Local News

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board members reviewed the minutes of the July meeting before hearing the financial report which showed an ending balance in the general fund of 111,290.87. The budget was then reviewed and compared to last year with about 74% of the total income revenue being received and approximately 88% of the income being used to date. The monthly reimbursement report was presented which showed a total of 18 calls for the month of June and 23 calls in July to bring the total to 175 calls year to date. Of the calls for the two months combined, two were for building fires, two were natural vegetation fires, four were grass fires, three were calls to assist EMS, and five calls were for received for LP or natural gas leaks. The department was cancelled enroute to six calls after being dispatched, responded to five motor vehicle accident with no injuries and two accidents with injuries. The department also responded to four special types of incidents. In old business, Chief Brad Nash presented a plan for an increase in the firefighters and officer’s reimbursement of 50.00 per month, which was carried and approved. Chief Nash also reported that the new work structure for officers and firefighters was ready and was approved by the board. In new business, the board reviewed the tax levy which is at the ceiling according to the Hancock amendment of $0.2377 per $100 assessed valuation. A motion was made and carried to leave the tax rate as is with no change. Nash also presented information and bids for a new washing machine to wash turnout gear. This is a needed item due to the materials now being used in buildings and automobiles that could cause potential health problems in the future as well as eliminate materials that cause cancer to firefighters. The machines will be located in the basement of the department. Payment for the washers will come from $10,000 in ARPA funds which has been approved by MRPC. The machines are American made and are industrial quality. The motion was carried to go ahead with the purchase provided the money is awarded. The Dent County Fire District by-laws were read and discussed by members to be reviewed and voted on at the September meeting. Chief Nash then reported to the board that the department has some items that need to be sold and is waiting for information from the Fire Marshalls office as to the proper procedure. Nash also reported that the new door locks are almost complete and in use, and that new turnout gear has been ordered. The boots and gloves are in but the actual gear would not arrive until late November or early December. Nash reported that acquiring the SCBA air bottles will have to wait until the first of the year. This will enable the department to get the current price rate, but the department will not receive the bottles, allowing them to last longer in operation before having to be replaced. Chief Nash also reported on the broken glass from construction work. He presented a plan to remove the glass and wall in the front show room to be used as a training and meeting room. This would help with heating and cooling and add more functionality to the building. Discussion was then held on the cost and how to go about completing the project. It was noted that part of the construction could be completed in-house, saving the department some of the cost. The board asked Nash to get pricing and get back to the board as soon as possible due to the fact it would need to be completed before the November election. Before adjournment the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, September 6th at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. The meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened Tuesday night just before 10:30 in Dent County of County Road 2010 about a half mile north of Highway OO. According to the highway patrol report a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon being driven north by 36-year-old Tiffany Mourning of Licking was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle and unknown driver that then left the scene. As a result, Mourning ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Mourning, and a passenger 48-year-old Kenneth Lee, also of Licking, suffered minor injuries but both refused treatment at the scene. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident happened Tuesday night in Phelps County on Highway 72 about six and a half miles east of Rolla. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup being driven by 79-year-old George Fromm of Poplar Bluff, was traveling west when he traveled off the left side of the roadway. The Ford then struck an embankment and overturned. Fromm, who was wearing a seat restraint, was taken by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman Towing.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board will hold a meeting this evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Rd for closed session meeting. The meeting will be dealing with sealed proposals and related documents, or any documents related to a negotiated contract until a contract is executed, or all proposals are rejected. Following the closed session, the meeting will be adjourned.

The last Youth Paint Party of the summer will be Friday night from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center led by Ashley Wilkinson. The instructor will do the work in setting out supplies, preparing and demonstrating the painting in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step fashion. Parents are required to attend and assist children. The cost of the class is $25. Then on Saturday morning from 10:00 until noon, an Adult Clay Workshop will be held that is designed specifically for older children and adults who are interested in learning how to make hand-built pottery and objects with clay. The cost for this workshop is $20. The Creative Arts Center has two easy ways to sign up for events! Call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting without Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles who had prior commitments. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed 1st District Commissioner Wes Mobray to act as Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax report for monies received in August. In the General Revenue Fund and the Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund, the county received $100,547.64 which is $8,763 more than August of 2021. Year-to-date, those funds are up $306,316.63. The Road and Bridge Fund received $47,993.97 and that is up $8,246.82 over August of 2021 and is up year-to date, $154,534.78. In the jail operating and trust funds, the county received $95,954.55 for each fund, and that is up $16,468.13 over August of 2021. Year-to-date, those funds are up $307,777.89 each. In the road report, Commissioner Mobray reported road crews are still working on washouts and damage done to roads from last Thursday’s rains in the Montauk area and other parts of southern Dent County. Some areas reported as much as five inches of rain. Two men were also cutting up downed trees. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that the northwest and northern parts of his district received about 3.2 to 3.4 inches of and was taken by a private vehicle to Mercy Hospital in Washington. Bell, and a passenger, rain Sunday and many roads had some damage while others sustained washouts. Larson said crews were out locating the damaged roads and making repairs to those roads. Since rains have now been reported in all areas of the county over the last few days, the commissioners voted to lift the burn ban that went into effect on Thursday, July 21st. They also reported that due to numerous meetings and prior commitments, the commission will not be meeting Thursday morning. Their next meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Sunday evening at 6:30 in Franklin County on Missouri 47 just north of Ruby Ridge Road. According to the highway patrol report a 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage being driven by 36-year-old Rena Boyer of Steelville struck the back of a 2018 GMC Acadia being driven by 49-year-old Jason Bell of St. Clair. This caused the GMC to be pushed into a 2006 Dodge Ram being driven by 40-year-old Nathan Mitchell of Union. Boyer suffered minor injuries47-year-old Carrie Bell, also of St. Clair suffered moderate injuries and were taken by Union Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Washington. The Mitsubishi and GMC were totaled with the Mitsubishi being removed by Sturms Towing and the GMC removed from the scene by Hoffmans Towing. The Dodge sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The report went on to state that everyone involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board for Salem and Dent County will conduct it’s annual meeting Wednesday, August 10th at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Meeting Room. The tentative agenda includes the call to order, approval of the agenda, approval of the August 5th, 2021 minutes, discussion of vacant Hospital Taxing District seat, election of the chairman, review of the annual filing statement for the period ending June 30, 2022, report by Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, and other business that should come before the board. The meeting of the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board is open to the public.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend informational meetings being held at state parks and historic sites across the state to provide their input and comments, and to ask questions. As part of this effort, Missouri Mines State Historic Site will hold an open house from 4:00 until 6:00 Thursday evening, August 11th, at the museum. Park team members will be present to answer questions and provide information. These informational meetings are being held in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located at 4000 State Highway 32 in Park Hills. To learn more about this meeting, call 573-431-6226. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

“Wild” Spa Night is part of the Women’s Outdoors Program. The class will be held at the Lodge at the Current River State Park on Thursday, August 11th. During the class women will learn to make foot and hand scrubs and rose water. For more information or to register contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

Are you, or do you know, a Missouri veteran who enjoys hunting? Apply now to be one of the 15 lucky winners to participate in Mark Twain State Park’s Hero Hunt. Sign-up is now open and veterans can apply through September 7th. The hunt will occur November 4th through 6th. This is an all-inclusive hunting trip – all lodging, meals and a hunting guide are provided. If the hero is lucky enough to harvest a deer, free processing is also provided. Applications for the hero Hunt can be picked up at your local Veterans Service Office. Find a local office at mvc.dps.mo.gov/service/serviceofficer/. The park is located on Highway 107 near Florida, Missouri. For more information, call 573-248-9985. 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.

A special meeting of the Board of Alderman was held on Friday, July 29th. At that meeting, the board approved Resolution No. 24-2022 which authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and MPUA Resources Corporation Mutual Aid Program for weather related and/or staffing emergencies. Next was Resolution No. 25-2022 which is a Resolution authorizing the filing of an application with Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Financial Assistance Centers State ARPA Grant programs for a sub-award of federal financial assistance provided to the State of Missouri by the U.S. Department of the Treasury pursuant to Section 602 (B) of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act. The Department of Natural Resources did not accept the wording of Resolution No. 18-2022. Resolution No. 25-2022 included updated wording to reflect Mayor Parkers name within the resolution. The resolution was passed. Next Carlos Lopez was recommended being added to the Parks and Recreation Board and was approved. The Board of Alderman will hold their regular meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda the board will discuss the Enhanced Enterprise Zone which is a stimulus for existing business expansion or new business development that results in creating sustainable jobs in targeted industries via local property tax abatements to eligible businesses. Next the board will go over Community Revitalization Grant applications. Next Finance Director Stacey Houston will go over the draft purchase policy. Kristen Deluca will go over the 2021 audit of the City of Salem. The board will then discuss rescheduling the September 13th meeting till September 15th. The board will hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge and any aldermen who wish to give a report. The meeting will then be adjourned. The regular board meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a few reports for the first week of August. On Monday August 1st, a deputy responded to the 33000 block of Highway 72 for a report of a fraudulent stop payment on a check issued to a business. During the course of the investigation, a 67-year-old Salem man was advised to pay the balance of the check in full or criminal charges would be sought. The check was paid, and the case was closed. Then on Wednesday August 3rd, a deputy responded to the 200 block of East Tenth St. for a reported wanted subject. During the investigation, a 42-year-old Salem woman was arrested on an active warrant. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated on the warrant. Later that day, a deputy responded to the 1100 block of South Main St. for a reported wanted subject. During the investigation, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested on an active warrant. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. On Friday August 5th, deputies responded to the 2200 block of East Highway 32 for a reported domestic dispute. Upon the officer’s arrival it was determined that the incident was unfounded. There was no further investigation. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 573-729-3241 if you have any information on any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board will review the minutes of the July meeting before hearing the financial report and approving bills. Next on the agenda will be the calendar review and the monthly reimbursement report before discussion of any old business. The board will then set the tax levy for 2023 before fire chief Brad Nash gives his report to the board. Before adjourning the date will be set for the September meeting. The meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors is open to the public.

The University of Missouri Extension will be holding a Farm Management Through Drought class this Wednesday evening, August 10th from 6:00 till 8:30 at the Wurdack Extension and Education Center located on 164 Bales Road in Cook Station. Extension specialists will go through topics that producers should be mindful of during drought situations. Topics will include livestock decisions and feeding, forage toxins, forage management, money considerations, management, and planning for future events. To register contact the Crawford County Extendion Office at 573-775-2135. This is a free class and everyone is welcome.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated a tree was blown down in the storms Wednesday night across Dent County Road 5600 and it was being removed. Work crews were going to check other roads in the district for any water damage or trees that had been blown down into or blocking any roads. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said trees were blown across Dent County Roads 2240, 2370, 3275, 5225 and 5300 and crews were removing those trees. He said crews would also be out checking for any roads washed out by the rains or that had trees down near or in the roadways. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he spoke with City Administrator Ray Walden about his position on the Transportation Advisory Committee at the MRPC. Walden said he would remove himself from the TAC as his last day will be August 31st. Skiles spoke with Sally Burbridge who will take over as the interim City Administrator once Walden leaves, and she indicated she would serve on the committee in place of Walden. The commissioners approved the change in representation. The other representative from Dent County on the TAC is Gary Brown with Bob Parsons as an alternate. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind all tax entities to make sure they advertised their tax rate public hearings to determine their rate for the next year. Once determined, that rate must be submitted to the county clerk’s office by September 1st. Bids were opened on the FLAP Project for Dent County Road 5610 and the culvert replacement. Aaron Benson, the Project Engineer with Great Rivers Engineering, was present. Jason House with West Plains Bridge and Grading was in attendance to present a bid of $555,000. No decision was made at this time. Ron Copeland, State Representative of the 120th district, came in to visit and Commissioner Skiles expressed to him he had some concerns with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Dent County Coroner Ben Pursiful came in to visit and reported he has had seven autopsies this year and the State will pay for two of those. He will be under in his budget on toxicology while indigent deaths are becoming more of a problem with families not claiming their loved ones. He would like the Commission to consider letting him get a truck and sell the suburban due to transporting bodies that are badly decomposed. Pursiful said this could be paid for out of LERF. He will gather some information, get some prices, and get back to the Commission. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

Missouri’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins this morning at a minute after midnight and runs through midnight on Sunday, August 7th. During this time, certain back-to-school purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing, and other qualifying items as defined by statute are exempt from state sales tax. During the sales tax holiday, state sales tax will not be charged on clothing that does not have a taxable value of more than $100. State sales tax also will not be charged on school supplies, not exceeding $50 per purchase, that are used in a standard classroom for educational purposes. Also excluding from state sales tax are handheld calculators and graphing calculators that do not have a taxable value of more than $150, and computer software that does not have a taxable value of more than $350. Also exempt from the state sales tax are personal computers that do not cost more than $1,500 and computer peripheral devices that do not cost more than $1,500. Anyone who makes a qualified purchase may participate in the holiday. You do not have to be a Missouri resident or student to participate and save. In addition to the state sales tax, local sales tax will also be waived in the City of Salem and Dent County as they elected NOT to opt out. Even if a local jurisdiction is not participating in the sales tax holiday, the state’s portion of the tax rate (4.225%) will remain exempt for qualifying purchases.

A proposed 375-mile-long scenic byway is headed to several communities for public meetings and a vote of approval. The Scenic Missouri group submitted the proposal, called “Ozark Run,” to the Missouri Department of Transportation, which is authorized to create a state system of scenic byways to preserve cultural, natural, archeological, rustic, historic or recreational roads for the traveling public. The proposal involves six routes including State Highway 21, 185, 106, and 19, and US Highways 63 and 160 that go through 11 different counties including St. Louis, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon, Oregon, Howell, Ozark and Taney. The route would go through eight incorporated towns that include Hillsboro, Sullivan, Caledonia, Centerville, Ellington, Eminence, Alton and Forsyth. The route runs from St. Louis south to the St. Francois Mountains, across the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, west past Bull Shoals Lakes, and ends near Branson. Each governmental agency located along the proposed route will receive a “Written Notice of Intent” requesting a public meeting be held within the next 30 days. The local cities and counties then must approve or disapprove the scenic byway designation through their communities. The application requires 100% local government approval before it’s taken to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for approval and official designation. More information about the proposal is located at modot.org/ozark-run-proposed-scenic-byway. Anyone interested in providing feedback is encouraged to contact their local government agency.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding a town hall meeting about Covid-19 vaccines on Friday afternoon August 5th at 4:00 at the Salem Community Center@the Amory. This will be a townhall style question and answer session to discuss recent updates regarding the Covid-19 vaccines including Novavax, a new vaccine that does not use MRNA technology, as well as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children six months and older. Also, a discussion about the 1st and 2nd booster doses, as well as the Omicron booster which is under study. If you can’t attend, you can view the discussion online at www.facebook.com/DentCountyHealthCtr.

The City of Salem’s Finance Committee will hold a meeting this evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The agenda includes consideration of fees, unused tax, update on the budget, and audit status before adjournment. The meeting was called by Finance Committee Chair Kayla Sisco and is open to the public.

The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) has released its most recent sustainability report, available at sustainability.doerun.com, showing how the demand for the minerals it mines will play a crucial role in technologies being developed now and in the future. Doe Run’s 13th sustainability report recaps the company’s 2021 performance on 15 key indicators in 10 categories. The report also covers the following highlights from 2021 states the Doe Run delivered nearly 15,000 hours of employee training while continuing to follow CDC protocols so the company could safely work during the second year of the pandemic. In the past 10 years, Doe Run invested more than 585 million on projects to reduce environmental impact, including over 90 million dedicated to remediating former mine sites. The company is also committed to investing in the future. In 2021, more than 30 university students took part in the internship program, and Doe Run donated 60,000 to STEM-related scholarships and mining education programs at Missouri universities. Additionally, Doe Run delivered mining education kits to 18 local elementary school classrooms to teach children about the importance of mining and minerals. Over the past 10 years, Doe Run has donated over 1.9 million to local schools and community organizations. Doe Run also contributes 1.2 billion in annual economic impact to Missouri, including spending more than 188 million with 665 Missouri businesses in 2021. Doe Run also provided good paying jobs for more than 1,200 individuals in 2021. Doe Run’s average employee wages are significantly higher than average in the counties nearest our operations. Doe Run’s sustainability report contains Standard Disclosures from the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework, known as the Global Reporting Initiative or GRI. These disclosures consist of data about environmental performance, health and safety performance, workforce composition, and economic impact.

The National Association of County and City Health Officials, the voice of the country’s nearly 3,000 local health departments, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has selected nine local health departments, including the Dent County Health Center, to participate as host sites in Cohort I of the Partnering for Vaccine Equity Project. Over the past three flu seasons, vaccination coverage has increased among adults; however, racial, and ethnic disparities in flu vaccination coverage remain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adults from racial and ethnic minority groups have lower flu vaccination rates and higher rates of severe flu illness and flu-related morbidity and mortality compared to non-Hispanic White adults. This same trend of low vaccination and high morbidity and mortality is documented for COVID-19. Disparities in vaccination coverage, especially among racial and ethnic minority adults, contribute to and further exacerbate existing health inequities. The Partnering for Vaccine Equity project seeks to support local health departments to improve COVID-19 and influenza vaccination coverage because it is an important approach for improving the overall health and economic opportunity for historically-marginalized groups and advancing health equity in communities. The Partnering for Vaccine Equity Project focuses on increasing local health departments’ capacity to address inequities in COVID-19 and influenza vaccination coverage among racial and ethnic minority adults to increase vaccination uptake. This work will be achieved by collaborating with local health departments to identify and address barriers to vaccines, engage community stakeholders and influential messengers to support vaccine messaging, provide education and vaccine delivery at the community level, and facilitate relationships between vaccine providers and the community to increase vaccine confidence, access, and uptake opportunities. The project will run through December 31st, 2022.

Montauk State Park will be hosting Summer’s End Kids Free Fishing Day this Saturday. Fishing tags will be free to kids 15 years of age and younger on this day ibn the park. The children will be able to pick up their tags Friday evening after 7:00 or anytime on Saturday. Adults must have a daily trout tag to assist their children with their fishing experience. For more information contact the park at 548-2201.

A Primary Election was held Tuesday to determine who will run for offices for their respective parties in the November General Election. In some cases, the election determined who would win the General Election as they would be unopposed. Those offices include the State Representative for the 120th District race, the Dent County Presiding Commissioner race, the Clerk of the Circuit Court race and the Watkins Township Committeeman race. A total of 3,239 votes were cast which is 32.74% of the registered voters. Only the contested races are presented, and all contested races were on the Republican ticket. The results presented are unofficial.

*indicates winner.

Dent County Presiding Commissioner
Darrell Skiles* 1,238 votes
Travis Fulton 1,073 votes
Craig Smith 644 votes

Clerk of the Circuit Court
Kristi (Morton) Craig* 1,767 votes
Lisa Blackwell 1,151 votes

State Representative 120 District (All precincts)
Ron Copeland* 5,171 votes
Matthew S. Williams 1,053 votes

US Representative District 8 (all precincts)
Jason Smith* 78,317 votes
Jacob Turner 17,240 votes

State Senator District (All precincts)
Justin Dan Brown* 10,978 votes
Suzie Pollock 10,594 votes

A man’s body was found Tuesday morning at 11:54 in Current River at Cave Spring in Shannon County. According to the water patrol report, 48-year-old Dee Hodges of Wichita, Kansas went missing while floating on the Current River overnight. The Shannon County Coroner Sam Murphy pronounced Hodges dead at 1:00 Tuesday afternoon at the scene. His body was removed from the scene by the Shannon County Coroner.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley released the results of two cases heard by Judge Nathan Kelsaw in Dent County on Thursday of last week. In the first case Rolando Solis of Steelville pled guilty to the felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections. The next case heard involved Billy Smith III who was in court on a motion by the state to revoke his misdemeanor probation for assault, driving while having his license revoked and for leaving the scene of an accident. The state had filed motions for failing to repay the restitution to the victim in the assault case, failure to report to his probation officer and for the use of intoxicants. Smith was drug tested in court Thursday and was ordered to complete five days of shock incarceration in the Dent County Jail as a result of the test. The motions to revoke were set for hearing to be held on a later date.

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, announced the launch of a resources page, www.blunt.senate.gov/drought, to provide information on the programs available to aid Missourians impacted by damaging drought conditions. Blunt said areas across Missouri are experiencing significant, sustained, and damaging drought conditions. This webpage provides information on the resources available to assist farmers and ranchers impacted by drought. He will continue working to ensure state and local officials have the support they need to help get Missouri’s agricultural community back on its feet. The webpage provides information about state and federal programs to support farmers and ranchers impacted by drought, including resources for haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres and eligibility for Livestock Forage Payments. Currently, about 18% of Missouri is experiencing D3 drought conditions, and 2.3 million Missourians are impacted by drought. Dent County had been classified in the D1 category before rains a week ago actually lifted that designation for the time being.