Local News

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles asked all in attendance for a moment of silence for the people of Ukraine and what they are enduring at this time. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated crews would be out checking roads and road signs, and treating roads where needed to make them passible. He said he is hoping for continued dry and warm weather to dry out the gravel roads as they are in need of attention after the snow and ice. He also said that the water reported being backed up on Dent County Road 4170 was caused by two basketballs being lodged in the culvert. Once removed, the water flowed smoothly. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews would be working on graders #32 and #37 installing shims and doing maintenance. He said another crew would be out replacing signs and spreading sand on slippery areas. Larson also indicated there was a washout on Dent County Road 3370 that crews would be addressing. He went on to say he would be attending the Tourism Tax Meeting on March 7th. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that last March, the Dent County Commission and Dent County Sheriff’s Department signed the Dent County 2nd Amendment Preservation Act. In light of what is happening in Ukraine at this time, Skiles hopes more people across the country understand and appreciate how vitally important our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms is to guarantee all our other freedoms. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the winner of the “I Voted” sticker design contest was the design submitted by Olivia Wisdom. She said the last day to register to vote for the Municipal Election will be March 9th and that absentee voting for the April 5th election is going on now at her office in the courthouse. Commissioner Skiles said the commissioners would be going into closed session at 11:00 Monday morning for the pending litigation between the county and the Missouri Department of Revenue concerning the misappropriated sales taxes by the state and how they are to be paid back. 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.

A beginners-stained glass class with Jennifer Curry will be every Thursday in March at the Creative Arts Center. The 4-week class will hold two evening sessions each Thursday at 3:30-5:30 or 5:30 to 7:30. Learn the art of Stained Glass and create a suncatcher choosing from 8 to 10 patterns that will be provided. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided and the fee for all 4 weeks is $150. For more info or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda the board will review the minutes of the January meeting before hearing the financial report, approving bills, and reviewing the budget. Next on the agenda will be the calendar review, followed by the monthly reimbursement report. Any old or new business will then be brought before the board followed by a report to the board by fire chief Brad Nash. The date will then be set for the April meeting before adjourning and going into closed session if necessary. The meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection board of directors is open to the public.

An accident happened Saturday morning at 10:20 on Old Highway 60 about two miles west of Winona that left two people from Eminence with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford Taurus driven westbound by 18-year-old Mary Ferguson of Eminence, ran off the right aside of the roadway and struck a tree. Suffering serious was a passenger, 57-year-old John Ferguson of Eminence, was transported by Mercy Ambulance to the Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Mary Ferguson suffered minor injuries and sought private medical treatment. Mary Ferguson was wearing a seat restraint while John Ferguson was not. The Taurus was totaled and removed from the scene by Bakers of Birch Tree.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports from the department’s activities last week. On Sunday, February 20th, a deputy responded to Dent County Road 5240 for a report of a stolen vehicle. During the investigation, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested and charged with tampering with a motor vehicle in the 1st degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and placed on a 24-hour hold. Then on Tuesday, February 22nd, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Hunt Street. During the stop, a 30-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and an active Texas County warrant. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24-hour hold and held on the active warrant. On Thursday, February 24th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Eighth Street During the stop, a 26-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license, a 2nd Offense. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. The next day on Friday, February 25th, a deputy responded to the Mt. Zion Church to check the well-being of a subject. The subject was located and upon further investigation, a 60-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24- hour hold. If you have any information on any ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missouri hunters and anglers that related annual permits expire TODAY, including 2021 permits for small game, fishing, trout fishing, and combination hunting and fishing. Missouri hunting and fishing permits can be bought from one of many vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Save time by buying hunting and fishing permits for multiple people in a single transaction. Select the “Additional Customer” option during the permit purchase. Avoid having to renew permits each year by using MDC’s Permit Auto-Renewal Service. It allows customers to enroll eligible permits in a service that will automatically renew their permits prior to the start of the next season or permit year. The process was designed to ensure customers never have expired permits when they need them most. Learn more at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/permits/permit-auto-renewal. Commercial and lifetime permits can be purchased only through the MDC Permit Services Unit by calling 573-522-0107 for an application.

KSMO’S FFA Day scheduled for today with students form the Salem FFA Chapter being interviewed on KSMO Radio and streamed LIVE on ksmoradio.com and KSMO Media by former FFA Advisory Bob Parsons, has been postponed and rescheduled for Friday, March 4th from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Missouri’s catch-and-keep trout fishing season officially begins at 6:30 Tuesday morning, March 1st, at Montauk State Park near Salem, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Roaring River State Park near Cassville as well as Maramec Spring Park. Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation are encouraging trout anglers to buy their fishing permits prior to the season’s opening. The Montauk State Park store hours for purchasing trout tags will be 8:00 in the morning to 8:30 in the evening on Monday, February 28th, with normal store hours beginning Tuesday, March 1st. Trout anglers need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri’s trout parks. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. MDC encourages trout anglers to have the correct amount of cash for daily tags if possible. Missouri residents 16 through 64 and nonresidents 16 and older also need a fishing permit in addition to the daily trout tag. The cost of a daily trout tag to fish at Bennett Spring State Park, Montauk State Park and Roaring River State Park is $4 for adults and $3 for those 15 years of age and younger. A daily fishing permit is $8. The daily limit is four trout. At the Maramec Spring Park, the daily limit is five trout and the cost of a daily trout tag for adults is $5 and $3 for anglers 15 years of age and younger. Anglers can learn more about the regulations at mdc.mo.gov/fishing. The parks will not have warming stations as in past years and fish cleaning stations will remain closed. For more information on the opening of trout season, visit mostateparks.com or call Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Private Pesticide Applicator Training that was to be held Thursday night was postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday evening, March 1st from 6:00 until 8:30 in at the Dent County Extension Office in the Judicial Building at 112 East 5th Street. The private pesticide applicator license issued by the Missouri Dept of Agriculture is required for producers who want to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides. Application by unlicensed workers under the supervision of licensed applicators will no longer be allowed. Agricultural producers needing to obtain or renew certification of this license must take this pesticide safety training every five years. You must be 18 years of age and directly involved in the production of agricultural commodities to obtain this license. Each person participating in the training is required to have a copy of the Private Pesticide Applicator Manual on their farm. There is a $25 to cover the cost of the manual and you may purchase it at the training with either cash or a check, no credit cards are accepted. In response to COVID-19, the extension in-person training sessions will have masks and sanitizer available for those who wish to use them. They plan to offer both virtual and in-person events this season to better meet your needs. You can still register online or contact Dent County Extension Center at 573-729-3196. There is no charge to attend the training. If you have any questions about the training, please contact Gatlin Bunton, 573-775-2135.

The AARP tax appointments scheduled for today at the Salem Community Center@The Armory have been cancelled. Everyone who had an appointment may call 729-8163 to reschedule. Appointments can be made through April 8th.

A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday afternoon just after 2:30 in Phelps County on Highway 63 two miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 64-year-old Fritz Lizama of Rolla was traveling south when he attempted to avoid another vehicle. This caused the Chevrolet to slide on the ice-covered roadway, travel off the road, and strike a ditch. Lizama was taken by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by D & D Towing. The report stated that Lizama was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

A ceramics painting class with Isabella Knack will be held Sunday at the Creative Arts Center from 1:00 until 3:00 in the afternoon where you can choose a ceramic figure that has been bisque fired to glaze or paint from 5 to 30 dollars each. The cost of the class is $5.00. The glazes and all supplies are provided. For more information or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

An accident claimed the life of an Edgar Springs woman Tuesday afternoon at 1:45 in Texas County on Pump Station Road about six miles north of Roby. The report from the highway patrol states that 41-year-old Elizabeth Keeping-Hudson was sitting in a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer facing eastbound, when a tree fell on the roof of the vehicle. Keeping-Hudson was pronounced dead by Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater at 2:45 and was taken to Fox Funeral Home in Licking. The Trailblazer was removed from the scene by Arrington’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Roby Fire Department.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting after approval of the consent agenda, the board tabled Bill No. 3500 an ordinance to extend the project time period for work on taxi lanes at the airport until corrected dates are received. The board approved Resolution No. 4-2022 authorizing the mayor to enter into the affordable housing program agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Riverways Federal Credit Union for the Welcome Home 2021 Project. Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois reported there were 60 basketball games held at the Salem Community Center@the Armory during the youth basketball season. The recent Youth Football Skills and Drills camp was successful. Soccer signups are going on now with the final date to register is February 28th. Again this year a summer camp will be held for two weeks in July. The Ozark Actors Theater will host a youth Performing Arts Camp at the City Hall. DuBois is currently seeking sponsors for the baseball season where banners are placed on the ball field fences. The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department will partner with the Bonebrake Center to split a college intern for the 12-week program. Applications are currently being accepted. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that budget meetings will be held in the near future. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported staff has been working on installing new electric service, changing poles and transformers, and fixing potholes. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported that timber clearing is continuing at the Master’s Industrial Park, and that she and Finance Director Stacy Houston will attend upcoming training for the Welcome Home 2021 Project. The board then went into closed session.

Dr. Kyle Ouzts of the Dent County Veterinary Clinic in Salem will be hosting a live fifteen-minute radio call in show on KSMO Radio 1340 AM TODAY at 1:00 in the afternoon. Dr. Ouzts talks about pet safety and different things that effect your furry friends. So, get your questions ready and call Dr. Ouzts starting at 1:00 at 573-729-6659.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education in closed session Thursday hired Ashley Gordon as the Assistant Volleyball Coach for the 2022-23 school year. The board also extended the contracts of principal Rich Parks of Salem Middle School one year through 2023-24, principal Melanie Wisdom at the Upper Elementary School one year through 2023-24, Athletic Director and Transportation Director Clay Moody for one year through 2023-24, William Lynch Elementary School Principal Herman Blau an additional year through 2023-24, Jody Heavin had her contract extended one year to 2023-24, Assistant High School Principal Tori Snitker had her contract extended two additional years through 2023-24, and the Administrative Intern Branden Piatt had his contract extended a year through the 2022-23 school year. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed also discussed the growth plans and evaluations for all district administrators. The closed session and meeting were then adjourned.

Join Alley Spring Park Rangers on Saturday evening, February 26th at 6:00 at the Alley General Store for a guided evening interpretive hike to listen for and learn about owls and coyotes. It will be a “hoot of a time” and one “howl of a prowl”! You’ll learn fact and folklore about these little understood creatures of the night before hiking up Alley Hollow in search of the nighttime predators. All things “owl” and “howl” will be displayed in front of the Alley General Store prior to the hike. Rangers will use recorded calls to encourage owls and coyotes to respond and venture close enough for a good look. The hike will be less than a mile, but please come prepared for chilly temperatures. Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight for the night hike. Bring your sweetheart for a little belated Valentine’s celebration, as owls should be looking for their own “valentine” around this time of year. The Alley General Store is on the grounds near Alley Spring, located six miles west of Eminence on Highway 106. Visitors can park in front of the General Store Visitor Center. Please dress warmly and make sure all children are accompanied by an adult. For more information, phone (573) 226-3945, or visit the park’s Facebook page or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is working on updating the hazard mitigation plan for Dent County. The next meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. Hazard mitigation planning is focused on reducing risk before disasters strike. Activities such as burying electric lines, reduces damage during tornadoes, and elevating homes in the floodplain help reduce damage and loss of life during natural disasters. Public input is necessary to truly understand the risks that could be facing the county. Additionally, the county must have a current, updated plan to be eligible for some hazard mitigation grants. The first draft of the revised plan must be submitted to State Emergency Management Agency by March 17th, 2023. The County-level hazard mitigation plans cover a five-year time frame. Dent County’s last plan was approved in October 2018. Jurisdictions within the county, such as cities, the county itself, schools, fire departments and others, are asked to participate in the planning process, complete the questionnaire, review the revised plan and adopt the new plan. It was also discussed that a survey on hazard mitigation would be promoted throughout the county to get public input into the plan. That survey can be found at meramecregion.org/surveys. If you have questions, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting following the consent agenda, the board will discuss Bill #3500 to establish an ordinance to extend the project time period to allow for the completion of the work for the design and construction of taxi lanes for T-Hangers in Phase 1 of airport improvements from an agreement originally signed on August 13th, 2019. The board will then approve Resolution 4-2022 that authorizes the Mayor to enter into affordable housing program subsidy agreement for owner occupied projects between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Riverways Federal Credit Union, and the City of Salem, Missouri Office of Economic Development as part of the Welcome Home Project. They will also hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Mayor Kim Steelman, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois, and from the Aldermen. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released reports for the week of February 12th. On Saturday, February 12th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Highway 32. During the course of the stop, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while their license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Wednesday, February 16th, a deputy investigated a suspicious subject in the 200 block of South Warfel Street. During the investigation, a 22-year-old Salem woman was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and the possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was placed on a 24- hour hold pending the issuance of a warrant. Later that day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Highway 32. During the course of the stop, a 24-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an having active Dent County warrant. Upon arrival at the Dent County Jail, the subject was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The woman was incarcerated for her warrant and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the issuance of a warrant for the additional charges. On Friday, February 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on East Highway 32. During the course of the vehicle search, a controlled substance was located in the vehicle. A 19-year-old Licking man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Upon further investigation, the man was released, and charges will be sought at a later date. If you have any information on any ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

A beginners-stained glass class with Jennifer Curry will be every Thursday in March at the Creative Arts Center. The 4-week class will hold two evening sessions each Thursday at 3:30-5:30 or 5:30 to 7:30. Learn the art of Stained Glass and create a suncatcher choosing from 8 to 10 patterns that will be provided. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided and the fee for all 4 weeks is $150. For more info or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening in the regular monthly meeting. The board heard from Nicky Stringer about the school’s SRCSP policy hoping the school board would consider requiring the CDC guidelines concerning close contact and quarantine. She would prefer to see the quarantine period and mask mandate be reinstated to keep children safe. The board heard from Chris Salzman and Doug Adams from ESP about the Tin Gym renovation where the main reasons to make the change was the appearance of the building, the odor from all the years of kids working out and the indoor air quality. The renovation would include a new HVAC system, rubberized floor and new Astro turf, but would not include water, restrooms, ice machine, coach’s office or interior equipment. ESP provided three options to the board that include an expansion that ranged for $187.50 per square foot that would come to just under 1.5 million dollars, up to $238 per square foot that would come over budget. They also talked about the locker room renovation that would come to about $300,000. This would gut the locker rooms and would recreate them using basically the same footprint. They would like to be able to squeeze in a training room within the locker room proper. The board approved them moving forward to getting material hard quotes on both projects. Superintendent Lynne Reed said three companies attended the mandatory walk through to bid on the food service contract. She also said she will bring health insurance numbers to the March meeting for the board to review. On the next agenda, the board will vote to change the policy on the number of days before a parent or person can request to be put on the agenda from five to three days, and they will discuss streaming meetings. After the principal’s report, the board voted to approve changing insurance payments to be paid “the month of” instead of a month ahead, approved the 2022-2023 school calendar, and approved the revised technology support staff job description. The board selected Toth and Associates from Springfield to be the management firm for the FEMA grant safe room at the Upper Elementary as they were the only ones to submit a request for qualification for that purpose, and the board approved to use HTK Architects from Kansas City as the architectural firm for the project. The board approved the multi-step bid process recommended by Assistant Athletic Director Clay Moody for sponsorship of the new High School Gym Floor. Each sponsorship element will be bid separately. Bids on the floor must be submitted by March 14th. The board approved the resignations of Lisa Elliott in food service, Erin Wilson as a 3rd grade teacher at the upper elementary, and Elizabeth Hogan as the basketball cheerleader coach. The board then went into closed session.

A couples or singles paint-n-sip with Danielle Norris will be this Friday from 6:30 until 8:30 @ the Creative Arts Center as a makeup from the February 11th date that was postponed. Let Danielle lead you step-by-step through a dreamy painting. Bring a beverage and a friend or family member to enjoy and evening away from the stresses of the day or week! All the supplies for the class are provided and the cost is $25. For more information or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their February meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 in the hospital library. Hospital Interim Administrator Bill May will report on the summary of the operations and statistics for the month of January as well as hear the Chief Nursing Officer report from Ashley Sullins and auxiliary report. The board will also hear a report on the hospital foundation, as well as the marketing and community perception report. In old business, the board will hear how COVID-19 is affecting the hospital, a report on the Cerner conversion, and a lab update. In new business, the board will discuss any purchases. The board may vote to go into closed session. The SMDH Board meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library is open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners met for the regular Thursday morning meeting at the courthouse. During public comments, John McIntyre was in to discuss road conditions in the Adams Subdivision on county road 4170. He said the people living on the road are being flooded and talked about the previous problems with the flooding on a number of properties on the road. He noted the ditches being deeper than the culverts and a culvert that was improperly installed. Commissioner Mobray said he would check out the road after the meeting. In the road report, both commissioners said crews would be out checking roads for washouts and clogged culverts as well as any limbs or trees downed by the winds the past couple of days. Commissioner Gary Larson said District 2 crews received a report of a tree down on Wednesday and have taken care of the problem. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on a broadband meeting held at the City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday with the Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, City Administrator Ray Walden, all three commissioners and Zack Robinson with Wave Internet Technologies. They said the meeting was informative. Skiles also said the county invites the public to a Dent County Mitigation Plan meeting to be held Tuesday at 1:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. This being done to update the plan which is required every five years. All three commissioners are expected to be there as are representatives from the schools, the city and fire departments. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she and the Dent County Treasurer balanced on all accounts for January and that public voting for the artwork for the new county “I Voted” sticker is still going on in her office. You can vote for your favorite through Wednesday, February 23rd. Only one vote per person. She stated absentee voting for the April 5th election will begin on Tuesday and that will also be the day people can file for county or state offices in the county clerk’s office starting at 8:00 that morning. Filing will be done on a first come, first served basis. Curley said the courthouse will be closed Monday for President’s Day and there will be no commission meeting. She went on to report she will be attending a Missouri Association of County meeting Wednesday afternoon in Jefferson City. Curley also said she is looking for poll workers for the upcoming elections. If you would be interested, please contact her office at 729-4144. 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.

A Private Pesticide Applicator Training will be held in Dent County on Thursday, February 24th from 6:00 until 8:30 in the evening at the Dent County Extension Office in the Judicial Building at 112 East 5th Street. The private pesticide applicator license issued by the Missouri Dept of Agriculture is required for producers who want to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides. Application by unlicensed workers under the supervision of licensed applicators will no longer be allowed. Agricultural producers needing to obtain or renew certification of this license must take this pesticide safety training every five years. You must be 18 years of age and directly involved in the production of agricultural commodities to obtain this license. Each person participating in the training is required to have a copy of the Private Pesticide Applicator Manual on their farm. There is a $25 to cover the cost of the manual and you may purchase it at the training with either cash or a check, no credit cards are accepted. In response to COVID-19, the extension in-person training sessions will have masks and sanitizer available for those who wish to use them. They plan to offer both virtual and in-person events this season to better meet your needs. You can register online or contact Dent County Extension Center at 573-729-3196. There is no charge to attend the training. If you have any questions about the training, please contact Gatlin Bunton, 573-775-2135.

An accident happened Thursday morning at 11:00 in Texas County on Highway 32 about three miles east of Licking that left a Salem man with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Pontiac Vide being driven by 64-year- old Stanley Ray of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Ray suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. He was not wearing a seat restraint according to the report. The Pontiac was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.