Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Melissa Weed from US Bank was in to have some paperwork signed by the commissioners on the new graders financed through US Bank. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said a man would be cutting brush on Dent County Road 2480 while a work crew would be completing the assembly of a spreader box and installing it on a truck. Purcell stated another crew would be out replacing road signs that are missing or have been stolen near the Bunker area, especially on county roads 5680 and 5690. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said a man would be cutting brush on Dent County Road 2300 while a work crew would be out repairing and checking road signs. Another crew would be doing maintenance at the shop according to Larson. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that all the three commissioners attended an economic development meeting at Intercounty Electric in Licking Tuesday where about 50 people were in attendance. Skiles said the consensus of the group to improve economic development was the tremendous need to have better broadband Internet in the area. Skiles also attended the Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meeting where Dent County finished three training grant applications. Those training grant classes to be held in Dent County were for anhydrous ammonia awareness, for chemical suicides, and for flammable liquids and ethanol fuels. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she was working on the county budget for 2020. She also reported that she will sign a contract with Cyber Defense Election Strategy Assessment to provide cyber security assessment services for elections. This is being paid for by the Missouri Secretary of State office. The commission heard a presentation by Jeff Pabst from LAGERS about the county retirement plan as they are just exploring the different retirement options available to their employees. The Dent County Commission will meet Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

“A Night in the French Quarter Masquerade Ball” Casino Night will be held Saturday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. This is a fundraiser for Healthy Dent County and is co-sponsored this year by Cahill Construction. The doors will open at 6:00 with the gaming events beginning at 6:30 and last until 9:30. Players will be able to play roulette, craps and black jack plus other games of chance for a chance at outstanding prizes. Tickets are available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory today for $50 per person, or $85 for a couple. Each ticket will provide the player with $10,000 worth of gaming money and if you come in proper masquerade attire, you will receive an additional $1,000 worth of gaming money as a bonus. The gaming will come to an end near 9:30 and all players will then trade in the gaming money for tickets. Those tickets will be placed in containers to determine prize winners of the prizes available. Prizes to be awarded include a four night stay at La Belle Maison in New Orleans near the French Quarter, a one week stay in Branson at Stormy Point Resort, a 55” Smart TV, St. Louis Blues Hockey Tickets, Missouri Tiger Basketball Tickets, zero gravity chairs with a fire pit, a three piece wicker furniture set, an I-Pad, an I-Life robot vacuum cleaner, a T/C Compass bolt action rifle, a folding wagon and cooler, a decorative barrel donated by Independent Stave and more. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event. For more information, call 729-8163.

City of Salem Public Works Director Mark Nash reports that the Municipal Electric crews have begun changing out old electric meters for the new AMI digital meters on the east side of town. This first area includes all areas east of Highway 19 and this is expected to continue through at least next Friday. City personnel will be coming by each persons home to let them know what they will be doing and when, but if you are not at home when they come by, the Municipal Electric crews will still change out your electric meter when they reach your address. All city residents outage should only be a few minutes as the workers are only swapping out your old electric meter for a new electric meter. Once exchanged, your power will resume as normal. The City of Salem thanks you for your understanding and cooperation! If you have questions, please call the Salem City Administrative offices at 729-4117.

A Downtown Salem Historic Ghost Tour will be held this Friday night, November 1st starting at 9:30. The time of the tour was moved back due to the district football game being held in Salem this Friday night. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Prepare to be spooked at our scariest ghost tour yet! We will be talking about all of the things that go bump in the night. Come bundled up for the chilly weather and watch the past come to life! Those interested can meet at the Dent County Courthouse gazebo on the square, downtown.Jacob Stotler will be your host for the historic ghost tour in Salem! Other events to be held earlier in the night will include the telling of scary stories on the Courthouse lawn at 7:30! Bring your favorite story to tell! A downtown scavenger hunt is also planned for the evening starting at 7:30. Then at 9:30, the ghost tour will begin. See you there!

Tonight is Halloween and the stipulated Trick or Treat hours in the City of Salem is from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. There are numerous locations holding Trunk or Treats in and around town, plus Northwood R-4 school will be having a Jack-o-Lantern Jam. Remember, there are some road closures due to the Trunk or Treats in town so be aware of youngsters being on or crossing the road!

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on funds received from a class action lawsuit filed against the government for the underpayment of PILT monies from 2015-2017. The total amount received was $3,653 and that money will be put into the General Revenue Fund. She also stated the CART funds had been received this month and came in at $61,515.22 which is $305.14 more than the county received last year. Year-to-date, the CART fund balance is up $2,812.55 over 2018. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5610 and 5615 while only materials would be added to county road 5680. Purcell added that brush would be cut on county roads 2470, 6090 and 6100, and one man would be doing shop maintenance. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2050 and 2060 while only grading was going to be done on county roads 4030, 6130 and 6160. Larson went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2050. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet last Thursday in Waynesville where Judy Apperson was recognized for all her years of volunteer service in the community. Skiles said 16 people attended from Dent County which was the second largest contingent from any county except the host community: Pulaski County. Commissioner Purcell said phone bids would be solicited for diesel fuel, and the commissioners approved advertising for Request for Proposals to perform a financial audit on the county for the fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The RFP’s would be due in by November 21st at 10:00 to be considered. Their next meeting will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released a couple of reports from cases heard in the 42nd Judicial Court held in Dent County Wednesday in front of Judge Thompson. In the first case, Lindee Sprong of Licking pled guilty to a DWI and she was a prior misdemeanor DWI offender. She was sentenced to serve 60 days in the Dent County Jail. In the second case, Nicholas Barton of Bunker pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges of passing of bad checks. He was sentenced by Judge Thompson to serve one year in the Dent County Jail.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Monday, October 14th, near 1:48 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to a residence in the 700 block of North Warfel in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged two sections in a fence valued at $150.00. The report is under investigation. Later that afternoon at 4:41, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The traffic stop led to the arrest of a 41-year-old female of Salem for driving while having her license suspended and on an active arrest warrant from Crawford County. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court for driving while having her license suspended and incarcerated on the warrant pending extradition. On Tuesday, October 15th at about 12:55 in the afternoon, the School Resource officer observed a 15-year-old male juvenile of Salem using a vaping product in a school bathroom. The student was detained for possession of tobacco/alternative and released to a guardian. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that evening near 8:41, an officer was dispatched to Phil-Mart in reference to shoplifting. The investigation of the report revealed a male and female entered the store, took alcohol valued at $49.98 and left the store without paying for the merchandise. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem has developed a survey to gather public input about nuisances in the City and they would like your input. The survey is on the city’s website at www.salemmo.com. You can also begin the survey by clicking on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H76GR52. The City is asking that you pass along the information about the survey to your friends and neighbors so that as much public input can be obtained. If you do not have a computer or prefer to have a paper copy, hardcopies of the survey will also be available at the City Administrative offices building at 4th and Iron Streets in Salem during normal business hours. Please respond as promptly as possible as the city would like to have as much input on this subject for their next board meeting on November 4th.

Ortega National Parks (ONP), a hospitality and retail company operating in parks across the country will manage lodging, dining and retail operations in Montauk State Park for Missouri State Parks beginning November 1st. The park, located just southwest of Salem, is a popular fishing destination and provides a variety of other activities enabling the half million visitors each year to interact with the more than 3,000-acre park through hiking, biking, programs, tours and camping. According to Shane Ortega, founder of Ortega National Parks, Montauk State Park is well-known for its activities, beauty, and respect for wildlife and Missouri does an incredible job with their state parks, so we’re looking forward to working with them. ONP will manage all lodging at Montauk, including guest rooms and family-sized cabins within the park. They will also operate the Montauk restaurant and Montauk Resort Tackle Shop in the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge. Ortega also said that the Montauk Resort Tackle Shop is at the top of our list so we plan to enhance the layout, increase the amount and variety of merchandise, and ultimately ensure guests have everything they need for a fun trip to Montauk State Park. ONP specializes in retail and hospitality industries managing commerce in several national, state and county parks across the United States through retail stores, concessions, restaurants and lodging. In addition to providing services in more than 15 parks, ONP upholds historical preservation at every site with environmental responsibility. ONP works with parks to protect and sustain natural park resources while keeping water preservation and energy reduction in the forefront of its strategies and technologies. For more information about Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, visit the web at https://mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of September. The Salem Police issued five equipment repair orders, 15 summonses to appear in court, nine warning tickets, and 12 traffic tickets, plus they also served eight fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 17 traffic accidents, two burglaries, made two death investigations, and investigated a lost or stolen license plate. They also wrote one missing person report, one property damage report, eight stealing reports, and one trespassing report. The department investigated one report of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, six possessions of a controlled substance reports, two possessions of drug paraphernalia reports, three domestic violence reports and one domestic assault. They also investigated two leaving the scene of an accident and made a sodomy report. The department was also dispatched for 47 animal calls, made 44 ambulance assist calls, 34 well being checks and performed 55 traffic stops for the month. The department received 1,070 calls during the month of September and had 109 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 6,833 miles during the month of September and spent 12 hours in court testifying and 8 hours as court bailiff. There were 17 males and three females arrested in September.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will be holding a blood drive on Tuesday, November 5th at the First Baptist Church from 1:00 until 6:00. To be eligible to give blood, you must weight at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have a valid photo ID.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in for the Commissioners to sign off on the budgeted transfer of $40,000 from the Inmate Security Fund to the LEST Fund. She also reported that she attended the Missouri County Treasurers Association meeting Sunday and Monday where she was elected 1st Vice President and will move up to President of the Association next year. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said he had a crew in the Bunker area hauling oversize rock to Dent County Road 5610 in order to stabilize a bluff that’s caving off. He went on to report that brush was being cut on county roads 6090 and 6100, plus he has a Cat grader down with control issues. Purcell said that a service technician had worked on the grader twice, but the issues have not been resolved. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 2160, 4030, and 6140, while brush would be cut on county roads 2050 and 2060. He noted that work was continuing on a loader to replace worn pins and that Truck #116 was being serviced, plus he had man screening brown rock at the Road and Bridge Department. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported Judy Apperson would be recognized for her service to Dent County at the MRPC Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner Thursday night in Waynesville. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a couple of reports. On Tuesday October 15th, the sheriff’s office was notified of
a burglary which had occurred in the 11000 block of West Highway 32. A deputy traveled to the area and discovered a weed eater had been stolen from a residence. Then on Thursday the 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of South Highway 19. During the traffic stop, a 32-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 summons and released. If you have any information regarding the theft please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Onondaga Friends Association will partner with area grottoes to host geology tours of Onondaga Cave, Saturday, October 26th. These first-come, first-served cave tours will leave every half-hour from the visitor center. The first tour begins promptly at 5:00 and the last tour will depart at 9:00 that night. To ensure you preferred tour time is available, it is highly recommended that you make advanced reservations especially if you are planning a group event. Reservations and advance payment can be made by visiting onondagafriends.org. If you plan on camping at the park, be sure to make your camping reservation early by visiting mostateparks.com or by calling 1-877-422-6766. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, cool temperature (57 degrees F) and high humidity (nearing 100%). Participants are encouraged to dress in layers of warm clothing and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots. Onondaga Cave State Park is located 7 miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Highway H. For more information about this and other events, contact the park at 573-245-6576.

Officials at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Poplar Bluff announced a one-day flu clinic will be held at VA clinic at Physicians Office Building 1 on the campus of SMDH TODAY from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00. The CDC says that people at especially high risk for flu complications include adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, young children, and those with asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and children with neurological conditions. Whether you get your shot to protect yourself, those you love, or high-risk individuals (or all three), the time to get your flu shot is now. Veterans who receive their flu shots outside of VA health care are asked to report their immunization to their primary care physician. Those unable to attend the flu shot clinic may still receive them through a primary physician or the Dent County Health Center.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library. Hospital CEO Kasey Lucas said it was a busy month of September for the hospital with 115 admissions with an average of 13 acute care patients per day. He also there were 2,102 outpatient registrations, 1,963 cardiopulmonary procedures, 8,560 lab tests, 1,409 radiology procedures, 806 rehabilitation treatments, 37 surgeries, 272 home health visits and 869 emergency room visits. There were 272 ambulance runs for the month with 188 patients transported and 84 dry runs. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $72,033 and had revenues over expenses after taxes of $74,451. Reviewing the operating expenses, Lucas pointed out contractual services for floor RN’s brought in a large expense in September as did the purchase of supplies. The days in net accounts receivable has jumped to 73 from 59 due to the audit adjustments as the number of days the hospital has cash on hand dropped to 43. The Hospital Auxiliary was a part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk with over 100 walkers in attendance on October 1st. Their next meeting will be held on November 5th at noon at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported the Hospital Foundation will be holding their “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on January 25 at the SHS Gym and they have 13 couples signed up. They will also have a Golf Tournament on June 5th and a Wings and Strings event on September 12th. Foundation Advisory Board members Judy Thompson and Dennis Fielbelman decided to stay on the board for another term. Edwards reported the hospital had 75 people come through their booth at the Rose Holland Trout Derby at Montauk State Park on October 5th. The hospital continues to do their CPR training and first responder training with the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District. A Stroke Support group is meeting quarterly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 at the hospital library, and a Diabetes Support group is meeting the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm at the hospital library. Edwards wants to promote the diabetes support group more to make more people aware of the meeting. After reviewing the SMDH Emergency Department and the SMDH Family Medicine patient satisfaction surveys which all showed very good results, the board discussed the expansion update. Alexander Construction began work on the Long-Term Care renovations on September 16th while the window replacements in the patient and resident rooms to be done by Cahill Construction will be held off until the spring. The board discussed the issuance of revenue bonds to pay for the hospital expansion and the Request for Proposal letter is to be sent this Friday and due back on November 11th. At that time, the finance committee will be meeting. The board approved the purchase of new hemodialysis unit from Fresenius for $15,141 to replace an old unit. They also approved going with the bid from Town and Country Bank for the lease/purchase amount of $165,876 for a new ambulance with an interest rate of 3.05% with a 36-month term that will require a monthly payment of $4,827.27. The board approved the board meeting dates of Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 PM and Tuesday, December 10th at noon to work around the holidays. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday evening, October 10th near 11:17, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Carty in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 26-year-old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. On Saturday night, October 12th at approximately 9:40, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That traffic stop led to the arrest of a 32-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday night, October 13th, at about 9:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Gertrude in reference to people using illegal drugs and a suicidal person. That investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male of Washington, Missouri for the possession of heroin and methamphetamine. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Outreach Office of the Russell House will be hosting their quarterly Coordinated Community Response meeting on Monday, October 28th from noon until 1:00. The meeting will be at the Judicial Building at 112 East Fifth Street in Salem upstairs in the conference room. Lunch will be provided at no cost to you or your organization. The presenter and guest speaker for this quarter is Ms. Chris Gansemer, with the Lake of the Ozarks Stop Human Trafficking Coalition in Camdenton, MO who will speak on Human Trafficking. If you have plan on attending, contact Teresa Sellers as soon as you possibly can at the office at 573-729-4774 or on her cell at 573-578-3586 or email her at tsellers@pcfcs.org.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met October 17th at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported that outpatient lab services were provided for 95 clients in September. She also noted that construction repairs to the east end of the building were nearing completion. Mobray said Roma Jones and Chrysta Hinderliter attended breastfeeding peer counselor training in early October. She also stated that she and Jennifer Roderman would be attending SEMA POD (Points of Dispensing) training in November. Mobray said that Flu shots continue to be available at the Health Center on a walk-in basis with Flulaval, for ages 6 months and up; Flublock, for those with egg allergies; and High Dose Fluzone for ages 65 and up. The Health Center is able to bill private insurance and child Medicaid. Mobray went on to say that Flu shots are $37.00 for adults who are uninsured, plus if places of business or job sites are interested in holding Flu shot clinics they should contact the Dent County Health Center at 573-729-3106. She reported that Flu Clinics were held at Salem R-80, North Wood R-IV and the Salem Senior Center. The Health Center reported three cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, 1 Cryptosporidiosis in September, plus investigated two animal bites. Pursuant to Section 610.021 of the Missouri Statutes the Board went in to closed session. Upon returning to open session DCHC expenses for September were approved and the next regular board meeting was set for November 21st at 5:00.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning at 2:55 in Newton County on southbound I-49 five miles south of Joplin that left a Salem man with minor injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, driven by 34-year-old Benjamin Wehmeyer of Salem, struck a deer in the roadway. Wehmeyer lost control of the Chevrolet and it was struck by a 2014 Mack Truck, driven by Matthew Spellman of Springfield. The report stated that Wehmeyer and a passenger in the Chevrolet, 37-year-old Anjel Jarman of Joplin, suffered minor injuries and were transported to Mercy Hospital in Joplin. According to the report, neither Wehmeyer or Jarman were not wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident, while Spellman was. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Chuck’s Towing. The Mack Truck sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by M and M Wrecker.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital annual audit report was given at their regular board meeting held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Jean Nyberg of BKD CPA’s and Advisors discussed the audit with the board. She said there was a tremendous increase in the net patient service revenue of almost 2.9 million dollars which came to about a 14% increase, but that increase in revenue also created a significant increase in accounts receivable and the related bad debt provision. The internal accounting excess of revenues over expenses came in at $2,596,642 for the fiscal year, but the auditors found an adjustment for the receipt of a pledged receivable of $152,879, an adjustment for a physician’s note receivable of over $63,000, and a substantial adjustment of the hospital and clinic allowances that came to over $2.8 million dollars. Nyberg also said the cash account went down due to the high account receivable due and payment of the additional expenses, especially agency personnel associated with the increase in patient admissions. That decrease in cash was over 1.6 million dollars while patient net account receivable went up $999,374. The revised statement of operations for the year showed total operating revenues of $24,998,086 with operating expenses of $25,833,638 that showed a loss from operations of $835,552. After tax revenues of $556,309 were added back, the hospital showed a decrease in their net position of $279,243. As has been the case for some years, the hospital’s debt to capitalization is outstanding at only 5.3%, while the net operating margin sunk to a negative 3.3% with a total margin of negative 1.1%. Nyberg went over some accounting changes that may take place next year on valuing fiduciary duties and leases, and for the hospital administration to keep an eye on Medicare and Medicaid changes that could affect reimbursement. Nyberg said BKD provided the hospital an unmodified opinion which is the best that can be given.

The October exhibit at the Ozark National Cultural Resource Center will be centered around Sasquatch or Big Foot. This exhibit will continue through November 1st. The exhibit will feature a life size rendering of Big Foot in his habitat, photos of sightings, as well as newspaper accounts of Sasquatch sightings in Missouri. The ONCRC located at 202 South Main Street will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. If you need more information, call 729-0029.

An accident happened Friday night in Texas County on Route C about three miles north of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Ford Focus driven southbound by 17-year old Kalee Brazier of Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a post. The Ford returned to the roadway and then went off the left side of the road where it struck a telephone pole and fence before the Ford over-turned. Brazier suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. A minor in the car, a ten-year old female from Licking, suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. Brazier was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while the minor was not. The Ford Focus sustained moderate damage and was removed by Jay’s Automotive of Houston.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a workshop tonight from 6:00 until 7:00 in City Hall Council Chambers at 202 N. Washington. The purpose of the workshop, called by Mayor Brad Nash, will be to hear a summary of the current legal environment for nuisance enforcement, sample best practices for nuisance enforcement and review a tentative list of proposed changes to the Salem nuisance ordinances to adopt best practices. The board will also review a summary of the nuisance survey and set the date for the next workshop if needed. The meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00. After the consent agenda, the Board will hear from Gary Brown, Planning and Zoning Chair who will report on the October 14th meeting on Meading and Short Term Rentals. The Board will also hear from City Administrator Ray Walden about events affecting the city including the naming of streets in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions Resolution #24-2019, is a resolution authorizing the city administrator to execute a lease agreement between the City of Salem and Deere Credit, Inc. for the lease of a 2019 John Deere 444K Model Loader. The Board will also address Bill #3432 which is an ordinance to name streets in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. In new and miscellaneous business the Board will go into closed session to address legal action/attorney client privileges, real estate, personnel and contracts. The board of aldermen meeting tonight at 7:00 is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday night at the district administrative offices. Superintendent John McColloch went over the September membership count for grades Kindergarten through the 12th grade. This September there were 1,365 students which is up from 1,340 students this time last year. William Lynch Elementary Principal Kriste Crocker introduced the kindergarten team at William Lynch who then made a presentation on DACL (Developing Assessment Capable Learners) in front of the board. Each teacher spoke on the great strides that our kindergarten students have made while using DACL. Each building principal went over what was going on in the respective buildings. The board authorized and approved that Superintendent McColluch enter into an agreement with McKinstry, per statute 8.231, for the installation of energy efficient lighting upon a pending Department of Economic Development loan approval in the amount of $281,800. The board then went into closed session where two personnel issues were discussed before the meeting was adjourned.

General highway maintenance and construction work will take place during the two-week period of October 21st through November 1st. The projects listed will include lane closures that could cause traffic delays. Weather conditions may postpone the work schedule. Projects in Dent County include Route H between Highway 72 and Route C where roadside maintenance will take place today through Thursday, October 31st. Roadside work will also be done on Route P between Highway 32 and Dent County Road 5130 today through Thursday. Finally, Route HH between Highway 32 and Dent County Road 6180 will have roadside work taking place today. MoDOT reminds motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow posted signs and drive safely through work areas. For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. You can also follow MoDOT’s Central Missouri District on Twitter and Facebook.