in the 10 hours, unused hours would roll over, and some service can be done online. Due to differences in the number of stations, peripherals, budgeting, etc. each office holder would have their own contract. Skiles said that the costs can probably be covered under the current budgets. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to advertise for auto insurance for all the County’s vehicles. Bids will be due into the County Clerk’s office by 10:00 Thursday, December 1st. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed reported the footings for the improvements to the Tin Gym are in and work is progressing nicely. She said the HVAC work continues and is about 95% complete. The board reviewed the new elementary school floor plans and went over the preliminary spreadsheet showing the cost at $11,797,000 with an anticipated $3,360,000 coming from FEMA that would leave a total cost of $8,437,000 for the work proposed including the adding of classrooms and increasing the cafeteria size. Reed said the district is looking at a new phone system and is researching new vendors. She said the district is looking at using SPEDtrak which is a software program for Special Education which can simplify all the paperwork that is needed. Administration is also researching updating from the SIS system currently being used. The school is also in the process of evaluating their benchmark assessments. After the building principals gave their reports, the board approved using John Odom as the architect and engineer for the new construction trades building. The district has asked for an extension to complete the project that would allow time to construct the actual building before the deadline and are waiting on some paperwork from the city. The board approved the SRCSP policy at the school concerning COVID-19 restrictions and made no changes. The board discussed making changes to the pay for bus drivers. Currently the base sets at $11.39/hr. With the need for more drivers, they discussed offering $100 per day that would be for a minimum of four hours to drive the school bus routes in the morning and afternoon. The district would start accepting applications immediately for those interested. There was also talk of raising the base pay for the current drivers and also increase pay for trips, but no decisions were made on those topics at the October meeting. This will be revisited at the November meeting. The board did approve adding four people to provide authorized signatures to the Dent Family Scholarship. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting. The board will discuss the old 1932 Firetruck the Dent County Fire Protection District wants to return to the city. It is not in working order. The board will discuss the invoice from the county for the Dent County Collector to collect the property taxes for the City as well as print and mail all statements for a total of $17,500. The board will also hear the recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission from their meeting last week on a conditional use permit for a childcare facility on South Hickory and for an AT&T cellular tower to be installed at 1702 Doss Road. Finance Director Stacy Houston will present the financials for the first three months of the fiscal year to the board. In Bids, Public Works Director Mark Nash will talk about the bids received for Hymax couplings. The board will then hear Bill #3524 that would authorize the mayor to sign and execute Task Order #14 dealing with the agreement between the city and C.M. Archer Group for engineering design services related to the Clean Water Engineering Report Grant. The next four bills: Bills #3525, 3526, 3527 and 3528, all deal with the city’s duties and procedures for the city purchasing of goods and services. The board will discuss Resolution #36-2022 adopting the City of Salem’s updated purchase policy. The board will then hear from Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash and the alderman before going into closed session. The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting tonight at 6:00 is open to the public.

An accident happened in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at 4:48 on Phelps County Road 8170 just north of Doolittle. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chevy Impala driven westbound by 22-year-old Colette Davis of Rolla, failed to yield to a 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling northbound and operated by 35-year-old Jeremy Lane of Rolla. The Impala pulled in front of the motorcycle causing the Harley Davidson to strike the Impala in the backside which caused the motorcycle to overturn and eject a nine-year-old juvenile boy who was wearing safety equipment. The boy suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance. The driver of the Harley, Jeremy Lane, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to the University Hospital in Columbia. Lane was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Impala sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing. The Harly Davidson was removed from the scene by a family member.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on cases heard on Tuesday, October 18th in Crawford County in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. In the first case heard, Jens Leon Moller of Salem pled guilty to the charge of failing to register as a sex offender. Judge Randazzo sentenced Moller to seven years in Missouri Department of Corrections. He was put in the Section 559.115 program as requested by Prosecutor Curley. In the second case, Jared King of Salem pled guilty to felony driving while having his license revoked and was sentenced to serve 120 days in jail as requested by Prosecutor Curley. In the last case of the day, Julie Dooley of Salem pled guilty to the charge of felony possession of methamphetamine and was deemed a persistent felony offender. Randazzo sentenced Dooley to serve seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.

Natural gas rates for Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri customers will change under a filing that will take effect on November 1st. The rate change reflects the Weather Normalization Adjustment Rider (WNAR) which authorizes rate adjustments based on weather variations. The purpose of the WNAR tariff is to adjust revenues, either positive or negative, for differences between actual heating degree days and normal heating degree days. Under the Ameren Missouri filing, a residential natural gas customer using approximately 100 Ccf (10,000 cubic feet) of natural gas a month, will see a net increase in their monthly natural gas bill of about $1.57. The WNAR replaces Ameren Missouri’s prior mechanism, the Delivery Charge Adjustment Rider (DCA). Ameren Missouri serves natural gas customers in the counties of Dent, Gasconade and Phelps.

The Creative Arts Center will be having a Kitchen Witch wheat weaving class on Wednesday evening October 26th from 6:00 till 8:00 with Suzanne Douglas. Older children and adults are invited to come and learn the art of wheat weaving. The Kitchen Witch is a traditional Celtic design. According to legend when hung in the kitchen she protects against burned food, spilled milk, and spoiled food. The cost is $25 per person and all supplies are provided. The Creative Arts Center has two easy ways to sign up for events! You can call or text them at 573-247-0651 or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report Jason Akins was in to give the District One report in the absence of Commissioner Wes Mobray. Akins said that they were hauling Title II Rock to Dent County Road 5600 and repair work was being done on Cutter #8 and Cutter #10. A bearing and pin were being replaced on #8 and a tire was being replaced on #10. District II Commissioner Gary Larson reported that brush was being cut on Dent County Road 2240, while materials were being hauled to and crossover pipes were being installed on county roads 2090 and 2500. Larson went on to say he had a man patching chip and seal on county road 6150 and another man loading chips for the chip and seal contractor. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he failed to report on Monday that at the South Central District Commissioners’ meeting last week he was elected to serve as President from January through March of 2023 because Howell County Commissioner Mark Collins was stepping down at the end of December. Skiles will be serving on the CCAM Board during that time. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded voters that absentee voting with an excuse continues through November 7th, that No Excuse Absentee Voting begins October 25th, and that October 26th is the last day to request a mail out absentee ballot. She noted that her office will be open November 5th from 8:00 until noon for absentee voting, that sample ballots are available in her office, plus she remined voters that they are required to present a photo ID. Corky Stack was in and the Commissioners approved the balance of the bid by Alexander Construction for work on the Courthouse. The Commission signed the Notice to Proceed with the previously approved portion and the Notice of Award for the balance of the bid. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

There will be a special meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen Monday evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 West Rolla Road. After the call to order and roll call, the board will immediately move into closed session pursuant to section 610.021 of the revised statutes of the State of Missouri pertaining to sealed proposals and related documents, or any documents related to a negotiated contract until a contract is executed or all proposals are rejected. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a two-day barn quilt class with Terrie Welch and Tana Kettner on Monday and Tuesday evenings October 24th and 25th from 5:30 to 8:30. Participants will design their own plywood painted quilt to be displayed on your barn or home. Quilt patterns will be painted on 2X2 plywood squares. Participants must register by TODAY and the cost is $55 per person and all supplies are provided. For more information call or text 573-247-0651 or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

Join the park team at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park from 5:00 until 8:30 during the evening of Saturday as they host their annual Halloween Happenings event. Come dressed as your favorite movie characters, supernatural creatures or in other extravagant costumes. Games, interpretive tables, costume judging and more will fill the evening. The night will end with an evening program about Missouri’s most disgusting and vile creatures. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight. The event will be at the campground near the park store. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook. For more information, contact the Black River Center at 573-546-2450 and for more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Two felony cases investigated by Law Enforcement Rangers within Ozark National Scenic Riverways resulted in federal prison sentences. On January 5, 2022, 64-year-old Jackie Delashmit of Salem, pled guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to possess a firearm as a convicted felon. According to court records, on April 20th of 2020, a National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Ranger encountered Delashmit near Parker Hollow in Dent County, consuming alcohol in his vehicle. During the contact, Delashmit was found to be in possession of a firearm and had previously been convicted of more than one felony offense. Delashmit was arrested, booked and released at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office following Covid-19 protocols in place at the time. He was subsequently indicted by a grand jury for the Eastern District of Missouri. On July 18th this year, Delashmit was sentenced to serve 18 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by two years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, St. Louis Division with the Honorable Audrey Fleissig, United States District Judge, presiding. On February 8th of this year, 55-year-old James Piatt of Bunker, pled guilty to one felony count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to court records, on July 16th of 2021, a National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger conducted a traffic stop on Piatt for operating a UTV on Highway 19 near Round Spring. During the contact Piatt was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. He was searched and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. During the stop, Park Rangers learned Piatt had previously been convicted of more than one felony offense. Piatt was arrested, booked at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and subsequently indicted by a grand jury for the Eastern District of Missouri. On August 18th this year, Piatt was sentenced to serve 41 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by two years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Cape Girardeau Division with the Honorable Rodney Sippel, United States District Judge, presiding.

The Farmer’s Almanac is forecasting a “Hibernation Zone” across the Midwest for the winter season. Though it’s still too early to tell what the winter will bring, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is preparing for the worst. The department will hold its annual statewide winter operations drill today. With high turnover rates and many positions still open, driver training on this day is more critical than ever as MoDOT is facing a critical shortage of qualified plow operators going into the winter season. This drill gives MoDOT the opportunity to train their new snowplow operators on their designated routes so they are aware of curbs and raised islands that might be hidden when the snow or ice starts to fall. During the drill, motorists will notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8:00. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9:00. The exercise should be completed by 3:00 in the afternoon. MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will be activated, and maintenance employees will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested.

For the sixth year this Friday, October 21st, 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 “Buckle Up Phone Down Day” and this year, they are aiming for the goal of zero traffic fatalities throughout the day. Missouri’s 2022 Seat Belt Usage Survey showed 89% of vehicle occupants use a seat belt, matching the highest rate the state has ever recorded. But the unbuckled 11% make up a majority of the state’s roadway fatalities, which reached a 15-year high in 2021. Cellphone use continues to be one of the most concerning behaviors for all roadway users. In 2021, over half of the distracted driving fatalities in Missouri claimed the life of someone besides the distracted driver. Since the program began in 2017, the BUPD movement has spread steadily across Missouri. More than 20,000 Missouri individuals and businesses have accepted the BUPD challenge, and more than a dozen other states are actively sharing the messages along their highways. Missourians can accept the challenge to BUPD at modot.org/bupd

The Spring Creek Artisans’ will be celebrating Pumpkin Day on this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning till 3:00 in the afternoon at the Creative Arts Center. Everyone is welcome to come out and shop local arts, crafts, baked goods and watch demonstrations.

The “Haunting at the Mill” event at Montauk State Park will be held this Saturday and presents history from a unique perspective of historic local people who impacted the Montauk valley. Three separate tours run starting at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Space is limited, so come early for one of the tours.

The Creative Arts Center will be having a spooky cute kitties kids paint party this Friday morning from 10:00 till 2:00. The Creative Arts Center has two easy ways to sign up for events! Call or text the center at 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Hospital CEO Wayne Reid said the new CT Scanner has been installed and is working incredibly. Reid said he and hospital staff members met with the Doe Run Human Resources Department about utilizing the SMDH services such as for employee physicals. Construction of the new patient registration stations at the clinic are done, but counters still need to be installed for the operators. Dr. Nabil Munfakh, cardiothoracic surgeon, saw his first patient and has 20 more scheduled before the end of this month. In the pharmacy 340B audit, the only issue noted was that some swing bed patients were getting the 340b credit and that is not allowed. Home Health Director Kristie Gorman gave her six-month report and said 26 of 63 surveys were returned showing an 81% overall rating of care with an 83% likelihood of the patient recommending their services. They had 82 admissions from January to June of this year and received a four-star rating from Care Compare who rates all home health agencies in the area. Chief Financial Officer JoeAnn Hammond gave the summary of operations for the month of September showing the hospital had 78 inpatient admissions with 219 inpatient census days. There were 78 swingbed days with an average length of stay of 13 days. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $108,315. During the month, there were 668 emergency room visits with 50 admissions, plus there were 225 ambulance runs where 166 patients were transported. In September, there were 32 surgery cases, 1,365 outpatient registrations, 5,921 lab tests, 1,208 radiological procedures, 545 rehab treatments and 194 home health visits with 16 home health admissions. The days cash on hand was at 50 with $3.86 million in total cash. Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Sullins gave a staffing update that showed a vacancy of four nurses. She said flu vaccinations are now available for the employees and the current cases of COVID in Dent County are at seven with the community indicator being green which is good. The Hospital Foundation has scheduled a cornhole tournament for March 11, 2023 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and the return of “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on February 17, 2024. Reid complimented Maintenance Director Todd Workman and his work with running the new electric service lines to the maintenance room and replacing fuses as part of the transformer work. Reid said the administration is talking with an architect about running a drain line to the back of the building where the grease trap could be put in, with the feed going into the lagoon. He also said an architectural analysis of the SMDH Clinic is being done to improve traffic flow. The board approved the replacing the current phone system with an Avaya Phone PBX system with an annual cost of $5,885 after the initial set up costs of $63,870 from 3CX out of Springfield which was a non-budgeted purchase; approved the Allscripts data conversion of SMDH Clinic files at $16,606 from BCS Enterprises which was budgeted, and the board approved the purchase of a new pressure regulator valve to replace the current valve for $4,931. The board approved a resolution indicating the legal name of the hospital is the “Salem Memorial District Hospital” with a fictitious name of Salem Memorial Hospital. Reid said the training for Tiffin Felkerson as the Community Champion through the Delta Regional Authority is complete, and a Community Connection Event has been scheduled for November 10th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to develop community partnerships and find out what the community feels the needs are to improve health outcomes. The hospital board’s next meeting will be November 22nd with a strategic planning meeting to be held on December 8th. The December board meeting has been scheduled for December 14th. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting Thursday evening at 5:30 in the Salem R-80 Boardroom. After the approval of the agenda, the Board will move into Executive Session to hear parent comments related to personnel issues. In open session, the board will hear the Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed’s report. The board will also hear reports from William Lynch Elementary School, the upper elementary school, the middle school, the senior high, on special education, on technology and on athletics and transportation. New business will include the Request for Qualifications for an Architect/Engineer for the new elementary school, approval of the SRCSP policy, discuss bus driver pay, and consider Dent Family Scholarship Authorized Signatures. The board will hear resignations, if there are any, before adjourning. Except for the Executive Session, the meeting Thursday evening will be open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened Monday morning at 5:30 in Texas County on Highway 137, just south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford Ranger driven south by 29-year-old Bobby Williams of Licking, traveled off the right side of the road, struck a mailbox, then overcorrected and traveled off the left side of the road. Williams, who was not wearing a safety restraint, suffered minor injuries, and was taken to the Texas County Memorial hospital for treatment. The Ford sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive.

An accident occurred Monday morning just before 9:00 in Crawford County on Highway P about three miles north of Cuba. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Harley Davidson Sportster, being operated by 49-year-old Shawn Kline of Cuba, struck a deer in the roadway. Kline went off the right side of the roadway and was ejected from the motorcycle. Kline suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Creve Coeur. The Harley Davidson was totaled and removed from the scene by Chuck’s Towing. The report went on state that Kline was wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated the Title II work on Dent County Road 5600 will continue including the installation of crossover pipes on the county road. Substituting for District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was Travis Turner who reported crossover pipes were being installed and materials were being added to Dent County Roads 4270, 4405 and 5280. Turner said brush would be cut on county road 2270 and a man went to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Turner went on to say that another man would be screening brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner at Vienna last Thursday along with Mike and Jamie Homeyer and it was a very nice event. Skiles also said he attended the South Central County Commissioners Association meeting in Houston last Friday. Skiles said the association honored five retiring commissioners from the area. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting continues at her office with an excuse, and if you need to update your voting information such as a name change or new address, to please stop by her office and get that done before trying to vote in the election. Commissioner Skiles presented a renewal of a three-year contract for child support services with Crawford County beginning January 1, 2023, and lasting until December 31, 2025, and the commissioners approved the contract. Beth Frizzell from the Dent County Senior Services Board came to ask how the budget for the year could be amended as the Salem Nutrition Center has requested some emergency funds due to the rise in cost for the food and the number of meals being served. Frizzell said that in fiscal year 2020, the Salem Nutrition Center served 41,812 meals, 45,951 in fiscal year 2022 and to date this year, they have served 46,239 meals. Commissioner Skiles told Frizzell that any change in the budget for additional funds would require a budget adjustment and that would require a public hearing. Once the hearing is held with the revised figures, her board could approve additional payments to the Salem Nutrition Center provided the money was available. Frizzell said she would get started with the process. The next meeting of the commission would be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

In a case heard by Judge Megan Seay on Friday, October 7th, Jeffrey Chumbley, of Gravois Mills, was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by the state. Chumbley had been on probation for the felony possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. The state was represented by Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley who presented evidence and at the conclusion of the hearing, Chumbley was found to have violated the terms of this probation. In another case that same day, Judge Seay heard a probation hearing on Tiffany Dyer of Salem. She had been on probation for felony forgery charges, possession of methamphetamine, and the distribution of methamphetamine. Dyer, who had already served a Section 559.115 sentence in the department of corrections, was represented at the hearing by Robyn Strange. At the conclusion of the hearing, the defendant’s probation was revoked and Dyer was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as recommended by Prosecutor Curley. In the final case that same day, Kara Happel of Salem appeared before Judge Seay being represented by Robyn Strange. Happel was on probation for the felony possession of Methamphetamine. During the revocation hearing, evidence was presented that showed Happel had violated four provisions of her probation. The state requested Happel be sentenced to a 120-day incarceration in the department of corrections and if successfully completed, to be returned and placed in the Dent County Alternative Treatment Court. The defense requested leniency in the form of continued probation with placement into the Alternative Treatment Court. Over the objection of the state, Happel will continue on probation with a suspended execution of sentence and ordered to enter and complete the alternative treatment court sentence.

Missouri’s annual statewide earthquake drill will be Thursday and more than 329,000 people are already registered to participate in the Great Central U. S. “ShakeOut”. A total of nearly 2 million people are registered in the 14 central U.S. states that could be impacted by a New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake. The New Madrid Seismic Zone is one of the most active seismic areas in the U.S., averaging 200 small earthquakes each year. In 2021, 49 earthquakes occurred in Missouri, including a magnitude 4.0 quake centered near Poplar Bluff. A major earthquake in this area would damage much of southern and eastern Missouri, including the St. Louis area. Geologists say there’s a 25 to 40 percent chance of another large earthquake occurring in a 50-year time period. At 10:20 this Thursday morning, participants will practice the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique to protect themselves. Remember these three simple steps: DROP to your hands and knees; COVER your head and neck with your hands and arms under a table or desk if you can; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Experts say Drop, Cover, Hold On is the best protection from falling debris, which is the most likely cause of injury during an earthquake. There’s still time to sign up at shakeout.org/centralus. Once registered, participants will receive details on the drill, as well as information on earthquake preparedness and safety. To learn more about earthquakes and how to prepare, visit centralusquake.org.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will meet tonight at 6:00 at the hospital library. The board will hear the summary of operations and statistics for the month of September as well as the Chief Nursing Officer report, get a staffing update, get a Home Health update, get an update on the hospital foundation, and talk about marketing and community relations. After the Chief of Staff’s report, the board will be updated on the transformer work and an update on dialysis before discussing new purchases. The meeting tonight is open to the public.