Local News

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station at #2 South Main. After approval of the consent agenda minutes from the January meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. During the financial report the board reviewed and approved bills and was shown to have an ending balance of $278,177.66. The district is currently hosting the Salem Memorial District Hospital in partners with the Dent County Health Center for provide Covid vaccinations through the month of March and the road rally participants will be the district on March 18th to start check-ins. The monthly reimbursement report which showed a total of 28 calls for month including seven structure fires, two brush fires, two car fires, two vehicle accidents, one first responder call, five haz-mat calls, two training calls and five calls listed as other. The department also responded to one fire alarm. Calls responded to year-to-date stand at 66 with the average cost per call of $106.25. Chief Nash reported to the board that Engine 85 has still not been repaired from the door damage and he is still waiting on the insurance company. Nash also reported that the current projects in work for the district are the repair of the ceilings in the laundry room, the back restroom, and the gear room. Before adjourning the board set the date for the next meeting for Tuesday, April 6th at 6:00 at the fire station. That meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital will be conducting health fair screenings now through March 15th at the Salem Memorial District Hospital Campus. The screenings will take place Monday through Friday and start at 6:00 each morning and continue until 10:00 a.m. This is a great opportunity to have various tests conducted such as the health fair profile, diabetes A1c test, a thyroid test, a prostate test, a urine test, bone density test and a Vitamin D test. These tests will allow each person tested to find out about your overall health or head off potential future health problems by taking the appropriate steps based on your test results. In an effort to comply with social distancing and to maintain a safer environment SMDH will pre-register and schedule the health fair screening to be performed at the facility. Participants will enter at the north entrance of the hospital and be COVID screened. Since patients will already be registered fees will be collected and consent forms will be signed prior to testing. To schedule your appointment as well as pre-register, please call Karen Brown at 573-729-6626 Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) will host a public hearing to accept comments on the PHA’s annual plan at 10:00 in the morning on
Monday, March 8th at the MRPC offices located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. The Phelps County PHA provides HUD Section 8 rental assistance to persons in the counties of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city of Rolla) and Washington. The plan is a comprehensive guide to PHA policies, programs, operations and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. There are two parts to the PHA plan: the five-year plan, which each PHA submits to HUD once every fifth PHA fiscal year, and the annual plan, which is submitted to HUD every year by non-qualified agencies. The plan is available for review at Meramec Regional Planning Commission/Phelps County PHA, now through March 8th. Written comments will be accepted through March 8th and can be submitted to MRPC to the attention of Donald Keeney, PHA Program Manager. Persons needing more information or a link to attend the meeting by Zoom should contact Keeney at 573-265-4200. Anyone needing special accommodations for the public hearing should contact Keeney by this Friday.

More than 5,400 anglers visited Bennett Spring, Montauk and Roaring River state parks on opening day of trout season. The catch-and-keep trout season Monday monring. Based on trout tag sales, 1,709 anglers visited Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, 1,793 anglers visited Montauk State Park near Salem, and 1,956 anglers visited Roaring River State Park near Cassville. This year’s total is lower than 2020 numbers by nearly 2,000. A breakdown of trout tag counts and photos from the day are available at mostateparks.com/TroutOpening2021. The catch-and-keep trout season continues through October 31st. Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which manages state parks, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, which operates the hatcheries and stocks the streams with trout.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center is reminding everyone that they are welcome to come take a tour of the facility, work out at the Fitness Center for FREE and meet the staff through Friday, March 5th. With the addition of the new basketball gymnasium and expansion of the fitness center, they want to offer tours and provide information regarding available all types of membership opportunities. The fitness center, gymnasium and classes are FREE only through this Friday. The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center is located in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. For additional information please call 739-1127 or 729-8163.

Mayor Brad Nash of the City of Salem called a special meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen for Thursday night at 8:45 in the city hall council chambers. At the meeting, the board will go into closed session to discuss personnel and the attorney/client privilege. The meeting is NOT open to the public.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Brad Nash appointed Tammy Koller in the temporary City Clerk position. In bids, the board approved the grinder pump and equipment at the Salem City Park Little League ball fields totaling $86,993. This is a budgeted purchase and both items came in under the budgeted amount. Planning and Zoning Chairman, Gary Brown, reported on their recent Board of Adjustments meeting where they recommended approving the subdividing of 805-807 North Henderson into three separate parcels. The Aldermen approved this request. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden reported that the city’s Transportation Alternative Program application submitted to MRPC was scored the highest in the region. The application now goes to MoDOT for approval. This project will improve the sidewalks on 4th Street from Iron Street west to Highway 19 on the South side and then on both sides of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Jackson Street. Walden explained the upcoming city budget and how the process proceeds through staff and supervisors, the Capital Improvements Committee, then on to the Finance Committee and final approval to the Board of Alderman. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory had 5,104 participants in January. The board heard from Matt Griswold with People Centric Consulting regarding a recent Path Finder Survey that was conducted with city staff and aldermen. There were 20 surveys completed and 15 in person interviews conducted to help build a high performance culture within the city staff. Some issues to work on include; update job descriptions, conduct manager trainings, install a check in process between staff and managers, conduct goal setting and share the results. The board approved Bill #3472 to lease tower space for one year to Wave Internet Technologies; and Bill #3473 to allow Mayor Brad Nash to execute a change order between the City of Salem and Smith and Edwards Construction, Inc for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Phase 1B improvements. This change will add the replacement of pump equipment at the Westwood Grinder Pump Station and the Ballpark Grinder Pump Station as well as extend the completion date. The board also approved Resolution #4-2021 that would allow the City of Salem to pursue entering into a guaranteed energy savings contract with Energy Solutions Professionals. This is a state program, similar to the recent lighting project energy savings audit, where energy savings are guaranteed by the contractor. There is possible funding through a Community Development Block Grant-COVID 19 application that will be submitted for a maximum of $500,000. If this grant is received, the total the city would spend to correct all issues is $25,000 per year. The board appointed Melissa DuBois as the city representative to the Dent County Extension Council before going into closed session to discuss the attorney/client privilege.

The Salem Quiz Bowl Teams played their first tournament of the year and the first virtual tournament ever Saturday, February 27, when they competed in the annual SCA Tournament. Houston hosted the tournament virtually. The Salem Varsity finished in Third Place and Salem JV finished in Second Place. Martin Jones, Varsity Captain, took seventh place overall in the Varsity Division. Two JV players, Tyler Seabaugh and Dylan Seabaugh, took third and fifth place respectively in the JV Division. In the first game of Varsity play, Salem easily defeated Mountain Grove, winning the match by a score of 520 to 190. Unfortunately, Salem drew a bye for the second game and the third game was delayed due to technical difficulties. The Tigers lost their momentum and was defeated by Thayer, 410-220 In the afternoon semifinals, Thayer beat Salem again, this time by the score of 420 to 280. Salem went on to play for Third Place, winning easily over Mountain Grove, 420 to 170. In JV play, Salem beat Thayer in the first game, 260 to 160; and Mountain Grove in the second game, 210 to 100. In the 3rd game, Salem lost to the Houston JV, 360 to 110. In the JV semifinals, Salem beat Mountain Grove again, but due to technical difficulties, the final game was not held, which left the teams finishing in the order they were seeded. Salem’s next meet is another virtual tournament being hosted by Houston on April 10th. The Virtual tournaments are the only choice at this time. They are played using a virtual on-line buzzer; a virtual playing location using either Google Meet or Zoom; and they feature a virtual reader and score keeper. The questions are the same as usual in-seat play, but the setting is very different, since the teams play remotely from their home schools. Districts have not yet been decided, but MSHAA has ruled that if they occur they will by in-seat. The teams are coached by Susan Sheeley and Will Hubbs.

The opening day of the catch-and-keep trout season began yesterday morning at 6:30 at Montauk State Park. There were 1,603 adult trout tags and another 190 youth tags sold as of 4:00 Monday afternoon. A number of lunkers were caught during the day with the largest being a 5 pound, 5 ounce rainbow by Cameron Frederick of Mountain Grove. There were two rainbows caught that weighed in at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. They were caught by Justin Waneka of Rolla and Eldon Kaufmann of Perryville. The largest trout caught by a woman on opening day was a brown trout reeled in by Morgan Elliott of Valle Mines that weighed in at four pounds even. The catch-and-keep season will be in effect until October 31st.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to an illness. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray was named acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. He recognized Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge who presented her monthly report. She updated the commission on some of her ongoing projects and mentioned that one Dent County business received funding through the CARES Revolving Loan Fund through the MRPC. She mentioned updates continue on the new Salemmo.com website and that the county domains are functioning. She also stated she is working on the Voluntary Residential Demolition Program and working on a draft Memorandum of Understanding between the city and Salem R-80’s Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed. Burbridge said Moonlight Madness will return on June 12th to downtown Salem on 4th Street. She said she also received an email stating she did not need a Habitat Study for the Indiana Bat at the certified Site in the Industrial Park, but tree clearing still can’t be done until November. In the road report, Mobray stated work is being done on a wheel bearing on tractor #8, and tires are being replaced on the Durapatcher. He reported work was being done on Dent County Road 5615 and workers will be checking the roads for damage from the weekend rains that were much heavier in the southern part of the county. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2500, 2510 and 3510 while materials will be added and grading done on county roads 3140 and 3180. Larson indicated materials only would be added to county road 2530 and brush would be cut on county road 5300. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register to vote for the April 6th Municipal Election will be March 10th while absentee voting is going on now at the courthouse. Curley said the testing of the voting equipment will be at 9:00 on Mach 23rd at her office. She reported she attended the MAC Conference Board meeting last Wednesday in Jefferson City and then met with legislators Senator Brown and Representative Copeland as well as Secretary of State Ashcroft. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles texted in that he met with Senator Brown and Representative Copeland and asked them to inquire to the Division of Taxation in the Department of Revenue to get a better explanation as to why the county is being penalized its sales tax receipts for two and a half months. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART Taxes that were received the last week in February. This year, the county received $56,542.44 while last year they received $57,927.57. That comes to $1,385.13 less than 2020 and year-to-date, the CART taxes are down $2,406.99. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer came in to let the alderman know that about ten percent of people used the Assessor Portal. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday, March 8th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda the board will review the minutes of the February meeting before hearing the financial report and the approval of bills. Next will be the calendar review and the monthly reimbursement report. The board will then hear any old or new business and various reports before going into closed session if needed. The date will then be set for the April meeting before adjourning.

Grace Harbor will be having a color run/walk Saturday, March 13th sponsored by Salem United Methodist Church. Registration will be from 8:30 to 9:00 with a 10:00 start time. Proceeds from the $25 entry fee will go this worthy cause. Each participant will receive a bottle of water. For more information you can call 573-247-7062.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00. At the meeting, Mayor Nash will appoint someone to fill the temporary City Clerk position. In the hearing of persons, the board will hear from Wendell Light who lives at 1300 South Wines about his utility bill. Under bids, the aldermen will hear a bid for a grinder pump at the Salem City Park Little League ball fields. After the consent agenda, the board will hear an update from Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown on the subdivision of 805 and 807 North Henderson. They will also get an update from City Administrator Ray Walden on city projects. The board will hear Bill #3472 to lease tower space for one year to Wave Internet Technologies; and Bill #3473 to allow Mayor Brad Nash to execute a change order between the City of Salem and Smith and Edwards Construction, Inc for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Phase 1B improvements. This change will add the replacement of pump equipment at the Westwood Grinder Pump Station and the Ballpark Grinder Pump Station as well as extend the completion date. The board will also hear Resolution #4-2021 that would allow the City of Salem to pursue entering into a guaranteed energy savings contract with Energy Solutions Professionals. In new business, the board will appoint a city representative to the Dent County Extension Council before going into closed session to discuss the attorney and client privilege. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened just after noon on February 14th. The report from the Salem Police Department states that a 2012 Kia Soul owned and operated by Paula Stidham of Salem was driving east on Highway 32 and passing through the intersection of Highway 32 and MacArthur. Stidham stated that she swerved to miss a vehicle that was in the turn lane and collided with the curb before coming to a stop. The Kia sustained extensive damage. The report went on to state that Stidham reported she had some chest pains and a juvenile passenger had injuries to his nose.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 3:50 in Phelps County on Route V about a quarter mile from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 IC Corporation Bus driven by 54- year old Michelle Johnson of Rolla was traveling westbound and struck the rear of a 1997 Ford Ranger driven by 42-year old Nancy Koon of Rolla. The Ranger was stopped at a stop sign waiting to turn left. Two juvenile females of Rolla, ages 8 and 9, and two juvenile males of Rolla, ages 10 and 11, were occupants in the bus and all suffered minor injuries. All four juveniles were transported to Phelps Health by Phelps Health Ambulance. Another occupant of the bus, a 9- year old juvenile male from Rolla also suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the North Crawford Ambulance. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. None of the injured occupants of the bus were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles sustained minor damage and were driven from the scene.

Today is FFA Day on KSMO Radio where a number of FFA students will be interviewed live on the air by former FFA Advisor Bob Parsons. These interview will begin about 8:20 and last until 3:00. These interviews can also be streamed on www.ksmoradio.com.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released several reports. On Tuesday, February 16th, a deputy responded to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for a report of the fraudulent use of a credit or debit device. The deputy discovered that a 56-year-old man had been reported victim. Suspect information was obtained, and an investigation was conducted. During that investigation, a 37-year-old Salem man and a 21-year-old Salem woman were arrested for fraudulent use of a credit or debit device. They were both fingerprinted and issued a summons. The next day on Wednesday the 17th, a deputy received a report of property damage at the Chilton Oil Bulk Supply Storage on East Highway 32. Total value of the property that was damaged was $80.00. That report is under investigation. Finally on Thursday the 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of East Highway 32 and Masters Industrial Drive. As a result of the stop a 31-year-old St. Louis man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation please the sheriffs department at 572-729-3241.

Missouri’s catch-and-keep trout fishing season officially begins at 6:30 in the morning Monday at Montauk State Park near Salem and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The catch-and-keep season at the trout parks runs through October 31st. Remember trout anglers to buy your fishing permits ahead of time from numerous vendors around the state, at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits or through the MDC free mobile app: MO Fishing. Daily trout tags can also be purchased at the state park concession stores: $4.00 for adults at Montauk and $5.00 for adults at Meramec Spring Park. The cost is $3.00 for those 15 years of age and younger at both parks. Please have the correct amount of cash for your daily tags and to purchase those tags early, if possible. The Montauk State Park store hours for purchasing daily trout tags will be 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM tomorrow and from 8:00 AM to 9:00 Sunday.
The normal store hours begin Monday, March 1. The Maramec Spring Park store hours for daily tags will be from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM today. Normal store hours of 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM will begin Saturday. For more information, call Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201 or the Meramec State Park at 573-265-7124.

Join park rangers this Saturday afternoon at 5:00 at the Alley General Store for a guided evening hike to identify owls. It will be a “hoot of a time”! You’ll learn fact and folklore about these little understood creatures of the night before hiking up Alley Hollow in search of the nighttime predator. All things “owl” will be displayed in front of the Alley General Store prior to the hike. Rangers will use recorded calls to try to get owls to respond and venture close enough for a good look. The hike will be less than a mile, but please come prepared for chilly temperatures. Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight for the night hike. The Alley General Store is on the grounds near Alley Spring, located six miles west of Eminence, Missouri, on State Route 106. Visitors can park in front of the Alley General Store. Please dress warmly and make sure all children are accompanied by an adult. Social distancing will be practiced, and visitors are encouraged to bring a mask in case physical distance cannot be maintained throughout the program. For more information, phone (573) 226-3945, or visit the park’s Facebook page or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

A two vehicle accident happened Wednesday morning just before 8:30 in Phelps County on Route J about three miles south of I-44. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic being driven by 25-year old Michael Keping of Edgar Springs was traveling north when he crossed the centerline of the roadway striking a southbound 2017 Ford F-250 being driven by 23-year old Sebastian Grant of St. Joseph. Keping suffered minor injuries and chose to seek his own treatment. The Chevrolet had moderate damage while the Ford had minor damage and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene. According to the report, both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department released reports for February 15th and 16th. On Monday morning, February 15th at approximately 6:30, an officer was dispatched to the 1500 block of East Beezley for a report of a stolen vehicle. It was reported that the vehicle was started to thaw out and then when they came back outside it was missing. The vehicle was entered as stolen into MULES. This incident is currently still under investigation. The vehicle is described as a tan 2007 Chevy Tahoe. Then on Tuesday morning February 16th at approximately 7:07, an officer was dispatched to Jackson and Center Streets for a report of an altercation. Upon arrival of the police, it was learned that the male victim found another man in his vehicle. The victim attempted to hold the man there until authorities arrived. The male subject that was in the vehicle was placed under arrest for stealing as he had items of property taken out of the vehicle. Also located on his person were items suspected of being methamphetamine and prescription pills. As a result, a 37-year old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending the application of warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

A UTV accident happened Tuesday evening at 7:00 on Shannon County Road 252 about four miles northeast of Round Spring. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2020 Polaris UTV being operated by 39-year old Samuel Jordan of Salem, was traveling east and ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Jordan was transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla for the treatment of minor injuries. The Polaris sustained minor damage and was released to the owner.

The University of Missouri Extension, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, will be presenting a 2021 Selling Local Food in Missouri series that will feature four distinct session providing producers with the information they need on how to sell their food and agriculture products in Missouri. Sessions will provide participants with the most up-to-date information on rules and regulations they need follow to sell their products to consumers in Missouri presented by speakers from the University Extension and Missouri Department of Agriculture. The first session will be March 2nd and will explore resources that producers need to sell local food. The second session will be March 9th where producers can learn the state regulations you need to know to sell your meat and poultry locally. The session will also include best practices from a successful livestock producer. The third session will be held March 16th where producers can learn the state regulations you need to know to sell your produce and/or eggs. The fourth session to be held March 23rd will concentrate on the state regulations you need to follow to sell value-added products, such as canned products, baked goods, etc. The cost of each session is $15, or you can register for all four sessions for $40. For more information or to register, call Leslie Bertsch at 314-400-2115 or send an e-mail to bertschl@missouri.edu. You can also register online at extension.missouri.edu/events.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), in conjunction with the Central District Coalition for Roadway Safety, is now accepting project graduation/docudrama grants until March 12th at 5:00 p.m. The grant can be used to help with costs for project graduation activities or to host a docudrama for schools in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Project Graduation grants can receive up to $200 in grant funds and $100 in give-away incentives that promote roadway safety. Docudrama grants can request up to $300 in grant funds. Additionally, docudrama assistance can be provided by MRPC. Schools who have participated in past coalition events will be given preference, if funds are limited. Bonnie Prigge, executive director of MRPC and a member of the Central District Coalition says these grants give schools and parent-volunteers the opportunity to provide safe, educational events for students, especially seniors. Highway fatalities in Missouri are running extremely high, so it is important that we take time to remind our young drivers of the importance of focusing on the road by buckling up, putting the phone down and avoiding activities that would impair their driving or distract them. The application form can be found at www.meramecregion.org. For more information on the grant opportunity, contact Bonnie Prigge at bprigge@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993.

At the Dent County Commissioners meeting Monday, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported she visited with the Missouri Department of Revenue, Taxation Department in regards to the county not receiving their sales tax distribution during the month of February. Due to an error in the state taxation department, Dent County was credited with the sales tax of an entity not in the county. The error overstated the amount of sales tax received in each county fund. To make up for this error, the state will not be sending the county any sales tax receipts for the months of February and March as well as part of April due to this miscalculation of sales tax by the state. It was noted that the Missouri Department of Revenue did not inform the county of this error until the county treasurer inquired why they hadn’t received any sales tax funds for February.

An accident occurred in Dent County at 6:50 Monday morning on Dent County Road 2150 about seven miles east of Edgar Springs. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2017 Dodge Ram, driven by 35-year-old Devin Kuczynski of Salem, struck a patch of ice, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Kuczynski suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Fort Wood Hospital by a private conveyance. The Dodge sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting Thursday, February 18th at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray updated the Board on the current Covid-19 status in Dent County. Mobray said that to date there have been 946 confirmed cases and 176 probable cases that have been investigated. At meeting time there were 3 confirmed active cases and no probables. Twenty-five deaths have been confirmed and she noted that confirmation of deaths through the Bureau of Vital Records can take several weeks so the numbers are reported as deaths are confirmed. Mobray noted that the current seven day positivity rate for the Dent County is 1.25%. She went on to say that the Health Center is working closely with SMDH to secure vaccine for Dent County. A large mass vaccination clinic was held at the Dent County Commons on February 11th and 12th. Mobray thanked the Maxwell family for the use of the Dent County Commons and also thanked The Bank of Salem for providing food and refreshments to the staff, plus thanks went to Chilton Oil Company for keeping the heaters supplied with propane. The help provided by the Salem Memorial District Hospital, the Missouri National Guard, State Emergency Management Agency, and the Jordan Valley Community Health Center made the event a huge success. She went on to say that three other vaccine clinics have been held at the Dent County Fire Station for individuals that qualify in Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Tier 1 and Tier 2. One more first dose clinic is scheduled for February 25th. Scheduled clinics in March will be for booster doses and information will be released to the public through Facebook and local media outlets as additional vaccine opportunities arise and more tiers are opened by the State of Missouri. Mobray said that to date 2,310 vaccines have been administered through the vaccination sites. Mobray said the season-to-date total of reported influenza cases remains at one. The Board then approved the expenses for January. During review and discussion of the financial report the Board voted to increase the monthly payment on the 1010 E. Scenic Rivers property. The next regular meeting of the Trustees was set for March 18th at 5:00. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Saturday, February 6th at about midnight, an officer was conducting an investigation of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Ellis and Park Streets. From the investigation, contact was made with a vehicle matching the description given. A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver. Located in plain view while speaking with the driver was a clear baggie that later field tested positive for methamphetamine. As a result of the stop, a 26-year-old Salem man was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail on a parole absconder warrant. On Friday night, February 12th at approximately 9:20, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle at Highway 32 and Water Street for driving with no headlights. Contact was made with the driver and signs of impairment were present. The driver of the vehicle was asked to take a series of standardized field sobriety tests. As a result, it was found the driver to be driving while being intoxicated. The driver, a 22-year-old Salem male, was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court. Contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated that a crew would be out checking roads for downed trees and branches. He went on to say service would be done on truck #21 and the Durapatcher would also be serviced. He said another crew would be working on Tractor #8. Mobray reported that he attended the Bunker Board of Aldermen meeting that was held Sunday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that workers would be doing maintenance in the shop and on trucks #68, #69, #116, #122 and #124. He said another crew would be out checking some roads for slick spots and that they are repairing the compressor on the maintenance trailer. Larson stated that he and Commissioner Mobray attended a Superintendent’s meeting at Green Forest R-2 to discuss establishing a snow route. Larson said State Representative Ron Copeland was also at the meeting to hear concerns from the superintendents and discuss with them current issues going on legislatively. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended TAC meeting last week where he said there will be some changes to the BRO bridge replacement program. He said he also attended the external relations committee meeting and the MRPC plans to have a Awards Dinner and Banquet in October. On Wednesday, Skiles said he and county clerk Angie Curley will attend the MAC legislative committee meeting and then board meeting. He also said he plans to attend the Industrial Development Authority Board meeting Wednesday at 6:00. Dent County Clerk Curley wanted to remind everyone that absentee voting for the April Municipal Election begins today at the courthouse. Remember, you must have a valid reason to vote absentee. She will also be sending out a temporary polling location letter to 18 people who would normally vote for the R-2 school board at R-3 school, but due to R-3 not needing a board election, those people can vote for the R-2 board candidates at the Dent County Courthouse for this election ONLY. At the last meeting, Collector Shannon VanKirk came in with the monthly turnover for collections of $232,272. There was a refund and the commission signed the monthly turnover book. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, March 1st at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Recently, an issue regarding the publication of semiannual financial statements was brought to the attention of the Board of Aldermen. In response, the Board of Aldermen is directing the semiannual financial statements for the time periods of January 1, 2019 thru December 31, 2020 to be published in the Salem News. Further, the City of Salem will be seeking an independent third-party to conduct an investigation into this matter.

With the increase in demand for the recreational use of public lands with over 21.1 million visitors at Missouri State Parks and an increase in visitors of over 40% in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways operated by the National Park Service, the Missouri State Parks has proposed to the Missouri State legislature to improve their facilities in 22 state parks that would include a total of 28 projects. In our area, those would include six new cabins at Echo Bluff State Park for three million dollars, a new campground loop with 32 sites along with a new shower house at Montauk State Park for 2.1 million dollars, and a 9.9 million dollar investment in the Current River State Park that would include six new full service two bedroom cabins by the lake, rehabilitation of the existing lodge originally built back in the 1930’s that would include replacing the dormitory wing, upgrading the kitchen as well as the dining room areas, and also making some structural improvements to the structure. These improvements would be paid for by the issuance of revenue bonds that still have to be approved by the state legislature. These bonds would be paid back by the fees incurred by the public for the use of the facilities.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations for those who qualify in Phase 1A and 1B, Tiers 1 and 2 this Thursday at the Dent County Firehouse. You MUST set up an appointment by calling the Dent County Health Center at 729-3106.

An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 4:35 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2010 Toyota Prius, driven by 23-year old Allysa Jackson of Edgar Springs, ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign and a fence. Jackson suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Toyota sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the high school library. At the meeting, Superintendent Lynne Reed saluted all the R-80 board members for Board Appreciation Week. Reed reported the January Membership numbers were updated to include 1038 R-80 district students and another 293 rural school students for a total of 1,331 students. Reed went on to say that she has been talking with numerous insurance brokers in an attempt to get better insurance numbers for the next school year. She also discussed with the board a request from the Northwood R-4 district for help with a band instructor for two hours. Reed conferred with High School Principal Marty Anderson and said Salem could drop the guitar class and second chance band class that would allow the Assistant Band Director Anderson to help out the Northwood School. Reed indicated Northwood would pickup 2/7ths of Anderson’s salary the rest of the year. Reed also wanted to thank the maintenance as well as custodial staff for their work in clearing the walks and drives at the Salem R-80 schools. She also brought up that two bus leases will come up for at the end of the school year and the district may want to purchase busses instead of leasing them. All the building principals gave their reports before High School Vocal Instructor Elaine Russell discussed an annual trip to compete in the national choir competition. Russell said the only national competition this year would be April 14th through 19th in Orlando with very stringent requirements. Anyone that goes must be tested for COVID-19, plus temperatures will be taken twice each day. Russell said the Salem hospital said they would work with the school in getting the students, chaperones and families the tests they need within a 24-hour turnaround. She went on to say the USA Tour bus also has their rules that the group would have to abide by including required wearing of masks at all times. Russell said her survey of choir families showed seven said yes, nine said no and five were flexible. The board discussed this at length and then voted 5-1 to allow the trip to occur provided that there was no COVID-19 outbreak in Dent County and enough families want to attend. Superintendent Reed announced she had created a policy and a form for community members who wanted the board to address an item or who needed to speak to the board on an issue. Reed suggested creating a time limit if a community member addressed the board and the board agreed to five minutes while also approving the policy and form. The board also approved the continuation of co-op football, track and cross-country with R-80 and the rural schools for the next school year. The board accepted the resignation of transportation director Bob Moreland, high school science teacher Emily Atkinson, high school English teacher Janet Roach and library para-professional Vicki Lawson. They also accepted the retirement of technology director Jim White. These will all be effective at the end of the current school year. In closed session, the board approved extending the contracts of middle school principal Rich Parks, upper elementary school principal Melanie Wisdom, and high school principal Marty Anderson through the 2022-2023 year. They also approved extending high school assistant principal Clay Moody through the 2022-2023 year, extending elementary school principal Dr. Herman Blau for two years through the 2022-2023 year, and also extending the contract of Jodi Heavin through the 2022-2023 year. The board went on to offer contracts to Brooke Roger as the high school business teacher and to Eric Meyers for high school English. The board also approved moving Janelle Frederick to the administrative assistant salary schedule with a 10-month position. The meeting was then adjourned.

On Saturday, the City of Salem Board of Alderman held a special meeting called by Aldermen Kevin James Greg Parker. They approved Bill # 3474, creating an ordinance instituting an employee voluntary leave donation policy. This policy allows employees to voluntarily provide assistance to coworkers by donating leave hours to employees in critical need of leave due to a serious health condition of the employee or a member of the employee’s immediate family. The board then discussed Ordinance # 3436 regarding the canceling of meetings. The original ordinance states that Alderman and other city meeting will be cancelled if the Salem R-80 School cancels classes due to weather. The intent was to give the Mayor and Alderman the possibility of canceling meeting due to weather if the need arises. The ordinance should read that the meetings may be canceled at the discretion of the Mayor and Board President and not will be cancelled. The ordinance will be placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting agenda for further discussion. The board then went into closed session to discuss Attorney/Client Privilege.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has issued reports for the first week of February. On February 2nd, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 500 block of South Jackson Street to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Thursday, February 4th, a deputy responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Dent County Road 6090 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 57-year old woman was the reported victim. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, February 5th, a deputy responded to a residence in the 9000 block of Highway 32 West for the report of a theft. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 29-year old woman was the reported victim. This report is still under investigation. Later that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route VV near the Texas County Line. During the course of the traffic stop, a 31-year old Licking man was arrested due to a prior drug offense for the possession of a controlled substance and the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. Also arrested during the incident was a 30-year old Licking man for an active warrant through probation and parole. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Saturday, February 6th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Route HH and the Highway 32 intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 32-year old Rolla woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The woman was taken to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer wants to remind everyone your annual assessment forms that list your personal and business property for 2021 will be due on Monday, March 1st. Those forms MUST be in the Dent County Assessor’s Office by that day or postmarked that day to avoid paying a penalty. You may drop off your assessment list at the assessor’s office at the courthouse and they are open from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, weekdays. There is also a drop box on the front lawn of the courthouse for your convenience if you can’t make it by until after hours. You can also mail in your assessment list forms but make sure you have the postal clerk postmark your envelope. New this year, you can also e-file your assessment list form online. Just follow the instructions on the assessment form you received in the mail. If you have lost your assessment list form or never received one, or you are new to the area, additional blank forms are available at the Dent County Assessor’s Office in the Dent County Courthouse. The penalty for not getting in your assessment form on time is determined at $10 per every $1,000 of assessed valuation with a maximum penalty of $100 if you have assessed valuation of $10,000 or more. A quick reminder for those wanting to file their form online, you can only e-file your assessment list form until April 30th. If you have any questions or need assistance with the online form, call Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer at the Dent County Courthouse at 729-6010 or stop by during regular business hours at the corner of Highway 19 and 4th Street, downtown.