Local News

The update to the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Dent County is nearing completion. The new map will provide communities in Dent County with up‐to‐date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans, and help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance. The local mapping project is being completed to make minor updates to the maps that became effective in 2020. The work in Dent County has been led by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in partnership with local community officials. During the past couple of years, community officials throughout the county have worked closely with SEMA to ensure the floodplain maps provide an accurate picture of flood risks. This information will ensure that homes and businesses are insured appropriately against flooding, while also helping to make more informed decisions about how to protect Dent County from what might otherwise be devastating flood events. The new map is still a preliminary version. Dent County officials encourage property owners and lessees to review the proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements, and to identify any concerns or questions about the information provided. The maps can be viewed in person at the Dent County Courthouse.

Have you seen this year’s Tree and Trains Exhibit yet? It’s at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. The Salem Area Community Betterment Association are sponsoring Trees and Trains this year! This Saturday, Trees and Trains will hold an evening open house from 7:00 until 9:00 with additional activities for those in attendance. And no Trees and Trains event is complete without a visit from Santa! He will be at the Creative Arts Center next to the ONCRC Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 until 5:00 with the Trees and Trains Exhibit also open at that time. This community event is only possible with the support of numerous organizations, businesses and individuals creating a unique collection of beautiful Christmas trees complimented by fun trains. SACBA also wants to send out their heart felt appreciation to all the volunteers who give of their time during the holidays to make this event special. Donations are encouraged to thank the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for hosting this festive event!

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 197,724 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, which ran from November 12th through 22nd. Of the 197,724 deer harvested, 102,633 were antlered bucks, 16,929 were button bucks, and 78,162 were does. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 4,175 deer harvested, Texas with 3,609, and Callaway with 3,416. Top counties in our area were Dent County which harvested 2,537 deer, Shannon County had 2,366 deer tagged, hunters harvested 1,754 in Phelps County, Crawford County had 2,473 deer checked, and Reynolds County hunters checked in 1,625 deer. Last year hunters checked 188,928 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season with 102,054 being antlered bucks, 16,537 being button bucks, and 70,337 being does. The department noted that the colder weather during the season likely resulted in increased deer movements, contributing to this year’s higher harvest total. MDC reported one non-fatal firearms-related hunting incident during the November portion of the firearms deer season. It was self-inflicted and occurred in Bollinger County. Missouri’s archery deer and turkey season resumes now through January 15th, 2023. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 3rd through December 11th in open counties followed by the alternative methods portion running from Christmas Eve through January 3rd, 2023. You can get more information about deer season and hunting regulations from MDC’s 2022 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Creative Arts Center will be offering a Wheat Weaving Christmas Ornament class with Suzanne Douglass on Saturday December 3rd from 10:00 in the morning until Noon. Tied straw stars have been a traditional Christmas decoration throughout Europe for centuries. Two types of these beautiful stars will be taught during the class. The first is a five-point tied star made from the whole wheat straw. The second is a delicate snow crystal made of a form with split straw. The cost is $15 to make one ornament or $25 to make two ornaments. Walk-ins are welcome.! Call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center to sign up for the class.

Time is running out on you, your business or organization if would like to have a display at the “Light up the Park 2022” event this year at the Salem City Park. please get in touch with Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois at 729-6290 or send her an e-mail her at salemparks@salemmo.com. The event will be held December 3rd and last until the 31st.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART Funds received in November which came to $71,737.92. That is up year-to-date about 11.61% over 2021. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5170, 5500 and 6580 while brush will be cut on county roads 5510 and 6245. Mobray said rock would be hauled to county road 5590 which is part of the Title II fund project. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading will be done on Dent County Roads 2050, 2240 and 2403 while brush was being cut on county roads 2550 and 2560. Larson said materials were being hauled to county road 2070 and men were going to Springfield to get a load of oil for chip and seal repair on county road 2250. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the broadband meeting he attended in Rolla on November 18th, and it was a very good meeting. Last week, several office holders were at the MAC meeting and conference. The commission agreed to stay with the MAGIC Consortium for employee health insurance which is through United Health Care with a $4,500 deductible for each employee. There are other options where the employee can buy up to a $3,000 or $2,000 deductible. The county agreed to pay up to $2,500 of the employee’s deductible once an employee has met their portion of their plan’s deductible. The commission agreed to purchase a new furnace for the annex from Victor Heating and Cooling. LLC for $4,900 installed which was in stock. The commission also discussed the current annual contribution for CERF and they agreed it should remain the same as before where employees to pay 4%. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley also wants to remind political entities candidate filing will be from December 6th through the 27th and they will need to advertise those filing dates and openings. At the last meeting, Skiles spoke with attorney Jack Garvey concerning the opioid litigation that Dent County was a part of and he said the county will be receiving $37,000 annually for 18 years with 15% of the money going to General Revenue and the other 85% going into a separate fund to be used for opioid abuse treatment and prevention programs. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released several reports. On Wednesday, November 16th, a deputy responded to the 11000 block of West Highway 32 for a report of a stolen camper from the owners who are from Farmington. It was reported their Dutchman camper was stolen by a person or persons unknown sometime in the previous five weeks. That investigation continues. The next day a deputy took a call for a report of child abuse to an 8-year-old Dent County child. The alleged perpetrator was the father of the victim. An investigation into that report is continuing. On Monday, the 21st of November, a deputy responded to Dent County Road 5380 for a truck that was reported to have been burned. The vehicle, a 2006 Ford F-250, was located by the roadside. Investigators from the Dent County Sheriff’s office and the Missouri Highway Patrol Vehicle Inspection Unit initiated an investigation which is continuing at this time. That same day, deputies assisted the Cole County Sheriff’s Office in recovering a stolen ATV from a Dent County address. Their investigation revealed that the ATV, a Yamaha YFZ450, was owned by a 22-year-old Salem man who had acquired the ATV in a trade for a pickup truck in Crawford County. The ATV was recovered by deputies and the investigation will continue by the other involved law enforcement agencies. Finally on Wednesday, November 23rd, a 44-year-old Salem woman came into the sheriff’s office to report her handgun had been stolen. The report was taken by a deputy, then shortly thereafter the victim called the office back and told them that she had found her handgun and that it had not been stolen. The case was then closed. If you have any information about any investigation, please call the sheriff’s department at 729-3241.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon just after 3:30 in Pulaski County at Route Z and Trout Road. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2008 Nissan Altima being driven by 23-year-old Shawn Allen of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway before striking an embankment and overturning. Allen, who was not wearing a seat restraint, and a one-year-old girl, who was properly restrained, both suffered serious injuries and were both taken by Pulaski County ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Creve Couer. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by Jacks Wrecker.

When you’re driving around town this holiday day season check out these businesses that entered the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Window Decorating Contest: McDonald’s, Allen’s Treasure Chest & Den, American Family Insurance, VIP Properties, Pizza Hut, Trinty, Progressive Ozark Bank, Parsons Chiropractic, Edward Jones, the Ozark Natural Cultural Resource Center, Salem License Office, Country Chic Boutique, Tax Masters, and US Bank.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held last Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Hospital CEO Wayne Reid reported the Missouri Board of Pharmacy inspection was held and there were no deficiencies found. He also said the new Saturday walk-in clinic will begin at Salem Family Medicine in Physician’s Office Building 3 on Saturday, December 3rd. Reid said the hospital held an employment engagement survey and the board reviewed the results. In the summary of operations for October, there were 77 inpatient admissions with 267 inpatient census days. There were 82 swing bed days with an average length of stay of near 12 days. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $507,301. During the month, there were 635 emergency room visits with 45 admissions, plus there were 205 ambulance runs where 143 patients were transported. In October, there were 27 surgery cases, 1,381 outpatient registrations, 5,962 lab tests, 1,289 radiological procedures, 591 rehab treatments and 170 home health visits with 14 home health admissions. The days cash on hand was at 45 with $3.5 million in total cash. The board reviewed the 340B Pharmacy program and how it works to benefit the hospital before receiving the report from Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Sullins. The Hospital Foundation will hear some investment strategies from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks on December 7th, plus they will have a cornhole tournament March 11th, 2023 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and “Dancing with the Salem Stars” will be held on February 17th, 2024. Reid said the transformer work and the pressure regulator valve replacement are now complete. Reid presented the kitchen drain proposal from Estarely, Schneider and Associates, Inc. and provided the board the SMDH Family Clinic architect update from Facility Design Group, LLC. Election filing for the hospital board seat for District 4 that will come up in April begins at the hospital administrative offices on December 6th and will last until December 27th during normal business hours. The board approved the purchase of a security system from Rommel’s Lock and Alarm to replace the old system for $32,562, and a new Reagent 25 cubic foot Storage Freezer for $6,126.51 to replace the current freezer with double the storage space. After the marketing and community champion report, the board will hold a strategic planning meeting December 8th with the Board of Directors and Medical Staff Holiday Dinner to be held on December 14th at 5:30. The board then went into closed session.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows young hunters ages 6 through 15 harvested 2,881 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2022 deer hunting season, November 25th through the 27th. Of the 2,881 deer harvested, 1,302 were antlered bucks, 322 were button bucks, and 1,257 were does. Top counties for the late youth portion were Lincoln with 82 deer harvested, Franklin with 65, and Osage with 52. Young hunters in Dent County harvested 23 deer, Phelps County youth tagged 28 deer, and Texas County had 34 deer tagged. Last year’s harvest total for the late youth portion was 3,534, with 1,498 being antlered bucks, 390 button bucks, and 1,646 does. This year’s harvest total was slightly below average, but that wasn’t unexpected given the rain that moved through portions of the state Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Archery deer season continues through January 15th, 2023. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 3rd through the 11th in open counties, followed by the alternative methods portion December 24th through January 3rd, 2023. Find more information about deer hunting from MDC’s 2022 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Creative Arts Center will be offering a Seasonal Ceramic Christmas Ornament class. Participants will make beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments in this two-day class, with the assistance of Pottery instructor Connie Behrick. Clay, tools and acrylic paint or glazes will be available, or you may bring your own. Participants will make the ornaments out of clay on Saturday December 3rd from 10:00 in the morning till noon, let them dry, and they will bisque fire them for you in time to paint with acrylic paints on Saturday December 17th. Painted ornaments may be taken home on the 17th, in time to give as gifts or decorate your tree at home. The Creative Arts Center has two ways to sign up for events! Go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com, or call or text 247-0651 and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Cosmopolitan Club will sponsor the “Christmas Tour of Homes” this Sunday, December 4th, from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. Homes on the tour will include the home of Harold Hamilton, the home of Dwayne and Lisa Blackwell, the home of Sherman and Marsha Odom, the home of Cam and April Greener and the Dent County Museum. Admission to the home tour is by ticket only and tickets are available at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office for $30 in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors received their audit report Tuesday night for Fiscal Year 2022 from Jean Nyberg of FOVIS, formally known as BKD, LLP. Nyberg said her firm gave the hospital an unmodified opinion which is the best they can give for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2022, She reported SMDH had a cash decrease during the year of 1.9 million dollars due an operating loss and the Medicare reduction where the hospital had to repay Medicare’s advance during COVID with a reduced reimbursement from them. The hospital did receive 2.4 million dollars in CARES Act funds during the fiscal year. Nyberg reported the hospital improved their days in accounts receivable reducing it from 58 in 2021 to 31 in 2022 with 66 days cash on hand which is about normal for a critical access hospital. The hospital did have an increase in revenues of 1.8 million dollars but had decrease in their net position of $1,667,000. She told the board the long-term debt to capitalization ratio for the Salem Hospital stands at 29% which now includes capital leases. Nyberg told the board the net operating margin for the hospital this past fiscal year stands at -18.8% which is better than last year’s -28.4% margin. She did say the hospital had non-operating revenues of 2.9 million dollars for the last fiscal year which should just about do it for substantial CARES Act funds, but some ARPA funds may be reflected in the next fiscal year budget for the transformer repair and ambulance purchases. Nyberg went on to report that FOVIS noted one material deficiency with a significant amount of journal entries, reconciliations and with the accounts receivable. Due to some of these issues, there was an audit adjustment needed of $995,213. With that being said, Nyberg said the hospital is on the right course, but it will still be 18 months or longer before an accurate assessment could be done. She did state the hospital may want to take a hard look at departments that are not profitable such as dialysis and Home Health to see if moving forward with them is the right move or divesting themselves of those services may be necessary.

The City of Salem and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Christmas Parade of Lights this Saturday starting at 5:30 from the corner of South Grand and Franklin to the Dent County Courthouse. The parade will go east on Franklin, then north on MacArthur to 4th Street and then progress east to the courthouse square. You are invited to be a part of the parade and the theme will be “Under the Christmas Tree” with this year’s Grand Marshall former Mayor Gary Brown. The parade winners this year are sponsored by Sinks Pharmacy. Entry forms are available at the Salem Chamber of Commerce Office, on their Facebook page or by calling the chamber office at 729-6900. They
can e-mail or fax you a form as well and all forms need to be turned into the chamber office by this Wednesday. The parade lineup will begin at 5:00 and the parade will be livestreamed on KSMO Media.

The last signup for the Dent County Toy Drive and the Salvation Army Angel Tree will be from 3:30 until 5:30 this afternoon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. This is the last day to sign-up your children and some documentation will be required. These programs are limited to children from newborn to 12-years of age, and the parent or guardian they live with MUST sign them up. The parent needs to bring with them a birth certificate or shot record or current grade card to prove the child’s age; and the parents must live in Dent County. A current utility bill or a letter from the school the child attends will also work. Only one person per family may register and no children are allowed to be present during the signups. Parents will be asked the interests of each child, and they should know their children’s clothes and shoe sizes. For parents to save some time, there is a link on the Dent County Toy Drive Facebook Page to complete the pre-registration form. The Dent County Toy Drive and the Salvation Army want all children to have a great Christmas, but they are also asking parents not to participate unless you truly need their help. If you have questions, message the Dent County Toy Drive on their Facebook page or call 729-8163.

A one vehicle accident happened Thanksgiving morning just after 8:00 in Phelps County on County Road 7520 about a quarter mile from Highway T. The report released from the highway patrol states that a 2013 Smart car being driven by 56-year-old Tammy Striplin of Devils Elbow was traveling east when she traveled off the left side of the road before striking a ditch and overturning. Striplin, who was not wearing a safety restraint, suffered serious injuries, and was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The vehicle was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

Everyone at KSMO Radio and Your World Today want to wish your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Because of the holiday, Your World Today will NOT be published again until Monday, November 28th. Have a safe holiday!

The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit volunteer bell ringers will begin raising funds for those in need at Country Mart and Wal-Mart around the familiar red kettle today, and then every Friday and Saturday through Christmas Eve. Counter kettles will also be located at various locations throughout the community. The kettles are the primary way funds are raised locally to continue to meet the needs of the less fortunate in our community. For those who do not want to handle cash, you can donate digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo at any Red Kettle across the country. Every donation helps hope march on for those in need, and all gifts stay within the community in which they are given. If you would like to volunteer to ring the famous Salvation Army bell, please call Susie at 729-6771 or 247-7099. You can also call the Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit office at 729-8163. Don’t forget the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Dent County Toy Drive signup on Monday, November 28th from 3:30 to 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, the Board approved a bid from BCS Electric for installation of field lights on the poles at the Al Brown field for a total of $41,760.88. These funds will come from the Energy Savings Program (ESP). The board got a financial update from Stacey Houston. The report ending October 31st showed sales tax revenue for general fund of $622,950, for Park and Rec a total of $233,602 and for Capital Improvements a total of $311,475. Electric sales revenue totaled $2,388,950 with the cost to purchase power totaled $1,688,768. Water sales revenue totaled $339,698 and Sewer sales revenue totaled $299,925. The board approved a bid from Fletcher Reinhart for $13,147.58 for the electric materials that will be installed at Al Brown Field. Resolution #41-2022 for the city to conduct a municipal election on April 4, 2023, to elect one East Ward and one West Ward Alderman was approved. The opening date for anyone wishing to file as a candidate is December 6th and the last day to file will be December 27th. The board approved Resolution #42-2022 for a change order for $2,416 to a home located at 501 S. Hickory Street as part of the Welcome Home Program. They also approved Resolution #43-20922 for a change order for $663 to a home located at 810 E. Jack Street. The board approved Resolution #44-2022 to submit a grant application to DED’s Community Revitalization Grant to extend the current TAP grant project that includes removal and replacement of non-ADA compliant sidewalks serving downtown businesses along 4th Street and installing historic replica lighting. TAP grant funds have been secured that include the south side of 4th Street between Highway 19 and Iron Street and both sides of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Washington Street. The new grant will seek grant funds to extend the area from McArthur Street to the Courthouse and eastward to Pershing Street. The $396,320 TAP grant funds plus the City’s local match of $99,080 will be leveraged as a match for the grant application. The board tabled Resolution #46-2022, a resolution amending the employee sick leave policy. Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that she is working with downtown business owners to seek right of way permissions to begin the downtown project. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the fuel tank cleaning at the airport is completed, the city is waiting on the card reader before getting fuel in the tank. Mayor Parker reported that the city offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Chamber of Commerce Parade will be held on Saturday, December 3rd beginning at 5:30 pm. His Place is offering a free Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, both dine in and curbside pickup. Alderman Bolerjack thanked everyone that participated, sponsored and the organizers for another great Heroes Marathon last weekend. The Salvation Army is seeking bell ringers and volunteers can go to www.registertoring.com to sign up. He announced that he will be seeking re-election as East Ward Alderman in the upcoming municipal election. Alderman Williams thanks the city staff for their work on securing the nearly $8.8 million in grants for the city’s water system. Alderman Duncan reported that she will also be seeking election as West Ward Alderwoman. The board then went into closed session.

Governor Mike Parson announced Friday the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is awarding $410 million to help Missouri communities improve drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure as well as lead service line inventories. According to Dru Bunton, the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, they received about 1,000 applications that represented more than 2.4 billion dollars in funding. Funding for the department’s four competitive water infrastructure grant programs was made available through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State Fiscal Recovery Funds. The applications were scored based on the applicant’s financial need, engineering capability, and necessity of the project. Given the limited amount of funding, this resulted in a highly competitive application environment. The City of Salem was awarded funds in three categories. With estimated wastewater project improvement costs of $5,050,000, the City of Salem will contribute $50,000 and will receive $5 million dollars in ARPA funds, plus they also submitted projected drinking water improvement costs of $3,768,000 and the city will contribute $38,000 in order to receive the 3.73 million dollars in ARPA funds. Salem also was awarded funds for the lead service line replacement with projected costs of $180,000, the city will contribute $30,000 for total ARPA funding of $150,000. The City of Licking was also awarded ARPA funds for wastewater improvements and drinking water improvements getting 5 million dollars for each and an additional $130,000 for the lead service line replacement. The City of Edgar Springs had projected wastewater improvement costs of $3,458,000 and they will contribute $35,000 and will receive $3,423,000 in ARPA funds. The City of Rolla received ARPA funding for stormwater improvements in the amount of $735,812 while the Rolla Municipal Utilities will receive $80,000 for the lead service line replacement. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced the availability of $410 million for community water infrastructure grants in May. The application period closed on July 14th.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that on Friday November 18th, James Walker of Salem pled guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm. The State sought seven years under 559.115 due to his prior criminal history. Walker sought probation. At the conclusion of the sentencing, the defendant was ordered to complete five years’ probation with a seven-year suspended execution of sentence with an order for the sheriff to sell the two firearms.

An accident happened in Crawford County Sunday afternoon at 1:47 on the Czar Tower Road about six miles south of Berryman that left two people from Steelville with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, Charles Hedrick of Steelville was driving a 2018 a Ford F-150 when he apparently fell asleep. The Ford traveled off the right side of the road, struck a tree and then the ground before the pickup came to rest in a dry creek bed. Suffering serious injuries was 86-year-old Wanda Hedrick of Steelville while Charles Hedrick suffered moderate injuries. They were both transported by the Iron County Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda is approved, the board will discuss the ESP Al Brown Lighting project bid approval to go with a local bid with funding paid for through the money encumbered to ESP for that project. Finance Director Stacey Houston will give an update before the Al Brown Electric Project material bids are discussed. In the reading of bills and resolutions, Resolution #41-2022 will provide for a municipal election for the City of Salem on April 4th to elect one East Ward and one West Ward alderman. Resolution #42-2022 would authorize the mayor to sign a contract change order between the 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, the City of Salem and Dorian Garafola on property at 501 South Hickory; and Resolution #43-2022 would authorize the mayor to sign a contract change order between the 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, the City of Salem and Lana Grove on property at 810 East Jack Street. These two projects are part of the “Welcome Home” project for additional work that still fall under the grant amounts allowed. The board will discuss Resolution #44-2022 stating the city’s intent to seek funding through the Community Revitalization Grant Program and authorizing the mayor to pursue activities to secure funding for Salem pedestrian improvements, as well as discuss Resolution #45-2022 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the city and BCS Electric, LLC to provide labor for the electric work at the Al Brown Fields. The board will go on to discuss Resolution #46-2022 that would amend the city’s sick leave policy. The board will then hear reports from Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash and each individual alderperson. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts. The regular meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen tonight is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the administrative office boardroom. The board heard an audit report from Ken Schultz of Schultz, Wood & Rapp, PC. In the report, Schultz said the district received a ”clean” opinion from the auditor stating the financials were reported accurately for the “cash basis” of accounting the school uses. Schultz said the district received $16,074,000 in revenues in fiscal year 2022 with $14,146,120 in expenses leaving a change in the Net Position of $1,928.007 showing better fund balances in fiscal year 2022 than in fiscal year 2021, when the district received $16,668,000 and had expenses of $16,321,494 leaving a change in Net Position of $346,746. Schultz also said if the district is still looking at a bond issue, they could borrow up to 15% of the assessed valuation of the district which comes to $8,271,000. In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Lynne Reed discussed the cash flow analysis done through MOCAAT but recommended keeping the investment funds at the Bank of Salem. She said locker room renovations as part of the Tin Gym renovation will begin in December. She reported she will discuss tuition calculations for the rural schools at the January meeting as they will be done differently than in the past. Reed also has sent out letters to those who invested in the Construction Trades Program to make sure they get the YOP tax credits. Reed also asked the board if they were against going to a four-day work week. The board requested further information on that option. Reed said the CSIP progress will be reviewed in the second semester after the holidays for Salem and she has been reviewing other districts reports. Dr. Wills compared the Salem R-80 MAP and EOC scores to the other SCA schools and Salem is falling in the middle of the pack. The middle school common areas will be commercially cleaned thoroughly over the Thanksgiving holiday. IT Supervisor Mark McElvy discussed five different phone systems and he recommended the GrandStream system for $29,000 which also has a leasing option of $900 per month for 36-months. His recommendation will be reviewed by the administrative and technical staff. McElvy also said some old servers that are still usable at the Salem Hospital have been donated to the Salem R-80 schools and he will be getting those this Friday. After hearing from the building principals and other administrators, the board approved setting the filing dates for the April Municipal election starting December 6th and ending on the 27th, set the graduation date of May 19th at 7:00 with a rain date of May 21st at 2:00, and approved the audit report given earlier in the meeting by Ken Schultz. The board took no action on MOCAAT investments but did approve to purchase the SpedTrack software for special education which is what the surrounding schools all use. The board took no votes in closed session and meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 11:00 in St. Louis County on Interstate 70 in The westbound lane near Florissant Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Dodge Avenger driven by 31-year-old Sierra Williams of St. Louis, struck the right rear of a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 30-year-old Cody Schwartz of Fenton. The Chevrolet then struck a 2005 Honda Accord being driven by 33-year-old Heather Elpin of Salem, that was parked on the shoulder. Williams suffered serious injuries and was taken by the Northeast Fire Protection District to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. A passenger in the Dodge, 32-year-old Terrell Marshall of St. Louis, suffered moderate injuries as did Elpin. They were both transported to the SSM Health Depaul Hospital by the Northeast Fire Protection District. The Dodge and the Honda were both totaled, the Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and all vehicles were removed from the scene by A and A Towing. The report goes on to say Marshall was not wearing a safety restraint, but Williams and Elpin were.

An accident happened at 5:40 Thursday morning in Laclede County on Interstate 44 at 141-mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, 22-year-old Logan Gibson of Springfield, was driving a 1999 Toyota Camry westbound when he fell asleep driving and struck the backside of a 2004 Peterbilt Tractor Trailer unit driven westbound by 57-year-old Doil Richardson of Salem. Gibson suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Mercy Air Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Gibson was wearing his seat restraint at time of the accident. The Camry was totaled and removed from the scene by C&S Towing. The Peterbilt sustained extensive damage and was left roadside. Richardson was wearing his seat restraint at time of the accident and suffered no injuries.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday evening at 10:30 in Iron County on Highway 21 and Highway 32 at Belleview. According to the highway patrol report a 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis being driven east by 47-year-old Britani Glenn of Viburnum failed to stop at an intersection and traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch. Glenn suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Iron County Medical Center. The Mercury had extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Adams Custom Auto. The report went on to state that Glenn was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance as he was attending the broadband regional listening session in Rolla called “Connecting All Missourians.” Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson as the acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk came in to inform the commissioners her e-mail has not been working properly. She wanted to let the public know that if you have sent the Dent County Collector an e-mail in the last few weeks or even recently and have not received a response to please call her office at 729-3911 or stop by the courthouse. They hope to have the problem corrected soon. VanKirk also reported there has been a redemption on one of the properties sold at the tax sale. The Thomas property has been redeemed and will revert back to the original owner. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated his workers would be doing welding maintenance in the shop. District 2 Commissioner Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Road 2240 while materials will be added to county roads 2020, 2030 and 2050 as that did not get done on Tuesday. Larson went on to say brush was going to be cut on county road 2370. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of October, and she also balanced with the county collector and assessor on all add-ons, abatements and collections for the month as well. A representative from H. R Quadri brought the contract in for the Cooley Bridge Project for the commissioners to review and sign. At 1:30, the Dent County Salary Commission met which is comprised of the elected officials including Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley, Circuit Clerk Becky Swiney, Assessor Jamie Homeyer, Sheriff Bob Wells, Treasurer Denita Williams, Collector Shannon VanKirk, Recorder Cindy Ard, Coroner Ben Pursiful, Public Administrator Sherida Cook and Commissioners Gary Larson and Wes Mobray. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was unable to attend the meeting. The purpose of the salary commission is to establish a base salary for elected officials based on the Assessed valuation of the county, any cost-of-living adjustment recommendation, and also to determine the mileage assessment for the county. Circuit Clerk Swiney asked for a motion to elect a chairman and the unanimous consensus was Jamie Homeyer. The group approved the minutes and heard the financial report on all the county funds. Clerk Angie Curley stated that total of all the funds came in at just under seven million dollars with still 1.7 million dollars of ARPA funds remaining and the county still owed $244,227 in Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds to come in this year that are not included in the seven-million- dollar figure. Discussion on the assessed valuation and base salary was held and the group unanimously voted to leave the base salary at 100% of the assessed valuation as per state statute. The group discussed the impact of a COLA of 4% and 6% on the different funds that would be affected for office holders as well as the other county employees. After some deliberation, the group unanimously elected to request a 4% COLA increase to be included in the 2023 Dent County budget for office holders and other county employees. A letter prepared by Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was then read to the group by Sheriff Bob Wells. It was the understanding of the group the increase would go into effect on January 1st if included by the commissioners in the 2023 budget. The group also unanimously agreed to continue to base the mileage received by county employees for their travels to coincide with the state’s mileage calculation which as of Thursday was 55 cents per mile. The salary commission meeting was then adjourned. The next Dent County Commission meeting will be Monday, November 28th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem High School Chamber Choir won the SCA Conference competition Thursday night at Mountain Grove taking 1st Place. Congratulations Tigers!

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association is proud to announce the return of Trees and Trains Exhibit to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center starting with an Open House this Sunday from 1:00 until 3:00 hosted by the City of Peace Garden Club. Beginning Monday, November 21st, Trees and Trains will be open Monday through Friday except Thanksgiving Day from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. On Saturday, December 3rd, Trees and Trains will hold an evening open house from 7:00 until 9:00 with additional activities for those in attendance. And no Trees and Trains event is complete without a visit from Santa! He will be at the Creative Arts Center next to the ONCRC Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 until 5:00 with the Trees and Trains Exhibit also open at that time. This community event is only possible with the support of numerous organizations, businesses and individuals creating a beautiful collection of unique Christmas trees complimented by fun trains that catch every child’s eye. SACBA also wants to send out their heart felt appreciation to all the volunteers who give of their time during the holidays to make this event special. Donations are encouraged to thank the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for hosting this festive event!

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages deer hunters to share their harvests by donating surplus venison to the Share the Harvest program to help feed hungry Missourians. The program is administered by the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and has provided nearly 5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians since it was started in 1992. Donating is easy. Simply take harvested deer to an approved meat processor and let the processor know how much venison to donate. Meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors. The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state. To get Share the Harvest venison, contact local food banks or food pantries. The National Institutes of Health state that children need protein in their diets for proper growth and development, and adults need it to maintain good health. Yet many Missourians can’t afford or can’t get to good sources of protein. Through Share the Harvest, Missouri hunters can help provide those in need with high-quality protein in the form of naturally lean, locally harvested deer meat. For more information on Share the Harvest, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/share.

The Salem Creative Arts Center located at 204 South Main in Salem will be holding a Fall Harvest Paint N Sip this Friday evening, November 18th, from 6:30 till 8:30. Come join artist Danielle Norris as she leads you through a night of fun and painting! Bring your bestie and your favorite beverage and create a painting worthy of the fall season! The cost is $25 per person and all supplies are provided. The Creative Arts Center has two easy ways to sign up for events! Call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Salem R-80 Boardroom. After the approval of the agenda, the Board will hear the school’s audit report from Ken Schultz before hearing Superintendent Dr. Reed and Dr. Wills report. The board will also hear reports from the principals from the William Lynch Elementary School, the upper elementary school, the middle school and the senior high, as well as on athletics and transportation. In new business, the board will consider high school vaping citations, set the board filing dates for the April 2023 election starting December 6th and ending on the 27th, and set the 2023 graduation date for 7:00 on May 19th. The board will have the first reading of policy revision before considering the Missouri Capital Asset Advantage Treasury recommendations for the school. The board will also discuss the SpedTrack contract before going into executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting this evening will be open to the public.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is deeply saddened to report that searchers have found the body of a deer hunter that was last seen on Sunday, November 13th and had been reported missing near the Cave Spring area in Carter County. On Wednesday morning, the body of 58-year-old Phillip Carnell of Sikeston was discovered by volunteers on horseback on a small island in a slough not far from the area he had planned to hunt after more than two days of intense searching. It is suspected that he became lost and crossed the slough onto the island while tracking a deer. The condition of the body is consistent with death caused by hypothermia and exposure. There was a huge outpouring of community support, with nearly 150 volunteers combing the area on November 14th and 15th. The search teams utilized nearly every means of search available by air, land, and water. An investigation is ongoing.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows deer hunters in Missouri harvested 93,355 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season November 12th and 13th. Of the 93,355 deer harvested, 55,267 were antlered bucks, 7,250 were button bucks, and 30,838 were does. Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Franklin with 2,015 deer harvested, Texas with 1,724, and Callaway with 1,692. Last year, hunters checked 89,939 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season. Other counties in the local area, there were 1,292 deer checked in Dent County, 1,333 deer were harvested in Crawford County, 1,205 deer were taken in Shannon County, 916 deer were checked in Phelps County, 835 deer were harvested in Reynolds County and 621 deer were taken in Iron County. The November portion of firearms deer season continues through November 22nd.

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance announces the release of final health insurance rates for the individual market in 2023 for the State of Missouri. As in previous years, Missouri has at least one insurance company offering health plans in every county in the state. United Healthcare re-entered the individual market in the state and will be offering plans in 33 counties, including the Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Joplin areas. Over half of Missouri’s counties now have three or more carriers offering coverage in the individual market (61 out of 115), and nearly a quarter of the counties in the state have five or more carriers offering coverage (27 of 115). The 115 jurisdictions include 114 counties plus the City of St. Louis. Open enrollment for the 2023 plan year begins on November 1st and ends on January 15th, 2023. The Department encourages consumers to shop carefully for health insurance coverage. It’s important to consider more than the cost of premiums when choosing your health plan for 2023. Companies may change the type of policy they sell from one year to the next. Networks may vary from year to year and often differ based on where you live. The Department has a Health Insurance Shopping Tool on its website that can help consumers compare plans. Missouri consumers who have questions regarding association health plans (AHPs) and short-term limited-duration coverage should contact an insurance producer. For more information and to use the Department’s shopping tool, visit www.insurance.mo.gov or call the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390.

The Missouri Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced Friday, November 18th, as the cut-off date to apply for the next available opportunity in Fiscal Year 2023 Conservation Stewardship Program, known as CSP. CSP is the nation’s largest conservation program in terms of participating land and is designed to help agricultural producers have more robust conservation activities. This program is designed to help producers take their conservation activities to the next level. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agricultural or forest production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new management techniques such as irrigation monitoring, precision agriculture applications, improved grazing systems, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to improve water quality. NRCS accepts CSP applications on a continuous basis, but applications are ranked and funded by enrollment period, which have application cut-off dates that are set by each state. Applications received after the cut-off date will automatically be considered during the next funding cycle. Agricultural producers can submit applications at local NRCS offices. NRCS also offers free technical assistance to all Missouri residents. For more information about NRCS programs and assistance, visit the www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to provide input for Elephant Rocks State Park’s conceptual development plan update. A 30-day comment period is going on now with a survey available online at mostateparks.com/cdp. This survey kickstarts the conceptual development planning process. Input regarding the site’s recreational opportunities, infrastructure and amenities will help guide the site’s future development. For more information on conceptual development planning, please visit mostateparks.com/cdp or call Ryan Dunwoody, Planning Section Chief, at 573-751-8462.

Signups for the Dent County Toy Drive and the Salvation Army Angel Tree will be held Monday, November 21st and again on Monday, November 28th from 3:30 until 5:30 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. These are the only dates to sign-up your children and some documentation will be required. These programs are limited to children from newborn to 12-years of age, and the parent or guardian they live with MUST sign them up. The parent needs to bring with them a birth certificate or shot record or current grade card to prove the child’s age; and the parents must live in Dent County. A current utility bill or a letter from the school the child attends will also work. Only one person per family may register and no children are allowed to be present during the signups. Parents will be asked the interests of each child, and they should know their children’s clothes and shoe sizes. For parents to save some time, there is a link on the Dent County Toy Drive Facebook Page to complete the pre-registration form. The Dent County Toy Drive and the Salvation Army want all children to have a great Christmas, but they are also asking parents not to participate unless you truly need their help. If you have questions, message the Dent County Toy Drive on their Facebook page or call 729-8163.