Local News

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of September, the hospital had 79 inpatient admissions with 267 inpatient census days. Patients per day in Acute Care came in at 8.9 in September. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $127,466 and expenses over revenues after taxes of $125,288. Cash decreased for the month by $442,563. The days in net account receivables stayed at 108 days, the same as August. During the month, there were 637 emergency room visits to go with 208 ambulance runs with 144 patients being transported, 33 surgery cases, 2,351 outpatient registrations, 239 home health visits, 8,894 lab tests, 1,136 radiological procedures including 749 rehab treatments. Chief of Nursing Debbie Hines gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity at 21 per day. She also stated that on September 9th, the plan of correction that was submitted for the state survey was accepted, and then on September 30th, an infection control survey in Long-Term Care found no deficiencies. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas said the hospital offered health screenings the entire month in lieu of the health fair at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Lucas said a total of 206 people took advantage of the month long savings plan. Lucas reiterated that the hospital auxiliary would not be meeting the rest of 2020. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported due to COVID-19, all the fundraisers for 2021 at this time have been postponed until further notice. That includes the “Dancing with the Salem Stars” event in January. He went on to report the hospital is finalizing the trail program documentation for the TytoCare-school focused telemedicine program through the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program grant. Edwards said the hospital is waiting on the Tyto representative for a business associate agreement. Lucas gave the COVID-19 update and said there have been 1,451 outpatient COVID-19 tests and about 20 more tests were administered for those who were inpatient admitted. Lucas said 37 employees tested positive and 32 of those have been released back to work. Lucas also reported on the hospital expansion and said the MRI shielding issues have been resolved and Canon began installing the equipment this week. He said electricians are working in the Receiving Area, and that Phase 1 of the Sewer project is complete, Phase 2 is near completion and Phase 3 will begin October 26th. He said the Outpatient Registration renovation has begun while the work in cardiopulmonary and the window projects have been completed. The board approved the Annual Bylaw Review making no changes, and they approved the purchase of two new defibrillators for EMS and one new defibrillator for Surgery from Zoil Medical for $76,124. The board then went into closed session.

This fall, Missouri youths ages 5-18 and the volunteers and faculty who serve them will have access to projects in 4-H Goes Online through Canvas, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Projects will be available in these areas: Clover Kids, Shooting Sports, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Plant and Animal Science, Healthy Living, Leadership and Personal Development, and Communication and Expressive Art. The online Canvas option also gives youths a chance to match with an instructor and other youths throughout the state who share their interests and passion for projects, as not all in-person clubs can offer every project. The research-based Canvas curriculum helps youths learn through online videos, lesson plans for use at home, discussion boards with peers and videoconferencing with lead instructors. New opportunities spanning multiple project areas will offer new experiences and engage a variety of communities. A partnership with MU Serves, in which undergraduate students participate in service-learning programs, opens new offerings, including a Spanish culture and language project. Families with limited broadband capacity won’t be left out as 4-H plan’s to put together project kits and USB drives that can be mailed to families without stable internet so that the time and effort being put into this online course will truly benefit all of our Missouri 4-H community. All registrations go through the 4-H Online system, but with the option to register as a member or participant, the course is open to all. The new Missouri 4-H program year runs October 1st, 2020, to September 30th, 2021. More information about the Canvas project modules and other 4-H online, or in-person programming and registration are available in the Missouri 4-H Clover Catalog and on the Missouri 4-H website. Families may sign up online anytime during the program year. An annual $5 registration fee gives families access to all 4-H programming and projects within the 4-H Canvas course. Learn more about Missouri 4-H at 4h.missouri.edu.

Intercounty Electric will be holding a Customer Appreciation Day in Salem at the Commons TODAY from 11:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. They will be serving free hot dogs, chips and a drink. While you are they, talk with them about any problems you may be having with your Intercounty service, learn about Smarthub, or just visit with their customer relations people about different services offered by Intercounty. You can also enter a drawing to win a $25 credit on your Intercounty Electric Bill. Everyone is welcome!

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night in the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, City Administrator Ray Walden stated the front door of the City Administrative Offices has been moved and the renovation continues. It should be completed by November. Walden said the city apologizes for the inconvenience to the public. He said the City Communications Group met last Wednesday to discuss better ways to disseminate important city information and one of those ways will be the new City website which should be ready in four to six weeks. They will meet again the week of October 28th. There will be a Planning and Zoning meeting tonight to discuss two subdivisions, and a Board of Adjustment meeting on October 27th for a setback variance on a shed. Walden said the city will meet with Archer-Elgin Engineering and a representative from the state to discuss Phase 1B of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. They will also discuss a workshop to be held for the Phase two part of the project. The city will begin advertising for a city engineer locally and through other professional sources. He also said a discipline action form has been sent to the City Attorney James Weber for his review before being brought before the board for their approval. Walden reported on the utility meeting from Thursday about the online and pre-pay options that were demonstrated. No recommendations were made by the committee on the options. He also said the committee at that time made no decision on changing how the timing of the billing. Alderman James did mention that with the demonstrations from last week that maybe the city should look at a different accounting software than InCode that is known to work with these other systems and Mr. Walden will look into that. The board approved bill #3464 that deleted the age requirement of the city engineer and was changed to say they must be a graduate of an accredited university or college majoring in engineering and shall be a licensed professional engineer registered with the state of Missouri. The board approved the change and voted to go into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Wednesday, September 30th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1500 block of North Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 26-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he posted bond and was released. On Thursday, October 1st, the sheriff’s office received a report of a subject attempting to burn down a residence in the 3000 block of Dent County Road 4220. Deputies traveled to the residence and during the course of the investigation, a 63-year-old Salem woman was arrested for arson in the 2nd degree. The woman was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Saturday, October 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Washington and West 3rd Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 57-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked, a second offense, and for having an active warrant through the Jefferson City Police Department. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. On Thursday, October 15th, a deputy traveled to Highway 72 and Dent County Road 5225 to assist an agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation on a traffic stop. During the course of the incident, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for excessive blood alcohol content. 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, call the sheriff’s department at 729-3241.

In an attempt to get a jump on this year’s winter season, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold its annual winter operations drill today and Thursday. The drill has been expanded to two days this year to accommodate social distancing requirements due to COVID-19. Motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8:00 in the morning and not until 9:00 in urban areas, and the drill will not begin until after 9:00. The exercise should be completed by 3:00. During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate and maintenance employees will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested. The drill serves as a training reminder to make sure proper equipment, plowing techniques and safety measures are used. In addition, every piece of equipment—every truck, motor grader, snow blower and tractor—is inspected and calibrated to conserve materials. One of the most valuable parts of the drill is that it allows MoDOT’s newest employees the opportunity to drive a snowplow over their designated routes so they are aware of obstacles and obstructions, such as curbs and raised islands, that might be hidden in snow or ice. For information on road conditions across the state, safe traveling tips, and other information, visit www.modot.org.

A Salem resident was killed in a two vehicle accident early Monday morning at 6:13 in Maries County on Highway 133 about eleven miles north of Dixon. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by 23-year old Amanda Franklin of Salem was northbound when she crossed over the centerline and struck head-on a 2016 Chevrolet pickup being driven by 50- year old Gary Vineyard of Brinktown. Franklin was pronounced dead at the scene by Maries County Coroner Leo Kloeppel at 7:30. Franklin was taken to the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home in Dixon. Vineyard was transported to Capital Regional Medical Center in Jefferson City for treatment of minor injuries. According to the report, Vineyard was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident while Franklin was not. The Tahoe was totaled and the Chevrolet sustained extensive damage. Both were removed from the scene by Plaza Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a previous commitment. Ron Copeland was in attendance and was curious as to how much was left of the CARES Act funds and Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he believed there was about 1.2 million dollars left for small businesses and public entities. Karen Lewis was in with a concern about Dent County Road 2240 at the low water crossing at Dry Fork as it is becoming too narrow on the hill. She discussed the issue with District 2 Supervisor Sam Gorman who will check it out and schedule it for repair work. In the road report, District 1 Supervisor Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5390 and 5400 and possibly 5110. He reported that Friday, a tree came down across county road 6320 blocking it entirely. A crew removed the tree and will be cutting it up for firewood this winter for the road and bridge shed. Purcell went on to say that two men would be checking roads for other downed trees from the weekend winds. He also said that a 1,000 hour service would be done on grader 38 and brush would cut on county road 2400. Purcell will be attending a South Central Missouri Community Action Agency meeting tonight in Winona. Sam Gorman gave the report for District 2 and stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3120, 3180, 6120 and 6123 while materials would be added and grading done on county roads 2313 and 5300. Gorman said brush would be cut on county road 5240 and on Wednesday, crews will be working on the low water crossing on Dent County Road 3180. He did not believe the road would need to be closed to do the repair work. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles is reminding small businesses there is CARES Act money available up to $50,000 per business for expenses related to COVID-19 that includes rent, insurance, and other expenses related to operating your business during the pandemic. This does NOT include loss of revenue. Public entities can also apply. To get more information, contact Kelly Sink or Eva Voss at 573-265-2993. The application deadline will be December 10th. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley added Wednesday will be the last day to request a mailout or absentee ballot. Curley recommends that people check out their voter information to make sure it is correct and that includes a name or address change. The Dent County Clerk’s office in the courthouse will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon Saturday, October 31st. Absentee voting in person is going on now at the courthouse and sample ballots are available at the clerk’s office. Curley wants to remind everyone there is no electioneering within 25 feet of the polls. Curley also wanted to report that she began work on 2021 county budget. Todd Kinerk from the Salem Chamber of Commerce was in to discuss a wooden frame the chamber wanted to put up in front of the courthouse so people would have a location for photographs within the frame for Christmas. The commissioners voted against installing the frame as they felt most people with today’s phone technology can already put a frame around their picture when they take it. There was also some concern about some liability issues. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk brought in her monthly collections for September that came to $36,306.39. She also announced the 2020 tax bills can be viewed on the Dent County Collector’s portal on November 4th. The bills will also be mailed out that day. If there are any problems with the tax bill when received, please contact the collector’s office at 729-3911. The Commission also decided to put out bids for the purchase of a used pickup truck for the Road and Bridge Department. The bids are due on November 9th by 10:00. They will be opened at that time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting on tonight at 6:00 in the hospital library. The board will hear the summary of operations and statistics reports for the month of September before hearing the Chief of Nursing Report from Debbie Hines. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards will give an update on the hospital foundation. He will also present the marketing and community perception work being done to keep the hospital active in the community. Lucas will provide the patient satisfaction survey results for the 1st fiscal quarter to the board for the Emergency Department and SMDH Family Health. Lucas will provide a COVID-19 update and also provide the board with more information on the hospital expansion and renovation before discussing the annual bylaw review. The board will also address new business before possibly going into closed session. The meeting will be open to the public via Zoom. Meeting information is available by contacting Karen Brown at 729-5917 ext 4005 or e-mailing her at kbrown@smdh.net.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held regular meeting Thursday evening at the district administrative offices. After the board approved the consent agenda, Brad Wegman from Larry Hart and Associates talked with the board about considering the refinancing of the current school bonds by authorizing the issuance and sale of Series 2020 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. These bonds would have a short call feature of 2024 and with the lower interest rate, the school could save over $106,141. The school already refinanced their initial Series 2013 bonds with Series 2016 bonds that saved the school over $511,000 in interest savings. With these savings, the total interest saved from the initial bond issue could come to over $641,000. The board approved signing a Resolution that authorizes the issuance of $3,245,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020 for the purpose of providing funds to refund the $3,245,000 Series 2016 General Obligation Bonds that can become callable March 1, 2021. Superintendent Lynne Reed said the September membership count was 1,413 while the average daily attendance for the month was 1,314 students with 173 virtual students. She said she and Mr. Anderson made a presentation at the Salem Chamber of Commerce on the tax credits available for the new Construction Trades Building. She said they would be making personal appearances to continue to find investors for the project. Reed also said the school continues to monitor the amount of cases of COVID-19 at the school and quarantine where needed while the hybrid system is in place. High School Principal Marty Anderson said that 252 students are “A” students and 257 are “B” day students. He said 63 students are completely virtual while 42 additional students are attending four days a week due to learning needs or Internet needs. Upper Elementary School Principal Melanie Wisdom said picture retake day would be October 20th. This is important as there were students quarantined when pictures were first taken. She also said there would be a Virtual Night where students who are learning virtually will come to the school from 6:00 to 7:00 on October 22nd to check in, answer questions and get a treat. Wisdom said parent/teacher conferences will be held October 26th and teachers have the option of meeting with parents in person, zoom, phone or other alternative method. Chairman of the Committee to name the football stadium, Andrew Wynn said their committee recommended naming the football stadium the Bill Schuchardt Football Stadium. There will be a formal ceremony held at a later date. The board approved effective Monday to raise the substitute teacher pay to $100 per day. The board will discuss at the next meeting the need to address the bus driver shortage. The board approved a number of policy updates except for one that discussed unbudgeted purchases before going into closed session.

The City of Salem Utility Committee held a meeting on Thursday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The committee heard presentations from Paymentus and Exceleron regarding an online customer billing portal. This would allow customers to view their usage and view and pay their bill online. This software program would be a voluntary use program and give customers more information and options regarding their utility service. The committee also heard a draft report from BHMG, the consulting firm hired to evaluate the AMI meter installation and billing schedule. Verbal Blakey with BHMG stated that the entire problem with the billing delays and errors can be traced back to the InCode accounting system that the city uses. InCode is a flat file system and does not integrate with other software programs, such as the AMI system. She made it clear that the issues that the city has experienced were of no fault of the city personnel and that the employees have been working with InCode to correct the issues. The committee also discussed a pre-pay option that would allow customers to prepay their account with money that pays for the electricity before it is used. This option could benefit customers that have received a high bill that they cannot pay all at one time, avoid disconnect, and allow them to pay over time and prepay future electric consumption, thereby not getting behind on their future bill. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that August bills are going out now and September bills will be out by the end of October.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will update the board on city projects. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, the board will hear Bill #3464 that would amend the city’s code of ordinances Chapter 111 pertaining to city officials, Article IX for the Director of Engineering qualifications. The board will then go into closed session to discuss personnel and contracts. The meeting is open to the public.

A one vehicle fatality accident happened Thursday morning at 5:00 in Texas County on Route BB about one mile west of Highway 63 near Licking. According to the report from highway patrol, a 1997 Dodge 1500 being driven by 35-year old Justin Creech of Licking was eastbound when the vehicle crossed the centerline and traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Creech was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:31 by Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater. Creech was taken to Fox Funeral Home in Licking. According to the report, Creech was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that on Tuesday, October 13th, the Child Fatality Review Board established pursuant to Missouri RSMo 210.192 met to collaborate on the recent child fatality that resulted in the filing of charges for criminal neglect resulting the death of a child. The members of the panel include the prosecuting or circuit attorney; the coroner or medical examiner for the county or city not within a county; law enforcement personnel in the county or city not within a county; a representative from the children’s division; a provider of public health care services; a representative of the juvenile court; and a provider of emergency medical services. The panel discussed the information currently available and requested additional information to review at a meeting to be scheduled upon receipt of the autopsy of the deceased child. The formal autopsy has not been made available to any members of the panel at this time. Upon receipt of the autopsy and the additional requested information, the panel will reconvene to develop recommendations that will be made available to the public, media and potentially the legislature. The recommendations will be targeted to prevent future acts of child abuse and/or neglect consistent with the purpose of the Child Fatality Review Board. A press release will be provided at the conclusion of the board’s review to be distributed to the public. This particular case has the full attention of the Child Fatality Board at this time.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks is launching a new state park and historic site status map providing the public with one convenient location to easily view closures and information that may impact upcoming visits to a Missouri state park or historic site. The map highlights temporary closures that may be experienced while visiting a park or site including closures related to trails, roads, beaches, parking lots, gates, shower houses or restrooms. Visitors are encouraged to check the map prior to leaving for the park or site in preparation of their visit by visiting https://mostateparks.com. Capacity at state parks and historic sites is being monitored closely in order to prevent overcrowding. If nearing capacity, parking lots or gates may close temporarily. When visiting a park or site, the public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged and may be required by local order.

Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed today as “Buckle Up Phone Down” Day in Missouri and fellow Missourian and former race car driver Carl Edwards is lending his famous name to the cause, all in an effort to encourage Missourians to fasten their seatbelts and put their phones down while driving. As part of the promotion, Missourians are invited to join in a virtual BUPD Day kickoff event starting at 9:00 this morning at www.facebook.com/MoDOTStatewide. This is the fourth year MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with safety partners throughout the state, will mark “Buckle Up, Phone Down” Day with events and activities designed to encourage drivers to buckle up and avoid cell phone use. Since the program began in 2017, more than 13,000 individuals and businesses have accepted the BUPD challenge to always wear their seat belts and put their phones down while driving.

A one vehicle accident happened in Dent County on Highway 72 about eight miles north of Salem Tuesday morning around 7:20. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Chevy Silverado driven westbound by 22-year old Edward Ferguson of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Ferguson suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to the Phelps Health in Rolla. Ferguson was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Silverado sustained extensive damage and was removed by Whitaker’s Towing.

On Monday, October 12th the Salem R-80 School District was notified that a middle school staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Students, their families, and other staff members in close contact with the staff member were notified by the Dent County Health Department as it relates to possible quarantines. The Salem R-80 School District will continue to work closely with local health officials to monitor evolving circumstances and revise our plans as needed. Interested persons may view the dashboard on our website where they can view reporting information for the entire district.

The Salem Police have released information on an accident that happened on October 11th at the intersection of Highway 32 and Highway 72. According to the Salem Police report, a 2009 Kia Sportage driven by Dorothy McDonald of Salem was stopped in traffic on Highway 72 waiting to turn left onto Highway 32 east. At that moment, a 2005 Ford Mustang on Highway 32 driven westbound by Zane Keeney of St. James at speeds over 70 miles per hour, attempted to turn north on to Highway 72 and was unable to make the turn. The Ford slid and skidded before T-boning the Kia in the driver’s side. The Kia spun around after being struck and was facing north. McDonald was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle with injuries while a passenger in the Kia was taken to the Salem Hospital by EMS. Keeney was also taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital with injuries by the Dent County Fire Protection District. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by American Towing LLC.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a number of cases heard in Dent County Friday in front of Judge Megan Seay. In the first case, Curley reported that Rachel Miller of Salem pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and for resisting arrest. She was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115 as requested by the state. In the second case of the day, Jacob Eaton of Bixby pled guilty to the possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. He was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the state. Also on Friday, a probation revocation hearing was held for Josh McAfee of Washington, Missouri, and he was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections as a result of the hearing. Also on Friday, Adam Hilburn of Springfield, Missouri had his probation revoked. He was sentenced to serve five years in the Department of Corrections. The final case Friday involved Keith Colgrove of Salem who was on probation for domestic assault. According to Curley, Colgrove’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Montauk State Park at 3:00 Saturday afternoon at the campground amphitheater. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its operations during the meeting. Staff will be present to provide information and answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to inform the public of the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, while also offering visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds, and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged when social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and may be required by local orders. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the meeting, call the park at 573-548-2201.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 6:00 for their regular meeting. After the consent agenda and communications, the Board will consider a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of Series 2020 General Obligation Refunding Bonds with L.J. Hart & Company. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will give her report including the September membership count, tax credit update, Chamber presentation and COVID update. The principals will then update the board with reports on each building before the board hears new business. In new business, the board will discuss the football stadium name proposals, substitute pay and policy updates. The board will then adjourn and move into Executive Session to discuss personnel pursuant to RSMO 610.021(6) including Job Description for position replacing SRO and Superintendent’s Evaluation. The regular board meeting will be in the district administrative offices boardroom and is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding a Drive through Flu Shot Clinic today from 10:00 this morning until 6:00 tonight at the Dent County Fire Protection District Fire Station at #2 South Main in Salem. The shot clinic is for ages 6 months and up and participants are requested to have their insurance cards available.

The Dent County Commission met Tuesday morning in the courthouse. Sheriff Bob Wells was in to get approval to advertise for oil changes for the Sheriff’s Department vehicles. The Commission approved the advertisement and bids are to be submitted to the Dent County Clerk’s office by 10:00 on Monday, October 26th. Treasurer Denita Williams was in with the sales tax receipts for October. General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax each received $72,720.24, which is up $4,311.51 over September and up year-to-date $39,666.97 or nearly 4.9%. Road and Bridge received $34,266.25 and is up $2,725.53 or nearly 6.6% year-to-date. The Jail Operations and Jail Trust Fund each received $68,464.65 and they are up $48,781.01 or 6.45%. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell noted that roadways are nearly too dry to grade. He said ditching would take place on Dent County Road 5220, commonly referred to as the Quarry Road, and materials would be added to that road. Purcell reported that materials would be added to county roads 2470 and 2480, plus bridge repair would be done on county road 6580. Purcell said that two men had gone to Jefferson City to pickup Truck #119, which had been in for repairs. He concluded by saying that time permitting brush would be cut on county roads 4122 and 4124. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3080 and 3090, and materials would be added to county road 5300. Larson explained that the low water bridge on county road 3180 was going to have quite a bit of concrete added to it in order to avoid further deterioration. He also reported that extensive repair was going to be done to a damaged area of county road 3240 that is chip and sealed, plus a pipe was going to be installed on county road 2330. Presiding Commissioner Darrel Skiles reported that last Tuesday he attend a meeting of the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District where none grants were approved for nearly $195,000. On Friday, he attended a meeting of a group in Houston that is working on developing a plan to get Highway 63 to four lanes from Highway 50 in Osage County to the Arkansas line. The group involves nearly all the counties that Highway 63 travels through and they are considering forming a Transportation Development District. Skiles said he attended to address the probable by-pass of Rolla and his hope that it would be on the east side of Rolla in order to provide Salem and Dent County better access to Highway 63 and I44, rather than on the west side of Rolla. He also noted that he attended the small business breakfast where Kelly Sink presented ideas about utilizing the Cares Act funds. The Commissioners emphasized the fact that Dent County still has around a million dollars in Cares Act funds to be utilized by small business and public entities. Those interested need to contact MRPC’s Kelly Sink at 573-265-2993. The Commissioners approved Cares Act Fund payments of $30,000 for Ozark Dental and $50,000 for Jadwin Transportation. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley noted that absentee voting continues through November 2nd at 5:00 pm and her office will be open Saturday, October 31st, from 8:00 until 12:00 noon. She said the last day to mail out an absentee ballot is October 21st at 5:00 pm and that sample ballots are available to be picked up or emailed. Curley said that the public testing of election equipment will be October 23rd at 9:00. She also noted that bills were being approved for payment along with payroll and that she balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for September and that the Commissioners reviewed her reports. The Commissioners approved signing the Hazardous Mitigation Plan update contract which is due in 2023. This is done in order to start the update process. Jeff Banderet with Great Rivers was in to review the FLAP Projects for the Cooley Bridge and Tan Vat access road improvements. The Commission approved and signed the forms that summarize each project. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The Salem Airport Board will be meeting this evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory starting at 6:00. The agenda includes unfinished business which includes an update on the airport lights, an update on the new and existing hangers, an update on the gate opener, an update on the contracting out for fuel service and an update on a courtesy car. In new business, the airport board will review the 2019-2020 tentative year end reports as well as the 2020-2021 year-to-date financial reports. They will also discuss a prospective weather station at the airport and any other business before adjourning. The meeting is open to the public.

After a few cooler evenings and morning, the forest and woodland hillsides in the Ozark Region are beginning to show a little more fall color this week, while other areas are still mostly showing various shades of green. Walnut and sassafras are turning, and some black gums are showing nice reds. Maples, black cherry, and elms are starting to show yellows and reds and should be very colorful over the next few weeks. On drier sites, oaks and hickories have yellow and brown leaves, but in areas where they receive more moisture, their leaves are showing just a hint of yellow. Look for them to reach peak color in middle to late October. Although not common, our native red mulberry trees, with their large, heart-shaped leaves, are bright yellow now. In open fields and along roadsides, sumacs are showing brilliant red. Some fall hot spots to take advantage of this beautiful time of the year to get out and enjoy nature is the Current and Jack’s Fork Rivers! Sinking Creek is also an excellent tributary to now only see great colors but the incredible bluffs. If you are in Texas County, check out the Barn Hollow Conservation Area and Buck Hollow Access where Highway 17 crosses the Jacks Fork River and provides excellent opportunities to view the fall color kaleidoscope.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced it has changed its mandatory sampling requirements for chronic wasting disease (CWD) to voluntary sampling in 30 counties during the opening weekend of this year’s November firearms portion of deer season. The change was prompted by ongoing cases and public-health concerns in Missouri regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The change will impact hunters who harvest deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the firearms deer season on November 14th and 15th in any of the 30 CWD Management Zone counties that include in our area Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Howell, Oregon, St. Francois and Washington. While CWD sampling is no longer required that opening weekend for the 30 counties in its CWD Management Zone, MDC’s 71 CWD sampling stations located throughout the zone will remain open. MDC encourages hunters to have their deer sampled for CWD on the day of harvest. MDC will be taking precautions to ensure the health of both staff and the public during CWD sampling. Social distancing will be practiced by MDC staff at all stations. MDC staff will wear gloves and face masks at all times. Hunters and those with them will be asked to remain in their vehicles while their deer is being sampled. Hunters will only be asked to provide county of harvest and will not be asked to identify harvest location on a map. MDC asks hunters and others who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to refrain from visiting CWD sampling stations. MDC will continue to offer statewide voluntary CWD sampling and testing of harvested deer during the entire deer season at select locations throughout the state, including participating MDC offices, cooperating taxidermists, and new freezer head-drop locations. Sampling and test results are free. Find locations and more information online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or by contacting an MDC regional office.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, invites the public to visit the agency’s recently created Show-Me Integrity portal. Accessed through the Patrol’s website, visitors get an unprecedented look inside the Patrol. Colonel Olson said that they know that accreditation, core values, community policing, service, and protection are only words until you see how they apply them every day during every contact. The Show-Me Integrity portal provides insight into policies, training, and important functions, as well as related statistics. Learn more about your Missouri State Highway Patrol by visiting the portal at https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov and click on the “Show-Me Integrity” portal icon in the middle of the home page. Colonel Olson also said that he hopes the Show-Me Integrity portal conveys to Missouri citizens the high standards the employees meet as they perform their duties, plus they are proud to serve you with integrity, responsibility, respect, professionalism, compassion, resourcefulness, character, and commitment.

Monday was an historic day for the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and for the state of Missouri. St. Louis businessman Fred Kummer and his wife June have donated 300 million dollars to the southern Missouri university he graduated from in 1955 which is the largest single gift in the history of Missouri higher education. S&T Chancellor Mo Dehghani says the funding will help to launch four new research centers focused on infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Dehghani says he hopes they will be game changers. The university also plans to use the gift on things like creating new faculty jobs, providing scholarships and fellowships as well as launching a shuttle service between S&T and St. Louis to bring students to campus. Kummer is the founder of St. Louis-based HBE Corporation, a design-build health care firm. Missouri S&T is a research university of over 8,000 students focused on science, technology, engineering and math.

Salem Alderman Kevin James has called for a City of Salem Utility Committee meeting to be held Thursday evening, October 15th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla. At the meeting, the committee will receive an update on the AMI Project and utility billing before getting an update on the BHMG’s AMI project review and assessment. Following that update, the utility committee will see demonstrations of online payments and pay-by-phone options. Finally any other topics from the committee members will be heard for future considerations and actions. The meeting of the City of Salem Utility Committee meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has issued a press release on the status of the State of Missouri vs Donald Nash. This case concerned the death of Judy Spencer on March 11th of 1982. An initial police investigation determined she had been strangled with her shoelace, then shot in the neck by a shotgun, postmortem. The case remained unsolved for 25 years when in 2007, investigators collected DNA samples from Donald Nash to compare with DNA evidence found on fingernail clippings taken from Spencer’s body before advancements in DNA in 1982. There was also a small amount of DNA evidence on the victim’s shoe. Following the DNA analysis and with much attention given to the DNA under the fingernails, Nash was charged with capital murder in 2008 by then Prosecutor Jessica Sparks. Sparks later withdrew from the case, and a trial was conducted in 2009 with the state being represented by the Attorney General’s Office and the Defendant by private counsel. As a result of the trial, the jury convicted the Defendant of murder. The conviction was originally affirmed by the Missouri Supreme Court, who later appointed a special master to hear evidence for habeas relief requested by the defendant. In June of this year, the Special Master heard evidence about the case and recommended the Supreme Court to vacate the conviction rendered by the jury in 2009 due in part to a change in DNA expert testimony. During those hearings, the DNA expert revised his opinion on the effect of the DNA other than to say it’s more than no effect. On July 3, 2020 the Missouri Supreme Court vacated the sentence and remanded the case back to the trial court due, in part, to this change in testimony. Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley inherited the case and with assistance from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office began reviewing the case and discovered the bulk of the physical evidence remained in the custody of the Missouri Highway Patrol. All evidence was resubmitted for DNA re-testing in anticipation of the upcoming trial. Additional DNA testing was performed by the State due to the advancements in DNA technology and to be thorough. The MSHP DNA expert reviewed their previous findings and trial testimony. The expert indicated due to an increase in testing standards now implemented by MSHP laboratory they could no longer testify, as they did in 2009, that it was Donald Nash’s DNA that was located under the victim’s fingernails. Most importantly, the DNA analysis was recently conducted on the shoestring used to strangle the victim. DNA was identified from two male contributors. Donald Nash was then excluded as a contributor to the male DNA located on the shoestring used to strangle the victim. As a result of the change in testimony from the DNA analyst and the existence of genetic material from two unknown males on the shoestring, the charges against Donald Nash have been dismissed by the state. This decision was made following consultation with the prosecutors in the Attorney General’s Office, who concur with Prosecutor Curley’s conclusions and have recommended this same course of action.

An accident happened in Texas County Thursday afternoon at 1:58 on Highway 63 just south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Dodge Caravan driven northbound by 58-year old Mickey Wilson of Licking, attempted to avoid an animal that came into the roadway. The Caravan was then struck from behind by a 2007 Dodge Durango driven northbound by 61-year old Jerry Hale of Edgar Springs. Hale suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Texas County Memorial District Hospital in Houston by ambulance. Both Wilson and Hale were wearing seat restraints at the time iof the accident. The Dodge Caravan sustained moderate damages and was towed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive of Houston. The Dodge Durango had moderate damages but was driven from the scene.

The Missouri Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be making driving surface improvements next week along Interstate 44 in Crawford County. The concrete replacement will take place in the eastbound and westbound lanes between from the Phelps County line to the Franklin County line. One lane in each direction will be closed in work areas between 6:30 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon starting this Tuesday and running through Thursday, October 15th. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorists traveling through the area. Drivers are advised to watch for workers on the road, avoid distractions and obey all traffic signs. This 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).

City of Salem Administrator Ray Walden wants to remind citizens that due to the customer service and security enhancements at the City Administrative Offices, the building is temporarily closed and the utility drive-thru is currently closed. Customers do have the option to drop utility payments off at the drop-box near the council chambers entrance door along 3rd Street, to mail payments to 400 N. Iron St., or to pay by phone at 729-4117. Utility staff will be available for in-person meetings today from 8:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon at the City Hall Council Chambers. Citizens can make an appointment or stop by on a first-come first-served basis. All phone numbers for departments located in the admin office building remain operational with staff working from other locations. The Administration building staff are expected to return work at the admin building by Monday, November 2nd. The remodeling project seeks to improve customer service and security. An open house is planned after the completion and the public’s patience during the project is appreciated.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to remind all drivers that a statewide media campaign will be held October 10th through the 18th with a speed limit enforcement running October 16th through the 18th. During this time law enforcement will be actively enforcing Missouri’s speed limit laws and reminding drivers of the increased risks associated with higher speeds. Despite the decrease in traffic during the national pandemic, speed related crashes are on the rise. To date there has been more than an 11% increase in traffic crash fatalities over this time last year. Crashes on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph or greater is more than twice as likely to result in a fatality than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph and nearly five times as likely as a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph or below. In Missouri specifically, speed contributed to nearly 32% of the state’s 881 roadway fatalities in 2019 continuing an alarming trend related to speed over the last five years. The definition of speeding can be driving in excess of the posted speed limit, but also driving too fast for conditions that can also have dangerous consequences including providing drivers less time to react to adverse conditions, reducing a driver’s ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway, extending the distance traveled before a vehicle can stop, increasing the distance a vehicle travels once the driver reacts to a hazard and the increase in the amount of force involved in a collision. Change your speed, change the ending. And, of course, always buckle up and put your phone down.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released reports of two additional cases that were heard in Crawford County Tuesday in front of Judge Megan Seay. Curley said Herman Helms of St. Joseph, Missouri pled guilty to two possessions of a controlled substance charges for methamphetamine. He was sentenced to six years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the other case, Anthony Justice of Salem pled guilty to burglary in the first degree for stealing merchandise from Wal-Mart after being formally trespassed. He also pled guilty to miscellaneous stealing and trespassing in a separate incident at Wal-Mart. Curley indicated the state sought seven years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115. Probation and Parole recommended probation in this case. The defendant was granted probation over the state’s objection and Justice was placed in the Dent County Alternative Treatment Court. Justice was placed on five years supervision with a suspended imposition of sentence.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be conducting two managed deer hunts in October and November at Big Spring. To ensure public safety, portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed October 16th through the 19th and November 6th through the 9th. These hunting opportunities are being extended to two special groups of the nation’s population, our youth and our military service members with permanent mobility impairments. The youth hunt will be held October 17th and 18th, and the Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired managed hunt will be held November 7th and 8th. A total of 10 randomly selected hunters have been chosen for each hunt. Hunters for the youth hunt can harvest two antlerless deer with a center-fire rifle while hunters of the Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired hunt can take two antlerless deer, or one antlerless and one antlered deer with a center-fire rifle. Because of the special hunt, portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed to the public during both hunts. That includes Friday, October 16th, until the morning of Monday, October 19th; and Friday, November 6, until the morning of Monday, November 9. These closures help ensure public safety during these activities and include Peavine Road, the Big Spring Campground, the Peavine pavilion area, and all hiking trails within the Big Spring area. Big Spring and the boat ramp will remain open during the hunt and can be accessed from Hwy 103. All areas will reopen the Monday following each hunting event.