Local News

The Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing and Meeting, in the Old City Call Auditorium on Tuesday August 6th, to discuss the requests to rezone: 905 & 907 W. Scenic Rivers Blvd from residential (R1)  to commercial; 909 W. Scenic Rivers Blvd from Residential (R1)  to Commercial; and 900 W. Hobson St from residential (R1)  to commercial. The fourth request for conditional use recommendation for an automobile service station at 400 E. Fourth St was withdrawn and not discussed during the meeting. There were no citizens from the public to speak on any of the requests made, so the board moved on to the public meeting, where all three rezoning requests were voted on and approved unanimously by the board. The meeting adjourned at 6:10pm.

August has arrived and with it the 2024-2025 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to encourage parents to include conversations about safety when preparing their students for school. It’s also important that drivers be prepared for the change in traffic patterns as students begin another year of instruction. In 2023, four people were killed and 403 injured in traffic crashes involving a school bus. In Missouri last year, a total of 877 traffic crashes involved school buses. Troopers hope everyone will review the following safety tips. Students walking to school should stay alert! Cross the street at intersections or marked crosswalks and never between parked cars. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street to make sure they see you. Use sidewalks when they are available. If it is necessary to walk on the roadway, stay close to the left edge and step off to the left when traffic approaches. Never dash into the street after a friend or to retrieve something. Riding a bicycle to school is a fun way to travel. If you’re riding your bike, be sure to wear a helmet and obey all traffic signs and signals. Ride as near to the right side of the roadway as is safe and use the proper hand signals when you plan to change directions, slow, or stop. Never carry passengers. Keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling. Also, it’s important to maintain your bicycle in good condition. If you ride a school bus, check the weather and dress accordingly. Wait in line for the bus on the shoulder or sidewalk. Use the handrail when getting on or off the bus. Never try to retrieve items that fall under the bus, alert your bus driver. Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street. Sit quietly on the bus and keep the aisle clear. If anything goes wrong, stay calm and follow the instructions of the bus driver. Most traffic crashes involving young drivers (under the age of 21) occur between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., when school typically lets out. Many of these drivers are young and inexperienced. Parents: It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. It’s also against the law. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 1:09 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 near the 181 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Chevy Silverado, driven westbound by 60-year-old Scott Jackson of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a rock wall. Jackson suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private conveyance to Phelps Health. Jackson was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Silverado sustained moderate damages and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Monday night at 9:53 at County Road 4030 and County Road 4010. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2024 Polaris RZR, operated by 19-year-old Logan King of Rolla, failed to negotiate a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway, became airborne and overturned before striking a tree. A passenger, 18-year-old Aubrey Reeves of Vienna, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance District to Phelps Health in Rolla. The report stated that both Reeves and King were wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Polaris sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Tune’s Towing.

Montauk State Park is hosting a special Kids Free Fishing Day on Saturday, August 10th. Children aged 15 and under can fish for free throughout the park. To participate, children must obtain a free fishing tag from the park lodge. These tags will be available for pickup on Friday evening after 7 pm or anytime on Saturday. Unlike regular fishing days, kids will have the opportunity to fish anywhere inside the park, with no designated fishing areas set aside. Adults accompanying children must have a valid daily trout tag to assist with fishing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters, trappers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts they can get free copies of its updated booklets on 2024 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations, and Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations  which are now available at MDC regional offices, MDC nature centers, and other places where permits are sold. View booklet information online at mdc.mo.gov using the search tool at the top of the homepage. The handy booklets have information on related permits, seasons, species, regulations, limits, conservation areas, sunrise and sunset tables, and more. Learn more about hunting and trapping in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping. Learn more about fishing in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/fishing.

A Primary Election was held yesterday to determine who will run for offices for their respective parties in the November General Election. Party Distribution was lead by the Republican Party with 3,137 voters, followed by the Democratic Party with 289 voters, Non-Partisans with 21 votes, and 8 votes casted by members of the Libertarian Party. Dent County had a total of 3,455 votes casted which is 34.28% of the registered voters. Only the contested races are presented in this article. It is important to note the results presented are unofficial.

* indicates winner

Dent County 1st District Commissioner (R)
Wes Mobray 731 votes
Keith Green* 763 votes

Dent County 2nd District Commissioner (R)
Denver Ellis 349 votes
Gary Polk 485 votes
Jimmy Williams* 684 votes

Dent County Sheriff (R)
Bob Wells* 1,762 votes
Michael Loveday 1,310 votes

Dent County Assessor (R)
Alisa Brookshire* 1,602 votes
Jamie Homeyer 1,405 votes

State Representative District 8 (R)
Jason Smith* 98,118 votes
James Snider 10,977 votes
Grant Heithold 10,139 votes

State Representative District 8 (D)
Randi McCallian* 12,558 votes
Franklin Delano Roth II 5,276 votes

State Representative District 120 (R)
John H. Hewkin* 4,800 votes
Lancer Blair 1,787 votes

Meramec East Township Committeeman (R)
Tim Bell* 30 votes
James D. Crocker 28 votes
Write In 4 votes

An accident occurred Tuesday morning at 5:15 in Crawford County on I-44 at the 208.8 mile-marker. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2016 International, operated by Andrew Westerman of St. Louis, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Westerman suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by North Crawford EMS. The report stated that the driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The International was totaled and secured roadside awaiting removal by Chris and Son Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Cuba Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a report from the Shannon County First Responders, six people including two children, received minor injuries when their mule drawn wagon overturned in the Fox Pens area near Eminence around noon on Sunday. Five Shannon County First Responders and two Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department staff were on scene quickly and provided immediate medical care to the patients. Other Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department staff controlled traffic and set up a landing zone for the helicopter, which luckily did not have to be used as their injuries were relatively minor. The Mercy EMS ambulances from Winona and Summersville arrived quickly and transported the injured parties to the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. One child was transported by private vehicle to the medical facility. A third ambulance was requested from West Carter County EMS but was cancelled en route as it was not needed.

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) has streamlined the process for obtaining REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and ID cards ahead of the federal enforcement deadline on May 7, 2025. This initiative aims to address the challenge residents face in acquiring the necessary residency documents and to ensure compliance with upcoming federal regulations. REAL ID is a federal initiative stemming from the REAL ID Act of 2005, which was enacted following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. The act sets forth standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses. Beginning May 7, 2025, all U.S. residents will need a REAL ID or another form of TSA approved identification to board domestic flights, enter nuclear power plants, and access federal facilities. This measure aims to enhance security and reduce fraud. To facilitate the transition, the Missouri DOR will now accept a broader range of residency documents and permit electronic submissions via mobile devices. This change addresses the consistent feedback from residents about the difficulty in obtaining two residency proofs, a key requirement for the REAL ID application. Since Missouri began issuing REAL IDs on March 20, 2019, over 2.9 million have been distributed, with 38% of all state-issued documents now REAL ID-compliant. Wayne Wallingford, Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, emphasized the department’s dedication to enhancing customer experience by simplifying the REAL ID application process. Residents applying for a REAL ID must submit valid, original documents verifying their identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and proof of residency. For renewals or duplicate replacements, individuals who self-certify that their address has not changed may bypass the need for additional residency documentation. REAL IDs, identifiable by a star in the upper right-hand corner, will be required for certain federal activities. However, a U.S. passport or other TSA approved identification can be used as an alternative. Non-compliant licenses or ID cards will still be valid for driving, verifying age, voting, and other state purposes. For more details on the application process and necessary documents, visit the Missouri DOR’s REAL ID information page at dor.mo.gov or contact Anne Marie Moy at (573) 751-8222.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, both districts are getting roads ready that are to be chip and sealed. If time permits, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said workers will try to grade Dent County Roads 5173, 5630 and 6575. He said they also installed new speed limit signs of 35 mph on county road 6490. Mobray also said he had the list of approved roads from MoDOT that will receive CART funds for Dent County and that total comes to 589.2 miles. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported signs will be installed on county road 2115 and new weight limit signs will be installed on county road 3200. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 4410 and 4430, and trees will be removed from Dent County Roads 3330 and 4390. Polk stated service work is being done on truck #75, and workers from both districts took a truck to Knapheide for hydraulic work so that the county could hook up the new road groomer. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported on new Traffic Engineering Assistance Program funds that are available to help public agencies pay for the costs of studying traffic engineering issues on safety or operational problems. Counties funding reimbursement at 80% per project with $12,000 the maximum in TEAP funds with any costs over that the responsibility of the county. Applications must be completed by May 23rd, 2025. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said 15 people voted absentee Saturday and through Monday morning, over 300 people had voted absentee. She said the polls will be open today from 6:00 this morning until 7:00 tonight and bring your picture ID. At the last meeting, electrician Chad Heithold came in to talk with the commission about the exterior electrical work and generator requirements. Also attending the meeting was the new Salem Memorial Hospital Administrator Brooke Bollman who came in to introduce herself to the commissioners. They talked about SB 190 and the ripple effect it could have on the hospital as well as ambulance services. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. The hearing will be to recognize anyone that wishes to speak on the following rezoning requests. Michael and Glenda Wofford have requested a change from Residential to Commercial for property at 905 and 907 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard. JCS Restoration LLC have requested that 909 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard be rezoned from Residential to Commercial. A request has been made by Rommel and Alyssa Renea Cowan to rezone 900 West Hobson Street from Residential to Commercial. A request for a Conditional Use Recommendation has been made by Jessica Baldwin and Ricky Vanderpool for an automobile service station at 400 East Fourth Street. Following the close of the hearing the Commissioners will hold a meeting to consider the acceptance or rejection of each request.

A boating accident happened Saturday afternoon at 2:15 in Phelps County on the Gasconade River. According to the water patrol report, a 2002 Shoal Runner operated by 46-year-old Ryan Reeves of Rolla, was traveling westbound which is upstream, when he struck a fixed object which was believed to be a rock in the water. Reeves suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health Hospital. Reeves was not wearing a life vest at the time of the accident. The Shoal Runner was secured on the scene.

Calling all Mudbugs, mark your calendars for this Thursday afternoon from 2:00 to 3:30 PM for “Nature’s Magic” at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History. In this enchanting session, kids will delve into the fascinating transformations in nature, some swift and others gradual, that seem almost magical. Participants will also get to craft their very own magic wands to take home. The activities are designed for kids ages 6-12, but everyone is welcome to join the fun. Parents, please make sure to accompany your children. The last campfire and weenie roast of the year will be held on Thursday evening, August 15, at 5:30. We hope to see you there for an evening of fun and food as we bid farewell to another wonderful Mudbugs season!

On Thursday, July 11th, Governor Mike Parson signed into law the expansion of the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program. The expansion allows for the creation of a new medallion and medal to honor Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and Operation Allies Refuge. The Missouri Veterans Recognition Program, in conjunction with the Missouri Veterans Commission, is seeking new design submissions for the new medal and medallion. Submissions for the new medal and medallion designs are due by September 30, 2024, and should be submitted for the front of the medal and medallion only. The design should not be similar or like any current military or Missouri National Guard medals, ribbons, or awards. Interested parties can submit their design work by email to ng.mo.vets@army.mil or by mail to Missouri Veterans Recognition Program, P.O. Box 1808, Jefferson City, MO 65402. For questions, please call toll free (866) 834-3431 or (573) 638-9561. For specific submission information you can visit, moguard.ngb.mil/resources/veteran-awards. Under the new act, any Veteran who served on active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, and Operation Allies Refuge, is a legal resident of Missouri or was a legal resident at the time of discharge from military service or was a Missouri National Guard member regardless of residency, is eligible for the medal and medallion. The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program. The Commission is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care for Veterans, seamlessly integrated with the Veteran community, emphasizing a culture of transparency and excellence. For more information about the Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call 573-751-3779 or visit mvc.dps.mo.gov.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial District Hospital will conduct a special meeting Monday, August 5th, at 7:00 in the Hospital Library. After the call to order and roll call the Board will vote to go into closed session. After the closed session the meeting will be adjourned.

The 2024 Primary election will be held in Dent County tomorrow. Voters will have to choose a party before voting and they have four choices this year in Dent County: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian and Non-Partisan which allows voters to only vote for the two amendments on the ballot. Besides the statewide races, there are some contested races in the area. In the race for the United States Representative seat for District 8, Republicans Jason Smith, James Snider and Grant Heithold are running while Democratic party candidates for District 8 are Randi McCallian and Franklin Delano Roth II. Candidates running for the State Representative District 120 seat are Republicans John W. Hewkin and Lancer Blair, and Democrat Jen Tracy. All other local races have only Republican Party candidates. Wes Mobray and Keith Green are running for 1st District County Commissioner seat, while the race for 2nd District Commissioner is between Denver Ellis, Gary Polk, and Jimmy Williams. Bob Wells and Michael Loveday are running for Dent County Sheriff, Alisa Brookshire and Jamie L. Homeyer are running for Dent County Assessor, and Tim Bell and James D. Crocker are running for the Meramec East Township Committeeman. Be sure to take part in our local elections and go vote tomorrow.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Meramec Hills Master Naturalist Chapter are hosting a free catch-and-release fishing event for students returning to school. The event will take place on August 8th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bray Conservation Area in Rolla off of Bridge School Road. The event is open to school-aged children and their families, but registration is required. Participants can register online at the MDC website. Fishing poles and bait will be provided for all school-age children. MDC staff and master naturalists will offer information on fish identification, native plants, and ways to connect with nature. The first 50 participating students will receive free school desk items courtesy of MDC. Attendees are advised to bring extra drinking water. For more information, interested parties can contact Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.

Calling all Missouri veterans with a passion for hunting! Missouri State Parks is excited to team up with the Missouri Veterans Commission to offer 35 lucky veterans the opportunity for a weekend deer hunt at Mark Twain State Park for the Hero Hunt or Crowder State Park for the General Crowder Hunt. These special hunts are being offered November 8th through 10th, 2024. Apply now for one of these all-inclusive hunting trips. Lodging and meals are provided along with a hunting guide, and if guests harvest deer, there will be limited processing as well. Applications must be picked up and returned to a local Veterans Service Office by September 6th. Veterans in Dent, Crawford, Maries and Phelps counties can pick up applications from Cassondra Stevens, Veteran Service Officer, Missouri Veterans Home, 620 N. Jefferson, St. James or Laura Turner, Veteran Service Officer, 1101 Kingshighway in Rolla. Mark Twain State Park is located at 37352 Shrine Road in Florida, Missouri. Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128, Trenton, Missouri. For more information contact: Mark Twain Hero Hunt at 573-248-9985 or General Crowder Hunt at 660-359-6473. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

As the new school year begins, the Salem R80 School District wants to highlight the crucial role of regular attendance in academic and personal success. In a letter from the R80 Superintendent, Nate Wills, he emphasized the importance of being present in class. He outlines in a letter how consistent attendance fosters engagement, responsibility, and a positive learning environment. Missouri’s 90/90 rule requires that 90% of students attend 90% of the time, impacting school funding and performance ratings. Last year, Salem R80 had a 77% compliance rate. To improve, the district is launching campaigns and offering incentives for good attendance, alongside support measures for chronically absent students. Salem R80 will notify families of daily absences and provide additional support as absences accumulate, involving school coordinators and the juvenile office if necessary. The district encourages families to prioritize attendance, underscoring the collective effort needed to help students thrive. The letter from Superintendent Wills is available on our KSMO Radio, Your World Today Facebook page. If you have any questions you can contact the Salem R80 School District office at 573-729-6642.

The 2024 School Readiness Event will be held on August 17th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory from 9:00 until 11:00 in the morning. At the event, kids will be given free backpacks and school supplies. There will be prizes and giveaways as well, but pre-registration is required. You can pre-register August 14th at the Dent County Community Action Agency at 1405 South Wines Street in Salem from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00. For more information, call 573-729-3500, extension 10.

This weekend is the “Back to School” Sales Tax holiday in the state of Missouri. It begins at 12:01 this morning, and runs through Sunday night at 11:59. Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute, are exempt from sales tax for this time period only. The 2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday exempts all state and local sales or use tax taxes during the exemption period on qualifying items with some limitations. Those limitations are on clothing which can be any article having a taxable value of $100 or less; school supplies which cannot exceed $50 per purchase; computer software where the taxable value is $350 or less; personal computers which cannot exceed $1,500; computer peripheral devices which cannot exceed $1,500; and graphing calculators which cannot exceed $150. During prior years only state and some local sales and use taxes were exempt. Senate Bill 153 changed this by exempting all local sales and use tax on qualifying items. For more information you can visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website at dor.mo.gov and click on the “Taxation” tab.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse where in the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4215 while only grading would be done on county roads 5680 and 6590. He also stated brush would be cut on county roads 4210 and 4120. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4340 and 4370, while rock would be added to county roads 4430 and 4290. He also stated brush would be cut on county roads 4430 and 5310. Polk went on to say a cylinder hose was being replaced on a dump truck. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported electrician Chad Heithold and the city electrical department were getting ready to repair some of the issues with wiring at the courthouse and also providing a new service connection to the courthouse which was part of the renovation. Larson said Heithold may stop by the courthouse to provide some options the commission may consider. Larson stated tourism tax collections for the month of July were $11,008.78 as reported by the collector. This fund is made up of fees from camping, Air BNB’s and lodging. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said no-excuse absentee voting continues through Monday, August 5th at 5:00 at the courthouse, and voters should make sure personal information on file in the clerk’s office is up to date such as their address or any name change. Voters can also contact her office to see where they will be voting in the Primary on Tuesday, August 6th. Her office phone number is 729-4144. Election Day will be Tuesday when the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. Curley said her office in the courthouse will be open this Saturday from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting. Sample ballots are available at her office, or she can e-mail one to you. This is a Primary election so all voters will have to declare a party for whom they will cast their vote from Republican, Democrat, Libertarian and Non-Partisan, which only allows the voter to vote for the Amendments. Don’t forget to bring a photo ID with you when you vote. Also don’t forget, there is no electioneering within 25 feet of any voting locations and that includes political shirts, caps, signs, etc. Curley also said she applied for and received $11,750 from the “Help America Vote Act” grant for the 2024-25 year as part of the state allocation. At the last meeting, resident Terry Baker agreed to pay the county $7,000 for 1/5th of a mile to be chip and sealed on Dent County Road 2220 for the first layer of chip and seal. A second installment of chip and seal shall be applied within five years and the second payment will be due at the time the work is to be done. As part of the agreement, an exhibit was attached and should Mr. Baker pass away, the agreement would be settled through his estate. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dry Creek Bridge on Route HH, near Cherryville, has reopened to traffic as of July 31. MoDOT announced that rehabilitation work on the bridge has been completed. The bridge has been closed since June 3rd. The construction involved replacing the bridge deck, which had deteriorated over time. Officials noted that while the bridge’s supporting structures, dating back to 1961, remain in good condition, the driving surface required replacement. The reopening of this route should ease travel for local residents and commuters in the area. MoDOT encourages drivers to use caution when crossing newly reopened bridges and to obey all posted traffic signs.

Join Bob Phelan on Sunday afternoons this month from 2:00 till 4:00 for Photographing Missouri’s Beauty. Get to know your digital (or film) camera and what it can do for you. Learn what all those buttons do and how you use them to tell YOUR visual story! Your camera should have adjustable settings. The Missouri Conservationist Magazine will be used to show you how their great photographers make you feel that you are right there in the story, so you can use some of their techniques. If you have questions you can email Bob at: bphelan352@gmail.com. The cost is $20 per session, per person. To register, go the SACBA website and find the Programs tab. Find the Creative Arts Center and click to register for the class. Registrations online are on a first come, first serve basis.

The City of Salem is pleased to inform you that late Tuesday, they successfully brought the main well back online with a new pump. The new well pump coming online and the recent use of fire hydrants for a structure fire has temporarily increased turbidity in our water system, with the northeast part of town being the most impacted. The city will be flushing hydrants in the northeast part of town to help remove sediment and reduce turbidity. The water should begin to clear up over the next couple of days. The City of Salem appreciates your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the quality of our water.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital (SMDH) Board of Directors had their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 30th in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital. This was the first official board meeting attended by the hospital’s new CEO Brooke Bollman. During the Administrator’s Report, Ms. Bollman stated the hospital is getting a new vaccine refrigerator for their clinic, and one of the two freezers in the dietary department has been repaired. The hospital received three free on the hospital’s financial situation. The board moved on to the Summary of Operations for the month of June and CFO Kayla Chamberlain provided the updates that shows the overall Inpatient Admissions and Outpatient Registrations for June 2024 are lower than they were for June 2023. Emergency room visits and ambulance runs were also down compared to last year. For the month of June, the clinic experienced a net loss of $6,751.89. The hospital’s net operating revenue for June was near $1.6 million dollars while their total operating expenses were around $1.7 million dollars providing a loss from operations from June of $79,359.46. After taxes, the hospital had an excess of expenses over revenues of $79,202.61. SMDH’s ending cash balance for June as indicated by their cash flow statement was $214,289. The 340B program revenue totaled $24,577 for the month of June. The Chief Nursing Officer report was given by Kayla Chamberlain. She said the hospital plans to reimplement the Student Intern Program. The transmission on one of the ambulances went out and that is in the process of being repaired. There are multiple openings for employment within the hospital, to including many nursing positions, Long Term Care Director, and Chief Nursing officer. Board president Dr. Leigh Ann Price, asked for clarification on staffing shortages. It was explained that area hospitals continue raising the amount hospital employees are paid and SMDH remains the lowest paying employer in the area. Ms. Bollman stated they plan to prioritize that issue. In the month of June, the hospital hired six new people, and seven left employment, for various reasons. During the Chief of Staff Report, the board voted and unanimously approved new privileges for physicians: Dr. Natasha Nazari (Telepsychiatry), Dr. Henry Onyeaka (Telepsychiatry), and Dr. Brian Quigley (Telepsychiatry). The QAPI Report was unanimously approved by the board. When the board moved on to Old Business, the strategic planning update was tabled until the first of the year to allow Ms. Bollman time to acclimate herself to the area as well as the hospital’s administration. The tax levy increase discussion was also tabled to a further date. For new business, the hospital board voted and unanimously approved to change their meeting time to the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. A “Conflict of Interest” resolution was unanimously approved without further discussion, and the Public Tax Hearing was set for August 27th at 6:45 PM. The board then moved into closed session.

The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) will launch a new program supporting beginning farmers today. The initiative offers tax deductions to farm owners who sell or lease land to qualifying beginning farmers. Farm owners selling land to beginning farmers after August 28, 2023, may qualify for capital gains deductions on their Missouri adjusted gross income. The deduction percentage varies based on the capital gain amount, ranging from 100% for gains up to $2 million to 20% for gains between $5-6 million. For those renting or leasing to beginning farmers, a deduction of up to $25,000 per tax year is available on income received from these arrangements. MASBDA Executive Director Jill Wood stated this program complements their existing Beginning Farmer Loan program. Agriculture Director Chris Chinn emphasized the initiative’s role in supporting farmland transition to the next generation. Farm owners must obtain certification from MASBDA to claim the deduction. For more information or to apply, visit masbda.com or contact MASBDA at 573-751-2129 or masbda@mda.mo.gov.

The Salem Parks & Recreation board held a workshop on Monday, July 29th to discuss ongoing updates on the city swimming pool, and discuss plans for the upcoming 3-5 years. The workshop was live streamed by Alderman Sean Bolderjack to the City of Salem, Missouri YouTube channel. Melissa Dubois provided the updates on the city’s public pool as follows: The pool is being repaired by a subcontractor working through WestPort Pools. (the company that installed the first liner/pool for the city.) As of this week, all the old, and damaged, material has been ripped out, and the company has started installing the new material around small fixtures in the pool. The material being installed will be a new and improved product. The workers are doing their best to “beat the heat”, working in the early hours of the morning and late into the night, so as to avoid working during the hottest part of the day. They do try to be as considerate as possible to the surrounding residential areas, and will cease working if they notice too many neighbors complaining about the noise. The estimated time of completion for the project from start to finish is about a month, as weather allows. The City of Salem Parks and Recs department announced on their FaceBook page that construction on the city pool began on July 15th. Melissa has not yet heard back in regards to whether or not this repair will be covered by insurance, and how much will be covered, if so. Once completed, the pool will need to be filled to capacity to ensure everything is in proper working order. The Parks and Rec board discussed whether or not it would be beneficial to have the pool open to the public, before having to winterize it. It was noted that many of the lifeguards are students that play sports, most of the managers are also teachers working for the district and it is likely that opening the pool to the public could cause a conflict in their schedules. There is also a cost associated with purchasing the necessary chemicals for safe swimming, and stocking the concession stand, that needs to also be considered. Before the board moved on to discussing their plans for the next 3-5 years, Melissa and Alderwoman Kayla Sisco stated there have been reports of people getting stung by wasps, yellow jackets, hornets etc. at the city park. She asked that if anyone notices these insects to please contact the City Administrator’s office and they will work on getting that taken care of. As far as the Parks and Rec’s wish list of executable projects for the next 3-5 years, they are all Capital Improvement plans. Some of the biggest tasks they wish to tackle include: Modifying Al Brown fields to eventually host qualifying tournaments, installing new tennis/pickleball courts, adding additional lights and cameras to combat vandalism at the park and Al Brown fields, planting more shade trees, and developing the Old Fairgrounds property. The board plans to release a survey to the public for input on what the citizens of Salem would like to see happen with the Old Fairgrounds. Board member Luke Heithold also suggested a survey go out to the youth sports coaches for input on what they liked/did not like in regards to that season, and if they would change anything moving forward. He also stated he would like to see more adult programs offered, such as volleyball or softball. Before the workshop adjourned, Board President, Carlos Lopez stated that going forward, Parks and Recs meetings will be held at the Civic theater. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 in the evening.

You are invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, August 5th, at 5:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory! “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” is an international non-profit 501(C).(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers new beds to children in need, who do not have a bed. The Rolla Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is already helping to provide new beds to children in need in our Salem community, and efforts are underway to start a Dent County Chapter. They are looking for volunteers if you are interested! For more information, contact Patti at 703-964-6495. You can also e-mail Patti at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last Tuesday $19 million in new grant and loan awards to 32 properties across the country under its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). These grants and loans will support significant energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations in more than 4,260 homes occupied by low-income individuals, families, and seniors. The awards include $1.5M for properties in Iowa and $1.5M for properties in Missouri. The total funding awarded under this program to more than $773 million, serving 20,752 homes. HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs Ethan Handelman announced this new funding last week Tuesday at a press conference at Plymouth Square Village in Detroit, Michigan.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. The commission said the county would be participating in the “Back to School” sales tax holiday this weekend where people will not pay local, county and state sales taxes on items such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4080, 5600 and 6020 while brush would be cut on county road 4110. Mobray said a man would also be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2185 and 3020 while only grading would be done on county roads 3040, 3165 and 5225. He also said rock would be added to county roads 3030 and 3160 while brush would be cut on county roads 3250, 3260, 3280 and 5340. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said a petition has been received from Denver Ellis to allow voters the chance to vote on the issue for taxpayers who may be eligible for a property tax credit if they are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits and are the “owner of record of or have a legal or equitable interest in a homestead” and are liable for real property tax payments on the property. Larson said the county’s legal counsel will verify the petition. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting continues through Monday, August 5th at 5:00, and that voters should make sure their personal information is on file in the clerk’s office is up to date. Voters can also contact her office to see where they will be voting in the Primary on Tuesday, August 6th where the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. Her office phone number is 729-4144. Curley said her office in the courthouse will be open Saturday, August 3rd from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting. Dent County Recorder Cindy Ard spoke to the commission about three instances recently on fraudulent deeds. Ard said property owners out of state who own their property outright with no Deed of Trust have been most vulnerable. She said these attempts were caught in time, but said she will be sending out three to four hundred letters to out-of-state property owners to let them know this occurred.  She is still recommending property owners use a new website where you can sign up to find out if someone is recording a document or changing a recorded document with your name on it. The website is www.deedwatch.com and once signed up, you would receive an e-mail letting you know if a document is recorded with your name on it. There is no charge for this service. Just go to the website, and in the drop-down box, select Dent County, Missouri. In the second box, enter your e-mail that you want the notification to come to. From that point, just follow the simple directions to finish signing up. You could include the name that should be on your deed, or any other form of your name the deed may have been recorded. This service is provided by the Dent County Recorder’s Office to prevent anyone from being scammed out of their property or having someone attached their name to your deed without your knowledge. If you have questions about this service, contact Cindy Ard at the Dent County Recorder’s Office at 573-729-2198. You can also e-mail her at dcrecorder07@gmail.com. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 in the hospital library this evening. After the call to order and roll call the minutes of the June 18th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, and July 10th will be reviewed and approved followed by the Administrator’s Report. The board will hear the summary of operations for the month of June as well as statistics for the month. The board will hear about the 340B program, receive the Chief Nursing Officer report, the QAPI report, and be updated on Human Resources, plus the Chief of Staff Report. In old business the Board will hear a Strategic Planning update and discuss a tax levy increase. In new business, the Board will discuss meeting date and time, Conflict of Interest Resolution, and set the August Public Tax meeting.  The Board may vote to go into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night is open to the public. To attend the meeting electronically, contact the hospital administration office at (573) 729-6626, extension 4005.

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation Board will hold a workshop Monday at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. After the call to order and roll call the Board will be updated on the City Pool and address 3-5-year plan goals. The meeting was called by Parks and Recreation Board President Carlos Lopez.

The Dent County Health Center will host a Town Hall Meeting on lead poisoning at the Salem Community Center at The Armory on Thursday at 5:30 pm. The event aims to educate residents about lead exposure risks and prevention, particularly for children. Health officials stress that any amount of lead is toxic in a child’s blood, with irreversible effects. They recommend annual testing for children ages 1-3, noting that Missouri has above-average blood lead levels nationally and is the country’s top lead-producing state. The meeting will cover lead exposure sources, health impacts, and ways to reduce risk. Topics include proper protective equipment use and hygiene practices for adults who may inadvertently bring lead home from work. The event is open to the public and limited to 50 participants due to space constraints. Light refreshments will be provided, and free lead testing will be available. For more information or to register, visit https://bit.ly/DCHClead/ or call 573-729-3106.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Tuesday, July 16th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 5 COVID-19 cases reported and the new strain is circulating, 41 lead cases, 21 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, one case of Influenza and 4 animal bites. The environmental report showed there where 7 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 12 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was no CPR Course, one consultation for Childcare Health, 3 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 23 Title X appointments, 2 Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid) and 326 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 402 total appointments other than WIC, 118 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 118 treatment court visits, 155 lab appointments and 20 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed 4 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 4 family plannings, 2 well-child visits, 12 online appointments, 2 other well-woman exams, 7 other physicals, 22 SEMO physicals, 11 other visits, and 54 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 210 individual patients, 3 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 21 pregnancy tests and 9 lead tests. Immunizations for June totaled none for COVID-19 or for Influenza, and 44 for other vaccines, including the new RSV vaccine and new formulations of pneumonia vaccine. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that there will be a Lead Poisoning Townhall meeting that is open to the public on August 1st at 5:30 at the Community Center @ the Armory and Back to School Festival Teacher Immunization on August 3rd from 9:00-12:00. Activities of the DCHC included staff attendance at the National NACCHO IPC Summit and Administrators’ Training in Jefferson City. Progress on the DCHC Strategic Plan was discussed. The Health Center financial reports for June, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed and were approved. In new business a table of CD rates was presented from all four local banks. The Board moved to purchase a $250,000 12-month CD from Progressive Ozark Bank at 4.75%. The Board also approved the creation of an Administrative Assistant/Marketing/Public Relations/Accreditation Coordinator position. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, August 22nd at 5:00.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released information on a number of cases heard in front of Judge Michael Randazzo on Wednesday, July 24th. In the first case heard, Rocky Barton of Salem pled guilty to the felony possession of a controlled substance and sodomy in the 2nd degree. Barton was sentenced to twelve years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. The case of Trent Corbett of Waynesville was heard where he pled guilty to felony driving while having his license revoked. Corbett was sentenced to four months in prison as requested by the prosecutor. In the last case heard, Joshua Black of Salem pled guilty to felony charges of driving with a revoked license and the possession of a controlled substance, fentanyl. Black was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections under the Section 217.362 long term drug treatment program.

An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 1:20 in Dent County on Highway 32 near County Road 5110. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2013 Harley Davidson, operated by 82-year-old James Shull of Salem, went off the left side of the roadway striking a tree and ejecting the driver. Shull suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy St. Louis. The report stated that Shull was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Monday night, July 22nd, at the firehouse with Mary Martin from American Midwest Insurance and Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance in attendance to discuss the insurance policies for the fire department. The bid from Midwestern Insurance through VFIS was for $23,686.00 while the bid from Town and Country Insurance through Provident came in at $24,494. The board then heard from both Mary Martin from Midwestern Insurance and Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance before discussing both policies and the best coverage for the department as well as firefighters. After the discussion, the board elected to stay with the current policy through Town and Country Insurance by a 2-1 vote with one board member abstaining. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Wednesday night at 10:35 on County Road 8260 one and six tenths of a mile east of Highway C. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2008 Ford Focus RS, driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Rolla, traveled off the left side of the roadway, went down an embankment, and overturned. The driver and a passenger, another 16-year-old male juvenile, suffered minor injuries and were transported by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health. The report went on to state that both juveniles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing.

Last Friday’s judging at the 4-H and FFA Expo began with the Poultry Show. Judge Brad Buttram from Hollister, Missouri selected Hank Phelps’ Market Meat Chicken Pen as Grand Champion and the Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Waylon Smith. Phelps also took home the Champion Cockerel and Champion Cock and Hen Pair. The Intermediate Showmanship Award went to Baylee Parks and Karlie Jex won the Junior Showmanship. Six pens of Market Meat Rabbits competed with Hank Phelps taken the Grand Champion for this species as well. Charlee Duncan’s pen took home the Reserve Champion Award. Rabbit Breeding stock classes were won by Jenna Murr, Hank Phelps, and Evelyn Bethel. Junior Rabbit Showmanship went to Jenna Murr and Charlee Duncan won the Intermediate Showmanship Award. The Beef Cattle Show began with the Breeding Division. Judge Ethan Drake chose Everliegh Dillon’s heifer as the Grand Champion Hereford and Levi Gilliam’s Cow/calf Pair as Reserve Champion Hereford. Grand Champion Ribbons and Banners went to Rhett Simpson’s Simmental Heifer, Kohen Garrison’s Charolais Heifer, Greta Vogel’s Cross Bred Heifer, and Brentlee Easter’s All Other Breeds Heifer. The Market Steer Show saw 40 steers compete for championship honors in 8 market classes and one light weight class for those that didn’t meet minimum average daily gain requirements. Market class winners were Brady Schafer, John Cunningham, Ray Cunningham, Brantley Thompson, Kohen Garrison, Kallen Garrison, Kennedy Chapman and Makena Faulkner. The Grand Champion Banner and Ribbon went to Kennedy Chapman. Her brother Kacy Chapman’s steer, which stood second in their class, was brought into the ring and walked away with the Reserve Champion honors. The Champion Average Daily Gain Award went to Brady Schafer’s steer, while the Reserve Champion ADG went to Kash Howard. Very competitive showmanship competition resulted in the Junior Beef Showmanship for ages 8-12 being won by Rhett Simpson, the 13-15-year-old Intermediate Beef Showmanship was won by John Cunningham, and the senior division for 16-19-year-old went to Ray Cunningham. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Map is now accessible through internet browsers on mobile devices. The update allows the map to be displayed on mobile devices without having to download the Traveler Information Map App. The map provides the traveling public with traffic updates, road conditions, closures, and more. Customers can now access this information through their mobile device’s browser. The mobile app version will still be available for download and will provide the same up-to-date information.