Your World Today

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday evening around 8:30 in Dent County on Route ZZ about two miles south of Jadwin. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Ford Mustang driven by 19-year old Caleb Mischiara of Salem, was traveling northbound when he ran off the right side of the road. The Mustang struck two trees and the driver and a passenger, 20-year old Ian Hutchings, also of Salem, were ejected from the vehicle. Both occupants, who were not wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident, were transported by private conveyance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Mustang was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) office is now closed to the public. In an effort to reduce COVID-19 exposure, PHA staff are using extra precautions to reduce person-to-person contact for the foreseeable future. Until further notice, walk-ins or unscheduled appointments will not be accepted. The PHA encourages everyone to try to conduct business by phone, email, mail, or fax to the extent possible. Current tenants and landlords are asked to call ahead to schedule an appointment, if absolutely necessary, at 573-265-4200. All re-certifications will be done on time and will be completed by mail or email. Staff will be limiting one-on-one contact and will meet in person only as a last resort. Paper applications can be picked up at MRPC, #4 Industrial Drive, St. James, both at the back door and front foyer. Completion of the application must be done off site. To request that a paper application be mailed to you, please call 573-265-4200 or email pha@meramecregion.org. Completed paper applications can be dropped off at the drop box located in back of the building or may be mailed to Phelps County PHA 4 Industrial Drive St. James, MO 65559. Staff will be completing inspections in a timely manner, however, they will be accomplished in a different manner than in the past. Landlords and tenants will be advised of the new procedures, if an inspection is needed. For more information, call 573-265-4200 or email pha@meramecregion.org. Additional information can also be found at the MRPC website. MRPC provides staffing to the Phelps County Public Housing Agency that provides rental assistance to over 750 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces that the Patrol is extending the suspension of all written and skills-based driver road testing at all locations until April 15, 2020. This includes operator, commercial driver license, andmotorcycle testing. In addition, the Patrol is extending the suspension of all salvage inspections at all locations and all bus inspections until April 15, 2020. This does not affect local businesses that are the providers of safety and emission inspections for the public and may continue to be open for services depending on their circumstances. The Patrol is monitoring the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and will update the public on testing and inspections as more information becomes available. The Missouri State Highway Patrol appreciates the public’s cooperation in this effort to ensure public health and safety.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announces it will offer Missourians the state’s first elk-hunting season in modern history starting this fall. At its April 8th meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the issuance of five permits for hunting bull elk for the 2020 season. Four general permits will be for the public and one permit will be reserved for qualifying area landowners. Missouri’s first pending elk hunt comes after years of restoration efforts of the once-native species by MDC and numerous partners and supporters. For this first elk season, the Conservation Department has designated a nine-day archery portion running October 17th through the 25th and a nine-day firearms portion running December 12th through the 20th. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions. All permits will be assigned through a random-lottery drawing. A $10 application fee is required for those applying for the general permits. Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the $10 application fee when applying for the landowner permit. Those selected for each of the five permits must pay a $50 permit fee. The Conservation Department will limit the random lottery to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year “sit-out” period for those drawn for a general permit before they may apply again. If selected for a landowner elk permit, qualifying landowners will not be required to wait 10 years before again applying for a landowner elk permit. Qualifying landowners may apply once each year for a general elk hunting permit and for a landowner elk permit but are eligible to receive only one permit annually. General permits can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area. General permits are nontransferable.The landowner permit is also nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property in the counties mentioned. To apply for an elk permit, applicants must be Missouri residents at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt. Those selected to receive a permit must have their hunter-education certification or be exempt by age (born before January 1st, 1967) before they may purchase the permit. All applications must be completed online or at a local vendor. You may apply for the random elk-permit lottery starting May 1st and lasting through the 31st online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through a permit vendor. The Department of Conservation gathered public input on elk hunting during 2018 and 2019 at several public meetings in communities around the elk restoration zone and through online public comment periods.

Tuesday night at the Salem R-80 District Administrative Offices in a special meeting of the R-80 Board of Education, Superintendent John McColloch submitted his resignation effective July 1st and it was accepted by the board. McColloch has served as R-80 Superintendent for five years and will be moving on to be the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations at the School District of Washington. The board then went into closed session to discuss personnel.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released reports on their activities from March 29th through April 5th. On Sunday, March 29th, a deputy spoke to a 39-year-old woman at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office who was the reported victim of a violation of a full order of protection. Suspect information was obtained from her and the deputy began an investigation. Then on Thursday, April 2nd, the deputy met with a 43-year-old Salem man at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was arrested for harassment in the 1st degree and a violation of a full order of protection. The man was incarcerated at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and that same day, he posted bond and was released. On Wednesday, April 1st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of Dent County Road 2110. During the course of the traffic stop, a 31-year-old Salem woman was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The woman was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Friday April 3rd, a deputy traveled to Dent County Road 6080 for a report of littering. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered a large number of tires in a creek. That report is still under investigation. Later that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 3500 block of South Highway 19. During the course of the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for Blood Alcohol Content. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Finally on Sunday, April 6th, a deputy traveled to the Salem Memorial District Hospital because a subject in the emergency room was acting aggressive. Upon arrival, the deputy arrested a 19-year-old Salem man for Assault in the 4th degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If anyone has information on any ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

Missouri law prohibits individuals and businesses from price gouging — raising prices on necessities during an emergency. Missouri Attorney General Schmitt and Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley advises consumers to watch out for and report large increases in prices, including on gas, water, food, hand sanitizer, medical masks, soap, over-the-counter medicine and other necessities. The public is asked to report any and all instances of price gouging or other COVID-19 related scams to the Missouri Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline by calling 1-800-392-8222 or by filing a complaint online with attorney general’s office: https://ago.mo.gov. Instances of crime will continue to be investigated and prosecuted in Dent County. The Dent County jail will continue to house inmates accused and convicted of serious crimes. Efforts are being made by Sheriff Bob Wells, Dent County Prosecutor Curley, City Prosecutor James Weber and local judges to prevent the introduction of any symptomatic inmates that have been recently incarcerated in jurisdictions with COVID confirmed cases. Criminal Court proceedings are being conducted with social distancing and additional preventative measures.

Southwest Baptist University is adjusting its admissions process on all campuses including the Salem campus during the COVID-19 global pandemic, including making applications test optional. Darren Crowder, dean of enrollment management says prospective students may have concerns about not having access to information needed to complete an application, and we are removing those barriers. With ACT and SAT canceling spring testing dates, we may have applicants who have yet to take one of these tests. As a result, SBU is making these temporary amendments to the application process for undergraduate students. Test scores are not required at this time. Scholarships and other financial aid will be awarded. However, to potentially improve academic scholarship eligibility, students may elect to take the online Classic Learning Test or CLT also high school GPA scores may be self-reported. Additionally, the University is offering individual online visits for as long as in-person visits are suspended. Group visit events are cancelled for the remainder of the academic year, but the Admissions Offices are working to develop online experiences for these events. Admissions counselors remain available to visit with students and their families and help walk them through the admissions process and they are available by phone, email or social media. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu or you can call the Salem Campus at (573) 729-7071.

Time is running out to get a variety of low cost native tree and shrub seedlings from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. Right now they are offering residents a variety of those low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, and wildlife food and cover. Orders are being accepted through April 15th which is next Wednesday. The Department of Conservation has extended the seedling shipping timeframe through the end of May. According to MDC, the shipping season typically winds down in early May after nursery staff has shipped millions of seedlings to schools, landowners, and MDC staff for planting all over the state. Since the precautionary measures were4 put in place to decrease the spread of COVID-19, the nursery has been closed to the public and they have plenty of seedlings left. Order your seedlings online: mdc.mo.gov/seedlings, or fax an order form to 573-674-4047. Contact the nursery at 674-3229 or email them for an order form: StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov. You can take a virtual tour of the nursery are available at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zey.

Due to the Covid-19 guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control, the Salem Memorial District Hospital are no longer allowing visitors in the hospital until further notice. Also, no patient visitors are now allowed to attend patient visits at SMDH Family Medicine until further notice.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5630, 6410 and 6420 while only grading will be done on county road 6490. Purcell went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 6240 and 6245. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3200 and 4290 while only grading would be done on county roads 2200, 2370 and 3180. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he has been attending a number of COVID-19 meetings including Friday when the Governor issued the state’s “stay at home” order. Essential business need to stay open but non-essential businesses may remain open if they can adhere to the enforcement guidelines established by the CDC. For more information on what those guidelines are, contact the Dent County Health Department at 729-3106. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting continues for the June 2nd election. Call her office and someone will come to your vehicle at 729-4144. People have until May 20th to request a mail out ballot. The commissioners approved Resolution 1 that is sent to the Missouri Ethics Commission which they do every two years. Curley said she balanced with the assessor and collector on all collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of March. Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells was in to report the Dent County citizens would not need a letter of permission to be out during the “stay at home” order. He said he can only speak for Dent County and not any of the surrounding counties, but feels most sheriffs are leaning this way unless a quarantine situation would arise. The commissioners opened bids for culverts from Viebrock Sales and Service, and Metal Culverts, Inc. This was an item the commissioners had budgeted at $17,000. The low bid of $18,452 was from Viebrock. The commissioners unanimously approved the bid from Viebrock. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem is canceling the spring community-wide yard sale typically held the first weekend in May. Lots will not be available to rent in the city administrative offices building parking lot. Individuals conducting yard sales must observe the maximum gathering of ten
(10) people and social distancing guidelines as required by the State “stay at home” order.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that young turkey hunters in Missouri harvested 2,712 birds over the past youth weekend, April 4th and 5th. Top harvest counties were Miller with 74 birds checked, Franklin with 62, and Callaway and Sainte Genevieve with 60 each. in the area, there were 43 birds checked in Texas County, 35 more in helps County, 32 in Dent County, 22 in Crawford County, 16 in Reynolds County and 14 more in Iron County. Young hunters checked 2,546 turkeys during the 2019 spring youth weekend. The regular spring turkey season remains open as scheduled and runs April 20th through May 10th.

Spring weather typically brings an increase in outside projects that may require digging or excavation work around your home or business. Before you start digging on any project, the Missouri Public Service Commission reminds homeowners and businesses to call 811 or 1-800-DIG-RITE (344-7483) or go online to place a locate request at www.mo1call.com so that underground utilities can be marked. Whether you are planting a tree, building a deck or completing a large project, Missouri law requires anyone digging underground to call 811 or 1-800-DIG-RITE at least three working days before excavation begins. The call will be taken by the Missouri One Call Center, which then notifies all relevant utilities in the project area. During this three day period, the utilities will mark the approximate location of their underground lines, request additional information or advise you that they do not have facilities at the excavation site. Hitting an underground line can cause serious injury, it could disrupt service to you and other customers and it could potentially result in fines and repair costs. For more information, please go to Missouri One Call at www.mo1call.com.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Auditorium. Public Works Director Mark Nash talked about using Nova Chips on many city streets, but many can only be chipped and sealed as they can’t handle the machine that lays the chips. He said it may be advantageous to do the work in the next fiscal year and add the money from this year to it to get more bang for the city’s dollar. The alderman asked for a list of the streets that can be Nova Chipped and another of the chip and seal roads and then their priority. After the consent agenda, Gary Brown reported on the Planning and Zoning Meeting and they recommended to not grant a waiver to allow parking in the front 30 foot setback at a new development. This will now have to go in front of the Board of Adjustment for Planning and Zoning. City Administrator Ray Walden said the city continues to work with the Dent County Commission, health department and emergency management to take precautions necessary for the safety of city workers, staff and the citizens. He said utility bills will go out Friday and people should have them by next Wednesday. Starting in May, every electric meter and most water meters will be read by the AMI system. He said Maggi Construction who was awarded work on the city’s TAP grant has begun work at the city park by the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Walden said he is moving forward with the 4th of July Celebration at this point and will be buying fireworks. He also said people interested in the Park and Recreation summer programs should go to their Facebook page. Walden explained about the Energy Loan Program presented by the Department of Natural Resources that is a low interest loan to improve the lighting in the city to all LED lighting with a guaranteed payback in 15 years in buildings, street lamps and at the city parks The board approved Bill #3445 that lets the mayor execute an agreement with McKinstry Essention LLC to provide a detailed engineering study at a cost of $7,500 to prepare the application for the program before April 17th. The board then went into closed session.