Local News

In closed session Tuesday night after the regular Salem Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Greg Parker appointed Sally Burbridge as the new City Administrator with the board unanimously approving the appointment with the roll call vote. The appointment removes the “temporary” designation from her title and an employment agreement with Burbridge is being negotiated with the terms to be released at a later date.

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wants to remind everyone today is the last day to pay your personal property tax and real estate taxes in her office at the courthouse without a penalty and interest. Her office will have extended hours for those wanting to pay their tax bills today from 8:00 this morning to 5:30 this afternoon. Remember, if you want to mail in your tax payments, your envelope MUST be postmarked NO LATER than Saturday, December 31st. VanKirk recommends if you wait until Saturday to mail in your payment to take your envelope inside to have it hand stamped. There is also a drop box in the front of the courthouse lawn at the southwest corner of the courthouse square where you can drop off your tax payments 24 hours a day. If you have any questions, call the collector’s office at 729-3911.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. No one wants to start 2023 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. During the 2022 New Year’s period, one person was killed and 331 injured in 1,045 traffic crashes in Missouri. The 2023 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6:00 this evening and ends at 11:59 Monday night, January 2nd, 2023. If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver or utilize a ride share service or taxi to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. If you plan to drive this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Be sure to use your turn signal to communicate your intentions. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

The Dent County Commission met for the last meeting of 2022 Thursday at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the report on the CART funds received in December which came to $80,138.59 which is $14,848.38 more than for December of 2021. Year-to-date, the CART funds are up $91,497.58 and for the year totaled $816,940.64. That is a 12.62% increase in those funds. Sheriff Bob Wells brought in an agreement for inpatient health services at the Dent County Jail that he negotiated with the Salem Memorial District Hospital which provides for services five days a week at the jail for an annual cost of $140,004. This contract replaces the one the jail had with Ozark Correctional Services out of Pulaski County for the same amount of money and will begin January 1, 2023. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated his crew would be servicing grader #36 plus would be cleaning up the creek gravel spill from an accident out on the “Quarry Road” or Dent County Road 5220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated his crew would be servicing and doing maintenance on county trucks #112 and 116. He said another crew would be installing a crossover pipe and adding materials to Dent County Road 6130. Larson further reported he attended a tourism tax committee meeting where they approved one reimbursement request. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he joined the broadband development discussion from the MRPC on December 19th. They are asking residents to look at the FCC Broadband Maps by going to bit.ly/mo.fcc. Type in your address to see what they say the type of broadband service you have on their map. You can challenge what they say on the map if it is not correct for the fixed broadband or the mobile broadband service the FCC indicates you have. You can challenge the mobile site from the map by following their instructions while the fixed broadband you may need help. Residents in Dent County can contact the Dent County Extension office for help in challenging the FCC map at 729-3196. The Office of Broadband Development will also answer questions about the challenge process over the phone at 573-526-1028 or by email at broadband@ded.mo.gov. Skiles went on to say the courthouse would be closed Monday for the New Year’s Day holiday. He also said the swearing in of all elected officials would be held at 10:00 this morning in the courtroom in the courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of November and she continues to work on the budget. At the last meeting, the commissioners agreed to sign the lease/purchase financing agreement with Town and Country Bank for two new graders from McCoy Equipment in Cuba. The agreement is for 5 years with an annual payment of $93,766.22 with a 4.25% interest rate. The 1st payment will be due December, 2023. The commissioners will meet again on January 5th at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

At the Arizona National Sheep Exhibitors Thursday, Preslie Strader of Salem was named the Reserve Champion in the Intermediate Sheep Showmanship competition in Phoenix. Congratulations Preslie!

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon around 1:12 in Crawford County on Route M about two miles south of Keyesville Road. According to the highway patrol report, 27-year-old David West of Salem was driving a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado southbound when he fell asleep causing the Silverado to travel off the right side of the roadway. The Chevy struck several trees before coming to rest. West suffered moderate injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

During the week of December 16th to December 23rd, the Salem Police Department had a total of 122 calls for service. Officers with the Salem Police Department conducted 28 traffic stops for various traffic violations with seven resulting in a summons or arrest. On Saturday afternoon, December 17th at about 5:00, an officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 19 and Truman Street for a driver not having their headlights on. During the stop it was found the driver had an active warrant for her arrest out of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office with a bond of $500. The warrant was confirmed to be active and 31-year-old Shanda Sturdivant of Salem was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting bond or extradition. Later that same evening near 8:30, an officer was dispatched to Walmart for the report of a trespasser. It was reported a man that had previously shoplifted and been barred from the premises was inside the store. Officers contacted the 34-year-old man from Salem and issued him a summons to appear in court for trespassing and escorted him off the premises. During the early hours of Sunday, December 18th at 1:30, an officer conducted a traffic stop near Highway 32 and Pershing for failing to signal and numerous lane violations. The officer immediately upon contact noticed an odor of intoxicants emanating from the driver. An investigation into a suspected DWI was conducted, at which time a 49-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court for driving while being intoxicated. On Monday afternoon at around 3:30, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Highway 32 and 72 for erratic driving behavior. As a result of the stop, it was found the driver was under the influence of drugs. A 25-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 any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem Finance Committee meeting will be held Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. At the meeting, the committee will review the budget before discussing a proposal to create additional general revenue. The committee will discuss raising funds to pay for the 2023 fireworks display and discuss holding a public meeting on increasing the sales tax percentage for the General Revenue Fund. The committee will also be discussing the issuance of bonds for the sewer and wastewater project before adjourning. The meeting, called by Finance committee Chairman Kala Sisco, is open to the public.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provided the following preliminary statistics related to the Christmas holiday weekend during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6:00 Friday evening, December 23rd, and ended at 11:59 Monday night, December 26th. Troopers investigated 306 traffic crashes, 84 of which had injuries and 3 fatalities. Troopers also made 52 arrests for driving under the influence. Last year during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 881 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, eight people were killed and another 401 were injured. Of the three fatality traffic crashes investigated by troopers, two occurred in the Troop F Jefferson City area, and one occurred in the Troop D Springfield area. There were no fatality accidents on Friday, December 23rd, then one on each day of the rest of the counting period on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2022 Christmas holiday counting period.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon just before 2:15 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 3640 and Highway KK that took the life of a St. James woman. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Buick Lacrosse driven westbound by 18-year-old Cadey Rogers of St. James, failed to yield to a westbound Burlington Northern Freight train traveling eastbound. Rogers was pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell and her body was transported by the Phelps County Coroner from the scene. The report went on to state that the crossing had crossbucks and a yield sign. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. Finance Director Stacey Houston reviewed the sales tax revenues for the first six months of the fiscal year that included the General Revenue Fund, the Capital Improvement Fund and the Park and Recreation Fund. She said the funds were down this December from last year December slightly, but year-to-date, all the funds are up about 8%. She reviewed the revenues from all the funds that showed the water and sewer sales revenues ahead of budget for the first five months of the year while the electric revenues were right at the anticipated budgeted figure. She reviewed the fund balances with the board for all the city funds to keep them up to date. Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge discussed the four bids received by the city to provide municipal financial advisor services, how they were scored, and that the eventual recommendation came from the staff’s familiarity and comfort in dealing with Chris Collier from Piper Sandler & Co. The contract from Piper Sandler & Co was reviewed by City Attorney James Weber who told the alderman they need to understand the expenses they will be charged in Section 7, and that the contract is automatically renewed if not terminated in a timely manner by either party without cause. Weber was also uncomfortable with two other sections that he recommended the board ask to be stricken from the contract. The board voted to approve the bid from Piper Sandler & Co to provide municipal financial advisor services to the city. In discussing Resolution #50-2022 to allow the mayor to enter into an agreement between the city of Salem and Piper Sandler & Co. to provide municipal financial services, the board approved the resolution with the contingency that Section 16, Part C and Section 19 be stricken from the contract. The contingent contract will be submitted to the Piper Sandler & Co attorneys for their review. In reports, Mayor Greg Parker wanted to thank all the first responders for their work during the fire in town last week in the extremely cold weather. Public Works Director Mark Nash said there were 14 call outs to shut off water due to frozen pipes or leaks, plus two main water lines busted during the cold, and more are expected when the temperatures moderate. Nash said there was only one outage reported during the high winds and cold. He did report there is 2,400 gallons of fuel is in the tank at the airport, but it will need to be inspected by the state before it can be sold. There was a small leak at a fitting when the tank was filled but that was repaired quickly. Nash said he feels that very soon the tank will need to be replaced. Nash also wanted to thank Compass who the city purchased their road salt from for delivering 125 tons of salt on the Friday before the winter storm so the city would have it on hand. Although the city couldn’t use much due to the extreme cold conditions, it is available if needed. He also said disconnects would be held today for those who have not paid their utility bill. Alderwoman Kala Sisco said a Finance Committee meeting will be held next Tuesday at 6:00, and a Park and Rec Board meeting will be held Wednesday at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack reported the SAFHR program to help renters and landlords who are behind on paying or receiving rent will stop taking applications on January 31st, 2023. He also said MoDOT has been contacted about the stop light at Doss and Warfel Streets as it stays red way too long. The part is on backorder and it may take a few weeks to get the part in. Chief Joe Chase reported clean-up work on the former Annie’s Restaurant will begin after the first of the year. City Clerk Tammy Koller said three people signed up for the east and west ward alderman seats. Incumbent Alderman Shawn Bolerjack has signed up for the East Ward Alderman seat while incumbent Alderwoman Amanda Duncan and former Alderman Bill Riley have filed for the West Ward Aldermanic Seat. The Municipal Election will be held April 4th. Filings closed Tuesday afternoon at 5:00. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened in Reynolds County Thursday afternoon around 3:15 on Route KK about five miles east of Bunker that left a Bunker man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Jeep Cherokee driven eastbound by 24-year-old Alec Hill of Bunker, slid through the intersection of Route KK and Route TT. The Jeep crossed the roadway and impacted the ditch. Hill was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla by a private vehicle. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep sustained moderate damage and was secured at the scene.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon around 12:36 in Reynolds County on Highway 72 about four miles east of Bunker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Toyota Corolla being driven by 49-year-old Michael Murray of Bunker, was traveling westbound and slid off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch. Murray suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Washington County EMS to Salem Medical Clinic. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing.

The Board of Alderman of the City of Salem regular meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 North Washington. The meeting agenda includes a financial update for the city through November 30th before four bids are heard about a municipal financial advisor for services related to a bond issue. The board will discuss the bids before approving one to be the municipal financial advisor which the administration recommends Piper Sandler & Co. If the board decides to go with them, then Resolution No. 50-2022 would authorize the major to enter into an agreement between the City of Salem and Piper Sandler & Co. to provide those municipal financial services. The board will then hear reports from Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash as well as any aldermen who wish to give a report. The board will then go into closed session to address personnel issues and contracts. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday afternoon close to 1:40 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 westbound at the 257-mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2013 Scion TC being driven by 22-year-old Kendall Rodriquez of Cuba began to slide and struck a guardrail. Rodriguez suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Meramec Ambulance to SSM Health St. Clair Hospital. The Scion sustained extensive damage but was able to be driven from the scene. The report went on to state the Rodriquez was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Memorial Hospital will be holding a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive from 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon at the hospital library. Call to schedule your appointment at 417-227-5006 and all donors will get a free T-shirt. For more information, call the hospital at 729-6626.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday, December 15th. No meeting was held in November due to lack of a quorum so the majority of the reports were for both October and November. DCHC Administrator Zach Moser presented the communicable disease report which included 39 new COVID-19 cases for October and 51 for November. Moser reported the new Communicable Disease nurse has been working through a backlog of elevated blood lead cases. He said 14 were closed in November. Two sexually transmitted infection screenings were conducted in November. The Health Center conducts free screenings for common sexually transmitted diseases. Moser noted that influenza cases have increased early in the season and 66 total cases were reported in November. In the diagnostics report, Moser said that 184 blood draw appointments were completed in October, while 141 was the count for November. The DCHC can conduct most tests at reduced cost for those without insurance. There were 23 COVID tests in October and 41 in November. COVID tests are $10 for rapid antigen test, $35 for COVID/FLU combo test, and $50 for molecular C19 Test. Most people can qualify for free testing and no doctor’s orders are required. Moser said that 184 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in October, plus 141 in November. He reported that 300 Influenza vaccines were administered in October and 108 in November, plus free flu vaccine is still available at the Health Center. The two-month total of other vaccines was 127. There was a total of 759 appointments held during October and 524 during November. WIC appointments in October totaled 340 and 345 was the November total. Moser noted that 130 urine drug screenings have been conducted on behalf of the Dent County Treatment Court since October. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report and said she conducted 14 inspections and fielded 18 environmental questions. In the Administrators report, Moser said that 273 children are enrolled in the childcare subsidy program and $298,143 grant funds has been provided so far toward the program. He said a survey was conducted with the Dent County Childcare providers and 56 new children have been added to daycare rolls since the implementation of the program. The Program Goal was 50. Moser reported that the Health Center participated in the Parade of Lights Christmas Parade and won first in the non-commercial category. He noted that insurance collections of $13,000 in October and $16,000 in November showed sustainability of the NP program. Moser reported on the breakroom improvements that he completed. The Board expressed their thanks to Moser and were glad to provide the improvements for the staff. Moser reported that the slowness of DHSS to reimburse grant expenditures made it necessary to temporarily transfer $300,000. The DHSS reimbursement is expected in January. He asked for authorization to cash a Bank of Salem CD if necessary to cover expenditures. The Board authorized the transaction. In new business, Moser reported on a new grant from the State of Missouri for $132,336 that started October 1st which is meant to augment the workforce in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moser reported on the Building Communities for Better Health Grant, which was awarded to DCHC and is to start January 1, 2023. He also reported that the Health Center expects to be awarded Title X grant of $58,000 to support family planning activities. Moser presented changes to the Personnel Manual changing the way sick and vacation time accrues, plus slight changes to the COVID leave policy. The Board approved both changes. Moser reported that in October, DCHC revenue surpassed one million dollars for 2022 so all board members, the administrator and candidates for the Board must now file a personal financial disclosure. Possible purchases were reviewed. Moser reported that the Missouri Immunization Coalition has offered to pay for a secondary vaccine/medical grade refrigerator. The Coalition approved 30” glass door model for $6,422.86 was approved by the Board. Moser reported that the nursing staff has recommended the purchase of a blood lead screening machine and tests. Two quotes were presented, and the Board approved the $2,767.50 quote from Cardinal. The scope of services offered at the Health Center was discussed at length with no motions being made. The Board went into closed session to discuss personnel. The Board returned to open session after approving the 2023 employee compensation plan, which is based on employees receiving a prorated cost of living adjustment based on amount of time they have been employed at the DCHC. Dent County Health Center expenses for October were approved, while November expenses were not available at the time of the meeting. The next regular meeting of the DCHC Board was set for Thursday, January 19th.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Monday, December 26th in observance of Christmas with normal operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27th. Public examination stations will also be closed on Monday, January 2nd, 2023, in observance of New Year’s Day with normal operations resuming on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.

With the impending storm expected to cripple travel and make exposure to the cold dangerous, and with the number of city and government offices closing due to the holiday or weather, KSMO Media has elected not to publish a paper version of Your World Today for Friday. A new version will be available Friday morning online at ksmoradio.com. Also, with the Christmas holiday being observed on Monday, Your World Today will NOT be published in recognition of the holiday on December 26th. From everyone at KSMO Media, KSMO Radio and Your World Today, Merry Christmas!!

A one vehicle accident happened late Tuesday afternoon in Miller County on Highway 17 just north of Airport Road that took the life of an area man. According to the highway patrol report, a 1992 Peterbilt being by 70-year-old Barry Wisdom of Dixon, formally of Bunker, traveled off the right side of the roadway then returned to the roadway and began skidding. The unit being towed jack-knifed and separated from the cab which then traveled off the left side of the road and struck a guardrail before overturning on the passenger side and striking a tree before coming to a rest. The trailer then traveled off the left side of the road, striking a guardrail and overturning. Wisdom, who was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident, was pronounced dead by Miller Coroner Tim Bradley at the scene at 6:05. Wisdom was taken to the Francher-Rekus Funeral Home. The Peterbilt was totaled and removed from the scene by Hi Tech Towing.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released results from a couple of court cases heard Friday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in Dent County. In the first case, a probation hearing was held for Michael Shaw of Rolla who was on probation for stealing and burglary in the second degree. Judge Randazzo revoked the probation and sentenced Shaw to serve five years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. In the second case of the day, another probation hearing was held for John Birdsong of St. James who was on probation for resisting arrest and for the possession of a controlled substance. Randazzo revoked Birdsong’s probation and he was sentenced to serve nine years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor.

State Fire Marshal Tim Bean is urging Missourians to be extra cautious heating their homes as the most frigid temperatures of the season push into the state. Each year, space heaters account for about one-third of home heating fires and 80% of heating fire deaths. Space heaters are the leading cause of home fires in the months of December, January and February, according to the National Fire Protections Association. When temperatures in Missouri plunged in February 2015, space heaters and supplemental heating sources were suspected in seven deaths and six injuries in less than a week. This weekend temperatures across most of Missouri are expected to drop below zero with wind chill values as low as 30 degrees below zero due to wind gusts as high as 40-50 miles per hour. Fire Marshal Bean stressed two key factors leading to heating fires: not using space heaters and other heating sources as they are designed to be used, and not having smoke alarms in their homes. Space heaters are designed to be used to supplement primary heating sources; that’s where the name comes from, they’re meant to help heat limited spaces in a residence that do not warm sufficiently from the primary heating source. Also, people need to think of space heaters and smoke alarms as working together. Smoke alarms are essential in the home. Remember these safety tips whenever heating equipment is used: Turn off portable heaters whenever leaving the room or going to bed. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment. The three-foot safety zone includes furniture, drapes, Christmas trees and electronics – anything that can burn. Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters. Do not overload extension cords or outlets. Many extension cords and power strips are not designed to handle the load of an electric heater. Never place an electrical cord under a rug, to prevent the cord from overheating and causing a fire. Never use an oven or other cooking devices to heat your home. Never use an outdoor propane heater indoors. Make sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by testing them monthly.

Due to the incoming weather system and pending road conditions, the City of Salem offices will be closed today. They are asking the public to please be safe and stay home if possible. If residents are in need of a warm place during the frigid cold and below-zero wind chills, they are asked to go to the Salem Police Department lobby. If there are several requests, the basement of the old city hall may be opened as a warming station. For weather or utility outage issues call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The volunteers for the Salvation Army red kettle campaign will not be ringing the bell at the kettles this weekend at Country Mart and Wal-Mart, due to the expected cold temperatures. Anyone wishing to help the local unit raise funds to meet this year’s goal of $37,500 is invited to send a check to P.O. Box 190 in Salem, MO 65560 or you can drop it off at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Please call 729-8163 for more information.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading was going to be attempted on Dent County Roads 4220 and 6600 while materials were going to be added and grading done on county road 5520. He also said brush would be cut on county road 5530. Mobray said the county road crews would be preparing the trucks with spreaders for the winter storm that’s expected to hit on Thursday. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3200 with only grading being done on county road 2510. Larson said brush would be cut on county road 2550. Larson said he would be attending the Tourism Tax Committee meeting Monday and bring back their budget for the 2023 year. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind the public the courthouse will be closed this Friday and on Monday, December 26th for the Christmas holiday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said work continues on the county budget for the 2023 year. The commission was visited by Jenna Deason and Liz Condray from the Salem Area Community Betterment Association along with Roger Still from the LAD Foundation and Pioneer Forest. They talked about the success of this years ”Trees and Trains Exhibit,” and how they have 10 volunteers working each normal week, but with “Trees and Trains, they needed to have 20 volunteers each week and SACBA was able to cover it. The purpose of their visit was to ask the commission to consider providing funds for needed repairs to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center that included brickwork, sealing of the windows, foundation work on the back side and electrical upgrades. They budgeted $30,686 for those repairs form the county ARPA funds. One of the reasons for this needed work was that Salem has been selected as one of six sites in the State of Missouri to host, “Crossroads in Rural Missouri,” a traveling Smithsonian exhibit that offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths and to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. The exhibit would be in Salem for four to six weeks. Condray said representatives from the Smithsonian will be in Salem to check out the building for the exhibit. The commissioners said the county right now is getting ready to put together their budget for 2023 and would revisit their request once the budget has been compiled to see how they may be able to help. Deason and Condray also spoke about a meeting they had with their partners about using the outside of the ONCRC as a canvas for mural that would be designed by and painted by David Spear. Roger Still said the LAD Foundation would be interested in making a sizeable donation to that project that would encompass all of what Dent County is and was. The mural cannot be started until all the brick and tuckpointing work has been completed. They said work on the mural could start in Spring of 2023 and last until Spring of 2024. They were not asking the county for any funds for the mural at this time. Laura Parker from Town and Country Bank brought in the lease-purchase agreement for the new John Deere graders for the commission to sign and record. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports. On Friday afternoon, December 9th at around 1:30, officers were dispatched to Wal Mart for a report of a vehicle collision where one party had left the scene. An investigation concluded that a male subject had backed into another vehicle causing damage that went unreported. After further investigation, it was apparent the driver of the vehicle knew he had hit the other vehicle and still failed to report it. As a result, a 41-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. Around 9:30 the evening of December 10th, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South Jackson Street for a report of domestic disturbance. During the investigation, a subject was located that had an active capias warrant out of Dent County. As a result, 32-year-old Melissa Lea of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County jail on her “no bond” warrant. On Monday, December 12th at 11:00 in the morning, officers located a man at the Ranch Motel with an active warrant out of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with the bond of $10,000. Officers arrested and incarcerated 42-year-old Steven Pacheco of Springfield, Missouri, at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition to Newton County. Finally on December 14th at around 7:00 in the evening, officers located a woman at Dollar General who had an active capias warrant out of Dent County. They arrested 33-year-old Allie Haines of Salem, and she was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail on her “no bond” warrant. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation.

A one vehicle accident happened Friday afternoon at 1:00 in Shannon County on Highway 19 about a mile south of Eminence. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven north by 79-year-old Samuel Crider of Eminence, crossed over the centerline and ran off the left side of the road where the Jeep struck a tree. Samuel Crider and a passenger, 80-year-old Jo Crider, also of Eminence, both suffered serious injuries and were transported by the Mercy EMS to the Ozarks Health Care in West Plains. Both were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by Bakers Towing of Birch Tree.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday night for their regular meeting. High School Principal Tori Snitker saluted students Alex Diehl for going to state in Cross Country and finishing 93rd out of over 200 students, and also to FFA Student Presley Strader for having the 2022 Grand Champion Market Lamb at the Missouri State Fair. In communications, Superintendent Lynne Reed said the American Legion Post #99 donated $500 to each building to use for whatever purpose they need. Engineer and Trades Building designer John Odom spoke to the board about the uncertainty of the footing at the original location suggested for the Construction Trades and Technology Building on the south side of the bus barn. There has been a lot of fill put there over the years and it was not documented that the fill was ever properly compressed. Also with the topography of the land there, a large amount of concrete would be needed for the foundation that would have a 12-foot exposure at the southern end of the building. That building was designed as a rectangular building. Odom suggested moving the building to the location where the IT Building and department currently is just to the south of the parking lot. Two sheds and two power poles would have to be moved and the building would have to be demolished and filled properly, but in that location the building would be more accessible to students and the land is more level cutting back on the amount of concrete that would need to be used. He also suggested making the building in a “T” shape which could have a drive through area in the building back to the current driveway and there could be storage in the base of the “T.” Each building would have been 9,500 square feet so the design change did not lose any space. The board favored the new location, but more information will still be needed before a final decision has to be reached. Reed updated the board on the new Tin Gym and the steel framing is now up, but no work has yet begun on the locker rooms. The district report card has now been updated on DESE. The board discussed the four-day work week after reviewing results of a survey by the Calendar Committee and no action was taken, but the board wants to get more information and keep the idea on the table. The board also discussed a bond resolution that would be needed if the school intends to have a bond issue on the April ballot for the construction of the addition of the elementary school onto the upper elementary school. The question remains if the FEMA money of over $3 million dollars is going to be available and Reed said the school might know by January, but that chance is probably very slim this year. The plans to build what the board feels are minimum needs includes work that would be paid for with those funds. The current bonding capacity is $9.4 million. The board will wait until the January meeting to make a decision on the resolution. After the principal reports, Athletic Director Clay Moody reported on the Fall Athletic Banquet and thanked the Salem News and KSMO Media for their support of the athletes. The board approved Malerie Workman as the MSBA Belcher Scholarship Nominee, approved the MSBA Board policy revisions from the previous meeting, and rescinded policy DBB. The board approved the Conflict-of-Interest Policy and set the tuition rate for Salem R-80 for the 2022-2023 school year at $8,881 per student. The board also approved the Infinite Campus Contract that will replace the current SIS system the school uses, and the purchase of Evaluate for students in kindergarten through the 8th grade. Evaluate will be required to be used by all teachers. The high school uses Missouri Learning Standards for high school students. The board approved the purchase of two 2013 Bluebird busses from Copeland in St. James with a Cummings engine as the current bus fleet has had several mechanical failures. The busses have 113,000 and 136,000 miles on them, respectively, and the school paid a total of $29,000 for both. The board accepted the resignations of Susan Jadwin as well as Debbie Plank and Mark McElvy. The board also accepted the resignation of Bryson Barnes as the head high school football coach only as he will still retain his teaching position as well as being an assistant baseball coach. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened on Route BB about seven miles southwest of Licking in Texas County Saturday morning at 10:32 that left a man from Licking with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 25-year-old Dakota Jones of Licking was driving a 2017 Jeep Renegade westbound when he traveled off the road and struck a tree. Jones was flown by Air Evac to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Jones was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive.

Missouri’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD) in collaboration with Meramec Regional Planning Commission will host a virtual video call on the topic of broadband availability today at 3:00. Citizens, public officials and other leaders will have an opportunity to hear about how they can help improve recently released maps showing broadband availability specific to the Meramec Region. Newly created Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maps will determine what share of $42.45 billion in federal broadband funding will come to the state of Missouri through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, a component of the infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act. The map will identify what locations in the state qualify for help using those funds. To see the FCC map, visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov. At the meeting, OBD staff will review what the map shows about the region and introduce attendees to the FCC’s challenge process, which allows individuals and institutions to submit corrections to the map. The National Telecommunications Information Agency, the federal agency responsible for the BEAD program, has indicated that all challenges filed by January 13th will be considered in its decision about how much BEAD funding each state receives. Challenges filed after that date are still important in order to ensure that no locations are missed when the time comes to fund projects using the BEAD allocation. The OBD is partnering with University of Missouri Extension to provide in-person technical support for anyone interested in filing challenges at their county offices across the state. Residents in Dent County should contact the Dent County Extension office is 729-3196. The Office of Broadband Development will also answer questions about the challenge process over the phone at 573-526-1028 or by email at broadband@ded.mo.gov. In addition to encouraging individuals to file challenges, the OBD staff will review how local institutions can promote participation in the challenge process and to work with local officials to identify data sources that could be used for larger-scale challenges. Beginning in 2023, Missouri will use BEAD funding to launch its Connecting All Missourians initiative, which aims to provide high-quality broadband internet to every home and business in the state. Please contact Linda Carroll at MRPC for the meeting link, by phone at 573-265-2993 or by email at lcarroll@meramecregion.org. MRPC is assisting the OBD with outreach and community engagement in the Meramec Region.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5510 and 6633 while only grading will be done on county road 5130. Mobray said a man would be cutting brush on county road 5530 and the Title II rock work is now completed on county road 5600. Mobray also said he met with the engineer from Great Rivers Engineering and representatives from H. R. Quadri from Van Buren about starting the Cooley Bridge FLAP project and Quadri wanted to get started before Christmas, but later said it would be after the first of the year due to material shortages. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3140 and 2150 while only materials would be added to county road 2510. Larson said grading would also be done on Dent County Roads 2520 and 2530 while brush was going to be cut on county road 2500. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Hazard Mitigation meeting was held Tuesday afternoon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory that he and Commissioner Mobray attended. He stated it was just a wrap-up meeting and Skiles said all entities including schools, the city of Salem, fire departments, etc who studied the plan need to submit the time they spent studying the plan to Patrick Sites from the MRPC so that the county can meet their 39-hours of in-kind match to save the county money on the plan. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the Dent County Courthouse would be closed for the Christmas holiday on Friday, December 23rd and Monday, December 26th. At 10:00, the commission opened bids for general liability, auto, property and errors and omissions insurance for the county for the 2023 year. One bid came in and it was from Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance for a total of $176,150. The 2022 price for all the insurances was for $198,989. Elliott said some of the deductibles may be a bit higher than last year and the jail deductible would be 1% of its value or around $14,500. Elliott said some of the deductibles may be able to be negotiated down further but he only received the policy and quote Wednesday. The board approved to purchase the policy. Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind all vendors to have their invoices and statements submitted to the county to be paid by the close of day Wednesday, December 28th. If anyone has questions, call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144. Sherry Lea, Healthy Dent County Director, brought to the commission the renewal agreement for them to provide rural addressing services for the 2023 year for $15,000. The commission approved the agreement. At the last meeting, the commission approved the purchase agreement for two new John DeereGraders from McCoy in Cuba for $414,515.02.The next commissioner meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Community Choir will present Lloyd Larson’s cantata “Morning Star” this Saturday night at 7:00 at the Anutt Community Church. The cantata, celebrating the everlasting light of Christmas, features solos by Amy Moore, Steve Morton, Michelle Smith, Jimmy Cotner and Faeryn Donal, with scripture narration by Chris Hendrix. The choir is under the direction of Catherine Dent. A dinner following the cantata will be held at the church.