Local News

Congratulations to the Salem Chamber Choir and instructor Elaine Russell as they took 1st Place in their division and category at the Nationals in Orlando, Florida over the weekend! They also received the Adjudicator’s Award which is given to the judge’s “top pick” indicative of their high scores. Outstanding effort Tigers!!!

As reported in the Dent County Commissioner story yesterday, District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was appointed by Governor Parson Monday to the become the new Dent County Presiding Commissioner to replace Darrell Skiles who resigned. Parson also appointed former City of Salem Alderman Kevin James to the Missouri Mining Commission. Mr. James currently serves as the Environmental Compliance Manager at Doe Run Resources Corporation. Prior to his current role, he served as Production Superintendent and receiving supervisor for Doe Run Resources Corporation. Mr. James holds a Master of Science in geological engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology. Congratulations to Mr. Larson and Mr. James on their appointments!

During the week of March 25th to March 31st, there was a total of 145 calls to the Salem Police Department for service. Officers conducted 16 traffic stops for various traffic violations with four resulting in a summons or arrest. Officers conducted a traffic accident investigation along with four informational reports. These service reports were generated. On Saturday morning around 2:00, the 25th of March, officers located and arrested 28-year-old Anthony Justice of Salem for an active capias warrant for burglary. Justice was incarcerated at the Dent County jail. The next morning around 1:00, an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of South Jackson Street for the report of a disturbance. Upon arrival by the officer, it was apparent that one male subject was highly intoxicated and was causing numerous issues. As a result, a 34-year-old Salem male was placed on a 12-hour safekeep at the Dent County Jail. Around 9:00 in the evening of Tuesday, March 8th, officers were dispatched to the area of Truman Street for a report of people driving down the road screaming out the window at people. Officers located the vehicle that also had a broken taillight. A traffic stop was then conducted and officers noticed the driver to be intoxicated. After a short investigation the driver, a 23-year-old Viburnum woman, was arrested for a DWI and was later released on summons. On March 29th near 12:45 in the afternoon, officers were sent to Wal-Mart for a report of shoplifting. It was reported that a male subject had shoplifted $8.48 worth of merchandise from the store. Officers placed a 56-year-old Salem male under arrest for shoplifting and later released him on a summons. Then on Thursday, March 30th around 11:30 in the morning, officers responded to Askins Street and Highway 32 for a report of a female subject who had active warrants for her arrest. As a result, the officers located and arrested 27-year-old Tamera Halbrook of Salem for active warrants out of the City of Salem with no bond. Halbrook was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Friday evening, March 31st, around 9:30, officers were dispatched to Louise Street and Highway 32 for a report of a male subject making obscene gestures towards other citizens. Contact was made with the man and it was found he had an active warrant for his arrest out of Dent County. At that time, officers arrested 63-year old Roger Bussey of Salem and he was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation.

A Freeze Branding Workshop hosted by the University of Missouri Extension at the Wurdack Extension & Research Farm near Cook Station, will be held this Friday from 11:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. This workshop is designed to provide participants with “hands-on” training required to successfully administer freeze brands to their livestock. The cost of the workshop is $30 per person. Class size is limited, and you will need to make your reservations ny today. For more information or to reserve a space, please contact Rachel Hopkins, the Ag Business Specialist at the Washington County MU Extension Office, at 573-438-2671.

An accident happened Monday evening at 6:45 in Dent County on Dent County Road 3210 about a mile north of Highway 72. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1999 Harley Davidson Sporter 1200 being operated by 22- year-old Trenton Stewart of Salem, was traveling south when he lost control of the motorcyle and was thrown from the bike. Stewart, who was wearing safety equipment, was airlifted by an Air Evac helicopter to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis for treatment of serious injuries. The Harley sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. It was announced that District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was contacted by Governor Parson’s office that he had been selected to replace former Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles as the new presiding commissioner. No further details were available at this time. Larson was appointed as the acting presiding commissioner by Dent County Clerk Angie Curley for the meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading will continue on Dent County Road 5680 while materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4150, 4155, 4157 and 6580. District 2 Commissioner Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2020 while only grading would be done on county roads 2025, 2530, 2540, 2550, 3220, 6130 and 6140. He said a man would also be going to Springfield to get another load of oil for chip and seal repair. Clerk Angie Curley said she attended the Missouri Association of Counties board meeting Tuesday and attended the MAC Legislative Day on Wednesday. Mobray then signed the reimbursement request from MoDOT for the Cooley Bridge FLAP Project 0057 in the amount of $127,548.98. At the last meeting, the county received only one bid for the culvert polypropylene pipes from Viebrock Sales for $22,024.00. The commission approved that bid. The county did receive three bids for grader blades. The bids were from McCoy Construction and Forestry for $175 per blade for the Caterpillar graders and $145 each for the John Deere graders with a minimum of 50 blades to be bought; Viebrock Sales bid came in at $7,180.00 and the bid from Woolf Equipment of $5,331.80. The motion was made and the commission approved going with the bid from Woolf Equipment for grader blades. 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 Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their April meeting tonight 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, medical staff bylaw updates, and strategic planning updates. New business has the swearing in of District 4 director Willie Strader, a review of purchases, the accounts payable and legislative report. Reports will then be heard on the summary of operations and statistics for the month of March, the 340B program, hospital resources update, the hospital foundation report and a report from the Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Sullins to be followed by the marketing and community relations report. The board may then vote to go into closed session if needed. They meeting this evening will be at 6:00 and is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released several reports for the first part of April. On Saturday the 8th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 19000 block of East Highway 32. During the stop, a 50-year old St. Louis man was driving with a suspended driving privilege. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County jail where he was processed and released on a citation. On Tuesday, April 11th, a deputy was called to the 9000 block of South Highway 19 for a report of a suspicious tractor. During the investigation, the tractor was found to have been stolen from the 1800 block of South Main Street in Salem. The victim, a 56-year-old Rolla man, was contacted and advised of the recovery. The investigation is ongoing. Later that same day a deputy conducted a traffic stop on International Street. During the stop, the operator was found to be intoxicated. The driver, a 43-year-old Salem man, was arrested and transported to the Dent County jail. On Wednesday, April 12th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Third Street. During the stop, a 39-year-old Salem man who was driving was found to have an active arrest warrant. He was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County jail where he was issued a traffic citation and incarcerated on the warrant. That same day, a deputy met with a 60-year-old St. Louis man, who reported that a tractor part valued at $389 was stolen from his property in the 1600 block of Dent County Road 2120. The investigation is ongoing pending any investigative leads. Contact the Dent County Sheriffs office at 729-3241 if you have information regarding an investigation.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon just before 5:00 in Crawford County on Highway 8 and Route TT. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Jeep Liberty being driven north by a 16-year-old male juvenile of Steelville, failed to yield and struck a 2001 Dodge Dakota being driven west by 59-year-old John Bullinger, also of Steelville. Bullinger suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The report went on to state that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their re-organizational meeting followed by their regular meeting last Thursday at the Salem High School Library. After the agenda was approved, Assistant Superintendent Nathan Wills swore in the newly elected board members comprised of Andrew Wynn, Marjorie Pyatt and Drusilla Howard. The election of officers was then held with Steven Patterson being elected board president, Sammi Parker as vice-president, Andrew Wynn as secretary and Phillip Mercer as the treasurer. Marjorie Pyatt was named the MSBA delegate with Drusilla Howard the alternate MSBA delegate. In the regular meeting, the board was updated on the Tin Gym and Locker Room renovation project, the CSIP update and were updated on legislation that may affect the district by Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed. The building principals all gave their reports before the board approved MSBA policies with the exception of Form KC-AF1, and approved the annual renewal of food services provided to Salem R-80 Schools by Opaa!. The board accepted the resignations of Kolson Seay as a teacher and coach, teacher Katie Sapp, teacher Lauren Prugh, teacher Janelle Wesson, and Dustin Bell for his coaching responsibilities only. The board then went into closed session where two student issues were discussed, an employee spoke to the board and a parent spoke to the board. The board approved employing Hayden Harris as a teacher, Dr. Rachel Green as the Middle School Principal and Lacie Kolbe as the Assistant High School Principal. Closed session and the regular board meetings were then adjourned.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. Bills were reviewed and approved with an ending balance as of March 31st of $210,121.79 in the general fund. The budget was then reviewed and compared to the 2022 budget noting that everything is virtually on track with last year. Treasurer Dave Wells reported all accounts have been reconciled. The department received a total of 23 calls for the month of March bringing the year to date calls to 88. After the election earlier this month, David Greenshields was elected to a 6-year-term and Leigh Ann Price was elected to a 2-year-term. The board accepted the election results and welcomed Price to the board before Secretary Wells administered the oath of office to both Greenshields and Price. After the adjournment of the outgoing board, the secretary called to order the incoming board. Officers were then selected with Craig Smith named the board president and Dave Wells be retained as the secretary/treasurer. Chief Brad Nash was also named the budget officer and custodian of records. In new business before the board, a motion was made to remove Randy Weldon from all checking accounts and add Leigh Ann Price to the checking accounts. Two new candidates for firefighters, Scott Montoya and Patrick Marchbanks, were interviewed and placed on the department for a one year probationary period. Fire Chief Brad Nash then reported to the board that the radio repeater went out and is being repaired by Wireless USA. Chief Nash was expected to go to Jefferson City to pick up the repaired radio for re-installation. The date for the next public meeting was then set for May, 9th at 6:00 at the fire station. The public portion of the meeting was then closed and the board went into closed session to discuss personnel.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released some reports. On Sunday April 2nd, deputies responded to the 1400 block of South Gertrude Street to serve an active Dent County arrest warrant. The suspect, a 30-year-old Salem woman, was found hiding in a bedroom closet and taken into custody. She was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated on the warrant. On Wednesday, April 5th, a deputy attempted to stop a 1999 Dodge truck for an equipment violation. The operator of the truck failed to yield to the deputy and a pursuit ensued. The Missouri State Highway Patrol deployed stop sticks on Route O, disabling the vehicle and two suspects were arrested. The driver, a 23-year-old Rolla man was taken into custody and taken to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24-Hour Hold pending the issuance of a warrant. The passenger, a 27-year-old Rolla man, was arrested on an active Phelps County warrant and turned over to Phelps County deputies. The next day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Shawnee Mac Lakes. The operator, an 18-year-old Salem man, was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was processed and released on a citation. Later that day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 68. The operator, a 56-year-old Salem man, was arrested for driving on a revoked driver’s license. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was processed and released on a citation. On Friday, April 7th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on North Franklin Street. During the course of the stop, the driver was found to be in possession of a controlled substance. The suspect, a 40-year-old Salem man, was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any information regarding an investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Gary Larson was again appointed acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in her report on the sales tax monies received in April from the Department of Revenue. She said the General Revenue Fund and the Dent County LEST Fund each received $79,453.80 this month which is down over $21,000 from April of 2022, but year-to-date the fund is ahead of last year by $5,522.53 which comes to about a 1.52% increase. In the Road and Bridge Fund, the county received $34,528.19 which is $11,195.61 less than April of 2022. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $3,621.02 over 2022 which is an increase near 2.21%. In the two jail funds, the trust fund and operating fund, revenues received from the state this month came in at $69,422.72 and that is down $21,468.78 from April of 2022, and year-to-date each fund is up $8,340.90. That is about a 2.55% over 2022. She also said she received the itemized report from the Department of Revenue for the deduction from each fund from the agreement concerning the paying back of the sales taxes erroneously given to the county. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said workers were stockpiling rock at the county shed, others were patching Dent County Road 4220 with the ultimate paving material. Some chip and seal repair was also occurring. Mobray said some road signs were being straightened and/or repaired. He did report that he, Commissioner Gary Larson, County Clerk Angie Curley, County Assessor Jamie Homeyer and Treasurer Denita Williams attended the MAC Legislative Day at Jefferson City Tuesday night and Wednesday. District 2 Commissioner Larson said materials were added and grading done on Dent County Road 2120 while just materials were being added to county road 2200. He did say patch and seal repairs were being made to the county road 2550. Mobray said the renovation work on the courthouse is progressing as the workers did the tuckpointing work on the courthouse and sealed the grout work on Wednesday. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wanted to remind those businesses affected that tourism tax forms are due in at the courthouse by the 20th and if you need more forms, they are available at the courthouse. You can also call the collector at 729-3911 and they can send you forms. Also, if you are a new business doing an Airbnb, you will need to come to the collector’s office and set your business up. At the last meeting, Bryan Williams from McCoy Construction and Forestry came in to discuss new John Deere graders. The price for the District 2 grader came in at $391,019.11 as it will have the antler rack controls and the grader for District 1 came in at $372,334.04 with the joystick controls. The trade in for both would be $269,296 with the subtotal coming to $485,897.15. McCoy also agreed to extend the current buy back agreement until the time of delivery of the new graders of $141,000 per machine. The commissioners agreed to order the new graders on the state bid and they are expected to be delivered by September of 2023. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A three vehicle accident happened Wednesday morning at 8:00 in Washington County on Highway 21 just north of Tin Can Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet S-10 being driven by 46-year-old Terry Perry of Cadet, was traveling north when he steered to the left to avoid traffic that was stopped from a previous accident. The Chevrolet then struck the front left side of a 2021 GMC that was traveling southbound and being driven by 42-year-old Kasey Johnston of Boss. After being struck, the GMC traveled off the right side of the road edge and struck two trees before coming to a rest. This caused the Chevrolet to turn causing a unit it was towing to strike the front of a 2013 Volkswagon Passat being driven southbound by 20-year-old Coleman Eye of Potosi. Johnston suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Washington County Ambulance to Washington County Memorial Hospital. Perry was taken by Washington County Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis for treatment of serious injuries. The Chevrolet and GMC were totaled, and the Volkswagon sustained extensive damage. All three vehicles were removed by Elliot’s Towing. The report went on to state that all of the drivers, except Perry, were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Utility committee met Wednesday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Alderman Kyle Williams was unable to attend due an illness in his family. Mayor Greg Parker ran the meeting and the committee heard from City Treasurer Stacey Houston who reported the electric fund sales are up 30% over last year but most of that is due to a rate increase earlier this year. She said the $10 residential fee and the $15 commercial availability fee has accumulated $229,075 which will be transferred to the reserve fund at the end of the fiscal year. For this fiscal year, the electric department has collected $5,276,227. Houston said the amount of water sold is up about 6% from last year and will exceed the expected budgeted revenue for the fiscal year as 92% has already been billed. She also said the sewer revenues for this fiscal year have already exceeded what was budgeted and that again, that was due to the increase in sewer rates back in the fall as was needed to apply for the ARPA Funds DNR grant. She said the city is paying this year 7.15 cents per kilowatt hour while last year, the city was paying 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour, an increase of about 10.5%. The committee reviewed Public Works Director Mark Nash’s infrastructure report in their packet and he also reported that in the last two weeks, the street department has put down 18 tons of asphalt in filling potholes and patching roads. City Administrator Sally Burbridge presented some charges for water meters from Rolla and Columbia to show the different prices for varying sizes of water meters, but she also showed rates for St. James that was actually based on the water consumption of the customer with their sewer rate rather than the water meter. The discussion was to focus around residents in Salem that are not paying the service availability fee because of a single water meter covering trailer parks, housing developments, etc., but the discussion was anything but focused. There was also a discussion of residents that do not have all the city utilities (water, electric, sewer, trash) that still receive a bill from the city for the services they have. So for the next meeting, the committee wants to know how many residents are being served by a common meter on property and how many residents in the city are billed devoid of a specific utility service. Burbridge then explained net metering and that the city ordinance does comply with the state statutes in providing those who are on net metering to get the avoided fuel cost credit if their system provides enough electric. After a discussion on how that rate is calculated, Burbridge said she would recommend to the aldermen to stay with the current ordinance for net metering systems. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a re-organizational meeting this evening at 5:45 in the high school library. After the roll call and approval of the agenda, the board will certify the results of the election April 4th and swear in newly elected board members by the board secretary. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will act as temporary chairman to select a new board president and vice president. The new board president will then preside over the election of a secretary and treasurer. The board will then elect an MSBA delegate and alternate before adjourning and opening the regular meeting at 6:00. After approval of the consent agenda, Superintendent Reed will then give her report to the board followed by principals’ reports from William Lynch Elementary, the upper elementary, middle school and senior high as well as the activities and athletics report. In new business, the board will adopt MSBA policies and discuss the OPAA Food service renewal. The board will hear any resignations before voting to go into executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education Thursday night at 6:00 is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning at 5:45 in Crawford County on Highway 8 just west of Highway 19. According to the highway patrol report, a 1993 Ford Ranger being driven west by 21-year-old Jessie Bullock of Steelville, stalled on Highway 8 and began rolling backwards. Bullock, while trying to gain control, over corrected and overturned. Bullock suffered minor injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla by a private conveyance for treatment. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, April 22nd. The drop boxes are provided to keep unwanted and expired medication away from kids, persons struggling with substance use disorder, and out of the water supply. Medications can be left in the drop boxes located at the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Police Department. A drop box is also located at Vandivort Drug on 4th Street in downtown Salem. Items not accepted include needles, blood/infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, and inhalers. Drug Take Back Day is supported by the Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition and Prevention Consultants of Missouri.

The City of Salem held their regular Board of Alderman meeting Tuesday in the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution 12-2023 declaring the results of the Municipal Election official where Amanda Duncan was elected as the West Ward Alderman and Shawn Bolerjack was elected as the East Ward Alderman. City Clerk Tammy Kohler then gave them the oath of office. Alderman Bolerjack was then elected as President of the Board of Aldermen. Mayor Greg Parker received approval for his recommendation for the reappointment of citizens to the city’s committees. There are currently two openings on the Finance Committee and anyone that is interested can leave word at the city administration buidling. In the hearing of persons, David Hancock representing the Salem Running Club and Healthy Dent County, reqested a street closure for the May 20th 2nd Annual Run Salem event. Approval was given to close West Fourth Street from Washington to Highway 19 and East Fourt Street from Highway 19 to Iron Street, as well as the Eastbound Lane of East Fourth Street from Iron to Pershing. The board approved Resolution No 13-2023 to execute a contract change order for the 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services doing rehabilitation work at 102 S. Dilworth as part of the Welcome Home project in the amount of $16,350. The board approved a bid from Pierce Asphalt LLC in the amount of $76,550 for an asphalt overlay project to be done this summer on Water Street from Roosevelt to Margaret, on Iron Street from 5th Street to Rolla Road, the Water Street and 5th Street Loop and on Water Street between Center and 2nd Street. The board approved a bid of $29,454 from Hogan Inc for the painting of the retention tank at Well No. 4 as well as an alternate bid of $31,475 to paint the retention tank at Well No. 2 and a bid for Contact Piping Insulation on Well No. 6 and 8 for $7,400. The board rejected the cost of $6,400 for mural painting replacement on the retention tank at Well No.4. It was discussed asking the Salem R-80 Art Club to repaint the tiger mural or look into other options. The board approved OSHA required climbing gear for the new employee enrolled in the MPUA Apprenticeship Program at a cost of $2,036.26. Mayor Greg Parker thanked the citizens of Salem for approving the Sales Tax and Sewer Bond ballot initiatives. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported city crews are currently filling potholes and changing out electric poles. Aldermwoman Sisco has received complaints about the parking situation at the tire shop on McArthur Street. It was recommended that the city look at creating an enforcable parking ordinance and the administration will work with the aldermen and Police Department to come up with a list of streets that need to be included. Melissa Dubois, the Salem Park and Recreation Department Director reported that there are 300 children enrolled in the soccer program. Summer ball sign ups are going on now with 375 signups to date with one week left. The City Pool will open on May 27th with water aerobics in the morning and swimming lesson times are being changed this year. The Spring Creek Garden Club has donated trees that will be planted in the City Park next week. Alderman Sisco reminded citizens that yard waste pickups now need to be scheduled with the city thrrough a work order but that the city’s yard waste site is open at the Industrial Park for citizen use. Alderman Williams reported there will be a Utility Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 12 at 6:15 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The board then went into closed session.

Join a park naturalist on a hike to discover our wonderful world of spring wildflowers at the Johnson Shut-Ins State Park this Saturday. This informational trek will provide details on types of flowers, their medicinal uses, and some wild edibles that can be found right in your own backyard! The group will be hiking the 1.5-mile Horseshoe Glade Trail. All participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks for this adventure. In the event of inclement weather, the hike will be canceled. If you have any questions about this event, please contact the park naturalist, Dairan Elam-Pyles at 573-546-2450, ext. 1003. The hike will begin at 10:00 in the morning at the Johnson Shut-Ins State Park which is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook.

Team members at Current River State Park invite the public to learn to make wildflower jelly from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon this Saturday and Sunday. If you have ever wondered how to make wildflower jelly that you see everyone posting about on social media, this class is for you. Participants should bring their lunch, a water bottle, and small 4 ounce jars to the workshop. Space is limited, so registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Connie Weber at connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov or call 751-1224. Current River State Park is located on Highway 19, approximately 23 miles south of Salem and approximately 15 miles north of Eminence. 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.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley again appointed District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson as the acting presiding commissioner for the day. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated two trucks were adding materials and grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 5630. Mobray also said grading would be done on county roads 5680, 6040 and 6190. Mobray said Boyd Schleicher who did the chip and seal work last year on the county roads was in Dent County last week to take oil samples to see why the work done on the roads is falling apart. Commissioner Larson gave the District 2 road report. Materials are going to be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2370, 3170 and 4060, while only grading will be done on county roads 2200, 3173, 4290 and 6160. He also said a man was going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. County Clerk Curley reported she balanced with the collector and assessor on all collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of March. She said that she will be attending a Missouri Association of Counties board meeting today as she is the District 9 board director. She also stated that she, both commissioners and treasurer Denita Williams would all be attending the MAC Day at the Capital Wednesday to hear speakers that morning followed by a day visiting with senators and representatives. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Local crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to perform pavement work on routes in Crawford and Washington counties during the next two weeks, weather permitting. During each of the operations the roadway will be narrowed with one lane with flaggers guiding motorists through the work zones from 6:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. Going on now in Crawford County, the work will be on Highway 8 from Steelville to the Washington County line, and also on Highway 19 from Becker Road to the city limits of Cuba. The work in Washington County will be held today through Thursday on Highway 21 from Highway 8 to Highway 32 east. All work is weather-permitting, and the schedules are subject to change. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with them by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. For more information about MoDOT projects, traffic updates, or other transportation-related matters, please visit our Traveler Information Map at modot.org or call our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). While at modot.org, sign up for work zone updates sent directly to your inbox. Information is also available 24/7 by connecting with us on social media.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. After the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the Board will canvass the certification of the Municipal Election results of April 4th, 2023, and approve them. Resolution #12-2023 will be read and accepted declaring the results official. Elected officials will then be sworn in followed by the reorganization of the Board, plus any committee appointments to be made by Mayor Greg Parker. In the hearing of persons, David Hancock will request street closure for the Annual Run Salem 5K-10K and Family Fun Color Run event. In new and miscellaneous business Resolution #13-2023, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a contract Change Order No. 1 between 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, the City of Salem, and Diana Foster property at 102 South Dilworth Lane, is to be addressed. The board will hear from Public Works Director Mark Nash about asphalt bids for four city projects,. He will also present bids for the contact tank painting project for the water retention tanks with alternatives, and discuss bids on electric department climbing gear. The Board will go in to closed session to address proposals and contracts. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight at 6:00 is open to the public.

A music trivia fundraiser for the upkeep of the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History as well as the ability to continue to provide the programs for the area children will be held this Saturday evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The cost is $300 per team which can be made up of no more than six members. KSMO Media will provide the samples of music the participants will try to identify from many decades of songs from all music genres. For more information or to sign up your team, call 573-247-1742.

At a special Salem R-80 School board meeting held Friday, April 7th, the Salem R80 Board of Education accepted the resignation of Kevin Miles as teacher/head football coach/assistant AD for the 2023-2024 school year. The school board hired Neil Myers as the new head football coach and assistant AD. Mr. Myers had been hired at the March board meeting as a special education teacher and as assistant football coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 6:49 in Dent County on Route HH just north of Dent County Road 6140. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Ford Edge driven by 51-year-old Steven Key of Jadwin, was traveling southbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Ford struck a fence and overturned before the vehicle caught on fire. Key suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital by Salem Memorial District Ambulance. Key was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

Warmer weather usually means an increase in outside projects that may require digging or excavation work. If you are building a deck, planting a tree, or completing a large project, Missouri law requires anyone digging underground to notify Missouri 811 by calling 811 or placing a locate request online at www.missouri-811.org before any excavation begins. The call will be taken by the Missouri 811 Call Center, which then notifies all relevant utilities in the project area. Once Missouri 811 is notified, utility companies will mark the approximate location of their underground lines, request additional information or advise you that they do not have facilities at the excavation site. Hitting an underground line can cause serious injury, it could disrupt service to you and other customers and it could potentially result in fines and repair costs. Missouri Public Service Commission Chairman Scott Rupp said that it is very important to contact Missouri 811 at 811; or go online at www.missouri-811.org to place a locate request before starting to dig so underground utility lines can be marked. He went on to state that citizens will help protect yourself, your family and your property by making sure you call or click before you dig. Call before you dig. It’s free and it’s the law. For more information, please go to Missouri 811 at www.missouri-811.org.

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 from the March meeting before hearing the financial report. They will also approve bills and review the districts budget. Following the calendar review, the monthly reimbursement report will be heard along with any old or new business to be discussed. Fire Chief Brad Nash will then make his report to the board. The date will then be set for the May meeting before adjourning and the board any move into closed session if needed. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

Come to The Creative Arts Center in Salem this Friday from 4:00 until 6:00 and make your very own tie dye riverbag with Laura Miller. You will make a drawstring bag made from heavyweight duck using professional dye that will not fade that is 18 by 24 inches. All supplies are included for the cost of $35 and you choose the colors. For more information, call or text 573-247-0651, or you can go online to register at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center will feature a Dent County History exhibit with artifacts from the Dent County Museum on display starting today lasting through May 20th.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday evening at 8:40 in Dent County on Highway P two miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Pontiac GS being driven by 23 year old James Collins of Salem was traveling northbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Collins, and a passenger, 20 year old Emily Marrill-Hamm also of Salem, were both taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Pontiac sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report went on to state that Collins nor the passenger were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley named Gary Larson the acting Presiding Commissioner. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said workers cleaned seven trees off roads in District 1 on Wednesday after the storm which dumped a lot of water in some areas and not so much in others. Mobray said patch grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 4210, 6580 and 6590 and on any roads that need repair the workers find. Two trucks will also be stockpiling rock at the road shed. District 2 Commissioner Larson said crews would be repairing Dent County Road 4040 where a crossover pipe was partially washed out. They will be adding materials and readjusting the position of the pipe. Larson said grading was also going to be done on county roads 3333, 3335, 3337, 4060 and 4290 while materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3330. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2120. Dent County Clerk Curley said only 13.09% of the registered voters eligible to vote in the county cast their vote. The Commissioners elected to close the courthouse today for Good Friday. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the previous county depository bids that had been submitted and opened. The bids reflected the interest the county would earn on their deposits at a local financial institution. Progressive Ozark Bank’s bid was for 3.75% while The Bank of Salem’s bid was for 4.475%. Williams recommended and the commissioners approved going with The Bank of Salem bid. At the meeting, Corky Stack with Stack Engineering came in to discuss the previous contract change order on the courthouse repairs. It was previously reported the change was from 300 to 600 sheets of plywood which was incorrect. The actual change was from 300 to 600 linear board feet of lumber due to more rotten or broken wood. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk came in to give her monthly report for March where her office collected $185,521.93. The commission agreed to request the allocation of engineering funds for Flap Project 077 at $48,757.64, and that with the full allocation of funds, this will reduce the amount available for construction. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

Healthy Dent County would like to invite everyone out to the fun community event, the “Non Newlywed Game” Show. You won’t want to miss this even as it is couple vs. couple in this hilarious version of the classic game show where you will discover just how much our couples know (or don’t know!) about their spouse! This fundraising event will be held next Friday, April 14th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory beginning at 6:30 PM. Four local married couples have been selected to play the game, they are: George and Liz Gruendel; Mason and Ashlee Roper; Joel and Dottie Steelman; and Chris and Jody Heavin. These couples have graciously volunteered their time to play this fun game and entertain the audience. VIP sponsored tables can be reserved with a $300 donation. The VIP Tables includes reserved seating; free wine and sparkling cider and light refreshments. A concession stand and cash bar will be open during the evening. A limited number of individual tickets will be sold for $25 per ticket. The individual tickets will not have reserved seating. Lei’s will be sold throughout the night to support your favorite couple. Last year this event sold out with tickets not being available at the door so get your tickets now by calling 729-8163. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. The event begins at 6:30 PM and doors will open at 5:30 PM.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special meeting today at noon via zoom. The meeting will be held to discuss personnel in closed session.

The Salem Police Department during the week of March 11th through the 17th had a total of 116 calls for service. Officers conducted 24 traffic stops for various traffic violations with 6 resulting in a summons or arrest. Officers conducted two traffic accident investigations along with filing five informational reports. From those calls, these reports were generated. Early Sunday morning at about 4:30, March the 12th, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Jackson for a report of an assault. It was reported that a male subject showed up at a residence and during a disagreement assaulted one of the residents. The victim fled the scene and officers made contact with him. This investigation is still ongoing. Then on the morning of Tuesday, March 14th around 8:00, officers were dispatched to Dirt Cheap for a report of a person leaving without paying for fuel. It was reported that a woman in a Silver Lincoln Town car bearing license plate VH4-S0M pumped $20 worth of fuel and left without paying for it. This incident is still under investigation. On Thursday, March 16th at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon, officers concluded a short-term investigation and located two subjects that had warrants for their arrest. As a result of the investigation, 36-year-old David Myers of Salem and 19-year-old William “Chance” Gentry of Salem were arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Time is running out if you need to order your trees and shrubs for your landscape. The Missouri Department of Conservation says to “Go native” with tree and shrub seedlings from the Missouri from the George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The George O. White State Forest Nursery offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for sale for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The nursery provides mainly one-year-old, bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings varieties include: pine, bald cypress, cottonwood, black walnut, hickory, oak, pecan, persimmon, river birch, maple, willow, sycamore, blackberry, buttonbush, hazelnut, redbud, ninebark, spicebush, elderberry, sumac, wild plum, witch hazel, and others. Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 34 cents to $1 per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1 percent will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $9 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15% discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card, Permit Card, or Conservation ID Number. The nursery grows millions of seedlings each year, but some species are very popular and sell out quickly and some seedlings occasionally succumb to harsh weather or hungry wildlife, despite the nursery staff’s best efforts. Even if a species is listed as “sold out,” customers can still place an order for those seedlings because other orders may get canceled, freeing up inventory. Customers won’t be charged for seedlings unless they are available to ship. Due to shipping costs tripling from past years, the nursery must now charge shipping fees for orders being shipped to Missouri addresses. This is the first time in the nursery’s 80-plus-year history that they have had to do this. Orders will be processed through April 15th so order now! Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the nursery near Licking through May. You can learn more and place orders using at MDC regional offices and nature centers, or by calling the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229.

Century farms and ranches have shaped our nation and state. The Missouri Century Farm Program celebrates the lasting contributions farmers and ranchers have made to our country’s and state’s heritage. In 1976, the Centennial Farm project was initiated in Missouri, awarding certificates to persons owning farms that had been in the same family for 100 years or more. Ten years later, the University of Missouri Extension and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources created the annual Century Farm program and recognition. Since the program began in 1976, more than 8,000 Missouri farms have received the Century Farm designation. To have a farm be designated as a Missouri Century Farm, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years or more as of December 31, 2023; the line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings and nephews and nieces, including through marriage or adoption; and the present farm shall consist of no less than 40 acres of the original land and shall make a financial contribution to the overall farm income. The application period is open until May 1st and you can apply through our online application process. A fee of $140 is required to cover processing costs, a certificate, a booklet and one two-sided, 2-foot by 2-foot metal sign for each approved farm. No late applications will be accepted. To apply, go to extension.missouri.edu/programs/century-farms.