Your World Today

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Dent County Firehouse. The budget was reviewed with a balance in General Revenue of $196,570.41 as of June 30th. The monthly reimbursement report was not available as new software is being installed and old files are being imported into the new program. Chief Nash discussed the upgrade of the new Emergency Reporting Software. He noted that training had been held on the new software with the department’s key personnel. He also stated that the new Toughbook computers were loaded with the software and set up awaiting installation in the trucks. Chief Nash said that he would be meeting this week with ATT FirstNet to discuss the connections of the Toughbook computers to the network. Chief Nash also reported to the Board that the department renovation is still in progress with touchup painting due to be completed this week. After painting is complete, it is just a matter of getting all fixtures back into place to continue operations. The Board then toured the department to check the progress and updates of the renovation. Treasurer Dave Wells noted to the Board that a Tax Levy Hearing would need to be held next month to set the tax rate for the year 2022. He said he would try to set the meeting up to coincide with the regular general meeting if possible so the date for the next meeting may change depending on when the tax information is received from the state. Before adjourning the tentative date was set for the next meeting to be Tuesday, August 1st at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street.

A one vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon just after 4:00 in Madison County on Highway 72 about 5 miles west of the city of Fredericktown. According to the highway patrol report a 2010 Hyundai Accent being driven by 28-year-old Aaron Harrison of St. James ran off the left side of the road and struck a bridge. Harrison was transported by Madison County Ambulance to Madison Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The report went on to state that Harrison was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the statistics from the 2021 July Fourth holiday counting period. During the period, Troopers worked 312 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries and seven fatalities. Troopers also made 144 DWI arrests and 81 drug arrests over the holiday weekend. State troopers on area lakes and rivers worked 12 boating crashes, which included four injuries and one fatality. Troopers made eight BWI arrests and 43 drug arrests. There were no drownings over this years’ holiday weekend. During last years’ counting period, 15 people were killed and 671 injured statewide in Missouri over the holiday in 1,356 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 145 people for driving while intoxicated last year. Over the 2020 July Fourth holiday, there were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Two drowned during last year’s holiday while troopers made seven boating while intoxicated arrests.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2021 annual school bus inspection program. Missouri’s 2021 school bus initial inspection results showed that 10,807 were approved, 822 were rated as defective, and 264 were rated as out-of-service. Those buses found defective require repair within 10 days. Buses placed out-of-service require correction of the component(s) prior to further usage. A total of 277 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence award in 2021. During the 2021-2022 school year, 5,738 buses in these award-winning fleets are eligible to display the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence sticker in the lower corner of the first window on the passenger entry side of the bus. The Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel had a successful inspection of 11,893 school buses occurred in accordance with state statutes. In Dent County, Oak Hill R-1 had 5 buses presented and 2 were approved, while 2 were defective and 1 was placed out of service. Green Forest R-2 had 7 buses presented for inspection and 5 were approved, while 1 was defective and 1 was placed out of service. Northwood R-4 had 6 buses inspected and 4 were approved, while 1 was found defective and 1 was placed out of service. Dent-Phelps R-3’s 8 buses were all approved as were R-80’s 11 buses earning both schools the opportunity to display the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence sticker. Missouri school bus inspection results are a matter of public record. Individual school district results for 2021 are available on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.

A Community Garden educational workshop will be held tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Garden at 801 East Scenic Rivers Blvd behind the Salem Methodist Church. Tonight’s workshop will be on canning and food preservation. The workshop is free and open to the public. Workshops are held every second Thursday of the month through October at the Salem Community Garden. For more information, call Sara at 729-3196.