Local News

Intercounty Electric held their annual Junior Essay Contest during the month of February where high school juniors wrote a 250 to 500 word essay about a topic chosen by Intercounty. In the past, the top scoring students from each school would win a trip to Washington DC while the second and third place students would receive a trip to Jefferson City. Because of the concerns with COVID, the Intercounty Electric Board of Directors elected to go with a $2,000 scholarship for the students who came in 1st place from their school, and $500 scholarships for those students who took 2nd and 3rd place. The first place winners from each school in our area included Sierra Rusco from Salem, Winter Murray from Licking, Mallory Moats from Rolla and Allana Chitwood from St. James. Students who came in second and third place from the area schools included Andrea Bray and Hailey Ballwin from Salem; Krysta Joyner and Cadrian Hutsell from Licking, Simon Yoakum IV and Isabell Staley from Rolla and Kira Gordon and Elysia Frayer from St. James. Congratulations to all these students who were chosen as the top three essays at their school, and Intercounty Electric wanted to thank all the students that wrote and submitted an essay in the contest.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri thank the thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated 238,920 pounds of venison to the state’s “Share the Harvest” program this past deer season, including 4,787 whole deer. They also want to thank the participating meat processors throughout the state who grind the donated deer meat into ready-to-use packages, and the many sponsors who financially support the program. Meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Missouri Food Banks Association, and Missouri Department of Conservation. Since the “Share the Harvest” program was started in 1992, it has provided more than 4.5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians, including this past season’s donations. In 2019, hunters donated 282,935 pounds of venison to “Share the Harvest.” During the past season, some meat processors were unable to take donated venison due to an increase in the processing of domestic beef and pork. The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state. To get “Share the Harvest” venison, contact local food banks or food pantries.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. Officers with the Salem Police Department conducted 42 traffic stops for various traffic violations with 7 resulting in a summons or arrest from the period of March 27th through April 9th. Some of the reports include one from Saturday, March 27th near 8:00 in the morning as officers responded to the 100 block of South Hickory in an attempt to serve a warrant. Officers were trying to locate a male subject that had an active warrant for his arrest. Contact was made at the address and as a result, a 70-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated on his warrants. On Tuesday, March 30th shortly after 10:00 that night, an officer took a report of property damage. It was reported that a 2005 Chevrolet Impala had been broken into and approximately $10 was taken out of the car while it was parked near the intersection of Babb Lane and Roosevelt Streets. This report is currently still under investigation. On Tuesday, April 6th just after noon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of shoplifting. It was reported that two subjects had stolen items from the store. Contact was made on a subsequent traffic stop with the pair. As a result, a 50-year-old Salem woman and a 43-year-old Salem man were arrested and issued a summons to appear in court for shoplifting. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem Public Water Supply Annual Water Quality Report has been released and there were no violations that occurred for the calendar year 2020. All levels of contaminants found were lower than required by government regulations. If you would like to see the City of Salem Annual Water Quality Report, a copy can be found at the City of Salem Administration Building at 4th and Iron Streets, at the Water Department Office or at the KSMO Radio studios.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the week of April 3rd through the 8th. According to the sheriff’s department, a deputy conducted a traffic stop On Roosevelt and Main Street on Saturday, April 3rd. During the traffic stop, a 27-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Later that same day, a deputy responded to Dent County Road 4160 for a report of a stranded motorist. During the course of the incident, a 52-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Salem Police Department. Also arrested during the incident was a 32-year-old Salem man for having active arrest warrants through the Ray County Sherriff’s Department and Licking Police Department. Both men were transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Also on April 3rd, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 2500 block of Highway 68. During the traffic stop, a 30-year-old Cook Station woman was arrested for an arrest warrant through the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On April 7th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 6190. During the traffic stop, a 23-year-old Jadwin woman was arrested for operating a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Thursday, April 8th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route W and Route EE. During the course of the traffic stop, a 26-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Dent County. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has any information regarding an investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

A one vehicle accident happened late Monday afternoon just before 5:15 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 7480 about eight miles southwest of Rolla. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2017 Ford Edge being driven by 55-year-old Jeri Boulware of Rolla traveled off the right side of the roadway and partially into a ditch. The vehicle then struck a driveway and a mailbox then overturned. The Ford then re-entered the roadway before traveling off the right side of the roadway before coming to a rest on its wheels. The driver was wearing a safety restraint according to the report. She suffered minor injuries and chose to seek her own medical treatment. The Ford had extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Lucas Towing.

The Salem FFA Alumni will be conducting their 11th Annual Scholarship Fund Labor and Dessert Auction this Friday evening at 6:30. The auction will be conducted at the Smith Valley Angus Barn on Route HH in Salem. All the proceeds will go toward scholarships for Salem FFA members. A meal will be served at 5:30 at no charge to auction supporters. Salem FFA Chapter members will be providing 4, 6 or 8 hours of labor of various types ranging from farm labor to cooking, cleaning, gardening, lawn work and more. There will be delicious homemade pies, cakes, pastries and other desserts auction as well. Come out and support the Salem FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund tonight. For more information, call 739-2016 or 729-7990, extension 2.

Salem Memorial District Hospital and the Dent County Health Center will hold a mass vaccination event for COVID-19 to include ALL Missouri residents over the age of 16 at the Dent County Fire Station this Friday. The booster vaccine being held at the same location on Friday, May 7th. Please go to the Dent County Health Center or Salem Memorial District Hospital Facebook page for more information and how to register for this event. There is also a registration link on the Salem Memorial District Hospital website at SMDH.net.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in some sales tax monies received by the county on Thursday, but only in two of the five funds. The General Revenue Fund received $17,855.87 and the Law Enforcement Sales Tax received $17,853.22. Last year, each of those funds received over $80,783. Skiles did say that attorney Travis Elliott has been in touch with the general counsel of the Missouri Department of Revenue and they indicated they were not aware of the sales tax withholding situation but would investigate the matter. Williams checked with the department about monies for the other three funds but there has been no response from them. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5410, 5420 and 6470. He said two men were going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Mobray went on to say a crew would be checking the chip and seal roads to determine which ones would receive an overlay this year. Mobray also reported on the diesel fuel bids taken last week and MFA Oil was lowest bid at $1.9754 per gallon. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3120 and 4280 while only grading would be done on county road 4290. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 2515 and 2610. Larson also recommended and the commission unanimously approved putting out bids for prices to purchase culverts and grader blades that will be due in the clerk’s office by 10:00 on Monday, May 3rd. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said at the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday, MoDOT announced the highway and transportation commission approved scoping for a new bridge to be built on Route TT at Sligo to replace the low water crossing. He also said the STIP plan shows the bridge on Highway 19 at Gladden is to be replaced in 2023. Overall, Skiles said there were nine projects in the Meramec Regional Planning Commission area in the STIP program. Skiles said the discussion at the MRPC Board meeting dealt with the American Rescue Plan, but everything discussed was just speculation. He wanted to congratulate the City of Salem receiving a $384,000 TAP grant to improve the sidewalks and lighting on 4th Street in downtown Salem. Skiles said he would be in Jefferson City Wednesday to testify on county commission priorities. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the collector and assessor on all collections, add-ons and abatements for the month of March, and that she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for March. At the last meeting, the commissioners unanimously agreed to award a proposal from Anderson and Associates to do outside work on the courthouse at a cost of $7,700 plus lift rental expenses. Commissioner Skiles said there will be no commission meeting on Monday, April 19th due to a County Commissioners meeting. The commissioners may call a special meeting that week if there is business that need to be addressed.

Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be making pavement repairs on Highway 19 in Crawford County this week. MoDOT crews will be removing the top layer of pavement in order to apply a new driving surface on Highway 19 between Highway 8 and Cuba City Limits. Work is scheduled to take place today through Thursday, April 22nd. One lane will be closed between 6:00 in the morning and 4:30 in the afternoon each day. Flaggers will be in place to guide motorist through the work area. Drivers are encouraged to slow down through work zones, obey all traffic signs and watch for workers on the road. Some delays are possible and MoDOT appreciates the patience of travelers while the work take place. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central. You can also follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that young turkey hunters in Missouri harvested 2,771 birds over the past youth weekend held April 10th and 11th. Top harvest counties were Miller with 73 birds checked, Texas with 71, and Callaway with 68. Young hunters checked 2,712 turkeys during the 2020 spring youth weekend. The regular spring turkey season runs April 19th through May 9th. For more information on spring turkey hunting in Missouri, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Transportation crews will be working on highways in Salem and Dent County this week for driving surface repairs. MoDOT crews will be making pavement repairs on Highway 68 in Phelps County starting Monday. Crews will close one lane on Highway 68 at Highway 8 and Route NN from 7:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. Another crew will be patching pavement on Highway 19 between Fourth Street and Spring Creek Bridge. The work will take place starting this Tuesday and will require one lane to be closed. That closure will take place from 6:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. Flaggers will be in place to guide motorist through the work area. Drivers are advised to slow down through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and give crews plenty of room to work. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.

An accident happened in Osage County Sunday morning at 7:05 on Route E at Highway 63. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado driven westbound by 20-year-old Darren Delanois of Rolla failed to yield at the intersection of Route E and Highway 63. The Chevrolet traveled across Highway 63 and struck a ditch, a hill, and a tree before traveling down an embankment and coming to rest on Highway 63. Delanois suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the University of Missouri at Columbia Medical Center by ambulance. Delanois was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy was totaled and removed from the scene by 4J’s Towing.

An accident happened in Crawford County on Route CC about five miles east of Highway 19 Sunday afternoon. According to the highway patrol report, a 17-year-old male juvenile from Cuba was driving a 2005 Ford F250 westbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway. The driver overcorrected causing the Ford to go off the left side of the roadway, overturn and strike a tree. The boy sustained serious injuries and was follow by Air Evac to the Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Patriot Towing. The male juvenile was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 2:50 in Crawford County on Highway 19 near the entrance to the Rafting Company. According to the highway patrol, a 2000 Dodge Ram driven westbound by a 17-year-old female juvenile of Cuba, Missouri, failed to yield and struck a 1989 Chevy Silverado driven southbound by 62-year-old Kenneth Martin of Davisville. Martin suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing seat restraints. Both vehicles had minor damage and were driven from the scene.

The National Park Service and Ozark National Scenic Riverways park managers are pleased to announce planned improvements to facilities and infrastructure within the Big Spring District including the historic dining lodge and 16 historic structures as well as the rental cabins and other features that were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934-1937. The facilities house an existing concession operation that dates back to their construction and is the park’s only dining and lodging operation. A concessioner uses the historic lodge and cabins to provide visitors with a unique and rich experience in one of the most heavily visited areas of the park during the summer months. The National Park Service plans to rehabilitate the historic structures and landscape, recreation area, boat dock, utility systems, and other features, allowing the park to reduce operation and maintenance costs while they improve visitor and staff safety, re-establish a concession contract, improve visitor experience, and improve accessibility by bringing Cabin 413 and the boat dock into Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards compliance. While the lodge, cabins, and boat dock will be closed during restoration activities, the Big Spring campground, pavilions, and nearby hiking trails will remain open throughout the course of this project. The park intends to begin construction of the project in October 2021, which is anticipated to last 16 months. They look forward to inviting visitors back to enjoy the lodging, dining, and recreation facilities once the restoration is complete. For more information, call park headquarters at (573) 323-4236 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. During the financial report, bills were reviewed and approved and the budget showed an ending balance as of March 31st of $286,476.99. The calendar was then reviewed with shot clinics to continue in April at the district. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 42 calls for the month of March including 5 structure fires, 2 flue fires, 20 brush calls, 1 car fire, 1 vehicle accident, 1 dumpster fire, 2 first responder and 5 mutual aid calls, 2 haz-mat calls, and two training calls. Total calls year to date stand at 108 with the average cost per call being $96.25. Chief Brad Nash reported to the board that all ceilings and lights have been installed with only one room remaining which will require wallboard to be installed and that should be started this week. Chief Nash also reported that the privacy window panels have been installed in the dispatch office and that the flooring project is next and should be started right away. The date was then set for the next meeting which will be Tuesday, May 4th, at 6:00 at the fire station which will be open to the public. The meeting was then adjourned.

Salem Memorial District Hospital and the Dent County Health Center will hold a mass vaccination event for COVID-19 to include ALL Missouri residents over the age of 16 at the Dent County Fire Station on Friday, April 16th. The booster vaccine being held at the same location on Friday, May 7th. Please go to the Dent County Health Center or Salem Memorial District Hospital Facebook page for more information and how to register for this event. There is also a registration link on the Salem Memorial District Hospital website.

The Missouri Public Service Commission has established the deadline for those wishing to intervene and participate in a natural gas rate case filed by Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri. Applications to intervene and participate in this case must be filed no later than April 30, 2021, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, or by using the Commission’s Electronic Filing and Information System (EFIS) at www.psc.mo.gov. Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel at 866-922-2959, or the Public Service Commission Staff at 1-800-392-4211. On March 31st, Ameren Missouri filed a natural gas rate case with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to increase its natural gas base rate annual revenues by approximately $9.4 million. According to Ameren Missouri, the adjustment in base rates would mean natural gas rates would increase for an average residential customer by approximately $4 a month. Ameren Missouri serves approximately 135,000 natural gas customers in 25 Missouri counties including Dent and Phelps counties.

The Youth Spring Turkey hunt will be this Saturday and Sunday for youngsters who are age 6-15. The limit for each youth is one male turkey or turkey with a visible beard. Any youth who take a turkey during the youth season may not harvest a second bird until April 26th. This is because the bird taken during the youth season counts as the first bird for the first week of the regular season. Allowed hunting methods include shotguns with shot not larger than No. 4, longbows, recurve bows, or compound bows; crossbows, Atlatl and hand-held string releasing devices that have illuminated sights, scopes, and quick point sights. Youth may hunt this weekend from one half hour before sunrise to sunset. For more information, hunters should get or read the Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2021 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information. They are free at MDC regional offices, MDC nature centers, and other places where permits are sold. You can also get the booklet information online at mdc.mo.gov using the search box at the top of the homepage.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports for the last two weeks of March. On Friday March 19th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 6140. During the traffic stop, a 27-year-old Raymondville man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County and Texas County and was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of South Main Street. During the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Rolla man was arrested for the possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, a prior drug offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Tuesday, March 23rd, a deputy traveled to the 35000 block of Highway 72 to serve an arrest warrant. A 60-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County and was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated. That same day, a deputy began an investigation regarding a 41-year-old Salem man failing to register as a sex offender. During the course of the investigation, deputies traveled to a residence in the 800 block of Dent County Road 2490 and arrested the man for failing to register as a sex offender. On Wednesday, March 24th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the Highway 68 and Highway 19 North intersection. During the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Bunker woman was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County Sheriff’s office and Salem Police Department. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated. On Sunday, March 28th, a deputy observed a 40-year-old Salem man in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The deputy knew the man to have an active warrant through Probation and Parole. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. After further investigation at the jail, the man was also charged for the failure to register as a sex offender and for the possession of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid. Also Sunday, March 28th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 72 and Route FF. During the course of the stop, a 22-year-old Steelville man was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On Wednesday, March 31st, a deputy received information that a 31-year-old Salem man was at the Missouri Department of Parole and Probation office. The deputy was advised that the man had an active warrant through Dent County. The deputy traveled to the Missouri Department of Parole and Probation office, arrested the man and transported him to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to be on the lookout for slow moving crews that will soon begin the annual process of striping roadways across mid-Missouri. Now underway and continuing throughout the spring, summer and fall, motorists on the state’s two-lane lettered routes may encounter slow-moving lines of trucks laying down crisp, easy-to-see yellow and white stripes designed to help keep travelers safe. MoDOT uses paint embedded with glass beads. The beads reflect headlight beams back in the direction of the motorist to make the stripes more visible, especially during night, wet road or low light conditions. Striping crews must travel slowly as they paint roadway markings to ensure a good quality line. The striping trains move between 8 and 12 mph and will be equipped with flashing lights, boards with flashing arrows and signs that say “Slow Vehicles” and “Wet Paint.” Most of the striping is done during daylight hours. However, it is not uncommon to see crews working at night on interstate highways and other high-volume divided highways. Drivers are reminded to stay behind the last truck in the striping train, which is placed well behind the striping truck. This will give the new paint time to dry and prevent it from getting onto vehicles, being damaged by tires, and from being tracked across the roadway. Crews will pull over when it is safe to do so in order to let traffic congestion clear. If you drive through the wet paint, which is water-based, clean your car as quickly as possible with a high-powered water hose such as those used in car washes. Work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit modot.org/central. You can also follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook or Twitter for project updates.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Representative Ron Copeland had requested a large copy of the Dent County Amendment 2 Resolution for his office and Sheriff Bob Wells and the Dent County Commission presented Copeland with a copy. He went on to update the commission on a number of state legislative issues currently being discussed. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge brought in her monthly report for March of 2021. She says that a number of counties are working toward the development of an area economic development region for a number of Ozark counties including Phelps, Dent, Maries, Pulaski, Texas, Howell, Oregon, and possibly two others to strengthen bringing economic development to the area to benefit everyone. Currently Dent County numbers are linked into the demographics of Jefferson City and Columbia. The group is meeting monthly and they hope to have the state recognize their group in the near future so they can apply for grants or other assistance that one county alone could not do, but as a group, they could easily accomplish. Burbridge said another Dent County business received CARES RLF funding and she thought there were at least two more applications out there. She said things are looking better to provide low-cost housing as the SHA flipping for community renewal sold their first house, the 2nd one is listed and another home for renovation has been purchased. She said she sat in on a webinar concerning the American Rescue Plan and they indicate in their discussion that cities have a plan in place once it is determined how the funds will be used as to what major investment would have the biggest impact on the economy. Still all hypothetical at this time. She wanted to remind everyone that the Business at Breakfast will be held Wednesday morning at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on hiring veterans and military retirees. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5390, 5580 and 6470 while brush would be cut on county road 5690. Mobray said a man would be working on chip and seal road repairs. District 2Commissioner Gary Larson stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3200, 5330 and 5333 while only grading would be done on county roads 6130 and 6160. Larson said brush would be cut on county road 2570 and pipes will be cleaned out under the bridge on county road 3220. Larson indicated a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repairs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he was in Jefferson City Thursday to testify in opposition to House Bill 554 that stated the counties that had passed a use tax would have to place the issue on the ballot again if the bill passed. He said he would be attending a transportation Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday as well as an MRPC External Relations Committee meeting and regular MRPC Board meeting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the Municipal Election will be held from 6:00 this morning until 7:00 tonight and she wanted to remind everyone don’t forget your voter registration card or ID. Curley submitted the assessor’s contract for mapping maintenance from Ronald T. Schwartz for $100 per month. The Dent County Commission approved to amend the budget for the loss of the sales tax revenues in General Revenue, LEST, Road and Bridge Fund, and the two jail funds as well as for the FLAP project monies. The budget hearing will be May 17th and the amended budget will be available to the public on May 6th at the clerk’s office. Jeff Banderet from Great Rivers Engineering brought in plan updates on the FLAP projects for the paving of the Tan Vat hill on Dent County Road 6670 that could be completed as early as August, and the low water crossing and road work on Dent County Road 5610 which could take longer. The Commissioners then went into closed session to hear from Anderson and Associates as well as Stack Engineering about the work that need to be done at the courthouse including stages, time frame, costs and more. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting it is open to the public.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 7:05 in Crawford County on Center Point Road about four miles east of Steelville that took the life of a Steelville man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2018 Kawasaki Teryx, driven by 56-year-old Richard Livesay of Steelville, ran off the south side of the roadway and struck a tree. A passenger in the Kawasaki, 57-year-old James Smith, was pronounced deceased at 9:51 that night at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by Dr. B. Wojcik. Livesay suffered serious injuries and was also transferred to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by Air Ambulance. The report stated that neither Smith or Livesay were wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Kawasaki was removed from the scene by Miles Towing.

The City of Salem has announced that utility bills were mailed Monday, April 5th for usage from December 10, 2020 through January 9, 2021. Autodrafts will be processed April 12, 2021. Anyone that has questions about their bill or has not received their bill by Friday, April 9, 2021 is asked to contact the utility office at 729-4117.

Spring weather usually means an increase in outside projects that may require digging or excavation work. Missouri Public Service Commission Chairman Ryan Silvey said before you start digging on any project, it is very important that you contact the Missouri One Call Center at 811 or 1-800-DIG-RITE (344-7483) or go online to place a locate request at www.mo1call.com so that underground utility lines can be marked. Help protect yourself, your family and your property by making sure you call or click before you begin a project that requires any digging. It’s smart, it’s free and it’s the law. If you are planting a tree, building a deck or completing a large project, Missouri law requires anyone digging underground to call 811 or 1-800-DIG-RITE at least three working days before excavation begins. The call will be taken by the Missouri One Call Center, which then notifies all relevant utilities in the project area. During this three-day period, utility companies will mark the approximate location of their underground lines, request additional information or advise you that they do not have facilities at the excavation site. Hitting an underground line can cause serious injury, it could disrupt service to you and other customers, and it could potentially result in fines and repair costs. Call before you dig. It’s free and it’s the law. For more information, please go to Missouri One Call at www.mo1call.com.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00. At the meeting, the board will get a chance to ask questions about the request for funding for the airport board. In bids, the board will hear bids on getting the runway lighting at the airport working as well as bids on the compact tractor and a UTV for the Salem Park and Recreation Department. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Waldon on the scheduling of the City Wide pickup for extra trash on May 3rd through 7th and May 10th through the 14th. He will also discuss project updates from Archer-Elgin before updating the board on items concerning the city. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3474 will be read amending the ordinance covering the temporary city clerk, Resolution # 5-2021 authorizes the mayor to terminate the agreement between the City of Salem and Riverways Federal Credit Union for consultant services, and Bill #3475 authorizing the mayor to execute a task order pertaining to the agreement between the City of Salem and C.M. Archer Group, P.C. to perform described services on the project named Wastewater Pre-Treatment Program Engineering Report. The meeting will then be adjourned. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight will be open to the public.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is asking for assistance from the public to identify those responsible for recent vandalism at Rocky Falls. On March 31st, park rangers received a report about vandalism at Rocky Falls. They found several rocks around the area that had been tagged with a variety of symbols and words in red spray paint. The vandalism is believed to have occurred sometime between Saturday, March 27th, and Wednesday, March 31st. Rocky Falls is one of the most visited sites within Ozark National Scenic Riverways with its picturesque falls cascading over large, purple-hued, igneous rock formations. Removal of the markings is expected to be challenging and costly, as park managers strive to avoid any lasting scarring effect by the either the paint or the removal process. The National Park Service is offering up to $2,000 for information that leads to a conviction in this vandalism case. If you have information that can help, please provide as many details as you can, including the description of any vehicles or persons observed at the scene, the names of any persons responsible or involved, or any other pertinent information. To submit your information, Call or text the Investigative Services Branch Tip line at 888-653-0009, submit your report online at www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip,” or e-mail your tip in to nps_isb@nps.gov. You must submit contact information to be compensated by the National Park Service.

In celebration of National Library Week, the Salem Public Library will hold a “Golden Library Card” drawing. This week, ten “Golden Library Cards” will be hidden throughout the building. Visitors who find a golden card may enter it in the drawing. Please limit entries to one per family. Three cards will be drawn. Each winning card will be worth $10 in library credit for fines, faxes, copies, lamination, and book sales. If you have any questions, please call the library at 729-4331 or stop by 403 North Jackson.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 3:33 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about one mile south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Dodge Caravan driven by 32-year-old Joshua Cullom of Rolla was stopped in traffic in the southbound lane when a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Edgar Springs rear ended the Caravan. After the crash occurred, the Altima caught on fire. A 15-year-old male juvenile from Rolla in the Caravan suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance. Everyone involved was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Altima was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. The Caravan sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The City of Salem has been awarded a MODOT Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant for sidewalk safety improvements. The $346,780 grant will allow the city to make safety improvements on Fourth Street in Salem. The MRPC Transportation Advisory Committee ranked the Salem project as the top application in the region. Statewide, there were 66 applications and only 16 chosen for funding, due to limited funding. It was also announced that the City of Salem Park and Recreation Department also was awarded the LWCF grant for work on the new soccer fields.

Creating more forage per acre, of a higher quality product, with more plant diversity to increase grazing potential is the goal of this MU Extension four-part series dealing with pasture and hay management. In the month of April these four mini-series, over possible pasture and hay management to improve your grazing and or baling operation, will be discussed. All four programs will be conducted via zoom. Controlling spring weed competition problems will be Monday morning, April 5th, at 10:00 with MU Field Specialist, Terry Halleran. Kick starting your pasture for extended grazing potential will be on Monday, April 12th, 10:00 in the morning with MU
Field Specialist, Jill Scheidt. Pasture reseeding and/or renovation for the spring and fall grazing seasons will be the morning of April 19th at 10:00 hosted by Tim Schnakenberg, MU Field Specialist. Fall and winter weed control and stockpiling for extended grazing potential on Monday morning, April 26th, at 10:00 with Sarah Kenyon, MU Field Specialist. The series is FREE and producers can register online or contact the Hickory County MU Extension Office at 417 818 2618.

You are invited to the next Business @ Breakfast that will be held at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory or via Zoom to be held on Wednesday morning, April 7th from 7:00 until 7:45. If you are a business owner, business manager or if you are wanting to start a business,
then be part of the group where you can find where to find skilled labor who can pass a drug test and that will show up. Hosted by Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge who will be at the Community Center and virtually with Sarah Hultine Massengale with the MU Extension. You will hear from Executive Director Dorsey Newcomb and Deputy Director of the Sustainable Ozarks Partnership as well as Walter Harris, the Transition Services Manager with Fort Leonard Wood, about hiring veterans and military retirees. These individuals have numerous skills and can be an asset to any company. To make your reservation to attend in person where there is a limit of 10 people, or to attend by Zoom, let Sarah Massengale know by e-mailing her at: hultines@missouri.edu. There will be coffee, fresh fruit and donuts for those attending in person.

As part of its mission to support educational outreach, the State Historical Society of Missouri has reaffirmed its commitment to the much-loved Historic Missourians website by updating the site to use modern web technology, making it mobile-friendly and giving it a fresh new look. Originally launched in 2006, the website features well-resourced biographies for notable Missourians of all time periods, races, genders, and occupations. Historic Missourians also meets education standards set by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and has long been used by Missouri students, educators, and parents. Students use Historic Missourians to explore the lives of entrepreneurs like Walt Disney, journalists like Mary Paxton Keeley, scientists like George Washington Carver, athletes like Stan Musial, educators like Susan Blow, and more. SHSMO executive director Gary R. Kremer said the biographies available on this site feature rich images, pictures of artifacts, and other primary sources that help students get started on their own journey of historical research. Historic Missourians is online and FREE to worldwide audiences. Visit at historicmissourians.shsmo.org.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening, April 6th 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 March meeting before hearing the financial report and approving bills. Next on the agenda will be the review of the calendar and the monthly reimbursement report before hearing any old or new business and various report. The board may then vote to go into closed session. If a closed session is not needed, the board will set the date for the May meeting before adjourning. The meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors on Tuesday is open to the public.