Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said parts of his district received as much as two inches of rain over the weekend to go with very windy conditions Sunday. Because of this, he has crews out checking for washouts as well as downed trees and limbs. He does have a crew on Dent County Road 6050 trimming low limbs back. Purcell indicated he has another crew out replacing missing Dent County Road number signs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said service is being done on County Truck #24. He said that a crew plans on adding materials to Dent County Roads 2050, 3300, 6120 and 6123 provided they are not too soft for the trucks to bring in the gravel. He also said a worker would be cutting brush on county road 2510 if the shoulders are not too soft. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday where they discussed the possibility of adding passing lanes to Highway 63 between the Vichy Airport and Westphalia. There is a better chance to get this done over a period of years than making Highway 63 a four lane highway. At the MRPC Board meeting, Skiles said representatives of US Representative Jason Smith and US Senator Roy Blunt were on hand as they talked about finding ways to make broadband more available at an affordable cost. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that Wednesday is the last day to register to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary. The courthouse will be closed that day due to Lincoln’s Birthday so if you want to register in person, that will have to be done today at the courthouse in the county clerk’s office. You can register online on Wednesday. Curley also reported that the courthouse would be closed on Monday, February 17th for President’s Day. She went on to report that she balanced on all monthly accounts with the Dent County Treasurer. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk told the commissioners that just over $645,000 in taxes were collected in January and has been properly distributed. She said her office has updated the County Merchants License and they look different than before. It was also brought up in the meeting the feral hog situation is now getting worse in Dent County with property being affected in the eastern and southern parts of the county. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, February 20th at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

This past Friday, February 7th, Richard Kneib of St. Charles pled guilty in connection with a charge involving the felony possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, as a persistent drug offender for charges in connection with his arrest on May 18th, 2018. Kneib was the driver of a vehicle that was searched after the Salem Police Departments canine alerted for the presence of narcotics following a traffic stop. A search was conducted as a result and approximately 90 grams of methamphetamine was located in the rear passenger search behind the driver. This plea occurred on the eve of trial as the case was scheduled for a jury trial in Iron County in March. A sentencing hearing was conducted and the defendant was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as a result of the hearing. This was the sentence that was requested by Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley. Judge Megan Seay presided over the case.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of $708,000 in federal Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG/JAG) funds from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to 106 law enforcement agencies, including municipal police departments, county sheriffs department, public university police departments, and state law enforcement agencies. The money granted will help purchase essential equipment used by officers, including ballistic vests, first aid and trauma kits, police radios, light bars, and sirens. The grants are designed to help protect officers and increase safety across Missouri. Locally, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department received $8,775 to help purchase nine bullet proof vests; the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department received $9,890.70 to help buy three light bars for vehicles, five helmets or shields or batons, and eight miscellaneous items; the Shannon County Sheriff’s Department was given $9,999.97 to help purchase a vehicle; and the St. James Police Department will be receiving $9,985.04 to help purchase mobile data transfer equipment. Grant recipients must purchase their approved equipment by June 30, 2020.

An accident happened in Dent County Wednesday night at 8:08 on Highway 32 about a mile east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, an eastbound 2013 Freightliner Conventional, driven by 44-year-old James Randle of Nashville, Illinois, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The report stated that Randle suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital by Salem Ambulance. According to the report, Randle was wearing a safety restraint when the accident occurred. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene.

An accident happened Wednesday morning at 11:45 in Texas County on Route AF near Route N just west of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, 29-year old Amber Merrell of Licking lost control of a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee on the ice covered roadway going west and slid off the roadway where the Grand Cherokee overturned. Merrell suffered moderate injuries while an 11-year female juvenile suffered minor injuries. Both were taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital for treatment. Everyone was wearing their seat restraints when the accident occurred. The Jeep Grand Cherokee sustained moderate damages and the owner made arrangements to have it removed.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday night at 8:30 on Highway 32 about four miles east of Salem. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2003 Nissan Altima being driven by 17-year old Ethan Simpson of Salem was westbound when he ran off the right side of the roadway while attempting to avoid another vehicle that came into his lane and struck a tree. Simpson was taken by a private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by the owner. According to the report, Simpson was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

Missouri’s Complicated Fence Law will be addressed this Wednesday evening, February 12th starting at 6:30 at the Salem Community Center at the Armory. Landowners need to be aware of what fence law applies in their county, so they know their rights and responsibilities. Joe Koenen is an Agricultural Business Specialist with University of Missouri Extension who will be presenting the program that night. Missouri continues to have a very complicated fence law, in large part due to the fact that two separate laws cover the state depending on the county that your land is in. Other problems are both laws are subject to interpretation and can be a little different, depending on the county. A comparison of the two laws will happen during the program. According to Koenen, if you own land, you really need to know the law and how it impacts you whether you own livestock or not. Furthermore, in 2016 a portion of the law was changed to address livestock liability that affects livestock and non-livestock owners alike. This program will be conducted via Zoom so attendees can see the presentation and ask questions of the presenter. It allows Koenen to talk to several folks in a wide area without traveling to each location. There is a $25 charge for the first person and $15 for each additional person from the same operation. The charge covers the program and materials. Contact Rachel Hopkins at the Washington County Extension Office 573-438-2671 if you have any questions or need special accommodations. To register, contact the Dent County Extension Office at 573-729-3196.

An accident happened in Phelps County Wednesday afternoon at 12:20 on Highway 63 just south of Phelps County Road 6250. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Ford F-150 driven northbound by 52-year old Robert Rippee of St. Charles, began to slide on the ice covered roadway and crossed the center line where he struck a 2015 Chevrolet Impala driven southbound by 79-year old Olen Gibson of Licking. The Ford came to rest in a ditch and the Impala came to rest in the roadway. Two passengers in the Impala, 77-year old Frances Gibson and 96-year old Doris Lay of Licking, suffered moderate injuries and were taken by the Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Olen Gibson suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps County Ambulance. Rippee did not suffer any injuries in the accident. The Ford was removed from the scene by Triple AAA Wrecker with extensive damages while the Impala was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted by the Phelps Health Ambulance, Rolla Rural and Licking Fire Departments

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. During public comments Economic Development Director, was in with her monthly update which showed a drop in ongoing prospects from 17 to 12. She noted that 176 business licenses were granted including four new businesses. Finally Burbridge said that there has been a slight up-tick in Dent County unemployment from 2.9% to 3.4%. Curt Faigle with the 100 Acre Wood Rally was in to update the Commissioners. He reported that as of Wednesday they had 106 cars entered for the March 20th and 21st rally. Faigle said that in the past they had capped the entries at 75, but are planning to start 90 cars this year. He also reported that the Dent County roads used for the stages would be the same as last year. Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells was in to discuss the sign design for the outside of the new jail, plus the body scanner, the hand scanner, and the kitchen food service for the new jail. Panic buttons for the Courthouse and the Judicial Building were also discussed along with the interview recording system. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to seek bids for the recording system, security alarm buttons and food service. Bids will be opened February 20th at 10:00 and bid information can be obtained by contacting the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241. Wells said he has quotes for the hand scanner and body scanner, both of which are from the only source of purchase. Sheriff Wells will get more information on signage and get back with the Commission. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District Two Commissioner Gary Larson both indicated that their crews were out treating intersections, curves and other slick spots, particularly on chip and seal roads. Presiding Commission Darrell Skiles said that he would be attending the TAC and MRPC Meetings Thursday afternoon. He noted that during the MRPC meeting board members would have the opportunity to visit with representatives of US Senators and Congressmen about legislative priorities. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She said she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on monthly collections, add-ons and abatements for January and that the Commissioners reviewed her reports. Curley reminded voters that the last day to register for the March 10th Presidential Primary is February 12th and that the Courthouse will be closed that day due to Lincoln’s Birthday. On the 12th, applications to register can be completed online. Bill Ard was in to visit with the Commission. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Congratulations to the 28 High School and Middle School band students who represented Salem R-80 and Northwood R-4 this weekend at the SCA Honor Band Concert. They performed on February 1st in Ava. The Salem High School band students attending were Harmony Alexander, Jainey Pettus, Faith Jasper, Martin Jones, Megan Watkins, Ashton During, Reagin Toten, John Stark, Chris McSwain, Collin Hinderliter, Jon Gallagher, Kelsey Stienbarger, Christopher Harris, Marvin Aspinwall and Taytan Barton. The Salem Middle School band students at Ava were Hunter Barton, Chris Frederickson, Kaison Wilmont, Jarrod Brooks, Rory Dahms, Wyatt Patrick, Parker Holtz and Jacob Bender. The Northwood R-4 students included Xander During, Natily Cook, Harley Medley, Jacob Koontz and Nathan McGraw. Congratulations to all these students for being part of the SCA Honor Band!

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met at 6:00 Tuesday evening for their regular monthly meeting. After the roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda as well as minutes from the January meeting being reviewed and approved as presented. The financial report was discussed with bills being reviewed and approved as well as the 2019 final budget and 2020 budget being reviewed with an ending balance at the end of January of $268,708.21. During the calendar review, February 8th was determined to be a work day at the station for painting and general cleanup. It was also noted that March 10th will be the Presidential Preference Primary election in Dent County and the Road Rally would take place March 19th. During the monthly reimbursement report, the board made note of 24 calls for the month including 1 structure fire, 7 brush fires, 6 first responder calls, 3 vehicle accidents, 2 fire alarms responses, 2 training events and 3 calls classified as others. Total calls for the year so far is 41 with the average cost for call being $124.82. In new business, Chief Nash asked the board to consider a plan change for the area between the walkway on the Center Street side to add concrete from the building to the new walkway. The current plan has this as a sloped away from the sidewalk on both sides, possibly allowing water to run into the building. The board considered this to be a good idea but would need pricing to make an approval which Chief Nash said he would get and present to the board. Chief Nash also gave a tentative completion on the current renovation as March 1st and also discussed what the district would have to complete after the construction crews leave as far as installing, painting, and cleanup. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:00 at the firehouse. The meeting is open to the public.

Join the Montauk State Park staff for a unique bald eagle viewing at 8:00 this Friday morning, February 7th. Watch the eagles glide across the skies above the Montauk valley. Participants will accompany park staff on a hike near an active eagle’s nest in the park. A spotting scope and binoculars will be available. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Those who would like to attend can meet at the CCC stone picnic shelter by 8:00 Friday morning to warm up around a fire with free coffee and hot chocolate. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the event, call the park at 573-548-2201.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive Friday at Salem Wood Products at 200 Stave Mill Road off Highway 19 North. The blood drigve will be from 11:00 that morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. There is a critical need for type “O’ negative and AB plasma. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. For more information, call Lori Westerman at 729-7767.

Tom Botkins will lead a discussion about the Copeland Cemetery at 6:00 Tuesday, February 11th at the Salem Pizza Inn Meeting Room. It is a cemetery with a Who’s Who of early Dent County families living from the Howes Mills Community. This will be a discussion about lost or forgotten cemeteries and the meeting is a welcome call for people who own burial plots, small cemeteries, or know of a cemetery that is being lost to neglect or where no one is still alive that knows its history. For more information, contact Tom Botkins at 573 626-4522 or Deloris Gray Wood at 573 729-2545.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the city hall council chambers Monday night. At the meeting, the board heard from operations manager Joe Bruno from the Dent County Sheltered Workshop who explained to the board their budget had been cut $47,300 and there will be a sharp increase in salaries this year due to the increase in the state minimum wage. He also explained there is federal legislation passed through the house to eliminate the adjustment to the minimum wage for those with disabilities that would basically put an end to sheltered workshops if passed through the Senate. He said he appreciates all the businesses that use their services, but even if everything would go perfect this year, the sheltered workshop would end up the year about $7,000 in the hole. Kristen DeLuca of K DeLuca Audit Services LLC presented the board with findings from her audit of fiscal year 2019. She said she gave the city an unmodified opinion that states the books were fairly stated in her opinion. In short, she said the city had in total over 27 million dollars in assets and had over 9.8 million dollars in liabilities which leaves the city with a net position of over 16.4 million dollars. DeLuca also said she had no new findings for the city in their financials. She said two notes that are presented say the city has a problem with the segregation of duties which is normal for a city of this size, and that the books were prepared under the guidance of the generally accepted accounting principals better known as GAAP. The board approved the recommendation by Archer Elgin to go with the bid from Don Maggi, Inc of Rolla to do the work for the TAP Grant to build the trail from the R-80 Administration building to Pavilion #1 in the Salem City Park for $306.500.52. With this grant, 80% will be paid by MoDOT with 20% being the responsibility of the city. After the board approved the consent agenda, Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois reported the football camp that just got underway had 134 children in it. She wanted to thank Andrew Wynn and Head Football Coach Dylan Wyrick for helping with the camp and making it possible. She said Smart Soccer Signups end Friday for boys and girls age 3 through 5 and a parent, and the regular Soccer program signups for boys and girls 14 and under will also end Friday with late registration ending on February 14th. City Administrator Ray Walden said there were 4,421 people who used the Salem Community Center@The Armory in January. He said utility bills will be going out this week and will only reflect about one months usage. He said if anyone has questions, they can stop by the utility office or call 729-4117. Walden invited everyone to the retirement celebration for Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman and Lieutenant Marty Farrar at the Salem Police Station from 2:30-4:00 on February 14th. Walden said the next Board of Aldermen meeting would be held on February 18th due to President’s Day on Monday and the offices will be closed that day. The board approved Resolution 2-2020 that adopted an economic development policy for the pricing of land for sale in the Masters Industrial Park, and approved Resolution #3-2020 approving the agreement between the City of Salem and C. M. Archer Group, P.C. to be the city’s engineer. The board approved a layout plan submitted by Legend Clift to create a mobile home park at 701 East Center Street. The plan had previously been approved by the building inspector. Clift is in the process of improving the property and installing a new water line. The board also approved the allowed destruction of old police records that are seven years and older to be destroyed in accordance with state statutes as submitted by Chief Keith Steelman. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Area Arts Council is sponsoring “Art Across the Ages” from March 2 through March 27, 2020 at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC) in Salem to celebrate Youth Art Month. Young people and adult artists from all around the Dent County area are encouraged to submit their work for display during this time to show how artistic talent can be found in many forms and artists can be of any age. Additionally, a “Meet the Artists” public reception with refreshments will be held on Tuesday evening, March 10th from 6:00 to 8:00. Artists can make arrangements to drop off their artwork during the month of February by calling (573) 247-0279. This is a wonderful way to display the amazing talent found within this area, and artists of all ages and art of all media are encouraged to participate. All school art teachers and home schoolers are being invited to submit examples of their students’ work. For more information, please feel free to call the representative of the Salem Area Arts Council at (573) 247-0279. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is located at 202 South Main in Salem.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Joe Bruno, the workshop manager from the Dent County Sheltered Workshop, was in attendance along with their board President Josh Gordon, board member Denita Williams and the parent of a worker, Keith Mueller. He wanted to speak with the commissioners about the future of the workshop. Bruno said that many other sheltered workshops have stopped collecting recyclables as those markets have dried up. As an example he cited the recycling of cardboard for businesses where at one time they were getting $200 per ton where as now they only receive $45 per ton. Bruno says the Sheltered Workshop now charges business $2.00 per pickup of cardboard, by doing this they kept 150.74 tons of cardboard out of landfills. He says the money they get back does not cover the cost of collecting the cardboard with the cost of the truck, gas, manpower, etc. He also said the increase in the minimum wage will hurt as he requested an increase in funds from the SB40 Board to cover the increase, but received a cut in his budget of $47,386. Bruno said that if everything went perfect this year, the workshop would end up about $9,500 short with all these cuts in place. He says the workshop is a viable work opportunity for their 33 clients that would have difficulty in many cases finding a job elsewhere, plus he feels obligated to his seven staff members. Bruno stated there is now a push from Washington, DC to eliminate all Sheltered Workshops. He stated House Bill 582 passed the House, but he does not feel it will make it through the Senate, but that is an unknown. The sheltered workshop provides packing services, assembly services, lawn mowing, collects recycling materials, builds birdhouses and picnic tables and more. They can also shred personal or commercial documents with their large shredders. Bruno said their most important feature is providing needed services to the community. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials were added and grading is being done on Dent County Roads 5170 and 6220, while only grading will be done on county road 6020. Purcell said brush will be cut on county roads 6020 and 6580 and a crew will be patching potholes in various locations on chip and seal roads including county road 6180. Commissioner Gary Larson stated materials will be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2120 and 3180, while only materials are going to be added to county road 4060 and grading done on county road 4300. Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2530. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley is reminding everyone to make sure that all your voting information is correct, and if you have moved or had a name change to please contact her office. The last day to register will be February 12th for the Presidential Preference Primary where you will have to pick a party before voting. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released report on the department’s activities between January 20th and January 24th. On Monday the 20th, a deputy traveled to the 35000 block of Highway 72 in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. A 53-year-old man from Silex was arrested for an active warrant through the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was later extradited to Phelps County. Then last Wednesday on the 22nd, deputies traveled to a residence on Dent County Road 6620 in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant at which time a 33-year-old Licking man was arrested for an active warrant through the Texas County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. That same day the Viburnum Police Department located a 45-year-old Salem man who had active arrest warrants through Dent County. A deputy with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office traveled to the Viburnum Police Department and transported the man back to Dent County jail where he was incarcerated. On Friday, the 24th, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the 6500 block of Highway 119. During the course of the traffic stop, a 38-year-old Salem woman was arrested for felony driving while having her license revoked. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If you have information about any investigation, contact the sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

A one-vehicle accident happened Sunday afternoon shortly before 1:30 in Crawford County on Highway 19 just north of Route O. The report from the highway patrol report states that a 2017 Can Am UTV being operated by 50- year old Brad Weber of Cuba was traveling south when the crash occurred as an unknown vehicle traveling north crossed the centerline causing Weber to travel off the right side of the road and overturn. Weber suffered serious injuries and was transported to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The UTV sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by family.

A one vehicle accident happened Sunday afternoon shortly after 4:30 in Phelps County that resulted in injuries to two St. James residents. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2013 Harley Davidson Streetglide driven by 42-year old Clay McKinnon of St. James was traveling north on Highway 63 about three miles south of Vida when the motorcycle experienced a mechanical malfunction and overturned ejecting McKinnon and a passenger, 34-year old Christina Scantlin. McKinnon suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. Scantlin was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla for the treatment of moderate injuries. The Harley Davidson was totaled and was towed from the scene by the owner.

An accident happened Friday night at 6:51 in St. Louis County on eastbound Interstate 44 west of the Highway 141 junction that took the life of a man from Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevy Silverado driven eastbound on Interstate 44 by 28-year old Troy Kennedy of Steelville, went off the right side of the roadway causing Kennedy to overcorrect. The overcorrection caused the Silverado to overturn multiple times ejecting Kennedy from the Chevy. Kennedy was taken to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis and was pronounced dead at 7:23 Friday evening by Dr. Sineff. His body was taken to the St. Louis County Morgue by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s office transport service. Kennedy was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by McNamara’s Towing of St. Louis.

An accident happened in Dent County on Highway 72 at the intersection of Route C Thursday afternoon at 3:50. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevy Impala driven westbound by 18-year old Joshua Birdsong of Salem, rear ended a 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage driven westbound by 59-year old Jimmy Seest of Rolla. The Mirage then rear ended a 2002 Ford Focus driven westbound by a 16-year old male juvenile of Salem who was stopped to make a left turn onto Route C. Suffering moderate injuries was Jimmy Seest who was taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital, while Joshua Birdsong suffered minor injuries. He was taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Hospital for treatment. The Chevy Impala was totaled and removed by Tune’s Auto of Rolla from the scene; the Mitsubishi was also totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem, and the Ford Focus had moderate damage and was driven from the scene. Everyone involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

A two vehicle accident resulting in five injuries happened shortly after 2:30 Wednesday afternoon in Ste. Genevieve County at Route D and Route HH. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2019 Toyota Camry driven by 31-year old Shawn Livingston of St. James was traveling west on Route HH and failed to stop at a stop sign, striking a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 67-year old Cecil Crocker of Bonne Terre. The impact caused both vehicles to travel off the west side of the road and strike a tree. Livingston and a passenger in the Toyota, 31-yearb old Sara Jones of Park Hills, suffered moderate injuries and were both transported to Parkland Health Center in Farmington by St. Francois County Ambulance. The driver of the Chevrolet, Cecil CrockerJr., suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital South by St. Genevieve County Ambulance while two passengers in the Chevy, 27-year old Robert Gynland and 17- year old Kevin Nash, both of Bonne Terre, suffered minor injuries and were both transported to Parkland Health Center in Farmington by the Ste. Genevieve County Ambulance District. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Buckley’s Towing. Neither the driver of the Toyota nor the passengers in the Silverado were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting at 7:00. In the hearing of persons, the board will hear from Ray Bruno of the Scenic Rivers Industries about possible changes in the recycling services they offer. The board will also hear Kristin DeLuca from K Deluca Auditing Services as she will present the 2019 Fiscal Year audit for the city. The board will then receive and discuss bids from on the TAP Grant for the trail from the Salem R-80 Administration Building to Pavilion #1 in the Salem City Park. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Walden about current projects going on in the city. They will also get an update on the park and recreation programs from Park and Rec Director Melissa DuBois. In the Introduction and Reading of Bills, Resolution 2-2020 will be discussed that would adopt an economic development policy for the sale of land in the Masters Industrial Park in the City of Salem. The Board will also hear Resolution 3-2020 to approve a three-year contract with the C.M. Archer Group to continue to provide engineering services for the city. In new business, the board will hear from Legend Clift as he is requesting approval for a mobile home court at 701 East Center Street. Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman will discuss the destruction of some of the 2013 police records that no longer have to be kept. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts, personnel and real estate before adjourning. The meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

Friday night at the Salem Basketball game between the Tigers and Licking Wildcats, Malia Terrill was crowned the 2020 Homecoming Queen by last year’s Homecoming Queen, Madi Keith. Her court consisted of freshman Cayleigh Moody, sophomore Jaden Flores, junior Jodi Gothchal and seniors Mallorie Dittman and Brooklin Shelton. Congratulations Malia!

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5015, 5085, 6220 and 6230. He went on to say that maintenance work was being done on brush cutter #48 and that workers would be replacing road number signs that had been stolen. The stolen signs each year cost the county about $2,200 in materials not to mention additional labor needed to install the signs. Purcell said the theft of the road number signs creates a safety hazard for emergency vehicles to be able to find people in need of those services. If anyone sees someone taking a county road number sign, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241. Commissioner Gary Larson reported that a worker from District 1 and his district are repairing the Dura-Patch machine. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 2520 and 2530. Larson also indicated that materials would be added to several roads with muddy spots. Larson added that workers would be cleaning out pipes on Dent County Roads 4280, 4290 and 5300. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the Department of Natural Resources Historic Courthouse Preservation Grant meeting held at the Salem Community Center@The Armory on Tuesday. Skiles said right now there are no dollars available at this time. Skiles stated DNR is currently writing the rules for the grant. The program will be funded by legislative appropriations. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse. The meeting will be open to the public

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missouri resident and nonresident landowners who qualify to receive free or discounted deer and turkey hunting permits to register their properties in MDC’s new Landowner Permit Registry either online or by completing a paper application. Starting this year, resident landowners with 20 or more contiguous acres and nonresident landowners
with 75 or more contiguous acres qualify for landowner deer and turkey permits and must submit their property information to the MDC Landowner Registry to receive them. The new landowner registry will provide MDC and permit vendors with secure records of landowners and members of their households who qualify for the free and discounted permits, along with proof of land ownership and boundaries of the properties for which the free and discounted permits apply. According to MDC, the landowner registry is needed by both the Department and permit vendors to help eliminate misuse of landowner permits and privileges. Conservation agents around the state find several hundred violations each year related to the misuse of landowner permits and privileges. Learn more about the MDC Landowner Registry and apply online through the secure MDC webpage at mdc.mo.gov/landownerpermits. The page also provides answers to common questions. For a paper application and more information on the registry, go online, email permits@mdc.mo.gov, call MDC Permit Services at 573-522-0107 and select Option 1, or mail a request to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Permit Services – Landowner, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.

An accident happened in Dent County at 6:05 in the morning Thursday on Highway 32 about 15 miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford Focus driven eastbound by 39-year old Shadrach Ferguson of Raymondville, failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the right side of the roadway where the vehicle overturned. Ferguson suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Ferguson was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Focus was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem. The Missouri Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

Tonight will not only be the Town and Country Bank “Cat Classic” at the Salem High School gym for the basketball game between Salem and Licking, but Homecoming as well. This year’s attendants are freshman Cayleigh Moody, sophomore Jaden Flores, junior Jodi Gotchal, and the three senior quen candidates: Malia Terrill, Mallorie Dittman and Brooklin Shelton. Last year’s Homecoming Queen, Madi Keith, willcrown the new queen at the festivities. This year’s escorts will be Reese Dodson, Dawson Conway, Carter Chilton, Silas Wulff, Braiden Carmack and Luke Morrison.

A one vehicle accident involving a Salem resident occurred Wednesday morning at 8:40 in Phelps County on Highway 72 about six miles east of Rolla near Phelps County Road 4120. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am being driven by 22-year old Angel Spurgin of Salem, was westbound and began sliding on the ice covered roadway. The car traveled off the left side of the road striking a marker post as well as an embankment and a tree. Spurgin, who was not wearing a safety restraint, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released reports for January 17th and 18th. On Friday, January 17th, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a 27-year-old Rolla man who stated he had active arrest warrants from Pulaski County. Deputies traveled to the 35000 block of Highway 72 and arrested the man on the warrant. He was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was incarcerated. On Saturday, January 18th, deputies traveled to the 3200 block of Route P in an attempt to serve arrest warrants. During the course of the incident, a 23-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Dent County. Also arrested during the incident was a 28-year-old Salem man for an arrest warrant through Probation and Parole. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where they were incarcerated. Please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 with information about any ongoing investigation.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is proposing a temporary closure on the taking, pursuing or releasing of all feral swine within the park. The temporary closure would support interagency efforts to eliminate feral swine in Missouri. The temporary closure would align Ozark National Scenic Riverways with its partners and neighbors in the statewide efforts to eliminate feral swine from Missouri. It is a crucial step in meeting the goals of the Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership. This is a cooperative effort by a number of agencies and organizations within Missouri, including the U.S. Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, the USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The proposed closure would include an allowance for opportunistic take of feral swine by persons possessing a valid State deer or turkey hunting permit who are hunting deer or turkey in compliance with the permit. The proposal for temporary closure is available for public review and comment on the Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at parkplanning.nps.gov/ozar. The proposal will be open for comment now to February 11th.

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2020 community grant round. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 31st 2020. The community grantmaking program for Meramec Regional Community Foundation is available for programs and organizations in Meramec’s eight-county region for Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington Counties. An estimated six grants of $250 each will be available to nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking for funds to address local needs through their project that will enhance the quality of life within the community. Nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities are eligible to apply for grants. Applications must be for First-time applicants should include a copy of their 501(c)3 status,.For questions please contact Maria Bancroft at 573.265.2993, ext. 114, or email mbancroft@meramecregion.org or Bonnie Prigge, 573.265.2993, ext. 103, or email bprigge@meramecregion.org. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is a regional public charitable foundation that holds more than 3,000 funds for donors, nonprofit partners and 49 affiliate foundations, including the Meramec Regional Community Foundation.

Come and weave an amazing love knot with straw for yourself or a loved one on Friday, February 7th at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center. This is an introductory workshop to learn the age old traditional art that yields beautiful results. The cost is just $10.00 for regular love knots and only $5.00 for little hearts. The program is led by professional artist Suzanne Douglass and all the materials will be provided and you can take home your creation at the end of the night. Call or text 247-0279 to register for the program and arrange payment to hold your spot.