Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the figures for sales tax money received from the state in April. In General Revenue, a total of $69,879.94 was received which brings the year to date increase over last year to $7,520.39 which is a 2.76% increase. Last year in April, the county received $70,974.40. For the Road and Bridge Department, a total of $32,109.92 was received in April versus $31, 829.57 received last April. So far in 2017, sales taxes for Road and Bridge are up about 4.84% amounting to $5,932.74. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading is being done on Dent County Roads 6280 and 6287, while materials are being added and grading done on county road 4160. Purcell went on to say that one man was screening brown rock and a crews was patching chip and seal on Dent County Road 4110 with the Durapatcher. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2200 and 3240 while only grading would be done on county road 3240. He did say a man would be cleaning debris from around bridges on county roads 4280 and 5260. Presiding Commissioner Darrel Skiles said all three commissioners and County Clerk Angie Curley attended the Missouri Association of Counties annual legislative conference where they learned that HB104 repealing the prevailing wage has passed out of the House and a Senate committee and will be going to the full Senate for a vote. They also heard about the statewide 9-1-1 bill and others. In other news, the Commission voted 3-0 to approve signing a Quit-Claim Deed for property owned by Lou Trombley to remove a road easement in the original plat. The Quit Claim Deed was prepared by Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley. Skiles reported the county had received the contract for the creation of the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Dent County Commission, SEMA and MRPC have to sign off on it to get the plan moving forward. The Commission voted 3-0 to sign the contract. It was also brought to the commissioners’ attention a request from Sheriff Bob Wells to purchase five DV-1 patrol cameras made by Watchguard Video for $11,000 which includes the hardware and software. There was no other bid submitted as Watchguard Video is the exclusive and sole manufacturer of these types of patrol cameras. The money to pay for the cameras will come out of the LERF fund. The commissioners opened bids for new culverts for the Road and Bridge Department at 10:00 and they received bids from Viebrock Sales and Service, LLC and Metal Culverts, Inc. Bids were received on metal culverts and as well as on new Polypropylene pipes. A discussion was held but no decision on the bids was reached. 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.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages hunters to remember safety while in the woods turkey hunting. Regular spring turkey hunting season begins April 17th and runs through May 7th. Shooting hours are from a half hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m. MDC offers the following safety tips for spring turkey hunting: Identify a turkey’s head and beard before aiming; Never shoot at sound or movement. Assume it is another hunter until you can clearly see a turkey’s head or beard; Wear hunter orange when walking through the woods. Use hunter orange to identify your hunting location; Wrap a bagged turkey or decoy in hunter orange when transporting it; Dress defensively. Never wear red, white, blue, or black clothing because it resembles a turkey. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond; Never follow the sound of a gobbling turkey or attempt to sneak up on turkeys; Always call turkeys to you. Sit against a large tree or other natural barrier to shield yourself from hunters approaching from the rear; Shout “STOP” when another hunter approaches. Don’t move, wave, whistle, or make turkey calls to get their attention. Find detailed information on harvest limits, allowed hunting methods, hunter education requirements, permits, MDC hunting areas, tagging and checking procedures, regulations and more in MDC’s 2017 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet available from MDC offices and nature centers.

On Monday, March 20th, the Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met at the health center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported the “Billion Steps Challenge” is nearing completion and Dent County has reported over 65 million steps thus far. The upcoming “Walk, Waddle, or Run 5K” race will begin at 9:00 in the morning Saturday, April 1st from the SBU parking lot. Staff from the Health Center took registrations for the race at the Girl’s Night Out event. ‘Get Fit in Dent County’ placemats are complete and available at the Health Center at no cost. Placemats includes a map of available healthy resources in Dent County such as walking/hiking trails, fresh produce, physical activity, etc. Placemats were handed out at Girl’s Night Out. Influenza activity in Dent County has decreased over the last couple weeks, but they are still receiving reports of confirmed influenza. The nurses at the Health Center encourage individuals to stay home if you have a fever and would also like to remind everyone that hand washing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of illness. Mobray reviewed the Health Center’s Administrative Manual with the Board which they approved. Mobray discussed with the Board the need for an audit for the years 2015 and 2016. The board agreed to an audit by Maloney, Wright & Robbins. Mobray will keep the Board updated as to the progress of the audit. The next regular board meeting date was set for Monday, April 17 at 5:00 p.m. at the Health Center.

The Smile Mobile will be in town today through Friday. They will be parked on the east side of the Salem Community Center @The Armory parking lot. They will be seeing adult patients from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm today and Thursday and from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday. The Smile Mobile is known for going school to school providing dental care to children for free. In 2014, the Your Community Health Center in Rolla received the Smile Mobile from the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. They received a grant to update and remodel with the goal of not only helping the children in the surrounding communities but the adults as well. They also started a free standing dental clinic located in Rolla. The Smile Mobile and Your Community Health Center help meet the needs of the community by finding affordable ways to keep citizens healthy, as they accept Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and self pay based on income levels. They also provide services that help those needing assistants to fill out and turn in the proper paper work. If you have a dental need and would like to be seen there are still a few appointment times open this Friday in Salem. To setup an appointment for the Smile Mobile or services at their office, you can contact them at 573-426-6734. If you were unable to make an appointment but still have a dental need walk-ins may be accepted if time is available. The Smile Mobile hopes to be back in Salem this summer to help even more people in the community.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART sales tax receipt for March in the amount of $51,738.43. According to Williams, the CART receipts are up year-to-date by $5,384.33, which is a 3.39% increase. Williams went on to say that the amount of CART taxes for March of 2016 was $52,091.79. Guthrie Skaggs was in to discuss planned driveway improvements at his home on Dent County Road 5013. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County roads 5480, 5440, 6410, 6303 and 6350, while materials would be hauled to county roads 5460, 6435 and 6400. He went on to say that a man was stockpiling three-eighths inch chips for Durapatcher use and brush was being cut on county road 5680. Purcell added that he attended a Tourism Committee meeting Monday where two applications and one reimbursement request were approved. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2010, 3250, 3190, 5320 and 5325, while materials would be added to county roads 4480, 3250 and 3190. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported he attended the GRO Steering Committee meeting Tuesday evening. He said that the group had various projects planned including some downtown landscaping and also the possibility of street lighting upgrades. Skiles said the Internship Program has ten students enrolled for the 1 to 2 hour experience this year. He noted that for next year around 50 students are interested and have signed up. Skiles said that any business with an interest in participating in the program should contact Principal Marty Anderson at the High School or City Administrator Ray Walden. He added that Sherman Odom attended the GRO meeting and explained he has developed a small business incubator with 10 office spaces for rent in the Crossroads Shopping Center. The spaces will provide a desk, high-speed internet as well as file cabinets and should be of benefit for small scale entrepreneurs needing an operational base. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting was continuing in her office. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The deck replacement of the bridge over Crooked Creek south of Cherryville on Highway 19 is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 27th. The bridge and road will be closed until early June. Signs will placed that will guide motorists along a detour through the area. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorists while the work takes place. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving assault, shoplifting, property damage and theft. On Tuesday, March 14th at 1:51 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to the Salem High School in reference to an assault. The report revealed a 14-year old male juvenile of Salem had assaulted a 14- year old male juvenile also of Salem. He was detained for assault and released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the juvenile office. That same afternoon at 3:21, an officer was contacted by a Casey’s General Store employee in reference to shoplifting. The report led to the arrest of a 35-year old Salem male for stealing merchandise valued at $6.79. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at 7:18, an officer was sent to the Mobil Convenience Store located on Highway 19 in reference to a shoplifter. The report led to the arrest of a 35-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $1.59. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday, March 15th at 1:12 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to the Salem High School in reference to property damage. The report revealed an 18-year old male of Salem had slammed a door knocking a hole in the wall while in the office for a conduct issue. The valued of the damage is estimated at approximately $200. He was taken into custody for property damage, issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same afternoon at 1:18, an officer was sent to Classic Joyride on Craig Drive in reference to a theft. The report revealed that someone unknown stole a U-haul two wheel car dolly valued $1,500. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation ongoing.

The Dent County Extension Council will be conducting a meeting on Monday, March 27th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 West Rolla Road beginning at 5:30 pm. They will be discussing the quorum as well as other topics.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came in with a number of budgeted transfers that need to be made. The first transfer was from the General Revenue Fund to the Assessment Fund in the amount of $39,000, and the second was from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Bad Check Fund to the General Revenue Fund in the amount of $5,000. Three more transfers were made to the Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund. The first was from the 9-1-1 fund for $40,574.22; the second transfer was from the Sheriff’s Revolving Fund for $20,000 and the third was from the Inmate Security Fund for $55,000. Williams also reported quarterly payments will be made from the Senior Citizens Fund to the Salem Nutrition Site that come to $50,000 for the year 2017, and another $25,000 will go to the SMTS for busses. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 5440, 5490, 6470, 6570 and 6575. He went on to report brush would be cut on county road 2470 and a two-man crew would be replacing damaged or missing county road signs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4370 and 5260, while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2240. Larson did say materials would also be added to county road 3200. He said two men went to Springfield for warranty work on the Mack truck. Brown rock was also being screened in duties shared by both districts. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee meeting last week and was named the alternative representative for the county commissioners. He said he would be presiding over a public housing authority hearing today at the MRPC building in St. James. At the last meeting, Genie Zakrzewski from the Jail Committee and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells came in to discuss public relations and information on the proposed new jail that will be on the April 4th ballot. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving theft, a bad check, traffic violation and theft of fuel. On Wednesday, January 18th at 8:10 at night, an officer was detailed to Phil-Mart in reference to a theft. The report revealed a 27-year old male of Salem had taken a bottle of liquor valued at $19.99. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Thursday, January 19th at 3:10 in the early morning, an officer transported a 32-year old female of Salem from the Phelps County Jail to Dent County Jail in lieu of an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. She was incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Friday morning, January 20th at 9:40, an officer located a 31-year old male of Salem who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County at a residence in the 800 block of South Oak. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That afternoon at 2:05, an officer was detailed to Country Mart in reference to a bad check. The report revealed a 25-year old female of Sullivan had cashed a bad check for $188.39. The report is under investigation. On Saturday, January 21st at 8:20 at night, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation that led to the arrest of a 22-year old male of Arnold for possession of oxycodone, a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. On Sunday, January 22nd at 12:52 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 in reference to a theft of fuel. The report revealed the driver of a white 2007 GMC truck pumped $2.11 in fuel and left without paying. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

MoDOT reminds motorists to buckle up, slow down, follow posted signs and drive safely through work areas. For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). In Crawford County, roadside maintenance will take place through Friday, February 3rd on Highway 19 between Route P and the Gasconade County line and Route MM between Route H and the Nixon School Road. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Roadside maintenance will also take place through Friday, February 10th on Highway 8 between Highway 19 and Route BB; Highway 49 between Highway 19 and Route Y in Iron County; Route V between Highway 49 and Route Y; and Route AA between Highway 19 and Cherryville Road. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Bridge maintenance will take place Monday, February 6th through Friday, February 10th on Route CC over Brush Creek. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Culvert pipe replacement will take place through Friday, February 3rd on Route KK between Route ZZ and I-44 the south outer road. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Culvert pipe replacement is complete on I-44 North Outer Road (Frontage Road) between Route H and the Franklin County line. Some work remains. Minimal traffic delays are expected. In Dent County, Roadside maintenance will take place through Friday, February 10th on Highway 19 between Highway 68 and Route TT. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area. Culvert pipe replacement in various locations will take place through Friday, February 10th on Route F between Highway 32 and Route E. One lane will be open, and crews will flag traffic through the work area.

The University of Missouri Extension will conduct a three-night Beef Profit Series in Dent County in February. The first session will be held on February 2nd about livestock risk protection and reducing winter cow costs. The second session will be held February 9th and cover farm lease agreements and should you consider Novel Endophyte Fescue? And the third and final session will be held on February 21st with the subjects of beef record keeping and finances as well as adding value to feeder cattle. The three night sessions will be held at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room located at 100 West Fourth Street in Salem from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Speakers will include Rachel Hopkins MU Extension Ag Business Specialist, and Ted Cunningham MU Extension Livestock Specialist. The cost is $20 per person or farm couple for one night or $50 per person or farm couple for all three nights. Space is limited to about 35 people so please RSVP by January 31st at the Dent County Extension Office 729-3196.