Local News

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.

Tuesday in Crawford County in front of Judge Kelly Parker, a sentencing hearing was held for Roberto Herrera of Boss. Herrera had pled guilty in March of this year for statutory sodomy in the 1st degree with a child under the age of 12. Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley sought 25 years in the Department of Corrections for the felony charge while the defense sought 15 years. Judge Parker ruled in favor of the state and sentenced Herrera to 25 years in the Department of Corrections beginning Tuesday, June 11th.

Don’t take a vacation from safety! In 2018, there were 307 fatalities on Missouri roads in the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety urge all who travel in and around the Show-Me State during the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” to buckle up, slow down, drive sober and never drive distracted. In 2018, more than half of the 107 motorcycle fatalities occurred in the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. The warm, sunny days also bring out more bicyclists and pedestrians. And last winter’s brutal weather conditions mean you’re likely to encounter more MoDOT road crews who will be repairing the damage. Just a single moment’s distraction can lead to a life-or-death encounter. Be proactive in your own safety. Of the drivers and passengers killed in 2018 traffic crashes, 62% were not wearing a seatbelt. Nelson also encourages drivers to plan ahead for summer celebrations and sporting events.

Echo Bluff State Park invites the public to an informational meeting at 1:00 this Saturday at the lodge. The public is invited to share comments about the state park and its operations. State park staff will be on hand 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 let people know the current status and future plans for the parks and historic sites, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 34489 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence. For more information, please contact Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-5211. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Renewing Missouri hunting, fishing, and trapping permits is now easier and more convenient through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) new online Permit Auto-Renewal service. Permit Auto-Renewal allows online permit buyers to automatically renew their permits prior to the start of the next season or permit year so they never have an expired permit when they need it most. Participation in Auto-Renewal is voluntary, and the service can only be activated by the permit buyer. Enrollment in Auto-Renewal can be done during an online permit purchase or by using the “Manage Your Account” feature. Within the “Manage Your Account” feature, users can also update their Auto-Renewal settings including payment method and enrolled permits and turn off the service. There are no additional fees for the service. Auto-Renewal will automatically charge permit buyers for their enrolled permits. Permit buyers must have a valid email address and credit card to participate. The Auto-Renewal service will send personalized email updates to participants – including initial enrollment, changes made by the buyer, 30-day and seven-day reminders of upcoming permit renewals and associated charges, and notifications of successful renewals and associated charges. Permit buyers can enroll in Auto-Renewal at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits during an online permit purchase or by using the “Manage Your Account” feature. Learn more about Permit Auto-Renewal at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/permits/permit-auto-renewal. In addition to buying Missouri hunting, fishing, and trapping permits online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits and through MDC’s free mobile apps (MO Hunting and MO Fishing), permit buyers can also purchase permits from numerous retail vendors around the state. Auto-Renewal-eligible permits purchased from retail vendors are not able to be enrolled into the service during the purchase process but can be enrolled later using the “Manage Your Account” feature.

Celebrate Flag Day at the Art Party this Friday night from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center. Paint a picture and put your own special creative spin to it, then take it home to display prominently in your home or give away! This event for adults does NOT require any talent or previous experience, just a happy spirit and willingness to try. Reservations can be made by contacting the Salem Area Arts Council at 247-0279 and arranging to pay the $25 fee to reserve your spot. They will provide everything you need for the classes including the canvas, paint, brushes, aprons and easels. Bring your own personal style, your favorite beverage and they will do the rest.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for May 25th through the 27th. On Saturday afternoon, May 25th, at about 12:26 an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart in reference to theft of fuel. The investigation of the report revealed the driver of a dark colored Chevrolet truck pumped fuel valued at $57.86 and left without paying. The report is under investigation. A bit later that afternoon at approximately 1:29, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male of Salem for driving while having their license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. The next afternoon, Sunday May 26th, near 12:51, an officer transported a 25-year-old female of Columbia, Missouri to the Phelps County Health Center due to a mental health commitment order. Finally on Monday night, May 27th, at about 9:47, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took a cell phone valued at $300.00 from a vehicle that was parked at Wal-Mart. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

“Art of the Spiderwoman,” a fiber arts exhibit featuring the work of Susan Ream Wilson, is now on display at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 South Main. The exhibit reflects Susan’s lifelong passion of fiber arts including weaving, spinning, and dying yarn. Her craft includes fingerweaving, knitting, weaving and spinning yarn. Several of her hand made pieces are included in the exhibit along with tools reflecting her trade, spinning wheels, and hand spindles. Stop by and find out the story of the Art of the Spiderwoman. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resources is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, and on Saturdays from 9:00 in the morning until noon. Susan will be there every Wednesday to demonstrate her talent from 9:00 to 5:00 during the month of June.

Have you ever wanted to try kayaking but didn’t know where to begin? Do you want to get out on the water but don’t have your own kayak? You’re in luck! Missouri State Parks is offering to teach you how to paddle and have a safe enjoyable time on the water. This summer, parks staff will offer free two-hour kayaking instruction session at Current River State Park. This will be a great opportunity to try something new and experience some of Missouri’s lakes. They supply the equipment and the expertise. You supply the enthusiasm and an eagerness to discover nature and a new skill. Missouri State Parks provides the kayaks, a paddle, life jackets and instructors. Participants provide a good attitude and willingness to learn, plus appropriate swimwear and footwear. Before you register consider the following. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Parent/guardian does not have to participate but must be there to provide adult supervision. Participants should be comfortable around water. This event will be held in a Missouri state park and all rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented event. Alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Paddle Program. The classes are free on Saturday June 22nd and Saturday July 20th at the Current River State Park, south of Salem from 10 in the morning until Noon. To register for the class, go to https://mostateparks.com/learn2paddle. Click on the “Register Here” near the bottom of the page. Then enter “learntopaddle” in the search box. The classes currently open for registration will pop up. All slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During the annual school bus inspection program, buses found to have no defective items are rated as “approved.” Buses having one or more defective items which do not constitute an immediate danger are rated as “defective.” Buses with a defective item which constitutes an immediate danger are rated as “out-of-service.” Buses rated as “defective” may continue to be operated for the purpose of transporting students until repair is made. School districts are allowed 10 days following initial inspection to repair identified defects before being re-inspected by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel. Buses rated as “out-of-service” must be repaired, re-inspected, and then placed back into service by Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection personnel prior to transporting students. Buses not presented for re-inspection within the required 10-day period are reported to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The results for the schools in our area are for Bunker R-III where they had 8 busses inspected with 5 busses being approved, two were defective and one was placed out of service; Dent-Phelps R-III had 8 busses inspected with 5 busses being approved and 3 were defective; Green Forest R-II had 7 seven busses inspected with 6 busses being approved and one bus was found defective; North Wood R-IV had seven busses inspected with six of them being approved and one was placed out of service; Oak Hill R-I had 5 busses inspected with 3 of them being approved, one was found to be defective and one was placed out of service; and Salem R-80 had 11 busses inspected with 8 of them being approved and three of them were found defective.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dwight Ramsburg, the construction manager for the new county jail project for Septagon, was in to present a press release concerning the constant delays by CenturyLink that is slowing the progress of the project that may affect the completion date of mid December. He says that since 2018, CenturyLink has used almost every excuse to avoid moving a utility pole on the jails property boundary. It took months just to get an agreement in place that was signed in February after the county refused to pay the full amount before the work was completed which was already in the CenturyLink contract. First, the “water blocks” were damaged, then there was not enough space in a manhole for all the extra equipment, and now the cable that was ordered months ago is damaged and a new cable has to be ordered. Ramsburg in his release says the people of Dent County deserve better from CenturyLink. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax dollars received by the county in June. She said the General Revenue and the LEST Funds each received about $71,251.00 in June which is down from last year’s figure of $88,056.00. The funds year-to-date are each down about $1,131. Williams stated the Road and Bridge Fund received $32,843.52 and that is down from last month some $6,599. year to date, the Road and Bridge Fund is still up $4,160 which is about 1.95%. Williams reported that each jail fund received about $65,601 in June and that brings the year to date total in each fund of about $435,177. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6220 and 6240, patch grading would be done on county road 4235, and a driveway culvert is going to be installed on Dent County Road 6020. Purcell also reported materials would be added on county roads 4080 and 5050 and ditch work will also be done on county road 5050. Purcell went on to say a man would be screening brown rock and a man would be working on a brush cutter as the bearings went out. Sam Gorman, filling it for Commissioner Gary Larson, said grading was going to be done on 2580, 2610, 2613 and 4280. He went on to state brush would be cut on county roads 3020 and 3030 and some rock would be added and grading done on county road 4030. Gorman also said a pipe was being installed on county road 4030. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reports there will be a meeting on Tuesday, June 18th at the Signature Event Center in Rolla at 1701 Martin Springs Drive in Rolla from 6:00 to 8:00 to discuss a proposed National Forest Service ban on hunting feral hogs on Mark Twain National Forest lands. The meeting is open to everyone. Skiles also said the Missouri Department of Conservation is asking landowners to contact them at 573-522-4115 if they spot feral hog damage on their property. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came back in with the budgeted transfers to the SMTS bus service of $7,000 and the transfer of $14,250 to the Nutrition Center. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts in May. She also said she balanced with the assessor and collector on all add-ons, abatements and collections for May. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A Downtown Salem Historic Ghost Tour will be held Friday night, June 14th from 8:30-9:30. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Those interested can meet at the Dent County Courthouse gazebo on the square, downtown. Jacob Stotler will be your host for the first ever downtown historic ghost tour in Salem! The tour will begin with a trek through downtown, listening to the tales of the past, and tales of those from the past coming back to visit. Learn the history of our buildings, enjoy the summer air, and experience great fellowship with other Salem residents. You will find out unusual facts about Salem including answers to “What’s the room on top of the courthouse? What was P’zaz? Where in the world is fat man squeeze? What’s underneath the library?” Learn all of this and more on our first ever downtown ghost tour! See you there!

The City of Salem’s Capital Improvement Committee and Finance Committee will hold a joint meeting this evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 W. Rolla Road. The Capital Improvement Committee will review current Capital Projects and Purchases and also requested 2019-2020 Capital Projects and Purchases. The Finance Committee will receive an update on the 2018-2019 budget and discuss the 2019-2020 budget. The meetings are open to the public.

A one vehicle accident occurred Sunday morning at 11:00 in Crawford County on Route JJ about a half mile south of Bourbon. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Suzuki Intruder being driven by 53-year Shawn Lafferty of Leasburg, was traveling northbound on Route JJ when he traveled off the left side of the roadway, through a ditch and overturned. Lafferty was pronounced dead at the scene by Crawford County Deputy Coroner Nichole Gambling at 11:24. The Suzuki was removed from the scene by Chuck’s Towing. Lafferty was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.

Young readers will explore all things space this summer as the Salem Public Library presents A Universe of Stories during their summer library program. Activities may include group games, space-related crafts, art projects, science and engineering experiments, and more. Children who have completed kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade will meet on Mondays from June 17th through July 15th. Children who have completed 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade will meet on Wednesdays from June 19th through July 17th. Register your children at the library located at 403 North Jackson. For more information call 729-4331. Lunch by Love Packs will be available from 1:00 until 1:30 each day of the reading program in the library’s north basement meeting room. The lunch program is a community effort to ensure that nutritious food is available to children who may otherwise go hungry.