Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Deloris Gray Wood from the Dent County Historical Society was in discussing the “History of Current River in Dent County From the Road” project. She is applying for a grant to provide historical information signs at locations along the Current River and wanted to know if the county would donate the labor and their expertise in putting up the signs at the appropriate locations once they were determined. She said all the supplies would be provided and the commissioners agreed it would be no more than $250 per sign. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla Office came in to update the commission on activities which included another field hearing of the Ways and Means committee in New York on trade enforcement. They want to reduce trade with countries that don’t share the same ethics and philosophies of the United States. He also talked about some house bills including HR2811 that would raise the debt ceiling, but eliminated the increase in funding for IRS agents, pay back any unused ARPA or CARES Act funds from COVID-19, and eliminate the student debt payoff. Other house bills were for rebuilding the wall at the border and also a bill to protect the taxpayer funding of unemployment to recover fraudulent unemployment payments during COVID-19. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the Sales Tax report for the month of May. She said the General Revenue Fund and LEST Fund each received $81,699.49 in May which is $3,721.52 less than for May of 2022, but there is also a reduction in the fund distribution due to the over-payment of sales tax agreement between the DOR and Dent County. Year-to-date, the funds are each up $1,801.01. The Road and Bridge Fund received $36,906.25 in May which is down $1,801.87 from May of 2022, and the jail funds each received $74,233.79 and that is down from $76,858.96 received in May of 2022. Year-to-date, the jail funds are up $5,715.73. Williams said the Department of Revenue said that last months sales tax figures were lower due to an Ameren refund of $40,000. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said crews would be out checking roads from the storms over the weekend plus doing some chip and seal repair. Commissioner Gary Larson gave the District 2 report and said crews were working on the Department of Conservation Road project on Dent County Road 2530 which needs to be done before the end of May. Larson said workers are adding materials and repairing Dent County Road 4380, also known as the Fiebelmann Road that washed out. He said other roads in Howes Mill and Boss will be checked. Larson said there was also a report of tree hanging over the county road 4380 and he said the crews would take care of that as well. Larson then gave his Presiding Commissioner report and said he attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District board meeting where they reviewed financials, approved grants and revised a by-law that reduced the amount of council members from 23 to 12. Larson said he was then elected vice-chairman of the board. Larson went on to say he attended the Meramec Regional Planning Commission External Relations committee meeting where they approved holding the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner that will be held in Hermann this year at the Hermannhof Festhalle in October. Larson said he was also appointed to the Membership Dues Structure Committee that will be meeting in June, July and August. He went on to report the commission needed to appoint a replacement for the late Gary Brown on the Transportation Advisory Committee. The commission agreed to appoint A.J. Seay to the position who said he would accept the position if appointed. The next TAC meeting will be held on June 8th. Larson said Brown also served as the “at large” Dent County for-profit position and the commission will look to find a replacement. Larson reported the Meramec Regional Development Corporation has funds available for those wanting to expand or start a business, and he said the Meramec Regional Community Foundation provided over $70,000 in scholarships to area graduates in the Meramec Region. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Liam Duncan of Salem and his fishing partner Blake Meiser from the Eureka Fishing Team finished third in the Missouri BASS Nation High School and Youth State Championships on Stockton Lake Sunday and captured 3rd place in the Youth category! This qualifies them to be one of three junior teams to represent Missouri at the Bassmaster Junior National Championship on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina on July 21st and 22nd. The team of Duncan/Meiser also finished 3rd for the Missouri BASS Junior Series for the year as well!

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their May meeting this evening at 6:00 in the hospital library. Hospital Administrator Wayne Reid will give his report before old business is discussed including the kitchen drain proposal, architect work on the clinic, finance committee meeting dates, strategic planning updates, and a legislative report. New business to be discussed include the Covid-19 masking policy. Reports will then be heard on the summary of operations and statistics for the month of April, the 340B program, hospital resources update, the hospital foundation report and a report from the Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Sullins to be followed by a report on the hospital foundation, and reports from the medical staff. The board may then vote to go into closed session if needed. The meeting tonight at 6:00 will be open to the public.

The Salem Utility Committee meeting was held Wednesday at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. City of Salem Treasurer Stacey Houston reviewed the actual numbers for the year through April and also discussed preliminary draft budget numbers for the electric, water and sewer departments. Houston said all three utilities have or will exceed their budgeted sales for the current fiscal year, but also said the expenses associated with those accounts have also gone up. In preparing the budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, she said she reduced the amount of kilowatts sold by 2.5%, but the wholesale cost of electric increased by 12% and by city ordinance, an increase in the electric rate will automatically go into effect after the budget is approved which she estimated at 10%. She reminded the utility committee the $10 residential and $15 commercial availability fee charged this year to boost the reserves will sunset unless the committee elects to extend it. Houston also talked about how the budget reflects the contribution to the Reserve Funds of each utility as described in the Reserve Funds Balance Policy. The policy says the City will strive to maintain electric, water, and sewer reserve fund balances of at least 25% of the prior completed fiscal year’s actual expenditures for the respective department. It also says the City’s annual budget shall include budgeted transfers to reserve fund balances of at least 5% of the prior completed fiscal year’s actual expenditures for the respective department. The policy allows for budgeted transfers to reserve fund balances will be made quarterly with the 4th quarter installment amounts determined by the City’s financial condition. Houston said the city has budgeted buying a vacuum truck for $191,000 that would be split with other departments. They estimated the electric fund to have a surplus for the current fiscal year, but the preliminary budget numbers for the 2023-24 year with the additonal expense for capital improvements, the truck purchase, poles and more would show a $37,000 plus deficit. For the water department, there is a $6.00 service availability fee on all bills and this year there will be a surplus, as there will be for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The city also will be needing a new well and storage tank, and that will eat up those surpluses quickly and there is no automatic water rate increase by ordinance so no increase was budgeted in her draft budget. That is expected to be done in 2024. The sewer fund will have a rate increase, but that will not be known until the cost of issuing the sewer bonds passed by voters is determined and the city does not yet have that figure. With the work that must be done on the Waste Water Improvement Plant, the payback of the bonds as well the Certificate of Participation payments, the utility committee will have to determine the increase once all the data is known. To help determine some of the rates, City Administrator Sally Burbridge discussed in lieu of a meter charge based on size of water line, the rate use by St. James for their sewer is based on water consumption in gallons so the more water you use, the higher the service availability meter fee. So those who do not use as much water will not pay as much. She presented this to the committee to consider as an option. Currently Salem uses just a straight fee all meters of $6.00 per meter. The committee was updated on infrastructure improvements including the paving of Water Street, 228 potholes being patched, numerous leaks repaired including an eight-inch water line busted in half going out to the hospital where the entire section had to be replaced with new base pea gravel. The old base was jagged rock and not pea gravel and the rock eventually cut into the PVC pipe causing the problem. Burbridge talked about a product demonstration held by Midwest Infrastructure Coating on how to stop infiltration through the manholes in the city of which there are about 500. Over time, these manholes deteriorate allowing for leaks through the grout, along the pipes, etc. Burbridge said the city’s average flow at the Waste Water Treatment Plant is about a million gallons on a normal day, but if there is a steady rain, it can jump to seven million gallons. The example provided showed that if a manhole leaks two gallons of groundwater per minute for an entire year into the wastewater system, that equates in one years time to 1,051,200 gallons, and if it costs $3.00 to treat 1,000 gallons of wastewater, that would cost the municipality $3,154 for that one manhole which is more than the $2,250 cost for the coating per manhole. Burbridge would like to budget for this process and it will be brought up at the Capital Improvement Committee meeting. More information is available on the City of Salem website. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened Friday morning just before 11:30 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles north of Houston. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Ford E-250 van driven north by 47-year-old Michael Wandra of Springfield, stopped for an animal in the road. The van was struck from behind by a 2011 Ford Fiesta, driven by 65-year-old Randy Harris of Licking. Harris suffered minor injuries and was taken by Texas County ambulance service to the Texas County Memorial hospital in Houston. The Fiesta sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Jay’s Towing. The Ford van had minor damage and was driven from the scene. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department has released a statement regarding the arrest of 33-year-old Joseph D. Snow of St. James who was charged by Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Brendon Fox Wednesday with Murder in the First Degree in the death of 49-year-old Luke A. Moreland of St. James. He was also charged with two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and one count of Assault in the First Degree. According to the release, on Tuesday evening, May 9th at 6:40, Central Communications in Rolla received a 911 call regarding a stabbing in St James. Law Enforcement Officers from the St James Police Department and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 600 Block of Saint David Street in St. James. Law enforcement officers determined two men had been stabbed: Luke Moreland who died at the scene from eight stab wounds, and 44-year-old Jeffrey W. Pitts who was airlifted to a St. Louis trauma center in critical condition from nine stab wounds. Witnesses identified Snow as the assailant and he was arrested by officers Tuesday after fleeing the scene in a red Chevrolet Impala. Snow admitted to stabbing both victims during an argument. He was incarcerated in the Phelps County Jail, where he is being held without bond.

Saturday at the Creative Arts Center, the Spring Creek Artisans will be hosting “Springfest” from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. There will be numerous arts and crafts available as well as baked goods, demonstrations and a whole bunch of fun! The artisans are providing a FREE special Mother’s Day gift for all Moms!!! Everyone is welcome as there is no charge to come and browse around.

This Saturday will be a busy one in the Ozarks! The Ozark Riverways Foundation will hold an Upper Current River Celebration at the Big Rock Candy Mountain starting at 10:00 with story telling, a book festival, crafts, vendors and cultural demonstrations throughout the day until 4:00 for no charge, and the Baker Family Bluegrass Concert headlining the 2nd Annual “Rendezvous on the Ridge” at 7:00. Tickets for the concert are $15 for those 12 years of age and older and are available at Big Rock Candy Mountain while there will be free admission for those under 12. Also Saturday will be the Montauk State Park “Old Mill Day” from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon where the day will be devoted to celebrating life in the Ozarks at the start of the 20th century, when the old mill was in its prime. Free tours of the mill will be offered upon request, plus there will be local citizens demonstrating historical skills, such as blacksmithing, atlatl throwing, horseshoe pitching, Dutch oven cooking, weaving, rope making, wood carving, beekeeping, chocolate making and more! The event will also include an arts and crafts fair showcasing all of the finest homemade pottery, jewelry, clothing and other products that local artisans have to offer. With all this going on, the Ozark Riverways Foundation has created a 24-mile loop where you can share your day at the Old Mill Day at Montauk State Park, the Upper Current River Celebration at Big Rock Candy Mountain, plus visit Bo’s Hollow from 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon which allows you to take a step back in time with Model A rides and a classic village not to mention great Bar-B-Cue and jerky; and the Jadwin Outpost Trading and Grill which will be open from 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 Saturday night. If you take the ‘Drive 24 for More” loop drive, don’t foget to collect stamps from all four locations and received a FREE sweet treat at the Jadwin Outpost & Grill, Bo’s Hollow or Big Rock Candy Mountain. Maps are available at all the locations!

An accident happened Thursday morning at 11:25 in Iron County on Highway 32 about a mile east of Banner. According to the highway patrol report, 46-year-old Benjamin Litton of Bixby, was driving a 2021 Ford Ecosport eastbound when he drove off the left side of the roadway, struck a fence and the ditch. Litton suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis. Litton was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ecosport sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Adams Custom Towing.

Have you signed up your team for trivia yet? The Salem Senior Center will be hosting a Trivia Night Fundraiser and Silent Auction Saturday night at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory at 6:30. There will be 10 categories with 10 questions in each and the cost for a table of six people is $100. Can’t find a team of your own? Come by yourself and pay $20 and you will put at a table with other individuals that also just ant to participate. The winning team receives $300 and 2nd place team will receive $200. Concessions will be available and there will be mulligans sold but only for cash! This is an adult only venue and you can still register a team, sponsor a round or to donate to the silent auction. Just contact Jody Schaefer at 729-2373 or email her at jschaefer@agingbest.org. The doors will open at 5:45.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows turkey hunters checked 41,970 birds during Missouri’s 2023 regular spring turkey season, April 17th through May 7th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 973 birds harvested, Callaway with 801, and Osage with 792. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,566 turkeys over the youth weekend, April 1st and 2nd, bringing the overall 2023 spring turkey harvest to 44,536 which was the highest harvest total since 2016. Top harvest counties in our area were Texas with 845. Phelps County had 812 birds checked. Dent County hunters checked 645 turkeys, followed by Shannon County with 400, and Iron with 188. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,894 turkeys over the spring youth season and hunters harvested 33,359 during the regular spring season for a 2022 spring season total harvest of 36,253.

An accident happened in Shannon County on Highway 19 about a mile north of Eminence Tuesday afternoon around 1:30. According to highway patrol report, a 2022 Ram 2500 being driven by 62-year-old Paul Ahrens of Lamar, Arkansas, went off the side of the left side of the road and went down an embankment about 30 feet before coming to rest in some thick brush after striking a tree. According to the report from the Shannon County First Responders, had the accident not been witnessed, the vehicle would have been completely hidden and perhaps not found for days. Two Emergency Medical Responders from the Shannon County First Responders were able to gain entry to the truck through the rear and begin care. Volunteer firefighters from the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department and employees of Baker’s Towing worked to stabilize the truck, which was perched precariously on some rocks and tree trunks. EMTs and paramedics from Mercy used a rope line to descend to the vehicle and take over definitive medical care from the First Responders. The patient was placed in a basket stretcher which was lifted up to the road via ropes and with a lot of hard work by several volunteers of several agencies. Ahrens suffered serious injuries. He was stabilized and transported via Mercy ambulance to the Eminence Fire Station where a Mercy helicopter transported them the Mercy St Louis hospital. The Ram was removed from the scene by Baker’s Towing.

A fatality one vehicle accident happened early Wednesday morning at 5:30 in Reynolds County on Route N about 8 miles west of Lesterville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevy Tahoe was being driven north by 30-year-old Jacob Adams of Potosi. The accident occurred as the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway. Adams then overcorrected and lost control of the vehicle before striking a tree and overturning. Adams was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:20 Wednesday morning by Reynolds County Coroner Jeff McSpadden. The Tahoe was totaled and removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing. The report went to state that Adams was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Department.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released several report for the first week of May. On Monday May 1st, a deputy responded to Seville Care Center on Highway 72 for a report of medication missing from the facility. This an open investigation and suspect information is pending. That same day a deputy responded to the 3000 block of Highway K for a report of items being stolen from a boat. The victim, a 50-year-old Salem man, told officers that a trolling motor and graph were stolen from his boat by an unknown person or persons. The investigation is ongoing, pending investigative leads. Still on the same day deputies responded to the 300 block of Dent County Road 6280 for a dispute between neighbors. The reporting party, a 35-year-old Jadwin woman, told deputies that her neighbors had fired a gun in the direction of she and her husband. Contact was made with the alleged suspect and the investigation is ongoing. And finally on Thursday, May 4th, a deputy conducted an investigation into a littering complaint in the 7500 block of East Highway 32. A suspect was identified and contacted. Charges are pending against the individual responsible. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriffs office at 729-3241.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. The board heard the financial report which showed an ending balance of $204,519.33 as of April 30th. Bills, payments and statements were reviewed and the election bill from the County Clerk for $9,870.00 was presented and approved by the board. During the calendar review it was noted today a group of first graders would be touring the station and that a home school tour would also take place later this month on a date yet to be determined. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 22 calls for the month of April bringing the total calls year to date to 117. Some of those calls included five building fires, three brush or a combination of brush and grass fires, and two either propane or natural gas leaks, and two special type of incidents. By-laws were then reviewed with no changes being made. Fire Chief Brad Nash then made his report to the board. Chief Nash reported that Engine 85 is still in the shop awaiting parts and that Engine 83 has some transmission problems and is being repaired in Springfield. He also mentioned that the search and rescue John Deere gators are at John Deere for repair. The repeater is still having some problems since the electric storms two weeks ago. The radio company has been out and got it going but parts are weeks out and possibly not even available. Board members asked Chief Nash to get more information so the board can move forward with the repair or replacement of the repeater. Before adjourning the date for the June meeting was set for 6:00, Tuesday evening June 13th.

The City of Salem’s Utility Committee will meet tonight at 6:15 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road. There will be a financial update and budget discussion at the meeting followed by a rate discussion, infrastructure update, manhole lining demonstration and question and comment period. The meeting of Salem’s Utility Commitee has been called by Committee Chair Alderman Kyle Williams and it is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department have generated reports that occurred on April 15th and 16th. On Saturday night, April 15th around 9:00, officers were dispatched to the area of Country Mart for a report of an attempted theft. It was reported that a male subject had attempted to gain access to an unauthorized location to obtain cash. The male subject was wearing a mask and acting suspicious. The male subject fled the store. Officers investigated the incident and later located the person. The male subject had changed clothes after fleeing and those clothes were located stashed behind the building. As a result, an 18-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending the application of warrants. On Sunday night, April 16th at approximately 7:00, officers were dispatched to the area of Warfel and Dent Streets for a report of a domestic disturbance. Officers learned that one party involved had fled the scene and the man was later located. During the investigation, the male subject involved was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and Methamphetamine paraphernalia. As a result of the investigation, a 48-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any investigation.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from David Lytle of “A Light in the Woods Promotions” concerning the closing of the streets around the courthouse square for “Summerfest” on June 17th from 10:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. He also said they would be holding a similar event in October on October 28th with the same hours. The board approved the request to close the streets on both dates. The board approved the bid from Fletcher-Rinehardt for #2 U.G. Primary Wire that will be used for the new McDonalds construction project for $12,468.00. McDonalds will reimburse the city for the wire. The board approved the purchase of brass fittings for water line breaks from Core & Main for $16,850.52, approved the purchase of 30 LED lamps for street lights for $5,439.90, and approved the purchase of a 500-foot roll of 1/0 wire for $6,072.00. This wire will be used when services are upgraded or when new service is being installed. The bids for the lamps and wire both came from Fletcher-Rinehardt. The board approved Mayor Greg Parker signing the Financial Assistance Agreement and the General Terms and Conditions Agreement for the city to receive partial reimbursement of their five million dollar DNR grant for waste water treatment plant engineering services. The city will get a partial grant amount of $1,262,500 with the city’s 1% match coming to $12,500. The city will be receiving their grant reimbursement in pieces from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. In an emergency item added to the agenda, the board approved the purchase of a new Flygt return activated sludge pump from Vandevanter Engineering of Fenton for $29,623.00. This pump takes the settled sludge from the clarifier back to the ditch at the waste water treatment facility and comes with a five-year warranty. City of Salem Administrator Sally Burbridge is preparing budgets for the upcoming meetings. Mayor Greg Parker thanked Alderman Shawn Bolerjack for presenting the City Proclamation to KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski last week at the Salem Baseball Field Complex for his service to the community. He also extended his condolences to the family of Gary Brown on his passing. Parker said he considered him a mentor and friend. Public Works Director Mark Nash said asphalt work was done in Salem Tuesday on Water Street where 530 tons were used and the job was completed. He said the new bucket truck the city ordered almost two years ago was being delivered and he was going to have secure it as it can’t be used until it is checked out. It was also reported that a number of city committee meetings were going to be held in the next few weeks. The board then went into closed session.

Join women for a fun-filled girls’ nights out this Thursday for bird-watching basics at Echo Bluff. Ladies will take a short walk around the area to see if they can spot some birds. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars if they have them. Field guides will also be available. Classes are held at the bluff top from 6 to 8 p.m. All equipment is provided. Participation is limited to women 18 years or older and registration is required. To register, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence. For more information, call 573-751-5211.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District announced that 24 Dent County students were honored with first and second place awards as well as honorable mentions in the 32nd Annual Earth Day Poster, Trash and Graphic Art contest. This year’s contest theme was “Rescue Earth’s Resources: Become a First Responder for the Planet.” Winners from Dent County included Kindergarten students Ellie Milam from Oak Hill R-I who took Second Place Poster Art; while Levi Delmain from North Wood R-IV and Zolla Oller from Oak Hill R-1 received Honorable Mention in Poster Art. Students from 1st Grade who were winners were Rylan Wicklund from Oak Hill R-I who took Second Place in Poster Art while Jackson Bibbs and Bristol Hayes from North Wood R-IV as well as Ashton Poor from Oak Hill R-1 received Honorable Mention for Poster Art. Second graders who were honored were Riley Rector from Northwood R-IV who took 2nd Place in Poster Art while Jessa Barnes and Randi-Lynne Elliot from Northwood R-IV as well as Ava England from Oak Hill R-1 received Honorable Mention in Poster Art. Two third graders from Dent County were honored as Raylan Pace from North Wood R-IV captured Second Place in Poster Art while Bristol Williams from Oak Hill R-I received Honorable Mention in Poster Art. In the fourth grade, students Brantley Corkell and Orion Massengale from Northwoord R-IV both received Honorable Mention for Poster Art. Four fifth graders from Northwood R-IV received honors and they included Liam Moore who won First Place in Trash Art while Anna Cato and Aspen Norris each received Honorable Mention in Trash Art. Weston Tackett received Honorable Mention for Poster Art. Riley Combs, a 6th Grade student from North Wood R-IV captured First Place in the Poster Art category. Two seventh graders from the Salem R-80 Middle School were honored in the contest as Olivia Hardin-Metcalf from the Salem R-80 Middle School won First Place in Trash Art; while Kylee Smith received Honorable Mention for Trash Art. Kiara Kelley, a 7th Grader from Oak Hill R-I, received Honorable Mention for her Poster Art submission. An eighth grade srtudent from Oak Hill R-1, Jhonine Maralit, captured First Place in the Poster Art category. Dent County students were under the direction of teachers Angela Dingess from the Salem R-80 Middle School and Rachel Privett for North Wood R-IV and Oak Hill R-I. The contest required participants to re-purpose trash into three-dimensional pieces of art or create posters (hand drawn or graphically designed), based on the year’s theme. There were 573 entries from 15 schools in the district and one home school group. The contest was open to students from kindergarten through the 12th grade, home school, college and university students who reside or attend school in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties.

An accident happened in Dent County Sunday night at 8:55 on Dent County Road 5610 about three miles west of Bunker. According to the highway patrol report, 18-year-old Aaron Pogue of Ellington, was driving an unknown year Yamaha Grizzly 450 when he attempted to turn around in a roadway. The Yamaha went off the road and down an embankment. Pogue got pinned underneath the Yamaha and suffered serious injuries. He was airlifted by Phelps Air to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. Pogue was not wearing protective safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Yamaha was totaled and will be removed by the owner.

The City of Salem Public Water Supply Annual Water Quality Report has been released and there were no violations that occurred for the calendar year 2022. All levels of contaminants found in the water were lower than required by government regulations. If you would like to see the City of Salem Annual Water Quality Report, a copy can be found at the City of Salem Administration Building at 4th and Iron Streets, at the Salem Water Department Office or at the KSMO Radio studios.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. In the hearing of persons, David Lytle of Light in the Woods Promotions will be asking the aldermen about the closing of streets around the courthouse square for the annual Summerfest on June 17th from 10:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. The board will review bids on some #2 U.G. primary wire, brass fittings for water lines, LED street lighting, and wire for electrical upgrades and services. City Treasurer Stacey Houston reports that DNR has approved the engineering portion of the Waste Water Improvement Phase 2 project the city has received a Five Million Dollars grant on. Once the mayor signs the Financial Assistance Agreement, the city will be able to submit expense reimbursements for the engineering expenses. The board will then hear reports from various city officials. The board may then vote to go into closed session before adjourning. The meeting tonight will be open to the public.

An accident happened Friday afternoon in Osage County on Highway 89 about a tenth of a mile from Big Oak Lane that left a man from Licking with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Mack Truck driven by 36-year-old John Godi of Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway, went down an embankment and the truck overturned onto its side. Godi suffered serious injuries and was taken by an ambulance to the University Hospital in Columbia. Godi was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Mack Truck sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Kendall’s Towing from Jefferson City.

Three people were injured in a one vehicle accident Thursday night just before 10:20 in Dent County on Highway FF, about five miles west of Highway 68. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner was being driven eastbound by 23-year-old Tomhi Jones of Lonedale, when she fell asleep causing the Toyota to run off the right side of the road. Jones then overcorrected and the Toyota ran off the left side of the road and hit several trees. Jones, and two passengers, 28-year-old Michael Hobson of Labadie, and 22-year-old Patrick Smith of Salem, all suffered minor injuries with

Jones and Smith being taken by an EMS to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Hobson was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by a private vehicle. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The driver and both passengers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Spring Residential Cleanup weeks begin this week through Friday, May 12th and again next week, May 15th through the 19th on your regular trash pickup date. Have all the items you want picked up on the curbside the night before your normally scheduled trash day. Don’t forget, these items CANNOT be picked up during the Spring Residential Cleanup and they include yard waste, batteries of any kind, tires, motor oil, chemicals or solvents; paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, construction debris and more. If you have questions about what you want to put out, call 1-800-926-3953 or 1-417-741-7714.

The Spring Creek Artisans’ will hold their annual Springfest this Saturday at the Salem Creative Arts Center behind the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 South Main. The event begins at 9:00 in the morning and will last until 3:00 in the afternoon. You will find arts, crafts, baked goods, demonstrations and whole bunch of fun! This year, they are offering a FREE Mother’s Day gift for all moms!!! Everyone is welcome to attend.

Come and create your own Fakemon or replicate an existing Pokemon as Isablla Knaack can show you how to bring your character to life. In this class, you will create a sketch and a painted version of your Pokemon inspired characters. The class will be held this Friday from 4:00 until 6:00 and the cost of the class is $15 which includes all supplies. There must be a minimum of two people and no more than 15 who can take the class. To sign up, go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was asked if there was a location in Salem where people could drop off their everyday batteries like 9-volt, “D” size, “C” size, ”AA” size or “AAA” size for recycling. He said people could take those types of batteries to the Salem Public Library at the corner of Jackson and 4th street and they have a box on their counter where people can leave their worn out batteries. In the road report, 1st District Commissioner Wes Mobray said broken glass was all over Dent County Road 4110 from an unknown source and MoDOT went out with their street sweeper and helped clean it up. The crews will be doing maintenance on a truck that appears to have a broken spring, and repair a different truck now that the parts have arrived. Mobray said crews rebuilt Dent County Road 4235 as they rerouted the road to its original location and added a culvert to alleviate the persistent washouts to the road. In District 2, Commissioner Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2380 while only materials would be added to county roads 3180 and 4380. Larson said the county would be installing culverts on county road 3180 and repairing county road 6160 with the ultimate paving material. Larson indicated he would be attending a Solid Waste Management District Council meeting at 10:00 Tuesday morning at the MRPC. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that her office is required by law to do a voter registration canvassing that will be mailed out this week. The new voter registration cards will be mailed to Dent County registered voters last known address, are white in color and will have the year 2022-2023 on them, but registration cards actually do NOT expire. They can be used to verify a person’s address as a secondary source if needed, but voters still need to bring a photo ID when they go to vote. If people do not get their new voter registration cards in the next two weeks, contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 729-4144. She also said she was contacted by Amy Forsythe from the Missouri Department of Agriculture about the remonumentation of eight corners to determine range and townships. After a conference call with Dent County Surveyor Michelle Elwood, she will do eight corners at $350 each for a total of $2,800 that will be reimbursed to the county by the Department of Agriculture. Shannon VanKirk came in with her report on April collections and said her monthly turnover was $82,426.30. At the last meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART tax received in April which was $76,078.22. Year-to-date, the county is up 7.6%, the dent County Courthouse will be closed Monday for Truman’s Birthday and the commission will NOT be meeting Thursday due to a lack of a quorum. The next meeting will be Monday, May 15th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Bunker High School Graduation will be held this Saturday afternoon at 4:00 at the Bunker High School New Gymnasium. This year, a total of 17 seniors will be receiving their diploma. The 2023 Valedictorian is Kaitlyn Belk and the 2023 Salutatorian is Jacob Gordon. A total of 28 scholarships and awards will be presented with three new scholarships being added this year. They are the Angel History Award, the Bunker Booster Club Scholarship and the Mel Ritter Memorial Scholarship. According to Bunker R-3 School Counselor Jenna Barton, 14 of the graduates have committed going to college while three graduates will be heading out into the workforce. For those who can’t make it to the event, KSMO Media will be video streaming the event on the KSMO Stream Facebook Page and the KSMO You Tube Page. The stream will begin about 15 minutes before the event starts highlighting sponsors as well as parent salutes. From everyone at KSMO Media, congratulations Eagles!!

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will be offering students a chance to create an Ozark Fishing Landscape with Sharon Jeffus this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 until 3:30 where they will learn atmospheric perspective techniques doing a beautiful Ozark River sunset and daytime fishing landscape. The cost of the program is $30 and there must be a minimum of five students sign up and the class will be limited to 20. You can go online to register at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center. For more information, call 729-6983 or e-mail info@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

The Salem Community-Wide Yard Sale is this Saturday! If you still need a space to hold your yard sale, spaces are available for rent in the parking lot behind the City Administrative Offices at 400 N. Iron Street. Open spaces are $8 for 2 parking spaces. You may reserve your space by coming into the office at 400 N. Iron St today or by calling 729-4117. Yard sale maps of locations around town are also available for no charge at area convenience stores and the City Administrative Office.

The Salem Police Department calls for service and traffic stops generated the following reports. On Wednesday night, April 12th, around 10:30, officers contacted a male subject they knew to have an active warrant out of Probation and Parole with no bond. As a result, 44-year-old Ryan Stagner of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Thursday morning, April 13th, near 8:00, officers were dispatched to the area of Franklin and Grand Streets for a report of vandalism and threats. It was reported that a former disgruntled employee had written threatening messages on the door along with causing damage to a vehicle in the parking lot. After a short investigation, officers arrested a 27-year-old Salem male and he was charged with Peace Disturbance and Property Damage. That same morning close to 11:30, officers contacted a male subject they knew to have an active warrant out of Dent County with no bond. As a result, 19-year-old William Chance Gentry of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Later that same night at approximately 10:00, officers conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highways 19 and 32 for a vehicle making numerous lane violations. As a result of the stop, it was apparent the driver was intoxicated. After a short investigation, a 43-year-old Salem man was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, a prior offender; and was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners that own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for the general public. MDC has designated the elk archery portion to run October 21-29 and the elk firearms portion to run December 9-17. The five permits will be for bull elk with at least one antler being six inches or greater in length and will be valid for both portions. Only Missouri residents who will be at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt for which they are applying are eligible to apply for elk permits during the application period now through May 31st. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing. The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the elk season recommendations from MDC during its March 14 open meeting in Jefferson City. MDC will require a $10 application fee for elk-permit applicants. Those selected will then be eligible to buy a permit at a cost of $50. All elk-hunting permits, including those allocated to qualifying area landowners, can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. The allowed hunting methods for each elk season, archery from October 21-29 and firearms from December 9-17, will be the same as for deer hunting. For more information on elk hunting, visit the mdc.mo.gov/elkhunting.

The Missouri Office of Broadband Development and University of Missouri Extension are still conducting a brief online anonymous survey on household internet access and use in rural and urban areas, but time is running out for you to complete the survey. The survey can be found online at muext.us/MissouriInternetSurvey. The survey, which takes about six minutes to complete, asks households about existing internet use such as devices used, connections and applications as well as barriers to Internet use such as financial obstacles, training and assistance needs. According to B.J. Tanksley, the director of the Missouri Office of Broadband Development, hearing from citizens in urban and especially rural areas is an incredibly valuable part of understanding our state’s needs. Surveys will continue to be accepted through mid-May before all the data is compiled, so if you very limited or no Internet availability at your home or place of work, please respond to the survey from a location with good Internet, or go where there are public access computers such as the Salem Public Library or the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Time now is of the essence for your voice to be heard.

This Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 in the evening, create a Wheat Corizon (or heart) with Suzanne Douglass at the Creative Arts Center. The cost of the class is $25 and that includes all the supplies. The class is intended for students over 15 years of age. The class size will be from one student to maximum of five students so each student will receive individual attention in learning the basics of wheat weaving and basic knots. You can go online to register at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

At the Salem High School Baseball Field Tuesday night between the Salem varsity and JV baseball games, KSMO General Manager Stan Podorski was honored for broadcasting Salem Tiger sports since 1984 including football, baseball, volleyball, softball and basketball as well as hosting numerous local fundraising events, serving on a number of civic boards and volunteering his services for numerous community projects. He received a home plate plaque from the Salem High School 2023 Baseball team, gift cards from the Salem High School Cheerleaders, a proclamation from City of Salem Alderman Shawn Bolerjack and will also be receiving a proclamation for his many years of community service from State Representative Ron Copeland who could not make it to the event. Podorski, who was taken totally by surprise by the event, shook hands with the entire baseball team as well as a those friends, civic leaders, parents, coaches, and a long line of well wishers who attended the game. Podorski was visibly touched by the community support thanking all those who made the event possible. Podorski starting calling Salem Tiger Football games for KSMO Radio in 1984, added boys basketball to his resume in 1986, added select girls basketball in 1989, then started calling baseball games and volleyball in the mid 90’s, and softball in the 2000’s.

The City of Salem held a joint Finance and Capital Improvements Committee meeting on Monday evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Finance Director Stacey Houston reviewed the financial statements for the third quarter of the fiscal year. Fund balances began the fiscal year at $5,321,805 and the balance to date is $7,350,656. Sales Tax Revenue in the General Revenue Fund through April is $1,276,912, which is 8% over last year’s totals. The Park and Recreation sales tax revenue is $478,828 and Capital Improvements sales tax is $638,457. General Fund revenues totaled $2,243,028 with expenditures at $2,103,784 and the fund is expected to end the year with a balance of $318,188 after transferring in from the electric fund $977,396 and transferring out to other departments $285,233. The Park and Recreation budget is projected to end the year with $37,689; the Capital Improvements Fund is projected to end with $200,042, and the Electric Fund is projected to end the year with $143,155. The Electric Funds including the Electric Reserve and Electric D&R Funds are projected to end the year with a balance of $737,310 while the all the Sewer Funds including the Sewer Reserve and Sewer D&R Fund balances are projected to be $486,709 at the end of the fiscal year. Houston also updated the group on several grant projects including the $3.7 million Drinking Water grant for a new well and well house. Archer Elgin Engineering is currently proceeding with this project. The City is currently getting easements for the Downtown Sidewalk TAP Grant Project from business owners and this project must be out for bid by August 1st. The Sewer Bond project and Lead Service Line Project are proceeding with Missouri Department of Natural Resouces guidance. Additional committee meetings will be held in the next few months to work on the 2023-2024 proposed budget that will need to be approved by the Board of Alderman before July 1st.

The Salem Senior Center will be hosting a Trivia Night Fundraiser and Silent Auction on May 13th at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory at 6:30. There will be 10 rounds of 10 questions and the cost for a table of six people is $100 or come as an individual and pay $20 per person. The winner gets $300 and 2nd place will receive $200. Concessions will be available and there will be mulligans sold but only for cash! This is an adult only venue and to register a team, sponsor a round or to donate to the silent auction, contact Jody Schaefer at 729-2373 or email her at jschaefer@agingbest.org. The doors will open at 5:45. This is your chance to support our Salem Senior Center who each year serves almost 20,000 meals at the center and delivers another 36,000 to homebound seniors in Salem and Dent County. The Salem Senior Center provides social activities, educational speakers and provides other important services for local seniors. Last year they also provided the free lunch program for school aged children during the summer. Any age is welcome to eat at the Salem Nutrition Site inside the Salem Senior Center with a cost of $7.00 per meal for those under 60-years of age, and a suggested contribution of $5.00 for those 60 and over. Enter your team today and help support a great service to our community.