Local News

On September 21st, 2021, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control announced $13.25M in grants to prevent and reduce substance use in youth 18-years of age or younger. The Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition was awarded $125,000 per year for five years to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. After five years, community coalitions may re-compete for another five-year cycle. The Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition also received a $100,000 grant from the Department of Mental Health to reduce youth substance use. With these grants, two Prevention Coordinators have been hired to teach the evidence-based “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum in all Salem and Dent County schools. Melissa Gould will teach students in grades 6 through 8 and Jason Eddie will teach students in grades 9 through 12. The “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum is a comprehensive family of substance use and prevention curricula designed to mitigate the risk factors associated with risky behavior and build protection within the child. The program builds the basis for a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment. Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, these grant funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local substance use problems. Both grants involve local communities in finding solutions and also helps youth at risk for substance use recognize the majority of our Nation’s youth choose not to use substances. As demonstrated by independent evaluations, the Drug Free Communities Support Program significantly reduces substance use amongst youth, the target population. The Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition was formed in 2017 to develop effective, evidence-based strategies to prevent youth substance use. The mission of the HDC Prevention Coalition is to facilitate community participation in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among our young people and community. For additional information about the HDC Prevention Coalition please contact Healthy Dent County’s Executive Director, Sherry Lea, at 573-729-8163 or sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

Many people don’t realize that minerals are a part of every manufactured product we use daily. That’s one reason why The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) is providing local teachers with a fun and educational curriculum along with the materials that teach children about the ways minerals are used in our everyday lives. Doe Run packaged kits containing instructions for two minerals-themed activities and a gift card to purchase the materials needed to complete them. They have been distributed to classrooms at Iron County C-4 Elementary in Viburnum and Salem Upper Elementary. Doe Run is working to bring the kits to other local school districts too. One of the activities is “Cookie Mining,” which utilizes chocolate chip cookies, toothpicks, paper clips and graph paper to teach children about mining. Children take on the role of a miner by first selecting the ‘mine’ – a cookie – that they want to purchase. Next, they choose the type of mining equipment they wish to use, either a toothpick or paper clip. After mining their cookie for its chocolate chips, children must ‘reclaim’ the leftover cookie. Finally, they tally up the “value” of their mined chips and subtract the costs they incurred. A second hands-on activity is called “Toothpaste with a Twist,” in which children can make and flavor their own toothpaste. This exercise shows students how minerals are essential ingredients in maintaining good oral hygiene.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Friday night at the Salem Community Center @The Armory for a special meeting called by Mayor Kim Steelman. At the meeting, the board reviewed and discussed Bill #3494 which created an ordinance amending the City of Salem Code of Ordinances, Chapter 110 in regards to the mayor and board of alderman. This bill addressed Article 1 Board of Aldermen, Section 110.120 concerning vacancies and how they are filled. The Bill proposed changing the original wording by adding “The Board of Aldermen may adopt procedures to fill vacancies consistent with this Section. The successor shall serve until the next regular municipal election, at which time a successor shall be duly elected to fill the remainder of any unexpired term for the office.” The other parts of the original ordinance remained unchanged. This bill was approved by the aldermen. The board then approved Resolution #33-2021 that repealed Resolution #32-2021 and provided for a Municipal Election on April 5, 2022 for one West Ward Alderman to serve a term of one year expiring in April of 2023, for one West Ward Alderman to serve a term of two years expiring in April of 2024, one East Ward Alderman to serve a two-year term expiring in April of 2024, and a mayor to serve a two-year term that would expire in April of 2024. The signup dates remain the same starting at 8:00 in the morning on December 7th and ending at 5:00 PM on December 28th at the City Administration building in the office of the City Clerk as in the previous resolution. The meeting was then adjourned.

The local Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit raises funds locally with the familiar red kettle at Christmas time. The famous red kettle will be located at Country Mart, Dollar General and Wal-Mart starting the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and lasting until Christmas Eve every Friday and Saturday. Counter kettles will be located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way that funds are raised to continue meeting the needs of the less fortunate in our community. Volunteer bell ringers are needed each year to help raise funds. To volunteer to ring the bell at the red kettle, please visit the online registration webpage at www.registertoring.com or call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099. For additional information regarding The Salvation Army please stop by the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 W. Rolla Road or call at 729-8163.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting this evening at 5:45 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to read Bill #3494 that will amend the City of Salem Ordinance on how board vacancies are filled. They will then read Resolution #33-2021 that will repeal Resolution #32-2021 that provided for the Municipal election on April 5th, 2022. The new resolution allows for the election of a West Ward Alderman for one year to finish out the term of the late Kenny Nash who was replaced by Kevin James, and the election of a West Ward alderman for the normal two-year term currently held by Greg Parker. The election of an East Ward alderman for a two-year term will also be held and that is currently being held by Kala Sisco who was appointed after East Ward Alderwoman Kim Steelman was appointed mayor. The election of the mayor will also be on the ballot who will also serve a two-year term. The meeting will then be adjourned. The special meeting was called by Mayor Kim Steelman and it is open to the public.

For those interested in filing for an elected city position, you must meet these requirements. To qualify for the East or West Ward Aldermen positions you must live in and have been a resident of that ward for at least one year and be 21-years-of-age. To qualify to serve as mayor, you must have been a citizen of the city for at least one year and be 25-years-of-age or older. Ther is a filing fee of $25 for any candidate filing for city office. The first day to file for office will be December 7th with the last day to file being December 28th. The city administration office hours will be from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon to file for office. You must also have all your property and real estate taxes paid up to date. If you have any questions, please call 729-4811.

At 8:45 Wednesday evening in Dent County, 40-year-old James D. Hansel of Salem was arrested by the highway patrol and charged with felony trafficking of drugs in the 1st degree, felony possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor for the unlawful use of a weapon, and for possession of drug paraphernalia. Hansel was being held in the Dent County jail on a 24-hour hold.

Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council invites residents to join the 2021-2022 group of volunteers that make Dent County a better place to live through extension programs. Representatives will be elected in a non-partisan election January 10th through January 14th, 2022. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and reside in Dent County. Applications are due be November 19th to the Dent County Extension at 112 East 5th Street and are available by email at dentco@missouri.edu, by calling 573-729-3196, or online at www.extension.missouri.edu/dent. The Dent County Extension Council is the local link between county residents and the University of Missouri four-campus system. Responsibilities include attending monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of each month, identify concerns of the community to connect citizens with Extension resources, administer the county budget and assist in planning, promoting, and carrying out Extension efforts. Individuals interested in serving on the council may contact Sarah Hultine Massengale, County Extension Specialist at 573-729-3196. Information about the Dent County Extension office can be found on the web at extension.missouri.ed/dent.

The beginning of the firearm deer season will be tomorrow morning starting one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Only one antlered deer may be taken during the entire firearms season (all portions combined). You may take only two antlered deer during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined. Don’t forget that the antler-point restriction applies in some counties. If you harvest a deer from certain counties in the CWD Management Zone during the opening weekend, November 13-14, you must take your deer to a designated CWD sampling station. The firearm deer season will end on November 23rd. Don’t forget to telecheck your deer once it has been harvested. Also, don’t forget to “Share the Harvest” to help those hungry in the state get nutritious meat. This program is administered by the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Donating is easy. Simply take your deer to an approved meat processor and let the processor know how much venison you wish to donate. Find a processor on the mdc.mo.gov website.

It’s past the fall color peak, but the colors continue to look nice throughout much the Ozark Region. Although the colors are subdued and trees are dropping their leaves, there is enough variability across the landscape for another week of good viewing opportunities. The forested hillsides are showing a range of glowing reddish browns to yellow browns. An occasional bright yellow or red crown can still be seen across the slopes. Shortleaf pine and eastern red cedar are becoming more prominent and stand out against the backdrop of oak and hickory. A few black gums are hanging on to their red leaves, but they are starting to drop. Dogwoods seem reluctant to turn let go of their dark purple leaves and are still looking pretty. Their bright red fruits stand out along the branches, if one is close enough to see them. You can still find occasional red or sugar maple landscape or forest trees that are striking with intense crimson and red. Scarlet oak, named because of its brilliant scarlet fall color, is starting to look reddish brown, but it hasn’t reached peak color. These trees will be the season’s grand finale when they change. The recent cold nights have brightened the color in areas where trees still had a lot of leaves. However, expect trees to start dropping their leaves in earnest this coming week.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution #32-2021 that called for a local Municipal election to be held on April 5th, 2022 to determine two West Ward Aldermen, an East Ward Aldermen as well as a mayor. A question was asked about two candidates running for the West Ward positions in the same election for two years, but it was noted that one of the positions should only be for one year as Alderman Kevin James was appointed after the death of Alderman Nash. This will be discussed again at the next meeting. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge said she has updated the Incentives and Resources Page on the City of Salem Economic Development Webpage along with Labor and Wages, Large Employers and more. She did say the Dent County unemployment rate for September was 2.7%. City Administrator Ray Walden reported the Salem Community Center@The Armory had 4,157 participants in October, that the city offices would be closed on today for Veteran’s Day, and then he introduced Stacy Houston as the new city finance director. Archer-Elgin Manager Jeff Meadows updated the board on a number of projects including the sewer extension on Highway 72 to the hospital which is waiting on materials, two lift stations are complete even though one needs a new high water sensor, and the city has water, sewer and electric mapping going on now. Mayor Kim Steelman said that she will not be seeking re-election as she wants to focus more time on her family, and Alderman Kevin James said he would be resigning after the December 14th meeting due to the change in his work schedule. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the water and sewer department has been flushing hydrants, fixed a water leak at Grand and Thomas Streets and have replaced a couple of water lines. Nash said that last year through October of 2020, the city had used 31,013,000 gallons of water while this year’s total is 20,846,000 gallons, a savings of over 10 million gallons. Nash said there 81 disconnects from October with 65 of them back on as of Tuesday afternoon. Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois said the Youth Basketball Signups are going on now through the 20th for $25 per boy or girl in the 1st through 6th grade, and $35 for a cheerleader in same age bracket. There will be an additional ten dollar late charge per child for those who register their children after the 20th and before November 30th. She also said “Light up the Park” will be held December 4th through the 31st at the Salem City Park and businesses who want to have a display at the event need to contact DuBois at 729-6290. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said the Missouri Public Utility Alliance sent the city a letter stating that natural gas prices are expected to be higher for the upcoming winter season. Alderman Greg Parker did report that he would be running again in April. Auditor Kristen Deluca gave the report on the city audit from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. She said the city received an unmodified opinion which the best a municipality can get. She said the books were fairly stated and the city ended with a net position of $10,429,940 from government and business services. Deluca told the board that the statements break down each department and service the city offers. She did say the city does not have enough people to separate duties, but that is common with small towns, and that a bank account was not reconciled for almost six months. But overall, Deluca said the audit was very good. The board then went into closed session to discuss contracts.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday evening at 6:40 on Dent County Road 2410 about six miles west of Salem. The highway patrol report states that a 1996 Ford Ranger being by 18-year-old Jasper Weber of Salem was traveling west when he attempted a 90 degree turn at speeds too fast for conditions. The Ford traveled off the left side the roadway and overturned. A passenger, a 16-year-old female from Salem, was taken by a private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The report went on to state that Weber was wearing a seat restraint while the occupant was not.

With the most popular weekend for most Missouri deer hunters coming up this weekend, the Missouri Department of Conservation says deer numbers look good. According to MDC, this season’s harvest should be higher than average due to increasing deer numbers across most of the state coupled with increased firearms antlerless permit availability in a number of counties and an extension of the antlerless portion. Hunters typically harvest between a quarter to a third of the state’s total annual deer harvest during those two days. Hunters harvested a total of 297,214 deer during the 2020-2021 deer season. Of that total, 80,744 were taken during opening weekend of the November portion, about 27 percent of the total harvest. Missouri’s archery deer and turkey season continues through November 12th and resumes November 24th through January 15th, 2022. The November portion of firearms deer season runs November 13th through November 23rd followed by the late youth portion November 26th through the 28th. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 4th through December 12th followed by the alternative methods portion December 25th through January 4th, 2022. Learn more about deer hunting in Missouri online at mdc.mo.gov and get more information on deer hunting and CWD from MDC’s 2021 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online.

The Creative Arts Center is giving you the chance to Paint Like Monet! This will be a Palette knife Paint-N-Sip tonight from 6:00 until 8:30 for persons age 13 through adult at the Creative Arts Center. Tana Kettner and Wanda Nickles, both professional artists /retired art teachers will lead the class. The cost is $25 per person with all supplies provided. For more information call 247-0651 or 247-5306, or email salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Salem Public Library is holding its annual food drive at 4th and Jackson Streets through November 20th during regular business hours. The food that is collected will be donated to Grace Harbor. Please leave at the library only in date and non-perishable foods and please do not drop off dented or rusty cans. For more information, call the library at 729-4331.

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board met at the Salem Community Center@The Armory for their first meeting Monday night with new board members Caleb Shepherd, Amanda Duncan and Tiffin Felkerson. Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois gave the statistics on the activities at the swimming pool, and that Collin Heavin led the Lifeguard Certification course through the Red Cross that certified three lifeguards for next season. She reported the funding for the LWCF grant for the soccer park has been released and now the city is looking for a soccer field engineer. She told the board there had been numerous instances of vandalism at the city park where a police report was filed. She said security cameras were being installed by Rommel’s Lock and Alarm. DuBois then gave the report on the Salem Civic Theatre renovations and that a few reservations have been made. The safety lights have been installed on the floor in the aisles and the city is working with an electrician to finish work in the projector room. The “Eat Smart in the Park” grant funding allowed for healthy and nutritional foods to be served in the pool concession stand that was enhanced by the purchase of two air fryers, a commercial grade apple slicer and menu boards. She stated the picnic tables at the Center Street Park have been removed due to the finding of a white substance on them. The tables have been bleached and have been moved to the city park. She said the pool has been winterized as have the bathrooms at the city park, but the bathrooms at the Al Brown Fields have not yet been winterized. She mentioned the Bonebrake Center wanted to partner with the Parks and Recreation Department on hiring an intern for the summer of 2022. Housing would be provided, and the intern would split duties between the Bonebrake Center and the Park and Recreation Department. The board approved to move forward in setting the parameters of the shared intern with the Bonebrake Center and also to interviewing candidates. DuBois reported on the “Light up the Park” display to be held this year starting December 4th at the Salem City Park. Business can sign up now by contacting DuBois at 729-6290. She also said signups for the Youth Basketball Program are going on now for $25 per child in the 1st through 6th grades. Cheerleading for basketball is also available for $35 per child. Registrations will be accepted until November 20th. Forms are available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and you can also register online at the Salem Park and Recreation Department Facebook page. DuBois also said coaches are needed and wanted to emphasize that coaches do not need to have children that are participating in the sport to coach. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted the Park Board to know the parking lot at the city pool will be replaced with concrete done in sections over time in the spring as to not close the parking lot. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened Monday evening at 7:30 in Phelps County on Highway F about three miles east of Rolla. The highway patrol report states that a 2017 Dodge Ram being driven by 31-year-old Bret Manz of St. James traveled off the left side of the roadway, then struck a culvert and a tree. Manz, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was transported by a patrol vehicle to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing. Manz was arrested on two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, felony leaving the scene of a crash, DWI-prior offender, driving while having his license suspended, and careless and imprudent driving involving a crash.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks recognize and thank all veterans and active-duty military members for their service with two promotions in honor of Veterans Day. To show appreciation, all veterans and active-duty military members camping at a Missouri State Parks campground Thursday will receive a voucher for a free night of camping. The veteran must be staying the night of Thursday, November 11th and show identification having veteran/active-duty military status at check-in to receive a free camping coupon. Missouri State Parks will accept several types of identification. Veterans and active military members are also invited on free tours of Missouri state historic sites Thursday through Sunday, November 14th, with a valid ID. Some Missouri state parks and historic sites change hours of operations during the fall for offseason. Visitors are encouraged to check current hours online at mostateparks.com before heading to a state park or historic site. In addition, Missouri State Parks offers a $2 per night camping discount year-round at state park campgrounds for military members and veterans. Nightly camping rates vary from campground to campground based on different criteria. The military discount will be given to retired, veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel – all of whom must show the proper valid military identification at time of check-in. Missouri State Parks seeks employees who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting public resources. In accordance with state law, if you are a veteran, a family member of a veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran, you are given preference in the employment selection process when you are similarly qualified to other applicants for the same position. Veterans are encouraged to include their military experience on every application submitted for employment at Missouri State Parks. For more information, visit mostateparks.com. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5520 and 6505 while only grading would be done on county road 4220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3080, 3090 and 4280 while only grading would be done on county roads 3330 and 4290. He also said brush-cutter #9 would be serviced. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended a Zoom meeting at the Salem Community Center@The Armory organized by the MRPC with the Rural Electric Coop Consortium who bid on areas of Dent County to provide Internet services in the recent Rural Development Opportunity Fund auction. The consortium represents 95 different coops, but they don’t have an agreement with a local coop yet to provide Internet services in Missouri. They indicated they would be willing to work with Intercounty Electric to provide the Internet services, but they have not reached out to them yet. They estimated the time frame needed to get the work done would be eight years. Skiles said the courthouse will be closed for Veteran’s Day this Thursday and the commissioners will not be meeting on Monday, November 22nd due to the Annual MAC Conferences. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the collector and assessor on all abatements, collections and add-ons for the month of November. She also said she has set the candidate signup dates for all the elections to be held in 2022. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax monies received by the county this month. The county did receive the $197,000 that had been withheld in October as it was added on to the November totals with no breakdown as the time of receipt. The General Revenue Fund and the LEST Fund both received $145,057.34 in November while in November of 2020, the county received $98,235.80. Year-to-date, the county is down $256,639.44 in each of those funds. The Road and Bridge Fund received $70,228.93 compared to the 2020 figure of $47,104.59 and year-to date, it is down $137,773.87. In the jail operating fund and trust fund, the county received $105,103.36 in November compared to $94,225.44 last year. Year-to date, the jail funds are each down $275,185.89. Don Mutz from Titan Paving and Drainage talked with the commissioners about a product called Karnak that could help them on their chip and seal road repairs. This product could be kept at the county shed and used when needed. It is a thick oil product that sets up in eight to 24 hours and can be layered for trouble spots. Mutz and the Commissoners Larson and Mobray will check out the material at the county shed Wednesday morning with the road supervisors. At the last meeting, Darrell Decker from Select Service, LLC came to the commissioner meeting to discuss the health insurance renewal that showed the county had a 1.7% rate increase that came to $643.76 per employee. The commission will pay the employees insurance that will go into effect January 1st. It also costs the county $500 to be a member of the insurance consortium. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, November 15th at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

An accident happened Sunday evening just after 9:00 in Phelps County at 741 Highway T. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2002 Yamaha motorcycle being operated by 24-year-old Shawn Leach of Rolla, was on private property when the motorcycle struck a parked trailer ejected Leach from the bike. He was taken to Phelps Health Hospital for the treatment of moderate injuries. The report stated that Leach was not wearing a safety device at the time of the accident.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special meeting last Thursday by Zoom. The board approved to revise policy SRCSP to include the updated quarantine and isolation guidance from the Dent County Health Department. Then in closed session, the board approved hiring middle school special education instructor Kathleen Cole before Superintendent Lynne Reed discussed a personnel issue. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance is encouraging consumers who are eligible for Medicare to review their plan options and costs during this year’s open enrollment. The open enrollment period which runs through December 7th, presents Missourians with the opportunity to change their Part D drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. To help consumers choose a plan that best meets their needs, the department offers free assistance to Missourians who are eligible for Medicare and their caregivers through the department’s CLAIM program. CLAIM can also help Missourians on a limited income determine whether they qualify for a Low-Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Programs to offset the cost of their prescription drugs. Missourians can ask questions by phone or arrange one-on-one counseling by calling 1-800-390-3330 or visiting missouriclaim.org. Missouri seniors, health care providers and others are encouraged to be wary of unscrupulous sales tactics during the open enrollment period. Protecting your personal information is the best line of defense in the fight against health care fraud and abuse. Never give your Medicare or Social Security numbers to strangers, especially those offering unverifiable free services. The department offers these tips to keep your personal information safe. First, verify that a salesperson is a licensed insurance agent by calling the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-726-7390. Be cautious of door-to-door salespeople. Medicare has no sales representatives, and agents cannot solicit Part D or Medicare Advantage plans at your home without an appointment. Avoid salespeople who offer free lunches for listening to a sales presentation. Federal law prohibits offers of free meals in exchange for signing up for a plan or listening to a presentation on Medicare. Do not give out personal information to an unlicensed agent. Salespeople are not allowed to ask for your Medicare Number, Social Security, bank account or credit card number during marketing activities. If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE. Salespeople cannot ask for online payments and must send a bill. Once you decide to buy a plan and have verified the agent is licensed, then you may give the agent personal enrollment and billing information. A Medicare health or drug plan can call you if you’re already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you. A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if you’ve called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back. Consumers with complaints or questions about insurance can contact the department’s Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit insurance.mo.gov.

An accident happened Wednesday evening just before 7:00 in Shannon County on Highway 19 about three miles south of Eminence. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2006 Dodge Charger being driven by 51-year-old Darla Chilton of Eminence was traveling north when she traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a sign and an embankment and several trees. Chilton, who was wearing a safety restraint, was taken by ambulance to Ozark Healthcare in West Plains for treatment of moderate injuries. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Sartin’s Towing.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is testing for new troopers. The Patrol is encouraging qualified individuals of all backgrounds to apply and will offer testing at nine different locations in Missouri. Those who successfully complete testing will be eligible to continue in the selection process for the 115th Recruit Class, scheduled to begin training on July 5th, 2022. The application deadline is January 15th, 2022. To be eligible, candidates must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent and be 21 years of age upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Academy, troopers are eligible to earn 46 credit hours through Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO, or 30 credit hours through the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO, toward a degree. The starting annual salary for trooper is $49,536, and following three years of service, the trooper first class salary is increased to $52,200. Other benefits include group health insurance, contributory retirement, career advancement, and more. The selection process is a multi-phase testing procedure which includes a written examination, a physical fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, background investigation, and oral interview board. Written and physical examinations take place in each troop area across the state. After a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must successfully complete a medical examination to include vision and hearing, psychological examination, a psychological interview, drug screening, and final applicant review. Interested persons can find out more
about the qualifications by contacting a Patrol recruiter at 1-800-796-7000, or apply online at www.motrooper.com.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet will be held on Tuesday evening, November 9th at the Wilson Family Center with the doors opening at 5:30 with the dinner and program scheduled to begin at 6:00. This event is free for members to attend, but the Chamber does ask that you RSVP with the number that will be in your group who will be attending the event. The Chamber is also inviting all past presidents of the chamber to join us. During the banquet you will get a chance to share highlights from the year you were president. The Wilson Mortuary is sponsoring the banquet location, meal and entertainment. The meal will be catered by the Main Street Café and will include roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dessert. Entertainment will be the Bradford Family Music. The Fire and Muck Pottery Studio will be giving away gifts to members and providing door prizes. The Chamber’s Past Presidents will be entered to win a plaque made and donated by State Representative Ron Copeland. For more information or to make your reservations, please contact the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 573-729-6900 or stop by 1136 South Main Street in Salem. in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board voted to go into closed session to discuss policies and procedures because of prior commitments of Joe Weber. After spending 13 minutes in closed session, the board returned to open session. During the review of the policies and procedures, the board agreed that changes would be sent to Joe Weber by the end of the month. After the suggested changes were incorporated into the policies and procedures, they would then be reviewed at the December meeting. Minutes from the October meeting were then reviewed and approved as presented. The bills were then reviewed and approved with an ending balance as of October 31st of $132,613.87. Yearly reimbursements will be distributed at the December meeting. The budget was reviewed, and it was noted that the finance committee will meet next Tuesday, November 9th, to work on the 2022 budget. The monthly reimbursement report was presented to the board from the new software indicating fire calls made by each firefighter and the reimbursements. The board asked that the reports be titled so they could be distinguished between the monthly and yearly figures. Chief Brad Nash will correct these for the December meeting. The board also asked for the spreadsheet that had been presented before as it had good information from previous years. In old business, it was reported that Ladder Truck #81 is out of service and being repaired. The new software still needs work to get all facets of the system operating. Chief Nash is working on getting bids for the repair of the concrete in front of the building and other areas. It was noted that Truck #88 is back in service after having the carburetor replaced. In new business, Mike Godi discussed the toy drive and the need for a place to store toys as they are purchased throughout the year, and especially this year as there may be a shortage of toys nearer Christmas time. Discussion was held on the history of how the toy drive came to be housed at the fire station. In reports to the board, Chief Nash reported that the old fire truck cannot be sold as it must be returned to the city. The date for the next meeting was set for December 7th at 6:00 at the fire station. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital and the Columbia Vet Center are teaming up to provide area Veterans with services such as Veterans Health Administration enrollment, and counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma. Through use of the Mobile Vet Center (MVC), a 37-foot-long mobile resource unit, bereavement, marriage, and family counseling also are available. Additional resources for Veterans through the MVC include VA benefits information and suicide prevention referrals. The Mobile Vet Center will in Rolla from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon this Saturday, November 6th, at Veterans Memorial Park located at 575 Southview Drive in Rolla. The customized MVC vehicle is equipped with confidential counseling space to extend access to VA services to Veterans, servicemembers and their families — especially those living in rural or remote communities. The MVC also provides readjustment counseling and information resources to Veterans to assist them in the difficult transition between military and civilian life. For more information, call (573) 814-6206.

Tickets for the Healthy Dent County 3rd Annual Casino Night Fundraiser are on sale for the event that will be held this Saturday at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Tickets are available for $50 per person or $85 per couple which provides you with $10,000 of gaming money for each person for this fundraising event for Healthy Dent County. You will find game tables much like the ones you will find in a real casino, as well as professional dealers to run the traditional games such as craps, roulette and black jack. This year there will be a private poker room for Texas Hold ‘em. At the end of the evening, prizes are drawn after those attending exchange gaming money for tickets. Guests are asked to come dressed in Western-themed attire and receive an extra $1,000 in gaming money. They expect a nice crowd to attend this year’s event. Prizes include Blues Tickets; Apple Watch; $200 Country Mart card; Hammock with stand; wine barrel; Bissell Crosswave Vacuum; Air Fryer; gun; mini vacation; gift certificates to local and area businesses. Tickets are available at Salem Community Center @ the Armory or online at https://tinyurl.com/CasinoNightHDC2021. For questions, please call 729-8163.

Staff members at Current River State Park invite the public to take a wild twist on traditional holiday favorites in their Baking Wild workshop with Kirsten Alvey-Mudd from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon this Saturday or Sunday. In this class, participants will learn new ways of baking holiday cookies and breads, as well as learn how to make new punches for upcoming holiday gatherings. Participants can take home the goodies made and the recipes used. Participants should bring paper for notes and a jump drive, which is optional, to save the PowerPoint presentation, good walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, lunch, water bottle, and a container to take goodies home in. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. Current River State Park is located on Highway 19 about 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 Salem Public Library invites patrons to send a Letter to a Soldier. Patrons may send letters to American soldiers stationed overseas. Paper, pencils, and crayons are on top of the “mailbox” located in the Children’s Section. Write your letter at the library or take it home and return it. The library will mail letters so that these brave men and women will receive them in time for Christmas. Thank you to the American Legion Walker-Roney Post 99 Ladies Auxiliary for assisting with postage for this project. Call 729-4331 for more information.