Local News

An accident happened on Highway 54 two miles south of Laddonia, Missouri Thursday afternoon at approximately 2:00 that took the life of three people including a Licking couple. According to the Highway Patrol Report an eastbound 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, driven by 24 year-old Kierra Glispe of Justice, Illinois, attempted to pass an eastbound 2014 Freightliner, driven by 50 year-old Roby Sharp of Liberty, Illinois. The Monte Carlo struck a westbound 2008 Mercury Mariner, driven by 75 year-old Douglas Turner of Licking, head-on pushing it into the Freightliner. Douglas Turner, along with his wife, 72-year old Helen Turner, were both pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Monte Carlo, 18 year-old Kyreoin Glispie of Justice, Illinois, was pronounced deceased at 3:30 at SSM Medical Center. Kierra Glispie suffered serious injuries and was transported to University Hospital in Columbia. Both the Chevrolet and Mercury were totaled and removed from the scene by Ben’s Auto Body of Mexico, Missouri. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. The report stated that the Turners and Roby Sharp were wearing their safety restraints at the time of the accident, while the Glispies were not.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their next regular meeting this evening at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. Prior to the Aldermen meeting, there will be a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 6:30 with a request to vacate an undeveloped portion of South Oak Street. After the consent agenda has been reviewed and approved, the board will hear from planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown on their meeting. Alderman Ken Nash will talk about updating ordinances before City Administrator Ray Walden will give his reportthat will include a negative leave balance policy. Mayor Brad Nash will follow with his report. The board will then call for a public tax rate hearing to set the tax rate for the 2018 year. The hearing would be scheduled for Monday, August 20th during the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen. The board will go into closed session to discuss contracts before they adjourn. The meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Community Garden is a place for Dent County residents to grow and harvest healthy food for their families, friends or to donate to those in need. Tonight, a free Summer Gardening Workshop hosted by Master Gardener Larry Galloway will take place from 6:30 to 7:30. The public is invited to attend. There will be a five Gallon Watering System demonstration where can learn a new technique for efficiently watering your plants. If you’d like to more information or a plot of your own, call the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196.

As part of the City of Salem’s Growth in the Rural Ozarks (GRO) Initiative, Healthy Dent County would like to implement a new program that will empower individuals and offer support as they strive to lead their families out of poverty. This program is titled “Project RISE”, (Reaching Independence through Support and Education). This program is modeled after the Northwest Project in Springfield, MO where they have been very successful in helping families rise out of poverty. This model will address root issues keeping families in poverty and works toward developing strategies to overcome these challenges and sustain long-term change. We will work with families over a 2-year time-frame, considering the unique situations and needs families are experiencing, and encouraging participants to choose their own goals and paths toward success. Families in Project RISE will work on reducing debt, improving credit scores, increasing income, strengthening confidence and gaining hope. Only 5-8 families will be selected for this two-year program. To participate in the Project the following requirements must be met: A family with at least one dependent child; adults should have a high school education (or be able to complete in 6 months); must reside in Dent County; and most importantly, the participants must be ready, willing and open to make changes to find new opportunities. To learn more about Project RISE a “Come and See” event will be held on Thursday, August 23rd from 6-7:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Families interested in signing up for the program and individuals interested in serving as allies or other volunteer opportunities, or just waning to learn more are encouraged to attend. A dinner will be served. For more information or to determine eligibility should contact Kelsey Schatz at 729-8163 or kelsey@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Gary Larson was appointed to serve as the acting Presiding Commissioner in the absence of Darrell Skiles. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax report for the money received in July by the county. She said the General Revenue Fund and the Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $93,783.24 in July which is $22,509.12 more than these funds received in July of 2017 when that amount came in at $71,274.12. Williams said year-to-date, the General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax funds are up $88,133.64 and that is an 18.31% increase. Williams said the Road and Bridge Sales Tax Fund received $44,222.42 and that is $11,350.16 more than what was received in July of 2017. She said year-to-date the Road and Bridge Fund is up $34,359.14 over last year and that comes to an increase of about 15.55%. Williams also reported on the Justice Center Project sales tax funds and they each came in at $88,075.14 for a combined total of $176,150.28. The amount of sales taxes received since the tax started being collected in the Justice Center Project Fund since October of 2017 is $1,149,641.18. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said West Contracting was still working on numerous chip and seal projects. This will probably continue into early next week. Purcell does want to caution those traveling roads that are getting a new overlay to please drive slowly and with caution, and to look out for workers on the road. Purcell also said ditch work would be done and culverts would be installed on Dent County Road 5080 while brush was going to be cut on county road 6580. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said a man would continue to load the chips for the chip and seal road repair in the trucks of West Contracting. He also reported that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2210, and grading only would be done on county road 2150 if there is enough moisture in the road. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley stated absentee voting for the August Primary is still going on at her office in the courthouse. She also wanted everyone to make sure their office has your correct address so that any mistakes can be corrected. If someone finds an error on their voter registration card, or has moved to a different address, those persons need to call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144 or stop at the Dent County Courthouse. You can also check the accuracy of your address only by going to the sos.mo.gov. Once on the site, click on the “Elections and Voting” tap and then fill out your information. Continue to follow the instructions until it tells you your current voter registration. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Earlier this year, Healthy Dent County embarked on a capital campaign to expand the Salem Community Center @ the Armory by adding a new regulation size gymnasium to the north end of the building. As part of the capital campaign to raise funds, Healthy Dent County was chosen to receive $350,000 in tax credits through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). NAP helps not-for-profit organizations raise private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects. The cost projection for this project is $1.2 million dollars and currently Healthy Dent County has raised nearly $900,000. The benefit to Dent County residents will be a regulation size basketball gymnasium as well as expansion of the Fitness Center that will provide recreational and health benefits for all ages. While the local school system has buildings with gyms, the community’s need for gym space far exceeds what the schools can handle. The new gymnasium will be used by various local groups as well as expanded and additional programming by Healthy Dent County. Additional local funds are needed to complete the $1.2 million dollar campaign. NAP tax credits totaling $100,000 are still available for local businesses as well. For additional information on this or any Healthy Dent County project, please call 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

With temperatures staying in the 90’s consistently and heat indexes climbing into triple digits, everyone needs to be aware of how dangerous it is for a person or animal to be left in a closed up vehicle. On the average, 37 children die in the U.S. each year from heatstroke in cars, according to the nonprofit child-safety organization Kids and Cars. That’s one child every nine days. And there are hundreds of cases of nonfatal heat-related illness every year, some of which result in permanent brain damage. Pets, the elderly and people with movement disabilities are also at risk. Remember that leaving a child in car for even a few minutes is dangerous. The cool interior of an air-conditioned car can quickly turn deadly once you shut off the engine. Within 10 minutes the inside temperature can rise more than 20 degrees. After an hour, temperatures can increase by 40 degrees or more, according to a 2005 study published in the journal Pediatrics. The same study revealed that leaving windows open an inch or two won’t stop a car in direct sunlight from quickly becoming dangerously hot. The danger of heatstroke in cars isn’t confined to hot days. Even when the outside temperature is only in the mid-60s, sunlight can heat the interior to 110 degrees or more, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Some tips to prevent this from happening include “Look before you lock.” Make a habit of always checking the back seat of your vehicle before walking away. Place a needed item such as your phone, briefcase or purse in the back seat. That way, you’ll see your child when you retrieve the item. Keep your vehicle locked and keys out of reach of children. Almost 30 percent of vehicle-related heatstroke deaths happen when an unsupervised child climbs inside a vehicle. For bystanders who see a child alone in a vehicle: Make sure the child is OK. If not, call 911 immediately. If the child appears to be OK, try to find the parents. If at a store or other facility, try to have the car owner paged over the PA system. If the child is unresponsive and appears to be in distress, attempt to get into the car to help the child, even if that means breaking a window.

There will be a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Blood Drive at the First Baptist Church TODAY from 1:00 until 6:00 at 201 North McArthur. Two blood types are in short supply at this time: B negative and A positive, but all types are needed during the summer months. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh 110 pounds, be in good health and show a valid picture ID. At this blood drive, you will also get a cool heather gray T-Shirt with a patriotic summer message. For more information, contact Cindy Sachs at 729-4241.

Sample ballots for the Dent County Primary election on August 7th are available in the Dent County Clerks office in the courthouse. Five parties will be represented including the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, as well as the Green Party and Constitution Party. The contested Primary races include the race for the United States Senator seat, there will be 11 Republican candidates, seven Democrat candidates, and one each from the Libertarian and Green Party. In the state races, the State Auditor position features four Republicans running along with one Democratic candidate, and one candidate from the Libertarian and Green Party. The State Senator for the 16th District Senator contests have three Republicans running and one Democrat candidate. The State Representative for District 143 has two Republicans running for that position. Other contested offices in the area include the race for Circuit Judge for the 42nd Circuit, Division 1, which has three Republican candidates running, two Republicans will battle for Dent County Presiding Commissioner, two Republicans are challenging for Dent County Collector and two Republicans candidates seek to fill the unexpired term of Public Administrator. The sample ballots are free! For more information call the Dent County Collector Angie Curley at 729-4144.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) Family Self-Sufficiency program will host a free Energy Savers Class Friday from 10:00 that morning until noon. Participants will actively look at their energy choices, energy use, and how to make the right choices when it comes to saving energy. The class will look at energy use for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, cooling, heating and lighting as well as energy safety and kids and energy. The class will be held at Phelps County PHA located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James presented by Christy Saylor, the Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA) county projects coordinator. This workshop is offered at no cost to the participant. For more information or to RSVP, contact Savannah Vandegriffe at 573-265-4200 ext. 132. Free training classes are a part of MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help prepare families by making them aware of the resources available to assist with self-sufficiency. Each participant who attends will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card, as long as they meet income qualifications.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On July 3rd, deputies responded to Dent County Private Lane 601 in reference to a report of sheep being shot. The victim showed deputies two sheep that had gunshot wounds. This report is still under investigation. On July 6th, deputies responded to the Bunker school in reference to property damage. It was reported that a tire had been flatten on a log skidder. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Dent County Road 4290 in reference to a burglary. It was reported that a window was pushed in and several guns were taken from inside. This report is still under investigation. On July 7th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Country Mart parking lot. The driver, a 61-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. That same day, deputies responded to a residence on Dent County Road 5090 for a report of trespassing. It was reported that a 49-year old Rolla man had broke into the house and damaged property. He was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Sunday, the sheriff’s department was informed of the death of a Salem woman from extensive burns at Phelps County Regional Medical Center. This matter is under investigation. If anyone has information about any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

An accident happened in St. Francois County on Route N just north of Mallard Road Monday morning at 9:10. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 GMC 1500 driven southbound by 45-year old Mickey Brower of Middlebrook, Missouri, traveled across the center of the roadway where it collided with the side of a 2013 Honda Civic driven by 21-year old Jaelyn Crocker of Black, Missouri. Due to the collision, the Honda skidded off the west side of Route N. Crocker suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Parkland Health Center in Farmington by the St. Francois County Ambulance District. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing their seat restraint. The GMC sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene while the Honda sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Custom Auto Towing in Arcadia.

The South Central Missouri Community Action Agency will be holding a School Readiness Event this year on Saturday, August 11th in Dent County at The Commons from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Many different organizations in the community will come to together to provide services and supplies for low income families. Children who are registered for the event will receive free age appropriate school supplies including back packs, paper, folders, glue, pens and pencils. Health screenings will also be completed on the children. Pre-registration of your children is encouraged and this can be done at any South Central Missouri Community Action Agency office by providing the Social Security numbers of the Head of Household and the children being registered for the program. Donations of a number of school supplies for the event such as facial tissue, hi-lighters, mechanical pencils, graph paper, ink pens and pencils are still needed for the event. If you are part of community organization that would like to have a booth at the event, to register your children for the event, or if you would like to donate items, contact Sarah at 729-3500 or stop by 1405 South Wines Street in Salem.

The 2018 Missouri State Fair themed, “Come Home” will be held August 9th through August 19th in Sedalia. Discounted Missouri State Fair admission tickets and carnival wristbands are available for purchase now through August 8th. Ticket retailers include Break Time Convenience Stores, Orscheln Farm and Home Stores, Menards, and Missouri State Fair Box Office. Participating locations and options for purchasing can be found on the State Fair website, mostatefair.com. These savings are ideal for families wishing to Come Home this year to the Missouri State Fair. Advance Adult Gate Admission ticket are $8.00, a $10.00 value, Advance Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristband tickets, which includes one day unlimited carnival rides are $21.00 a $30.00 value. Other money saving deals include Advance Unlimited Daily Deal, which includes one day unlimited carnival rides & adult admission and that’s $29.00, a $40.00 value. Carnival wristbands and ride tickets are also available for purchase at the Fair. Regularly priced wristbands are $26.00 Monday through Thursday and $32.00 Friday through Sunday, with special pricing on Tuesday, August 14th and on the Fair’s final day, Sunday, August 19th. Family packs will also be available for purchase, with options of four tickets for $5.00, 25 tickets for $25.00 and 55 tickets for $50.00. The 55 ticket package includes a value book provided by Wade Shows that is a $30.00 to $40.00 value.

US Eighth District Representative Jason Smith donated excess books from the Library of Congress to the Ozark Regional Library in Viburnum Tuesday afternoon, July 3rd.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance so District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell was appointed as the acting Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. In the road report, Purcell said West Contracting from Sullivan would be in town this week to begin work on a number of chip and seal road recoats. Purcell said men were out doing last minute patching on numerous roads, and other men were out preparing the other chip and seal for the overlay. Purcell said crews would be cutting brush on Dent County Roads 2400 and 6510. Second District Commissioner Gary Larson said his men were also preparing roads for the chip and seal overlay. He did say the road at the Stone Hill Cemetery was going to need a double layer, but it is a very short road of maybe 1/10th of a mile. Larson stated grading was going to be attempted on Dent County Road 4280 if it had enough moisture content. He went on to say a man would be loading chips the county provides for the chip and seal roads in to the trucks from West Contracting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the Dent County Treasurer on all accounts in June, and she also balanced with the Dent County Collector and Dent County Assessor on collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of June. Curley wanted to remind everyone that if you are not registered to vote in the Primary Election, you have until this Wednesday, July 11th at 4:30 to get registered. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The photography collection of Dent County native Ron Lewis is on display at the Ozarks Cultural and Natural Resource Center now until July 31st. Stop by and visit his work of scenes of rural Dent County and surrounding areas including Montauk, Alley Spring and breathtaking night skies. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is open daily Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, and on Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon at 202 S Main Street in Salem. The exhibit is free and open to everyone. For more information, contact the ONCRC at 573-729-0029.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade featured numerous entries ranging from classic cars to tractors and many political floats and displays. According to Tabitha Utley, Chamber Executive Director there were over 85 entries. Utley also noted that the Non-Commercial entry winner was Developmental Disabilities Board, while the Commercial entry winner was Riverways Federal Credit Union and the Horsemanship winner was Alyssa McBee. The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the entire audience want to thank those taking part in the parade.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their first Business Education Session on Thursday, July 19th from 12:00 noon until 1:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office. These sessions are free for anyone who would like to attend. The Salem GRO Economic Advisor, Hrishue Mahalaha will be presenting, “How Can Your Business Benefit from our local Economic Development Efforts?” Due to the limited amount of space, please e-mail the chamber of your intentions to attend or to get more information about the session.

The Doe Run Company’s two mine rescue teams recently earned high honors at competitive mine rescue contests. The Gray Team won first place in three different competitions at the Northern Regional Mine Rescue Contest. The Maroon Team also received high honors at the Southeast Regional Mine Rescue Contest. At the Northern Regional Mine Rescue Contest, the Gray Team won first place in the field competition, which measures how well team members adhere to mine rescue procedures during a simulated mine emergency, and first place in the first aid competition, which consisted of a CPR and first-responder scenario. The Gray Team also won first place in the team trainer competition. The contest took place from June 4th through June 8th in Clymer, New York. The Maroon Team won first place in team tech at the Southeast Regional Mine Rescue Contest. Luke Davis, benchman for the Maroon Team, won the Dragerman Trophy, which recognizes his ability to test and maintain the Drager brand breathing apparatus. Additionally, the team placed fourth in the field competition and fourth in combination scoring out of 15 participating teams. The contest took place from May 21st through May 24th in Franklin, Tennessee. Doe Run’s mine rescue teams participate in voluntary training for at least eight hours per month and compete in mine rescue competitions annually. Companywide, Doe Run employees go through more than 16,000 hours of training annually.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners Chairman Gary Brown has called a special meeting of the Board for Monday, July 16th at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 202 North Washington. The meeting is to address a request to vacate an undeveloped portion of South Oak Street. The undeveloped street is more specifically described as all the undeveloped portion of South Oak Street platted as 50 feet in width which runs north and south and which lies between the south right of way of Franklin Avenue as platted and the north right of way of East Hunt Street as platted. The meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board is open to the public.

The Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition has been awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 to complete a tobacco use prevention project with elementary students in Dent County. The coalition will collaborate with Dent County school districts to implement a nicotine prevention project with a focus on reaching parents of all fourth and fifth grade students. Teen tobacco use in Dent County is 13% higher than the Missouri state average. E-cigarette use is also higher than the state average. Parents will be provided information through a series of mailed postcards, public displays at local events and through media advertising. Prevention education through classroom presentations with 4th and 5th grade students will also be conducted. The Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition is a volunteer organization of representative members of the Dent County community working together to identify prevention needs and implement evidence-based prevention strategies. The mission of the coalition, which began less than two years ago, is to facilitate community participation in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among our young people and community. Research suggests that coalitions are most successful at preventing substance abuse when they engage in environmental strategies to change a community’s social norms or attitudes. Recipients of the grant funding are required to use the Strategic Prevention Framework supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and recipients implement environmental strategies to change their community’s attitudes and expectations regarding alcohol and substance use to a healthier culture. Funding is administered by ACT Missouri, a private, not-for-profit organization that provides training and technical assistance for substance use prevention. For more information about the grant, please contact ACT Missouri at 573-635-6669.

The Missouri Department of Conservation offers nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state for public use through wildlife watching, hiking, hunting, fishing, and more. The MDC is developing a mobile application for the public to easily find conservation areas and outdoor recreation activities near them and wants public input on three potential names for the new app: MO Explore, MO Nature, and MO Outdoors. The winner from the public vote will become the new mobile app’s name when it goes live later this summer. The new mobile app will allow the public to enter a location or use a device’s GPS feature to locate the closest conservation areas. Results will include full details about the areas and directions. Users can also use search and filter functions to narrow search results to see what recreational activities and outdoor features are available at the areas. Cast your vote at mdc.mo.gov and click on the voting tab.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports there were three traffic fatalities and two drownings over July Fourth holiday counting period that started at 6:00, Tuesday, July 3rd and ended at 11:59, July 4th. There were 114 crashes reported, resulting in 59 injuries and three fatalities statewide. All three fatalities were motorcycle accidents. There were also 40 DWI arrests and 38 drug arrests. In 2017, 26 people were killed and 469 injured statewide in Missouri over the 102 hour holiday counting period in 1,076 traffic crashes, while troopers arrested 172 people for driving while intoxicated. The 2018 July Fourth holiday boating statistics included five crashes resulting in two injuries, two drownings, three boating while intoxicated arrests and eight drug arrests.

The Salem Area Arts Council is continuing the stained-glass workshop series with the next event on Thursday, July 14th, 2018 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. These workshops will be held on the second Thursday of each month for the next several months at the Creative Arts Center in Salem or as long as there is an interest. These workshops are especially designed for individuals wanting to create a stained-glass piece that will take several sessions to complete, although individuals only wanting to do a small project that can be completed in one night may also come. Led by artist and art teacher Amber Pryor, all materials are provided to make your project to take home. There is a maximum enrollment of 8, so register early. The cost is $25 per session and reservations can be made by calling the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at (573) 729-0029, or by calling or texting (573) 247-0279 to arrange paying your fee to hold your spot. This is NOT appropriate for young children or women who are pregnant. The Creative Arts Center is behind the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center located at 202 South Main in Salem.

The death of a 21-year old Nicholas Spratt of Washington, Missouri at the Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health Center in Salem on Sunday, July 1st is still under investigation, according to a press release from the Dent County Coroner’s Office. The Coroner’s Office was contacted that same morning at 6:56 to help assist the Salem Police Department with the investigation. Dent County Coroner Gina White reports the cause of death is undetermined pending the results of the autopsy that was held Tuesday.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6220 and 6230. He noted that two men were patching chip and seal at various locations in preparation for the overlay process that is scheduled around mid July. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson was absent due to a previous commitment, so Road Foreman Sam Gorman gave the report. Gorman said that he had a very short crew and they would be screening brown rock and doing shop maintenance. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reminded interested contractors that bid information for the Justice Center can be obtained by contacting Construction Manager Nick Smith at (660) 827-2112. He went on to say that there are seven bid packages and that Smith will conduct a pre-bid meeting at 2:00 on July 19th and that bids will be opened August 9th at 2:00 in the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room. Skiles said that Thursday afternoon he met with City of Salem personnel concerning the Economic Development Director position. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded voters that July 11th is the deadline to register to vote in the August 7th Primary Election. She also asked for anyone who is not sure their voter registration information is correct or has moved to please call her office at 729-4144 to make the necessary changes. Curley said that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Highway 137 in Texas County will be CLOSED as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge repairs. The bridge over the Jacks Fork River is located between Route U and Route AZ. Weather permitting, the bridge will CLOSE at 6:00 this Monday morning, July 9th with plans to reopen it on Thursday, July 12th at 5:00 in the afternoon. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/southeast.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Current River State Park will be offering free paddling clinics this Saturday and Sunday, and every weekend through the end of July. Each program will be the same featuring dry land basic sessions conducted on Saturday evening at 8:30 at the Round Spring amphitheater. Paddle stroke instruction will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday on the lower lake at Current River State Park. Students will have the option to continue instruction on the river in the afternoon, paddling approximately four miles from Current River State Park to Round Spring on an interpretive float with an instructor. Topics to be covered include canoe and kayak equipment, rescue techniques, basic paddle strokes and maneuvers, and river safety. Instructors for this clinic are certified by the American Canoe Association. Kayaks, paddles, and personal floatation devices will be supplied by Current River State Park and the clinics are free to all participants. Each session is limited to twelve participants, so pre-registration is required. Significant natural and cultural points of interest will be discussed during the paddle from Current River State Park to Round Spring. For more information or to register, call the Round Spring Visitor Center at 573-323-8093.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced the results of enforcement efforts to detect impaired boat operators in conjunction with the national “Operation Dry Water” campaign. This is the 10th year for the national effort, and Missouri has participated since the program’s inception. This year’s Operation Dry Water campaign occurred June 29-July 1, 2018. Troopers conducted saturations and worked extended shifts to bring heightened awareness to the issue of boating while intoxicated. Troopers arrested seven people statewide for boating while intoxicated, contacted 710 vessels and 2,301 boaters, and issued 84 boating violation summonses and 951 warnings. Marine operations troopers also issued 86 summonses for non-boating violations during the 2018 Operation Dry Water weekend. Special enforcement operations will continue throughout the summer months. Boaters are reminded that designating a sober operator is always the safest bet if alcohol is going to be included in their boating experience. Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all and remember that Life jackets save lives.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Independence Day Parade “Celebrating the American Dream” drew a large crowd along the route to watch the numerous entries in the parade that was accentuated by a number of politicians running for office. The Grand Marshall was VFW Post Commander Eric Surles. Later that evening, a large crowd attend the 4th of July fireworks display at the Commons that is sponsored by the City of Salem. People also watched the fireworks from the City Park, Salem High School Parking lot and from areas along Highway 72 and Route J. A big thank you goes to the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol for their help with traffic for the parade and fireworks display.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 2:23 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about six miles north of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Jeep Wrangler driven northbound by 18-year old Laura McCutcheon of Rolla, was making a left turn when the Jeep was struck from behind by a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven northbound by 25-year old Asia Lee of Columbia. McCutcheon and a passenger in the Wrangler, 15-year old Kyle McCutcheon of Rolla, both suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Phelps County EMS. Lee also suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Phelps County EMS. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing while the Jeep sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is hosting a free Junior Ranger Day Camp at Round Spring starting Monday, July 9th. Children are invited to spend the morning with a Park Ranger from 9:00 a.m. to noon each day from Monday, July 9th, through Thursday, July 12th. The day camp will be a great opportunity for kids to enjoy fun, exciting and educational activities as they become “Junior Rangers.” Activities will focus on the development of outdoor skills and the study of natural wonders in the park. On Monday, Junior Rangers will explore river critters and try their luck fishing. Tuesday will be trails and outdoor skills day, with an opportunity to explore the newly constructed Round Spring Spur of the Ozark Trail. On Wednesday, a paddling class will be presented by certified instructors from the American Canoe Association. Thursday will be exploration of the underground wonders of Round Spring Cave. At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a Junior Ranger badge. This program is targeted at children seven to twelve years of age. Space is limited, so call the Round Spring Ranger Station at (573)323-8093 to reserve a spot for your children and to receive detailed information about the program schedule and activities.

Onondaga Cave State Park invites the public to an informational meeting 11:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, July 7th, at the park’s visitor center. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its operations. Park staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Onondaga State Park is located 7556 Hwy. H, Leasburg. For more information about the informational meeting, call 573-245-6576.

Echo Bluff Sate Park invites the public to enjoy a night of summer sky star gazing during its Mid-Night Madness astronomy program beginning at 11:00 Saturday night, July 7th, at the park’s Bluff Top Pavilion. This unique program gives participants a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join the Dent County Astronomers group to look at constellations and star clusters and more in this dark sky event. The moon will not rise until after the program’s conclusion at 1:00 in the morning. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for this outdoor event and to bring a chair. There will be several telescopes set up and binoculars available to view the different parts of the sky. For more information about this free event, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or at connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

There will be a Splash and Dash Fun Run at the Salem City Park Friday night starting at 7:00. Participants will meet at the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool. After the Fun Run, all racers will have free admission to the pool. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for those 17 and under. Also Friday night starting at 8:45, the movie, ”Rio” will be shown and it’s FREE to everyone. The movie was originally scheduled for the Summer Kickoff Event and was postponed due to lightning. The doors will open at 8:30 for the free movie. Bring a chair to watch from the deck or a floatie and watch from the pool! If you have questions about the Splash and Dash Fun Run or the movie “Rio”, call Healthy Dent County at 729-8163.