Local News

The Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray is saddened to report that there have now been two COVID-19 related deaths of Dent County residents. One individual was in their 80’s, the other in their 70’s. They are taking all necessary precautions to keep our patients and community safe and will continue to diligently monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow CDC guidelines to help protect the public health and limit spread of this infection. It is important that everyone continues to practice basic preventative measures to help decrease the spread. These measures, as outlined by the CDC, include: avoiding contact with people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, proper hand-washing, cleaning frequently used surfaces, and staying home when sick. The Health Center highly encourages anyone who suspects that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, to contact your healthcare provider.

An accident happened in Reynolds County on Highway 21 about two miles south of Centerville at 4:53 Wednesday afternoon. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Buick LeSabre driven westbound by 37-year old Christine Patterson of Salem, failed to yield to a 2013 Jeep Wrangler driven southbound by 53-year old Mark Shanahan of Rogers, Arkansas. The LeSabre crossed the roadway and was struck by the Wrangler. Patterson suffered serious injuries and was flown to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. A passenger in the Wrangler, 53-year old Karen Baskin of Centerville, Arkansas, suffered moderate injuries and taken by ambulance to the Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital. It was unknown if Patterson was wearing a seat restraint when the accident happened while Shanahan and Baskin were wearing their seat restraints. The Buick sustained extensive damage and the Jeep had moderate damages. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Hills Metals and Motors from Ellington.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. The Hospital Controller gave the summary of operations for the month of August where the hospital had 65 inpatient admissions with 208 inpatient census days. There were 1,776 outpatient registrations, 1,415 cardiopulmonary procedures, 6,994 lab tests, 1,101 radiology procedures, 681 rehabilitation treatments, 25 surgeries, 295 home health visits and 658 emergency room visits. There were a total of 194 ambulance runs with 116 patients transported with 78 dry runs. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $127,091 and expenses over revenue after taxes of $88,546 after receiving $36,100 in COVID-19 stimulus funds. Chief Nursing Officer, Deb Hines gave the nursing report for August. A state survey was conducted, which was a revisit from a March survey where a plan of corrective action was accepted. They also investigated a patient safety complaint and found the complaint unsubstantiated. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported there would be no Auxiliary meetings for the remainder of 2020. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported that the next fundraiser would be the Dancing with the Salem Stars on Saturday, January 30. The foundation has submitted a grant application for the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine to provide a tele-health system called TytoCare to area schools. There will be a demonstration of the equipment for the doctors to review. Lucas reported that the month-long health fair has been well received by the community. Hines shared an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 14 staff have tested positive with 6 being recovered and 8 still have active cases. There were 2 patients in the Long-Term Care that tested positive and 2 other patients admitted into the hospital. The hospital is currently testing between 20-30 people each day and finding 5-6 positive cases. Lucas gave an update on the current expansion and renovation project for the MRI building. The building is being re-shielded due to excessive moisture content in the plywood that was used. This should be complete by the end of September with the machine being installed in October and ready to use in November. The Window Project is complete and the sewer project is ongoing with some electrical wires being relocated overhead. The board then went into closed session.

On September 18, 2020, the Salem R-80 School District was notified a student at William Lynch had tested positive for COVID-19. The students, their families, and other staff members in close contact with the student were notified by the Dent County Health Department as it relates to possible quarantines. Yesterday the district was notified that a staff member at William Lynch tested positive for coronavirus. The students, their families, and other staff members in close contact with the staff member are being contacted by the Dent County Health Center 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. They have placed a dashboard on their website where you can view reporting information for the entire district. Thank you for your understanding as they continue to work to keep our schools safe, healthy, and open.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening in the Council Cambers of City Hall. At the meeting, Public Works Director Mark Nash talked about getting replacement pumps for pump stations and getting a spare. The only place to get the pumps was Vandevanter Engineering and the price for each single phase 7.5 HP pump was $10,636.00. The city would have to pay for freight and do the installation. The board approved the purchase. Nash also talked about needing new chlorine analyzers for the wells. The bids for three came to $11,034.50 and these analyzers will cut back on overtime as they can be read by smart phones instead of physically having to check them. The board approved the purchase of all three. Alderman Kevin James, Chairman of the Finance Committee, gave his report on that meeting held August 27th. The Finance Committee had recommended employing a city engineer with a salary cap of $50,000 for six months service. James recommended that cap be dropped to between $55,000 and $85,000 depending upon experience of applicant and not to provide a vehicle until the second year of employment. The board approved his recommendation. City Administrator Ray Walden said he and City Clerk Mary Happel attended the MML first virtual conference. He said the Fall Community Wide Yard Salem will go on except the city will NOT be rending parking spaces at the City Administration Building. Walden explained the July bills will be mailed this week with information on the new bills about the payment options that person selected. Additional information will be included in the bills that go out. Walden said he is working with vendors to offer additional payment options such as prepaid electric, credit card payments and more. He also said the city is putting out informational videos on the Facebook page and people can watch give their feedback to an e-mail address on the screen. He said he would like to form a media committee to figure out the best way to get out information that will reach most of the area. Walden provided the alderman with a KPI report that summarizes information about sales tax income, ongoing projects, utility income and more. Walden also discussed the brand standards that the board had discussed at an earlier meeting. The board approved the use of the new logos on letterhead and on vehicles as long as the cost was not prohibitive. The board approved the suggestion by City Attorney Weber to follow the Missouri State Statute when it comes to electioneering within 25 feet of the door. He said if there are violators, the police should be contacted. The board approved the improvements to the police department roof as suggested by Archer-Elgin Engineering that framing be added to the roof with tie downs to attach the roof framing to the building. They also recommended installing metal on free hanging clay tile to prevent it from ever falling. After a long discussion about airport leases and what “airworthy” means, Alderwoman Rachel Hinderliter said she would call an airport board meeting and discuss these items with the board with the help of City Attorney Weber. The board then reapproved the bids for the renovation project for the police department dispatch area from Village Gallery, Rommel’s Lock and Alarm, and Quality Drywall Service, LLC. The board approved Resolution #19-2020 to enter into an investment grade audit agreement between the City of Salem and Energy Solutions Professionals, LLC to see if they can find some energy saving facility improvements. City Clerk Mary Happel then gave the board a list of old records she planned to have destroyed. This included old utility bills and purchase order duplicate copies all the way back to July 1 of 2000. The list also included a number of obsolete forms that will be destroyed. The board approved the Trailer Park License for Park Street Mobile Park owned by Glen Sapaugh, and they approved appointing City Clerk Mary Happel to attend the LAGERS annual meeting for the city’s retirement plan. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Health Center Monday reported there is now one death from the coronavirus here in Dent County. They are reporting that there are currently 26 active cases of COVID-19 in Dent County out of 129 confirmed cases. Of the cases that have been identified in Dent County, 103 of those people have been released from isolation. There are still three people in the hospital from COVID while six other hospitalized patients have now been released. A total of 2,647 COVID-19 tests have come back negative. With the results reported Monday, the percentage of people in Dent County who have been tested that have a positive result with the COVID 19 virus comes to 4.65%.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education in closed session Thursday night approved moving Administrative Secretary Janelle Frederick to the insurance payroll pay scale, and agreed to pay a stipend of $3,500 to Bob Homer for his services as a football mentor to interim football Head Coach Lane Howard. The board also agreed to move para-professional Mandi Conway from 7.33 hours to 8.0 hours on the paraprofessional pay scale, and that high school attendance secretary Jamie Summers has moved to the high school principal’s secretary’s position. The board also approved exploring options to create a 100% district paid position instead of pursuing a new Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Salem for the Safety Resource Officer position. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART funds received by the county. She said the money received in September was $61,381.55 and that is down from last year’s total of $65,293.81. Year-to-date, the CART funds are down in 2020 by $28,351.83 from 2019 and that comes to about 5.6%. In the road report, 1st District Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5050, 5100, 5103, 5105 and 5480. He said repairs were being made to county trucks #78 and #121. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said Dent County Road 2070 would be shut down through October 1st for the rebuilding of a low water crossing that is in need of repair. He also said brush would be cut on county road 2200, a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for the Durapatch machine to do chip and seal road repairs, and another man would be screening brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported the CCAM Executive Board would be meeting in Columbia with the Holiday Inn Executive Center Management to discuss the contract for the CCAM Board meetings. He also reported that last week at the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting, waste reduction applications were reviewed and scored. He said there nine applications requesting about $240,000 while there is only $175,000 available. They will meet again to determine where the funding goes based upon the scoring. Skiles also said there were two CARES Act requests for funds: One from Green Forest R-2 for $14,698 and another from R-80 for $18,381. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the tax rates have been approved by the state and they have been submitted to the collector. She also said she would be attending the South Central County Clerk’s regional meeting at West Plains. Curley wanted to remind everyone that absentee voting for the November 3rd General Election starts Tuesday and will go until November 2nd at 5:00 in her office. An absentee ballot can also be requested to have a ballot mailed to them. You need to do that by October 21st. Mail-in ballots can also be requested by October 21st. Make sure that you have your mail-in ballot notarized and return it by the US Mail service, it MUST be received by 7:00 on Tuesday, November 3rd to be counted. At the last meeting, four CARES Act request were approved and they were $7,315 for the Salem R-80 School District, $10,105.58 for the Dent-Phelps R-3 School District, $6,917.56 for the Green Forest R-2 School District and $7,480.66 was pre-approved for the Salem Public Library and a $256.24 reimbursement to the library was approved. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk reported the monthly collections for August came to $37,545.94. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their September meeting tonight, in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After approval of the agenda and minutes of the August 18th Public Tax Hearing and regular meeting, Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of the operations for the month of August followed by the Chief of Nursing Report by Debbie Hines. A report on the hospital foundation, plus the marketing and community perception report by Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards will be followed by the Chief of Staff Report. Lucas will then go over the COVID-19 update and give an update on Hospital expansion and renovation. New business will include the Annual Bylaw Review and purchases since the last meeting. The board may vote to go into closed session. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the September meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be held by telephone/video conference. The meeting is open to anyone to join. For information on how to access the meeting via zoom, please email Karen Brown at kbrown@smdh.net or call her at (573) 729-5917, extension 4005.

Over 92% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census, with 26.6% counted by census takers and other field data collection operations, and 65.9% of housing units responding online, by phone or by mail. Every day, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the 2020 Census housing unit completion rate for the nation, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In addition, the Census Bureau releases the completion rates for the Nonresponse Followup operation by area census office. The Census Bureau is committed to a complete and accurate count, and urges every household to respond when a census visits or to respond on their own by using their census ID online, by phone or by mail. Your census data should include anyone who was living with you as of April 1st who did not have a permanent address elsewhere. The census is for everyone, children, adults, siblings, roommates, foster children, etc. If you haven’t completed your 2020 census, time is running out to do so. You only have until September 30th to respond to a census taker if they come to your door, online at 2020census.gov, and by phone at 844-330-2020. If you still have your invitation from the census bureau from back in April, you cans till fill that out and mail it in. Remember, being counted is important as census numbers help dictate the distribution of federal funds as well as representation in congress.

The Dent County Commission want to remind businesses and public entities that the county has CARES Act money available to reimburse those expenses that occurred directly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This morning on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com near 8:30, Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles will have Kelly Sink from the MRPC on the air to discuss in detail how businesses and public entities can apply for these funds and the process of how they would get reimbursed. If you can’t listen in or just want to find out more information on how to apply, contact the MRPC and speak with Kelly Sink or Eva Voss at 573-265-2993. There is a limit of $125,000 that public entities can apply for to be reimbursed while the amount for businesses was limited to $20,000. These amounts could be changed in the future depending upon how many applications for reimbursements are received and how many dollars remain. The last day to submit an application for reimbursement through the CARES Act will be December 10th.

Join Healthy Dent County for their second Community Wellness Challenge. This program is designed to help you live an all around healthy lifestyle. We will use a point system that will not be based on weight loss. You can get points by drinking 64 ounces of water each day, getting 8 hours or sleep, and other daily changes to help you start or continue being healthy before the holidays. This challenge will also have fun daily activities, such as squats and lunges along with paying it forward and going on walks at the Tiger Trail. There will also be ways to win prizes, gain a new support system within our private Facebook group, and learn new ways to live a healthy lifestyle. This challenge is a team challenge to help you maintain support along the way. You must have at least 2 members but there is no limit on how many are on your team. Each week, the team captain will be expected to report your team points. We will average the points based on how many are on your team, so just because you have 10 people on your team, doesn’t mean you will automatically have the most points in the challenge. At the end, the winning team will receive half of the registration fees from signups! The more teams we have, the most money your team could win in the end! Last years winners received around $450. To sign up, you can come into the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and pick up a registration form, sign up online by sending the form to kelsey@salemcommunitycenter.org or print out a form and drop it off and pay your fee in person. This challenge is $15 per person for fitness center members or $30 per person for non-members. You can register at the Salem Community Center@The Armory or sign up online by sending the registration form to kelsey@salemcommunitycenter.org. If you have any questions please call 729-8163.

An accident happened in Crawford County Tuesday afternoon at 1:45 on Route F at Schroyer Road that took the life of a man from St. James. According to the highway patrol, a 1991 Mack Dumptruck driven southbound by 22-year old Justin Brim of St. James, suffered
a tire blowout on a curve. The dumptruck then traveled off the roadway and struck a tree. Brim was pronounced dead at the scene by the Crawford County Assistant Coroner Nikki Gamblin at about 2:12 that afternoon. His body was taken to the Crawford County Morgue in Cuba. The Mack truck was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla. This is the second fatality in Troop I for September and 21st for 2020.

The Dent County Sheriffs Office has released a number of reports. On Thursday September 3rd a deputy traveled to a residence in the 200 block of West Franklin Street to serve an arrest warrant. As a result, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. The next day on the 4th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 4000 block of Dent County Road 6150. During the course of the traffic stop, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday the 5th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 3190 and Route U. During the course of the traffic stop, a 19-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while his drivers license or driving privileges canceled, suspended, or revoked and failure to comply with ignition interlock device requirement. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Labor Day, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a disturbance occurring in middle of Highway 72 near the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Deputies traveled to the area and during the course of the incident, a 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for assault in the 4th degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 21000 block of Highway C. As a result of the stop, a 58-year-old Rolla woman was arrested for a DWI, a second offense, and also for failing to drive on the right half of the roadway. The woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Tuesday the 8th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a physical domestic disturbance occurring at a residence in the 100 block of Dent County Road 2130. Deputies traveled to the residence and a 31-year-old Edgar Springs man was arrested and placed on a 12-Hour Sober Hold. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. And finally on the 9th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 50-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Salem Police Department. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has any information about an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missourians ages 16 and older they may obtain their hunter-education certification through an all-online format. The online option allows Missourians ages 16 and older to complete their certification at their convenience at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The all-online format is available at www.hunter-ed.com/missouri/. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, in-person hunter-education skills sessions are limited in quantity and capacity. Skills sessions are necessary for anyone ages 11-15 to complete their hunter-education certification. MDC Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator Justin McGuire says that for the safety of the public, staff, and volunteers, our instructors have had to make some changes to the frequency and size of our in-person offerings. If you’re age 16 and up and need your hunter education certification for this fall he encourages you to take advantage of the all-online course if possible. This will make more spots available for kids ages 11-15 who are required to attend an in-person skills session to complete their certification. The cost of the online certification is $19.95, which is paid to the online provider, not MDC. The all-online option requires the passing of a final exam but has no skills portion. MDC notes that, unless selected for a managed hunt, youth under the age of 16 are not required to have hunter education certification to hunt with a firearm as long as they hunt in the immediate presence of an adult age 18 or older who is hunter education certified or age exempt during youth season and properly licensed during regular seasons. Learn more about MDC hunter education and certification requirements online at www.mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the end of August and September 6th. On Thursday, September 3rd at about 2:45 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifting. It was reported that a female had stolen $24.70 worth of merchandise from the store. An officer made contact with the woman and she was arrested, then later released on a summons to appear in court. On Saturday, September 5th near 10:20 in the morning, an officer traveled to the 700 block of South Pershing in an attempt to locate a female that had an active warrant for her arrest. An officer made contact with a 65-year-old Salem female and she was arrested on the active warrant out of the Dent County Sheriffs Office. On Sunday afternoon, September 6th at about 2:00, officers traveled to the 500 block of South Jackson in an attempt to locate a man that had an active capias warrant for their arrest. The officer was able to make contact with a 38-year-old Salem man who was then arrested and incarcerated on the warrant. Later that evening at approximately 11:00, an officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Center
for the report of a domestic disturbance. It was reported that a man had assaulted his girlfriend. As a result of the investigation, contact was made with the male subject and he confirmed he had assaulted the woman. At that time, officers arrested the 33-year-old Salem man and he was incarcerated on a 24 hour hold pending the application of warrants. Also late Sunday night, September 6th, near 11:28, an officer was dispatched to the Grace Community Church for a report of a suspicious person looking in the windows. The officer made contact with a woman and it was found she had an active arrest warrant through the Dent County Sheriffs Office. As a result, the 35-year-old Salem female was arrested and incarcerated on the warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for Tuesday, September 8th. At approximately 6:30 that morning, an officer was contacted by a female subject that was bleeding from the face and reported to have been assaulted by her husband. It was reported her husband had drove the victim around in their car for an extended period of time not letting her leave. It was also reported that on more than one occasion he had struck her in the face with a handgun. During the police investigation, a handgun was located. There were injuries sustained to the victim’s face and she was treated for those injuries. As a result of these injuries, a 50-year-old Farmington man was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. That afternoon at 1:40, an officer with the Salem Police Department started an investigation into a Sex Offender failing to register once they moved to Dent County. During the investigation, it was found the residence the male offender was living at was also within 1000 feet of a school. The Salem Police made contact with the 57-year-old Bourbon man and he was arrested and incarcerated on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants. That same evening at about 9:28, an officer with the Salem Police Department was dispatched to the Phelps County Jail to pick up an inmate that was incarcerated on a City of Salem Warrant. As a result, a 46-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning just before 8:30 in Reynolds County on Route TT about seven miles east of Bunker. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2020 International truck being driven by 45- year old Michael Lizenbee of Viburnum was traveling south when the vehicle went off the right side of the roadway. Lizenbee then overcorrected and ran off the left side of roadway and overturned. Lizenbee, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was taken by private vehicle to the Parkland Hospital in Farmington for treatment of minor injuries. The International sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing of Viburnum.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Dillard Mill State Historic Site Saturday afternoon, September 19th, at 2:00 at the mill. The public is invited to share comments about the historic site 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. 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. Dillard Mill State Historic Site is located at 1142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. For more information, call 573-244-3120.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in attendance to go over the August economic development report that showed unemployment in Dent County dropped in August to 5.1% which is better than the state and national averages. She said there were two new projects considering Dent County, but they did not respond when she contacted them. She still has numerous ongoing prospects. She said the new city, county and chamber website should launch between the end of October and end of November. She also said she is still working on the Certified Site Application for the Masters Industrial Park, but she is still waiting the MDC Heritage Review report and she will have to get an archeological survey before any work can be done. Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax dollars received by the county in September from the state. The General Revenue Fund received $112,462.35 which was about $4,400 less than what was received in 2019 in September, but year-to-date the collections are up $36,694.02. This amount is virtually the same as the Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund. In the Road and Bridge Fund, sales tax monies received came in at $54,404.38 and that is about $1,500 less than last September. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $22,784.74. Williams said both the operation and trust funds for the new jail came in at $118,811.98 each. That is down about $2,500 from last year’s receipts, but year-to-date, those funds are up $44,378.55. She also said she is making the budgeted transfer of $30,000 from the Inmate Security Fund to the New Jail Operation Fund. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5160, 5170 and 6220. He indicated materials would be added to county road 5520, brush would be cut on county road 2400 and a man would be installing a new coolant line to the air compressor on truck #121. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2515, 2533, 2550, 2560, 2590, 2595 and 2600. Larson also stated brush would be cut on county roads 2070 and 2080, and materials would be added to county toads 3050 and 3300. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said this week the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board will meet to review applications for solid waste reduction grant applications. Skiles also wanted to remind businesses and public entities that the county still has CARES Act funds available. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the Treasurer’s office on all accounts in August, and that her office also balanced with the collector and assessor on all collections, add-ons and abatements for the month of August. She said the last day to register to vote for the General Election in November will be October 7th and absentee voting will begin on September 22nd and last through November 2nd in her office. The last day to request a mail-out ballot will be October 21st. She also said the US Postal service is mailing out a post card for those who want to vote by mail, but there are some mistakes. An absentee ballot and a mail-in ballot is not the same as mail-in ballots must be notarized and mailed back. Also, you need to request the ballot 13 days before the election, not 15 as indicated on the post card. Also, mail-in ballots MUST be received by November 3rd in the regular mail to be counted, and they cannot be hand delivered. If anyone has any questions, they should call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday, September 21st at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday, August 27th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 near Dent County Road 3210. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Cuba man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. He was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. On Saturday, August 29th, Dent County Deputies traveled to an address in the 300 block of West 9th Street to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 25-year-old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Sunday, August 30th, a deputy traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 2340 for a report of a subject shooting towards a residence on the county road. Deputies traveled to the area and during the course of the investigation, a 40-year-old Salem woman was arrested on two charges for the unlawful use of a weapon, subsection 4 and subsection 7. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. That same day, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle driving at high rates of speed and discharging a firearm out of the vehicle in the 300 block of Dent County Road 2270. Dent County Deputies traveled to the area and located the vehicle. During the course of the investigation, a 37-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through probation and parole. Also arrested during the incident was a 32-year-old Rolla woman who had an active warrant through Phelps County. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

A one vehicle accident happened at 8:30 Thursday evening in Dent County on Highway 32 near Dent County Road 4400 about three miles west of Boss. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2004 Hyundai Sonata being driven west by 30-year old Ethan Gott of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway. Gott then overcorrected causing the vehicle to overturn. Gott suffered serious injuries and was transported by the Iron County Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. The Hyundai was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

A one vehicle accident happened Saturday morning shortly before 11:00 in Crawford County on Route Y about five miles west of Viburnum. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford Windstar being driven by 63-year old Rose Young of Viburnum, was northbound when the passenger side mirror of the Ford struck 45-year old Britani Glenn, also of Viburnum, who was walking on the shoulder of the road. Glenn suffered minor injuries and she was transported by Iron County Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Ford sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

On Friday, September 11, 2020, the Salem R-80 School District was notified that one staff member at William Lynch, one district staff member, one student from the high school, and one student from the Upper Elementary have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The students, their families, and other staff members in close contact with these individuals are being notified by the Dent County Health Department as it relates to possible quarantines. The district is working closely with them to assist with contact tracing and have been advised that a full district closure is not necessary at this time. The Salem R-80 School District will continue to work closely with local health officials to monitor these evolving circumstances and revise any school plans as needed. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to work to keep our schools safe, healthy, and open.

The Salem R-80 School has also released their district COVID-19 report as of Friday, September 11th. District wide their have been six cases of COVID-19 that have been detected with three coming from the high school, two from the Upper Elementary School and one from William Lynch Elementary. A total of 46 children have been tested with 20 of those coming from the high school, nine from middle school, six from upper elementary and 11 from William Lynch Elementary. Currently at Salem R-80, 44 children are quarantined which breaks down to nine at the high school, four at the middle school, 12 at the upper elementary and 19 from William Lynch Elementary. Already this semester, 19 children have returned from quarantine from the high school, 15 from the upper elementary school and six from William Lynch Elementary.

The Dent County Health Center on Thursday reported there are currently 16 active cases of COVID-19 in Dent County out of 68 confirmed cases. Of the 68 cases that have been identified in Dent County, 51 of those people have been released from isolation. There is currently one person in the hospital from COVID while two hospitalized patients before have been released. There have been no deaths associated with the coronavirus in Dent County. A total of 1,959 COVID-19 tests have come back negative. With the results reported Thursday, the percentage of people in Dent County that have tested positive with the COVID 19 virus comes to 3.25%.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital is reminding everyone they extended their health fair screenings the entire month of September. You will need to pre-register and all tests will be held at the hospital from 7:00 until 11:00 in the morning, Monday through Friday. You can register for the health fair profile blood test for a cost of $35. Other tests being offered include ahemoglobin A1C, TSH, Urine microalbumin, and PSA test for men. Each of these tests will be $15 each. A DEXA test can also be scheduled for $35, however, this test will require and order from your physician. To schedule an appointment and pre-register you may call Karen Brown Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon at 573-729-6626 extension 4005.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reports that on Wednesday, September 9th in front of Judge Megan Seay in Crawford County, a sentencing hearing was held for Christopher Wingfield of Salem. Prosecutor Curley sought eight years in the Department of Corrections under State Statute 559.115 for Wingfield as he failed to register as a sex offender, and was residing less than 1,000 feet from a school. Wingfield’s legal team requested probation, but Judge Seay sentenced Wingfield to eight years in the Department of Corrections. Also on Wednesday, Roy Heath of Bixby was in attendance for a probation revocation hearing. Heath admitted to violating probation and his probation was revoked by Judge Seay who ordered Heath to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as recommended by the state and requested by the defendant. A furlough request had been made by Heath but it was denied by Judge Seay. Finally on Wednesday, a Section 559 review hearing was held to consider the release of Raymond Ledbetter of Lonedell from prison. Ledbetter had two conduct violations while in prison, yet the Department of Corrections did note that Ledbetter’s participation in the program was satisfactory. As a result of the conduct violations, Prosecutor Curley requested the judge deny the release and for Ledbetter to serve the remainder of his sentence. The counsel for the Ledbetter sought the release of the defendant from prison. After consideration, Judge Seay denied the release of Ledbetter from prison.

The Doe Run Company released its most recent sustainability report which is available at sustainability.doerun.com. Doe Run’s 11th sustainability report provides updates on the company’s efforts to meet its commitments to employees, the environment, the community and the local economy. Workplace safety continues to be a top priority for Doe Run. Companywide, employees completed about 15,000 hours of environmental, health and safety training in 2019. This focus on safety helped several locations achieve significant safety milestones, with no lost-time accidents in 23 years at Sweetwater Mill, 16 years aboveground at Sweetwater Mine, 14 years at the SEMO port and 13 years at Brushy Creek Mill. Over the past 10 years, Doe Run invested more than $580 million on environmental projects, including more than $108 million dedicated to remediation projects to restore former mine sites. Doe Run also has invested more than $2 million in its neighboring communities over the past 10 years. In 2019, the company donated nearly $33,000 to support STEM programs and scholarships for local elementary through college-level students. Doe Run contributes $1.2 billion in annual economic impact to Missouri, including spending $169 million with 665 Missouri businesses in 2019.

The Senior Farmers’ Market vouchers are still available in Dent, Laclede & Washington Counties. The program, coordinated by Aging Best and funded by USDA Food and Nutrition Service, allows qualifying seniors to receive up to $50 in vouchers to be used at local farmers’ markets. The program was designed to increase the consumption of Missouri grown produce and honey while supporting local farmers. Applications must be completed by October 1st and the program will end October 31st. If you are or know of a senior who may be interested in receiving vouchers call 800-369-5211 for more information. If you are homebound it is not necessary to be present to redeem your vouchers. A friend or family member of your choice may be assigned as a proxy.

The Salem Police department reports that an accident happened Friday afternoon, September 4th, just after 3:30. According to their report, a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo being driven by Randall Johnson of Salem was attempting to pull out of the west drive of Mobil and turn left onto Highway 32. Johnson’s front bumper struck the front bumper and passenger fender of a 2006 Ford Fusion owned, by Catherine Chafin, that was eastbound in the center turn lane of Highway 32. A witness behind the Monte Carlo confirmed the details of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage while the Ford had moderate damage. Both vehicles were moved prior to the arrival of officers. Chafin suffered probable minor injuries but stated she would seek her own medical treatment.