Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that weather permitting materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4412, 4124, 5430 and 5450, plus brush would be cut on county road 6670. He also noted that part of his crew was rebuilding the loader bucket on the 924 Cat, while others were building a back bumper for Cat Grader #24. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that no grading was being done in his district and that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2330 and 4433. He said that materials would be added to county roads 3120 and 3180 where two pipes were being installed. Larson went on to say that patching would be done on county road 3190 chip and seal, plus Grader #31 was being serviced. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that on Monday he attended the Missouri House Sub-committee informational meeting on prisoner per-diem. He said several commissioners and sheriffs testified concerning the approximately $32,000,000 owed to the counties by the State of Missouri, with over $150,000 owed to Dent County. Skiles said that Wednesday he participated in the Missouri Partnership’s Raising the Bar program’s site evaluation of the community and assets by Ginovus, a business site selection firm from Indianapolis. He said the goal was to obtain an independent evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses in drawing companies to Salem. The Commissioners approved a resolution 3-0 affirming Dent County’s membership in the Magic Health Insurance Consortium. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment and that absentee voting for the March 10th election continues through March 9th. She said that testing of the voting equipment would take place today at 9:00. Curley also noted that filing for the August 4th Primary continues through March 31st, plus the last day to register to vote in the April 7th Municipal Election is March 11th. Mike Elliot with Town and Country Insurance was in to discuss cost estimates and coverage for the Courthouse, the Judicial Building and the new Jail. The Commissioners approved by a vote of 3-0 moving the coverage of the new Jail from Builder’s Risk Coverage to Permanent Insurance Coverage. They also voted 3-0 to set the deductible for the new Jail at $5,000. They will look at changes on coverage on the other buildings in March. Ron Copeland was in to visit with the Commission. Nick Smith and Dwight Ramsburg with Septagone, Sheriff Bob Wells, and Major Len Pabin came in to discuss the new jail. The Commissioners are tentatively looking at a ribbon cutting ceremony in mid-April. The Commissioners agreed 3-0 and signed the letter and abatement for the 2014 Timber Industries Real Estate tax bill. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk and Curley signed the letter and abatement. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday at 9:00 in the courthouse and it is open to the public.

An accident happened in Dent County Wednesday morning at 7:15 on Highway 72 about nine north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Saturn Vue driven northbound by 31-year old Jennifer Shaw of Salem, lost control of the Saturn on an ice covered bridge and the Vue traveled off the roadway and struck a guardrail. Shaw suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Saturn sustained moderate damages and was removed form the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. Shaw was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) thank the thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated 348,535 pounds of venison to the state’s Share the Harvest program this past deer season, including 6,795 whole deer. MDC and CFM also thank the more than 100 participating meat processors throughout the state who grind the donated deer meat into ready-to-use packages, and the many sponsors who financially support the program. Meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include: Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Gateway Area Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Food Banks Association, and MDC. The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state. To get Share the Harvest venison, contact local food banks or food pantries. Share the Harvest is coordinated by MDC and CFM. Since the program was started in 1992, it has provided more than 4.3 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians, including this past season’s donations. MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley said hunters Through Share the Harvest, Missouri hunters can help provide those in need with high-quality protein in the form of naturally lean, locally harvested deer meat. For more information on Share the Harvest, visit Conservation Federation of Missouri online at confedmo.org/programs/outreach.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Friday, February 14th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the Route FF and Highway 68 intersection. During the course of the traffic stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for having active arrest warrants through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. On Saturday, February 15th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1500 block of Route K to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 30-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he was incarcerated. Finally on Monday, February 17th, deputies traveled to Route NN for a report of a vehicle that was blocking the westbound lane of traffic. During the course of the incident, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information from any ongoing investigation.

This Sunday marks the annual opening of catch-and-keep trout fishing in Missouri at the state’s four trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The catch-and-keep season at the trout parks runs through October 31st. Trout anglers need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri’s trout parks. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. Missouri residents age 16 through 64 and nonresidents who are 16 years old and older also need a fishing permit in addition to the daily tag. A daily fishing permit for Missouri residents is $7.00 and now $8.00 for nonresidents. The cost of a daily trout tag to fish at three of Missouri’s four trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park and Roaring River State Park, is now $4 for adults and $3 for those 15 years of age and younger. The daily limit is four trout. New this year, the Department of Conservation is conducting a pilot program at Maramec Spring Park. The daily limit there has been raised from four to five trout and the cost of a daily trout tag for adults has gone from $3 to $5 and from $2 to $3 for anglers 15 years of age and younger. You can buy Missouri fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released the reports from cases in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court held Monday in Dent County in front of Judge Kelly Parker. In court, Benjamin Light of Salem pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections. Light had prior felony convictions for burglary in the 2nd degree and for DWI. Britta Terrill of Salem had her probation for possession of a controlled substance revoked and was sentenced to a 120 day shock treatment as part of a seven year sentence in the Department of Corrections. Danielle Griffes of Rolla had been on probation for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. She violated her probation by absconding. Griffes was sentenced to a ten year sentence in the Department of Corrections. Also in court Monday was Cheri Sturdivant of Salem who had been on probation for felony stealing, but her probation was revoked and she was sentenced to a long-term drug treatment of 12 months in the Department of Corrections as part of seven year sentence under State Statute 217.362. William Lester of Park Hills had been on probation for the possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child. His probation was revoked and Judge Parker sentenced him to the full execution of his 14 year sentence in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. The last case Monday was a probation hearing for Amy Barnard of Salem. She was on probation for felony property damage and admitted to using drugs and failed to complete her case. Barnard sought to have her probation continued, but Judge Parker sentenced her to four years in the Department of Corrections as Prosecutor Curley sought the execution of her sentence.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for February 12th through 17th. On Wednesday, February 12, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Hunt Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 21-year-old Rolla 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 where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Also on that day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South McArthur Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. Finally on that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Center Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 29-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Crawford County. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail where he later posted bond and was released. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information pertaining to any of these reports or other investigations.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday, February 19th to address a personnel issue. In closed session, the board heard from seven staff members. On Thursday, February 20th, the board met for their regular meeting. Superintendent John McColloch presented the Free and Reduced Lunch Count. Currently, all students in grades Kindergarten through the 12th grade continue to eat school lunch and breakfast for free. The total free and reduced number of students stands at 1,428. McColloch gave the January Membership count numbers that showed the student enrollment for the district was at 1,322 students. The Preschool enrollment is 110 and 281 of the students are non-resident. McColloch gave a health insurance update that indicated the cost of health insurance per employee per year is now $9,267 which is a 60% increase over the past 5 years. He explained that if the school district remains with their current insurance, next year they would be in tiered system. Salem is currently running at 120% which could result in a 20%-25% increase in insurance costs for next year. Nick Gover from the Athletic Advisory Committee had the committee’s budget recommendations. They recommend a $60,000 athletic budget with $8,000 additional monies added for professional development for coaches. The Construction Trades Advisory Committee gave their recommendations for transitioning the cost of the program to Salem R-80 over a four year period. Each building principal gave the reports for their respective building that should the William Lynch Elementary School with an enrollment of 272 children, the Upper Elementary School had 325 enrolled, the middle school had 232 students in January and the high school’s current enrollment is 550 students. In new business, the approval of the 2020-2021 school calendar was tabled until the March Board of Education meeting. The board did approve revising the language in teacher’s contracts from the current 180 contracted days to a contract being tied to the school calendar the school adopts. After some discussion, the board approved the district facility plan presented by Superintendent McColloch. The board also accepted the resignations of pre-school teacher Carolyn Curley, Title I math teacher Teresa Pitchford, and high school counselor Jillian Doddema. The board went into closed session where four staff members and one parent discussed a personnel issue with the board. Superintendent John McColloch then discussed a personnel issue with the board before discussing the growth plans and evaluations for all district administrators. The board approved to extend by one year the contracts of high school assistant principal Clay Moody, high school principal Marty Anderson, upper elementary principal Melanie Wisdom, and special education director Jody Heavin for the 2021-2022 school year; and they approved extending assistant superintendent John Smith’s contract for one year for the school year 2022-2023. The board also approved extending by two years the contracts of middle school principal Rich Parks and assistant high school principal Conrad Prugh through the 2021-2022 school year. A motion was made to extend a one year contact for elementary school principal Kriste Crocker for the 2020-2021 school year, but the motion failed by a 5-2 vote. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday, February 7th at about 10:39, officers were dispatched to a business for a report of shoplifting. As a result of the investigation, a 26 year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons for shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia. The value of the items stolen was $29.99. On Monday, February 10th near 1:00 in the afternoon, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for not having taillights or visibly displaying registration. During the stop it was found that the driver had a revoked driving status and did not have proof of insurance. The driver, a 29 year-old Bucyrus male, was arrested and the vehicle was towed. During an inventory of the vehicle, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located. The driver was released with a summons to appear in court. That same afternoon at about 3:46, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to stealing. It was reported that numerous transactions were fraudulently taking place with her bank account. The total amount of money missing from the account was $151. The incident is still under investigation. If anyone has information regarding any on going investigation, please call the Salem Police Department at 79-4242.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported sales tax receipts for the month of February. She said that General Revenue received $62,094.36, which was down from $63,075.06 or $980.70 from February 2019. Year-to-date general revenue is down $5,799.66 or a bit less than 3.8%. Williams said that the LEST receipts were identical to GR. She reported that Road and Bridge receipt were $28,447.99, which was up by $370.32 from the $28,077.67 for February a year ago. Year-to-date Road and Bridge is down $1,595.10 or nearly 2.3%. Williams went on to report that the Jail Operations and Jail Trust Fund received identical amounts of $56,812.29, which is up by $741.52 from 2019’s $56,070.77. However, year-to-date these funds are down $2,363.85 each or a little over 1.72%. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said if road conditions permit grading would be done on Dent County road 2400, while materials would be added and grading done on county road 5630. He also reported he attended a Tourism Tax Committee meeting Monday where one reimbursement request was submitted and approved, while one event proposal was presented and approved. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said grading was scheduled for Dent County roads 2403 and 6130, plus materials would be added and grading done on county roads 2160 and 5220. He stated materials would be added to county roads 4380 and 4390, plus brush would be cut on county roads 2165 and 2170. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said Wednesday of last week he attended a joint hearing of the Missouri House Agriculture Committee and the Missouri Senate Agricultural Committee on the feral hog issue. He said two of the individuals testifying were the head of the Texas Feral Hog Management Program and a USDA Hog Eradication expert. Skiles said it was a very interesting discussion and in summary Missouri has a very small window to get the problem under control or we’ll have a problem as big and bad as Texas has. Commissioner Larson said people without cattle or farmland and outside of agriculture need to realize the severity of the feral hog problem. Skiles went on to report that all three commissioners were attending training in Columbia last week. He said that on Wednesday he attended the MAC Board meeting in Jefferson City where the collection of internet sales tax and prisoner per-diem owed to the counties by the state of Missouri were the main topics. Skiles said that even Governor Parson has stated that the state owes $32,000,000 to the counties. Skiles noted that Dent County is owed $178,000 as of December 2019. He said there will be a hearing Monday on the prisoner per diem and several MAC Board members will be attending. Skiles said that all three commissioners attended the IDA Board annual meeting Wednesday evening and that the SACBA Trivia Night fund raiser is coming up March 13th. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she attended the MAC Board meeting Wednesday and had the opportunity afterwards to visit with several representatives, senators and lobbyists. She noted that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Bids for food service at the new jail were opened at 10:00. Bids were received from Consolidated Management Company, Tiger Correctional Service and Trinity Services Group. Sheriff Bob Wells is to review the bids and present his recommendation at the February 27th meeting. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday at 9:00 in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a meeting Tuesday at the City Hall Council Chambers. In absence of the Mayor, City Council Chairman Kim Shelton ran the meeting. The board tabled the Fire Hydrant Saver Kit bids until the next meeting. After the consent agenda, Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown reported on their meeting that was held prior to the Alderman meeting. The committee recommended and received approval to annex into the city limits approximately 5.6 acres of property located south of Southtown Furniture and owned by Charles and Jan Cunningham. The committee reviewed a fact sheet and draft licensing agreement for short-term rentals. The committee recommended and the aldermen approved drafting an ordinance for short-term vacation rental procedures. The board also approved conducting a public hearing to get comments regarding establishing a liquor license code and licensing of wineries, meadery and micro-breweries. City Administrator Ray Walden gave the Park Board report and announced a grant to build soccer fields has been submitted to the DNR Land and Water Conservation Fund. An Airport Board meeting will be held February 24th at 6 PM at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Chip and Seal and NovaSeal bids are being sought and will be reported to the alderman for approval on how to proceed. The February utility bills have been sent out and the date of service was misrepresented on the bills. The dates should read November/December instead of October/November. Future electric bills will include additional days to help get the dates more on track. The alderman instructed staff to continue to inform the public about the process and to make sure of consistent messaging to keep everyone informed. Walden presented department structure updates, employee compensation study and succession planning for employees. He stated of the currrent 60 city employees there are 8 that are eligible for retirement. Plans need to be in place to ensure continuity in departments. The board approved Resolution No 4-2020 authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with the Dent County Animal Welfare Society for animal intake services. This contract included a $10 increase per animal bringing the cost to $30 per intake. City staff will look for ways to collect these fees from the animal owners. The meeting was adjourned.

The Salem FFA Alumni will be conducting their 10th Annual Scholarship Fund Labor and Dessert Auction this evening at 6:30. The auction will be conducted at the Salem R-80 Upper Elementary with all proceeds going to scholarships for Salem FFA members. A meal will be served at
5:30 at no charge to auction supporters. Salem FFA Chapter members will be providing 4, 6 or 8 hours of labor of various types ranging from farm labor to cooking and cleaning, gardening and lawn work and more. There will be delicious homemade pies, cakes, pastries and other desserts auction as well. Come out and support the Salem FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund tonight.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. The board heard a presentation about the Cardiopulminary Department from Jack Linthicum. Chief Finance Officer Monica Stogsdil gave the summary of operations for the month of January where the hospital had 152 inpatient admissions with 371 inpatient census days. There were 1,905 outpatient registrations, 1,889 cardiopulmonary procedures, 8,904 lab tests, 1,354 radiology procedures, 762 rehabilitation treatments, 25 surgeries, 252 home health visits and 745 emergency room visits. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $34,416 and revenues over expenses after taxes of $348,469. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the Auxiliary report where at their February meeting the 2020 fundraisers were planned that included a Scrub Hub on March 25 and Shoe Roads Productions on May 27. Their next meeting will be held on March 3rd at noon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported on the Hospital Foundation’s “Dancing with the Salem Stars” that was held on January 25 with 10 couples dancing and 33 sponsored tables that raised just over $9,000. The Golf Tournament is scheduled on June 5th and Wings and Strings will be held on September 12th. The foundation requested and received approval to purchase vinyl tile flooring to replace the carpet in the Acute Care hallway at a cost of $20,683. A Stroke Support group is meeting quarterly and a Diabetes Support group will meet the 2nd Thursday of each month at 4:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The board approved the budgeted purchase of a bariatric bed for Acute Care from NOA Medical at a cost of $6,662, nine bedside monitors from Nihon Kohden for $45,648 and an elliptical for the Rehab Department from Performance Health for $4,861. The board went into closed session.

City of Salem Administrator Ray Walden has said that February utility bills have been mailed. Bills paid by February 28th will not be charged a penalty. Customers signed up for auto payment of their bill will have the payments processed February 28th. The February bills cover usage for the general period November 21st through December 22nd, although a given customer’s bill may be for a slightly different period depending on specific days their meter was read if it’s not been replaced with a new AMI meter. Walden anticipates March bills to go out the normal time and will be for utility usage for the general period December 23rd to January 26th, however again, a given customer’s bill may be for a slightly different period since old meters are still being read manually. Anyone with questions about their utility bill can contact the utility office to get the most current information and they can look up any specific account.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers following a Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing and public meeting that begins at 6:30. At the Board of Aldermen meeting, the board will review bids for fire hydrant saver kits that will be used to replace fire hydrants. After the consent agenda, Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown will update the board on the Planning and Zoning hearing and meeting that will be held prior to the board meeting. City Administrator Ray Walden will report on the Park and Recreation Department meeting held on February 12th and then give his report that will include updates on city projects, the organization of city departments, an employee compensation study and succession planning. The board will hear Resolution #4-2020 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement for the city to use the Dent County Animal Welfare Society for the intake of animals from the city. In new and miscellaneous business, the board will then discuss licensing for wineries, a meadery and micro breweries before going into closed session to discuss personnel. The regular Board of Alderman meeting at 7:00 and the Planning and Zoning Public Hearing and Meeting at 6:30 are all open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their February meeting on tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. The board will hear the administrator’s report that will include a department director presentation, a summary of the operations for the month of January by Monica Stogsdill, the Chief of Nursing Report for the month by Debbie Hines, a Home Health report by Ashley Sullins, and a report on the hospital foundation, plus the marketing and community perception with COO Jason Edwards. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will the present the auxiliary report. In old business the Board will get an update on the Strategic Planning Meeting and will consider a Home Health Bylaw Change. In new business the meeting dates for the fiscal year 21 Finance Committee will be set and any purchases will be reviewed. The February board meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

Need a little adult time! The Salem Area Arts Council will hold their first Art Party this Friday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center. For $40 per couple (or $25 for singles), all supplies are provided at this fun event that include your acrylic paints, aprons, brushes, canvas and easel! Paint a fun romantic scene and put your own special creative spin to it, then take it home. Led by Danielle Norris, 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 calling or texting 247-0279 or messaging through the SAAC Facebook page. Bring your own personal style, your favorite beverage, and they will do the rest.

Your Community Cares Rural Health Coalition will be holding a follow up community conversation with a FREE screening of “Not My Child” at the Salem High School Library at 1400 Tiger Pride Drive on Tuesday, February 18th at 5:30. This documentary explores different paths to recovery and looks at the disease of addiction. The coalition hopes that by watching this film, families will be more capable of addressing substance misuse in their children. In doing so this could provide more open conversations surrounding substance misuse and help find hope that recovery is possible. Following the film, there will be a short question and answer with the integrated health staff present. The goal of the follow up conversation is to help families understand recovery. This event is FREE and there will be a limited number of complimentary appetizers and drinks. If you plan on attending or need more information, contact Felisha Richards at 573-426-6033.

February is Earthquake Awareness month and the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) and the Missouri Insurance Education Foundation (MIEF) want to encourage homeowners to assess their financial readiness to recover in the event of a major earthquake event in Missouri. Missouri is the third largest earthquake insurance market in the U.S., following California and Washington. Experts estimate the chance of a major earthquake of a magnitude 7.5 or greater in the New Madrid zone over the next 50 years is 7-10 percent. The probability of an earthquake exceeding magnitude 6 over the same period is 25-40 percent. A joint assessment by the Mid-America Earthquake Center of the University of Illinois and the Federal Emergency Management Agency predict a New Madrid event could constitute the highest total economic loss of any natural disaster in U.S. history. Despite these predictions, a report released by DCI in 2019 shows that residences covered by earthquake insurance in the most at-risk counties of the state dropped by 46 percent between 2000 and 2018. DCI and MIEF have partnered to raise awareness about the financial impact an earthquake could have on Missouri homeowners. Earthquake coverage is not a part of the standard homeowner’s policy. Earthquake insurance, like flood insurance, must be purchased separately from the homeowners policy. Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, says it’s important that we do all we can to make sure Missouri homeowners know about their options and have time to prepare. We want people to carefully consider how they can take a lead role in their own financial recovery. No one wants to be left without options. Lew Melahn, a MIEF board member and former Director of Insurance in Missouri, says many homeowners and business owners believe their existing insurance policies would cover earthquake damage, but that is usually not the case. We want property owners to be able to make an informed decision about how to protect their investment – and that starts with weighing their options for earthquake insurance. To make it easier to shop and compare earthquake insurance options, DCI provides a shopping guide on their website. Angela Nelson, DCI Director of the Division of Market Regulation, we know insurance seems overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We want Missourians to know the Department can answer their earthquake questions and tell them which insurers will cover earthquake. Resources to assist consumers as they make their readiness and recovery plans can be found at centralusquake.org.