Local News

A FINAL REMINDER! Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2016 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by THIS Friday during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon at the collector’s office in the courthouse. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2016, 2017 and 2018 will ALL be declared due by August 23rd, 2019. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held on Monday, August 26th, 2019 on the courthouse steps. Check payments will no longer be accepted so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check, money order, debit or credit card. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Also, after this Friday, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember only the taxes for 2016 need to be paid IN FULL by this Friday, June 28th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.

The Salem Police department has released reports from June 6th through 11th. On Friday night, June 7th, at about 9:21, an officer located a 36-year-old male of Salem near the 800 block of South Hickory who had an active arrest warrant from Jefferson County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and was incarcerated pending extradition. About an hour later that same night, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis in reference to someone trying to break into a residence. The investigation of the report revealed a 21-year-old male of Hillsboro broke a door in of the residence, assaulted the resident, then fled the scene on foot. The report is under investigation. Then on Saturday afternoon, June 8th, at around 5:36, an officer located a 22-year-old male of Salem near Craig Industrial Drive and Highway 32 who had two active arrest warrants from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On the morning of June 9th at about 7:35, an officer was dispatched to the area of Center and Hickory Streets in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The investigation of the vehicle led to the arrest of an 18-year-old male of Salem for being a minor in possession of intoxicants. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same evening at approximately 8:40, an officer located a 51-year-old male of Salem near Highway 32 and Highway 19 who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem present this year’s Independence Day Parade in Salem with the theme an “Ozark 4th” Parade. Entry forms are now available for the parade that will begin at 6:00 in the evening on July 4th. This year’s route will be the same as it has been in the past starting from the SBU Salem campus and traveling east on Franklin, then moving north on McArthur before heading east on 4th Street and finishing up around the courthouse square. If interested in being in the parade can pick up a copy of the parade rules at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office. Entry forms need to be submitted by July 1st and can be dropped off at the chamber office, e-mail them to chamber@salemmo.com, or fax them to 573-729-6741. Following the parade, the annual Independence Day Fireworks display will again be held at The Commons starting after 9:00. If you have questions, contact Tabitha at the Chamber of Commerce office at 729-6900.

The Salem Police Department has released the following accident report. On Thursday afternoon, June 20th, at approximately 3:05 a 2000 Dodge Ram, owned and operated by Mark Brockling of Lake St. Louis, was westbound on Highway 32 approaching the Highway 19 intersection. A 2000 Peterbilt driven by Eric Pierce of Salem and owned by Thompson Trucking and Excavating of Salem was eastbound on Highway 32 and making a left turn on Highway 19 to travel north. The Peterbilt collided with the Dodge in the intersection of Highways 19 and 32. Brockling suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Dodge sustained extensive damage and there was only minor damage to the Peterbilt.

In a recent report from the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office, Andrew Curley reports that on February 3rd, 2017, Don Eugene Merrell, II of Salem, was charged with two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree. The defendant pled not guilty. A jury trial was conducted on June 19th and 20th of this year and was presided over by the Honorable Judge Randall Head. Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley and Assistant Prosecutor James Weber represented the state. Defendant was represented at trial by Stephen Daniels. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of one count of statutory sodomy in the first degree involving a minor under the age of 14 years old. His sentencing is scheduled for August 26th at 9:00 in the morning in Crawford County. The range of punishment authorized for this offense is for a term of years not less than 5 years and up to life imprisonment in the Missouri Dept of Corrections.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has releases some reports for June 5th through the 11th. On Wednesday, June 5th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Warfel and East 5th Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 47-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a second or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. The next day, June 6th, deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop with a vehicle on Dent County Road 3260. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for deputies. The vehicle then went out of control and wrecked through two fences and several trees. The driver and passenger of the vehicle fled on foot prior to deputies catching up to the vehicle. A K-9 unit from Salem Police Department was requested to assist in the search for the subjects. The K-9 tracked one of the subjects to a nearby pond where a 26-year-old Centerville man was attempting to hide in the water. The man was arrested for resisting arrest, stop or detention by fleeing, creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person, and for assault in the 4th degree. He was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. On Friday, June 7th, deputies traveled to the 200 block of West Hunt to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 24-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant for his arrest through Dent County. The man was also arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and was incarcerated. On Saturday, June 8th, deputies traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 4155 due to a report of subjects fighting. During the course of the investigation, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond and was released. On Monday, June 10th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Route U and Dent County Road 3210. During the course of the traffic stop, a 27-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. And finally on Tuesday June 11th, while assisting Missouri State Highway Patrol with a safety checkpoint on Route HH, a 51-year old Salem man was arrested for operating a motor vehicle with no valid license, exceeding the posted speed limit by 11-15 MPH, and operating a motor vehicle with no financial responsibility. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Bennie Cook, a field representative with Representative Jason Smith’s office in Rolla, was in attendance to let the commission know Representative Smith did sign a letter of support for the Delta Regional Authority grant to chip and seal the road from Route YY to Tan Vat to slow road erosion. Cook said that Smith will e-mail the Delta Regional Authority to get updates on the progress of the grant and keep the commission informed. Cook also said Smith’s annual Farm tour will be held again this year, but it has not yet been finalized. He also reported that he was at the meeting last Tuesday in Rolla on the feral hog problem. He said Representative Smith is monitoring the hog situation and reminding people to make their comments to the National Forest Service. People can submit comments via email or through regular mail during the 60-day comment period. The comment period is currently underway and all comments must be received or postmarked no later than July 23rd, for consideration. Send comments via email to SM.FS.MTFeralSwine@usda.gov or to the mailing address is at: Forest Supervisor; ATTN: Feral Swine Comment; Mark Twain National Forest; 401 Fairgrounds Road; Rolla, MO 65401. You can also call Jason Smith’s office in Rolla and let them know your feelings at 573-364-2455. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated his district received about two inches of rain and received extreme high winds. Work crews will be out checking for any storm damages to roads as well as removing any debris, cleaning out culverts, removing downed or low hanging limbs and clearing trees where needed. Purcell also said brush cutting would be done on Dent County Road 4110. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said his crew would be out checking for damages and also be brush cutting on Dent County Road 6130, 6140 and 6150. Larson also said a man was sent to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending a Workforce Development Caucus meeting today in Jefferson City. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind those businesses that sell liquor by the glass or package that all county liquor license renewal applications are due this Friday afternoon at 4:30 in her office. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday night at the district administrative offices. At the meeting, the board heard from Joel Gundelfinger and Isaac Fones from McKinstry presented the board with the results of the facility assessment audit. Superintendent John McColloch talked about the Summer Schools attendance at all the schools and the success of the program as 101 students were awarded from William Lynch Elementary and another 158 received gift cards from the Upper Elementary school. Board of Education committee assignments were made for the 2019-2020 school year. The CSIP Committee assignment went to Holly Erway, the federal Programs assignment went to Drew Whitaker, the A+ assignment was taken by Larry Maxwell, Dustin Howard took the safety assignment while Chris Heavin got the technology assignment and Carrie Snider was given the Health Services assignment. The Summer School students at the high school completed their work as seven students completed their Personal Finance course and 12 more completed their credit. The board approved the proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school year that shows anticipated revenues of $13,430,262 and anticipated expenses of $13,269,430. They also approved revisions to the current budget, the MSBA 2019A update and they accepted the bids for the surplus property. The board then moved into closed session for a personnel matter before adjourning the meeting.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released these reports from the Dent County Circuit Court last Tuesday in front of Judge Kelly Parker. In court that day, Curley reported that probation was revoked for James Robson of Salem. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO Section 559.115. Also last Tuesday, Angel Steelman of Salem pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Her sentencing will be held on August 28th. Curley also reported that Monica Eaton of Salem had her probation revoked last Tuesday and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections for failure to complete drug court. Also last Tuesday, Shauna Klieber of Cuba pled guilty to one count of the distribution of heroin. She will be sentenced on August 28th. Curley went on to report that Travis Russell of Salem was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections for his probation case. A new offense of a Class A Felony for trafficking, a Class E Felony for tampering with evidence and a Class E Felony for creating a public nuisance are scheduled for a preliminary hearing that will be held on Thursday at 1:00.

The City of Salem’s Capital Improvement Committee and the Finance Committee will be holding a joint meeting tonight at 6:30 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road. The meeting is being held to discuss the 2019-2020 City of Salem budget. The meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police department has released reports from June 6th through 11th. On Friday evening, June 7th, at about 9:21, an officer located a 36-year-old male of Salem near the 800 block of South Hickory who had an active arrest warrant from Jefferson County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. About an hour later that same night, near 10:30, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis in reference to someone trying to break into a residence. The investigation of the report revealed a 21-year-old male of Hillsboro broke a door in of the residence, assaulted the resident, then fled the scene on foot. The report is under investigation. On Saturday afternoon, June 8th, at about 5:36, an officer located a 22-year-old male of Salem near Craig Industrial Drive and Highway 32 who had two active arrest warrants from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Sunday morning, June 9th, near 7:35, an officer was dispatched to the area of Center and Hickory Streets in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The investigation of the vehicle led to the arrest of an 18-year-old male of Salem for minor in possession of intoxicants. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same evening at approximately 8:40, an officer located a 51-year-old Salem male near Highway 32 and Highway 19 who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Tuesday evening, June 11th at about 9:11, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to an assault. That investigation revealed a 26-year-old male of Salem had assaulted a 36-year-old female of Salem at a residence in the 200 block of East Roosevelt. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 6:40 in Maries County on Highway 63 about 1 1/2 miles south of Route A. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 21-year old Juana Parker of Vienna, was traveling southbound when she turned into the path of a 2008 Toyota Tundra driven by 65-year old Donald Moore of Salem. The Chevrolet traveled off the roadway and overturned. Parker sustained minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Rolla by Maries Osage Ambulance. Moore was not injured in the accident. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Plaza Towing. The Toyota sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by C & C Towing.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District announced three Salem R-80 6th graders students were honored with a first place award and two honorable mentions in the Annual Earth Day Poster, Trash and Graphic Art contest. This year’s contest theme was “Be Waste Wise.” The contest required participants to re-purpose trash into three-dimensional pieces of art or create posters (hand drawn or graphically designed), based on this year’s theme. There were 518 entries from 14 schools. The contest was open to kindergarten through 12th grade, home school, college and university students who reside or attend school in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. The winners from Salem R-80 Middle School were Jade Rathbun who captured First Place; while Kaylynn Sites and Nautia Nickles attained Honorable Mentions in the contest. The Salem R-80 students participating in the contest were under the direction of teacher Angela Dingess.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem present this year’s Independence Day Parade in Salem with the theme an “Ozark 4th” Parade. Entry forms are now available for the parade that will begin at 6:00 in the evening on July 4th. This year’s route will be the same as it has been in the past starting from the SBU Salem campus and traveling east on Franklin, then moving north on McArthur before heading east on 4th Street and finishing up around the courthouse square. Those interested in being the parade can pick up a copy of the parade rules at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 200 South Main Street along with their entry form. Entry forms need to be submitted by July 1st and can be dropped off at the chamber office, e-mail them to chamber@salemmo.com, mail them to the chamber office at 200 South Main, Salem, MO 65560 or fax them to 573-729-6741. On July 4th, the parade will begin lining up at 5:30. Following the parade, the annual Independence Day Fireworks display will again be held at The Commons starting after 9:00. If you have questions, contact Tabitha at the Chamber of Commerce office at 729-6900.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday at the hospital library. Sara Barton told the Board about her family’s difficulties as they care for her mother who is struggling with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. She said she learned that there is a four year waiting list for the Long Term Care at SMDH and that she was considering seeking care for her mother in Steelville, because she was not confident in other institutions in Salem. Barton sought the Hospital’s advice and wondered why SMDH could not expand the Long Term Care Unit. Administrator Casey Lucas explained to Barton that Medicare standards require 80% occupancy in order to expand, but percentage is based on the entire county, which has an occupancy rate at about 66%. COO Chris Strickland said that Federal Regulations are the determining factor. Lucas said he’d search for possible answers and options. Strickland said to contact legislators and explain how dire the situation is. Deborah Hobson, EMS Director, explained the department changes and improvements with emphasis on technology and staffing improvements over the last 15 years. She also went over changes in treatment and procedures, EMS roles and duties, and ambulance calls which have increased from less than 1,500 to over 2,400 per year. Jason Mayberry, Emergency Department Director, said that he has worked for over 18 years in emergency departments in small hospitals, as well as large hospitals, and SMDH has the busiest emergency department he has worked in. He said the department sees 9,250 to 9,800 patients per year with an average of 25 to 27 per day. Mayberry said that on the highest volume day there were 50 patients through the department. In the summary of operations for May, Lucas reported on the gain from operations of $156,314 with an excess of revenues over expenses of $159,926 for the month. In May there were 95 patients admitted to the hospital and the number of acute care patients per day for May came in at 15.4. Inpatient Census Days for medical and surgery patients during May were 301 reported. The cash flow statement showed a decrease in cash of $116,221 for the month with days in accounts receivable increasing to 60. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines said that the hospital is short nurses so they are using “agency” nurses and that those nurses have generally been positive and contributing to morale and operation. She said that in the month of May the department changed to an Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity system which showed average acuity per day at 32.4 and average patients per day at 14.8. Hines noted that when compared year to year the Hospital is seeing sicker patients each year over the last three years. The days cash-on-hand for the hospital stands at 60 year-to-date and that is consistent with the Critical Access Hospital state average of 65 for Critical Access Hospitals and equal to the rural hospital average of 60. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas said the Hospital Auxiliary did not meet and they will be meeting September 3rd. Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland reported on the hospital foundation and the very successful Annual Foundation Golf Tournament held on June 7th at the Spring Creek Golf Club. He said that approximately $18,500 was raised, which exceeds last year by more that $6,000. Strickland said the “Wings and Strings” fundraiser on August 3rd is progressing nicely, plus the goal is for 1,500 attending. He said the next meeting of the Hospital Foundation will be August 7th. Strickland, who was attending his last board meeting as he’s returning to Texas, noted that the Community Marketing and Perception had ongoing support groups for Stroke and Diabetes, plus Jason Mayberry and Cathy Haynes would be presenters during the Kids Summer Camp. The FY’20 Operating Budget and FY’20 Capital Budgets were approved. Lucas updated the board on the expansion project. He said design wrap-up was expected by mid July, with SMDH approving the final design by mid September. The goal is for bids to go out October 1st with bid approval being November 1st. Renovation bids were approved for the Long Term Care central bath and restroom and the patient room window replacements. The Board approved purchase of an EPOC Reader replacement from Fisher Healthcare for $7,300, a Urinalysis Analyzer replacement for $8,511 from McKesson, and an ambulance from American Response Vehicle for $170,644 before going into closed session.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will hold a workshop Monday, June 24th, at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers to continue the review of the proposed zoning updates to Missouri Amendment 2. The meeting, called by Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown, is open to the public.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2016 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by Friday, June 28th during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2016, 2017 and 2018 will be declared due by August 23rd, 2019. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held on Monday, August 26th, 2019. Check payments will no longer be accepted so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check, money order, debit or credit card. If you are not sure this applies to you or you do not understand how the system works, you need to call the Dent County Collector’s Office immediately so that it can be explained to you. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 573-729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Also, after June 28th, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember, only the taxes for 2016 need to be paid IN FULL by Friday, June 28th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 this Thursday evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. The Board will review and approve all previous minutes and bills, approve the attendance report, approve the Food Service report, approve the substitute list, and approve Program Evaluations for Technology, Discipline/Safety, Facilities and Grounds. At the meeting, the board will hear an update from Superintendent John McColloch including a facility condition assessment, summer school update and board of education committee assignments. After the Principals’ Building Reports the Board will consider adoption of the 2019-2020 Budget. They will then address new business including; 2018-2019 Budget revisions, MSBA 2019A Update and surplus property bids. The Board will hear resignations and then adjourn and move into an executive session. The June regular monthly meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is proposing increases to the prices of its annual trout permits and daily trout tags starting in 2020. According to MDC, the increases are needed to better cover its costs of running five trout hatcheries that raise and release more than 1.7 million trout each year for public fishing. If the price increases are implemented, starting in 2020 the cost of an annual trout permit will go from $7 to $10 for anglers 16 years of age and older and from $3.50 to $5 for anglers ages 15 and younger. The cost of a daily trout tag to fish at Missouri’s four trout parks — Maramec Spring Park, Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park, and Roaring River State Park — will go from $3 to $4 for adults and from $2 to $3 for those 15 years of age and younger. A trout permit is required to possess trout, except in trout parks where a daily trout fishing tag is required during the catch-and-keep season. In addition, a trout permit is required for winter fishing in trout parks during the catch-and-release season. To fish for trout, you must also have a fishing permit or qualify for an exemption. According to MDC, the annual cost of fish food and staff labor to raise a trout in 2003 was about $1 per fish. The annual cost in 2017 had jumped to nearly twice that amount. Those five fish hatcheries — Bennett Spring, Montauk, Shepherd of the Hills, Roaring River, and Maramec Spring Park – also require regular maintenance, and several have been damaged numerous times in recent years by spring flooding. MDC has spent more than $11 million over the past decade on repairs and improvements to the hatcheries. MDC also reports that utility costs for the five hatcheries have increased by more than 25% since 2008. The proposed price increases for annual trout permits and daily trout tags were given initial approval by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 23 meeting. As part of the rulemaking process, MDC is asking for public comments on the changes during July and early August at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. To comment on proposed price increases for trout permits, refer to “3 CSR 10-5.430 Trout Permit.” For daily trout tags, refer to “3 CSR 10-5.250 Daily Hunting or Fishing Tags.” The Commission will consider input received and make a final decision to move forward, modify, or withdraw the changes during its Aug. 23 meeting. If approved, the anticipated effective date of the changes would be Feb. 29, 2020.

Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells wanted to let the public know that the Dent County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a safety “spot check” in Dent County on June 21st. They are asking anyone who is stopped at the check to have their driver’s license and proof of insurance available and ready to present to the officer.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding “Business After Hours” tonight starting at 6:00 at Slabs Grill on Highway 19 North. This “Business After Hours” will be similar to a regular Chamber Luncheon, and Slabs Grill will give the presentation. This event is open to all chamber members at no cost and you can bring a guest. Please contact Tabitha at the Chamber office at 729-6900 and let her know if you will be going and bringing a guest as she will need a headcount.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5450, 5460 and 6220 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 4210. Purcell said brush would be cut on county road 4110 and a crew would be repairing brush cutter #8 with a new bearing kit. Purcell indicated that two men would be hauling brown rock. In District 2, Supervisor Sam Gorman gave the report for Commissioner Gary Larson who had a previous commitment. Gorman stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2340 and 2360, while patch grading is going to be done on county road 4020. Gorman said materials would be added to county roads 2070 and 2300 where new pipes will be installed. Gorman reported that a man would be stockpiling white rock at the Road and Bridge Department shop. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind those who may be interested in recycling projects that the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District will have grant packets available after July 1st. The total amount of grant money that will be available will be about $150,000. If persons have questions about the application or have an idea for a project but isn’t sure it would qualify, contact Jill Hollowell at the MRPC office at 573-265-2993. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind all county businesses that sell alcohol by the package or glass that they need to renew their yearly county liquor licenses by June 30th. She also would like voters who need to update their voter registration information to please do so as soon as possible as her office is getting ready to do a new voter registration canvass where they mail out new voter registration cards. For more information about renewing county liquor licenses or changing voter information, call her office at 729-4144. Curley also wanted to remind the commissioners there will be a closed session exit meeting from the state auditors at 10:30 Monday morning. The auditors will present their recommendations to the commission from the findings and obtain their responses before the audit is compiled and released to the public. Also at the meeting, Dana Roberts was in to find out information about any required permits or regulations established in the county that would affect her starting a medical marijuana facility in Dent County on her family property. Presiding Commissioner Skiles said that as of yet, the state has not provided any insight to the county commissioners as to what needs to be done and what their role would be in this process. He recommended she see the Prosecuting Attorney to see what information he may know and that the commission would follow his guidance with this process once it is known what each county needs to do. 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 City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will hold a workshop Monday at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers to review the proposed zoning updates to Missouri Amendment 2. The meeting, called by Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown, is open to the public.

Governor Mike Parson ordered the lighting of the Missouri State Capitol dome to shine blue Thursday evening in celebration of the St. Louis Blues’ first-ever win of the Stanley Cup. The Blues’ Stanley Cup victory marks the end of the team’s 52-year wait for hockey’s highest honor. After defeating the Boston Bruins 4-1 Wednesday night, the Blues brought the Stanley Cup home to St. Louis for the first time. “The wait is over — the St. Louis Blues have brought the Stanley Cup home to the great State of Missouri. This is a well-deserved victory for a team that has inspired the people of St. Louis and Missouri throughout a hard-fought season. The Blues have made us all proud. Congratulations to the Stanley Cup Champions — St. Louis Blues,” Governor Parson said.