Your World Today

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released some reports from court held in Dent County on May 6th with Judge Megan Seay presiding. Curley indicated that Sheena Hodge of Waynesville pled guilty to two counts of the distribution of prescription pills to an undercover South Central Missouri Drug Task Force officer. Hodge was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections under RSMO 559.115 as requested by the prosecutor. Also on May 6th, Kendall Collins of Poplar Bluff pled guilty to two counts of felony driving while her license had been revoked. Collins was sentenced to serve two years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state and agreed to by Collins who had a prior felony history.

An accident happened Wednesday morning just after 7:00 on Highway 19 about 9 miles south of Salem. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 1997 Chevrolet pickup being driven by 28-year-old Zachary Quick of Salem, was traveling south when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. Quick then overcorrected, crossed over the roadway and
traveled off the left side of the road before overturning. Quick was transported by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report went on to state that Quick was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

Hunters may apply for this falls elk and bear season permits through May 31st. Five permits will be available for elk. At least one permit will be approved area landowners with qualifying property and the remainder for the general public. The nine-day archery season for eld will be October 16th through October 24th and a 9-day firearm season running through December 11th through the 19th. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing. Only Missouri residents are eligible to apply for and purchase elk hunting permits. MDC will require a $10.00 nonrefundable application fee for all applicants. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50.00 application fee. All permits are nontransferable. Results of the random elk permit drawing will be available by July 1st. Applicants can check to see if they’ve been selected for and elk hunting permit at online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits by logging into “Mange your account” and selecting “view my special hunt history”. Those hunters interested in hunting black bear will find four hundred permits offered for the state’s first black bear hunting season, taking place October 18th through October 27th in the outlined bear management zones. Each permit will be for a specific bear management zone and may be used on public or private property within the BMZ. Hunters who are issued permits must call MDC prior to hunting each day to determine if the BMZ specific harvest quota has been met. If a BMZ specific harvest quota has been met then the season for that particular zone will be closed. Should harvest quotas not be reached the season will end at the end of the 10 designated hunting days. Hunters can apply until the end of May for either the fall elk or black bear season online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC’s free MO Hunting app, or through a permit vendor.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, a premier law enforcement agency, 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 113th Recruit Class which is scheduled to begin training on January 18, 2022. The application deadline is September 18, 2021. To be eligible, candidates must possess a minimum of 30 college credit hours from an accredited college/university or served in any component of the United States Armed Forces, including National Guard, for a minimum of two years, with an honorable discharge if separated, or a minimum of two years’ experience as a full-time, POST-certified peace officer when recruit training begins. 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. Interested persons can find out more about the qualifications by contacting a Patrol recruiter at telephone number 1-800-796-7000, or may apply online at www.motrooper.com.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Expo will be Saturday May 22nd from 10:00 in the morning until 1:00 that afternoon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center parking lot at the Crossroads shopping center. The Business Expo is an exceptional opportunity for area businesses to advertise their products and services. Sales are allowed at the Chamber Expo however no alcohol, tobacco or drug related item are permitted on the property. No food sales will be allowed, only samples and giveaways will be permitted. One table will be provided for each chamber member who reserves a booth and tents are welcome. Non-members who wish to participate may contact the Chamber office to purchase booth space. Giveaways, drawings, and samples are encouraged from participants however exhibitors are not eligible for prizes. Participants will be able to set up during the morning of the 22nd between 8:00 and 10:00 and the setups must be complete when the event starts at 10:00. For more information or to get an entry form, call Tabitha at the Salem Area of Commerce office at 573-729-6900 or e-mail her at chamber@salemmo.com or stop bv in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

In what appears to be a murder/suicide at a residence in Phelps County Saturday morning is being investigated by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred on Phelps County Road 3160. The Phelps County Coroner’s Office reported 73-year-old Lawrence R. French and 66-year-old Vita M. French died from gunshot wounds. Sheriff Kirn stated the individuals had not been seen for several days and their bodies were discovered by a family friend checking on them. The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by the Rolla Rural Fire Department and Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. If anyone has any information about the incident, please call the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department at (573) 426-3860 or 426-2936.

Missouri Department of Transportation bridge crews will be making bridge deck repairs on Highway 19 this week over Interstate 44. Crews will close one lane of the work area from 7:00 in the morning until 4:30 Thursday afternoon. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorist traveling through the work area. Drivers are advised to watch for workers on the road and obey all traffic signs. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central. Follow the MoDOT Central Missouri District on Facebook and Twitter for project updates.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that turkey hunters checked 31,798 birds during Missouri’s 2021 regular spring turkey season, April 19th through May 9th. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 710 birds telechecked, Texas with 666, and Callaway with 639. Dent County had a total of 582 turkeys checked, Phelps County had 659, and Iron County saw 137 birds checked. Across the state young turkey hunters also harvested 2,795 birds over the youth weekend, April 10th and 11th, bringing the overall 2021 spring turkey harvest to 34,593. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,724 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 38,734 during the regular spring season for a 2020 spring season total harvest of 41,458 birds. The spring turkey harvest was down this year, which can partially be explained by a decline in hunting participation according to MDC officials who went on to say that last year they saw a big increase in the number of permits sold and there was a subsequent increase in turkey harvest. This year, the permit sales total was closer to what was observed before the 2020 season. When turkey hunting participation declines, they expect to see a subsequent decline in turkey harvest. MDC had one report of a non-fatal hunting incident during the 2021 spring turkey season. For more information about turkey hunting in Missouri, visit MDC online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.

An accident happened late Saturday afternoon at just after 5:00 in Maries County on Highway 28 and Route E. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta being driven by 88-year-old Earl Arnold of Rolla was traveling west on E and failed to stop at the stop sign, crossed the intersection and traveled off the west side of highway 28. Arnold was transported by private conveyance to Phelps Health for treatment of minor injuries. A passenger in the vehicle, 82-year-old Jacquelyn Arnold, also of Rolla, was transported by Dixon Ambulance Service to Phelps Heath for treatment of minor injuries. The report went on to state that both occupants were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Volkswagen sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Tunes Towing.

Residents and students of Phelps and Dent counties are asked to participate in online surveys, one for students and one for general public, about the potential for the creation of a Southeast Missouri Transportation Services (SMTS) deviated fixed-route bus service in the Rolla area with possible connections to St. James and Salem. The surveys are available at meramecregion.org/surveys. SMTS in conjunction with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission is conducting the feasibility study for the potential new route. This bus service would be modeled after the Bluff Area Transit Service in Poplar Bluff and the Connect Service in St. Francois County, both of which are operated by SMTS. Both systems have fees ranging from $1 per boarding, $3 all-day passes, as well as pre-paid punch cards with discounted prices. While the Rolla service would not be identical to Bluff Area Transit Service or Connect in the number of stops or pricing, it will likely operate very similar, if such a service is found to be a possibility. Feedback is critical to determining the viability of such a service in the Phelps and Dent counties area. SMTS has contracted with MRPC to conduct the feasibility study. SMTS is a nonprofit general public passenger transportation service. SMTS transportation services are available throughout South Central and Southeast Missouri. For more information, please contact Anne Freand, MRPC planning department manager, via email at afreand@meramecregion.org or via phone at 573-265-2993 ext. 105.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Brett Hoffman, Field Representative for Representative Jason Smith’s office was in to visit with Commissioners and update them on Federal issues. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the sales tax figures for the month. General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax funds each received $86,319.73, which is up $18,463.07 from May of 2020 receipt of $67,856.66. However year-to-date each fund is down $224,333.75 or 58.3%. The Road and Bridge Fund receipts were $35,924.74 and that amount is up $4,726.92 from a year ago which was $31,197.82. But year-to-date Road and Bridge is down $117,216.23, which is about 66%. The Jail Maintenance and Jail Construction funds each received $71,756.64. That figure is up by $9,390.20 from last year’s $62,366.44. However, year-to-date those two funds are down $234,276.00, which is also a 66% drop. Leann Kahn was in to check on progress concerning the gate on Dent County Road 4128. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray said that Prosecuting Attorney Curley had asked that the area in question be surveyed. Kahn indicated that the survey had been done and that the area had been flagged. Mobray said that the issue is back to the prosecutor and that he would notify Kahn when and if she needed to attend another Commissioners meeting. In the road report, Mobray said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5600 and that some large pipes were being replaced on county road 2470, plus an 18” pipe was being installed on county road 2480. He went on to say that rock was being spread where the culverts were being installed on the two roads and that the Bunker area was being checked due to the heavy rains in that area over the weekend. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3260 and 2110. He said that Department of Conservation rock was being added to road 2110 and that would continue all week or until finished as that is to be completed by the end of May. Larson added that a man had gone to Springfield for oil to do Chip and Seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he was at the Capital last week representing CCAM. He said Senate Bill 53, which is the Law Enforcement Bill, had passed the Senate and was sent to the House of Representatives where they proceeded to attach an amendment raising the county sheriff’s annual salary to $72,500 and tie its increase to State Judges salaries. Skiles emphatically noted that CCAM fully supports law enforcement and doesn’t oppose raising Sheriff’s salaries, but does oppose taking away local control. The bill as amended passed the House and will now go to Conference Committee. Skiles again noted that County Commissioners throughout Missouri are very disappointed in Missouri Legislators. He did complement Representative Ron Copeland for getting an amendment passed that would limit the increase to 20% per year until the $72,500 is achieved. Skiles added that he was attending a SACBA meeting Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning he would be in Jefferson City attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board Meeting, plus a Missouri County Commissioners Association Board meeting during the afternoon. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that all registered voters in Dent County should have received their blue voter canvass card. She said if it’s correct, voters should keep it as their voter registration card. If corrections need to be done voters can make the corrections on the back and send it back to her office. Voters can also call her office or stop by to make changes. Curley noted that the Commission was paying payroll and Commissioners were approving bills. She also noted that she balanced with the Treasurer on all accounts for the month of April and that she would also be attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting on Wednesday. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Monday morning just after 6:30 in Texas County on Buffalo Road about three miles north of Licking. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2007 Ford E-350 Van being driven by 52-year-old Zane Vankirk of Lenox was traveling west when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Vankirk, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford van sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Jays Automotive of Houston.