Your World Today

An accident happened in Phelps County Wednesday afternoon at 12:20 on Highway 63 just south of Phelps County Road 6250. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Ford F-150 driven northbound by 52-year old Robert Rippee of St. Charles, began to slide on the ice covered roadway and crossed the center line where he struck a 2015 Chevrolet Impala driven southbound by 79-year old Olen Gibson of Licking. The Ford came to rest in a ditch and the Impala came to rest in the roadway. Two passengers in the Impala, 77-year old Frances Gibson and 96-year old Doris Lay of Licking, suffered moderate injuries and were taken by the Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Olen Gibson suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps County Ambulance. Rippee did not suffer any injuries in the accident. The Ford was removed from the scene by Triple AAA Wrecker with extensive damages while the Impala was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted by the Phelps Health Ambulance, Rolla Rural and Licking Fire Departments

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting in the Dent County Courthouse. During public comments Economic Development Director, was in with her monthly update which showed a drop in ongoing prospects from 17 to 12. She noted that 176 business licenses were granted including four new businesses. Finally Burbridge said that there has been a slight up-tick in Dent County unemployment from 2.9% to 3.4%. Curt Faigle with the 100 Acre Wood Rally was in to update the Commissioners. He reported that as of Wednesday they had 106 cars entered for the March 20th and 21st rally. Faigle said that in the past they had capped the entries at 75, but are planning to start 90 cars this year. He also reported that the Dent County roads used for the stages would be the same as last year. Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells was in to discuss the sign design for the outside of the new jail, plus the body scanner, the hand scanner, and the kitchen food service for the new jail. Panic buttons for the Courthouse and the Judicial Building were also discussed along with the interview recording system. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to seek bids for the recording system, security alarm buttons and food service. Bids will be opened February 20th at 10:00 and bid information can be obtained by contacting the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241. Wells said he has quotes for the hand scanner and body scanner, both of which are from the only source of purchase. Sheriff Wells will get more information on signage and get back with the Commission. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District Two Commissioner Gary Larson both indicated that their crews were out treating intersections, curves and other slick spots, particularly on chip and seal roads. Presiding Commission Darrell Skiles said that he would be attending the TAC and MRPC Meetings Thursday afternoon. He noted that during the MRPC meeting board members would have the opportunity to visit with representatives of US Senators and Congressmen about legislative priorities. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She said she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on monthly collections, add-ons and abatements for January and that the Commissioners reviewed her reports. Curley reminded voters that the last day to register for the March 10th Presidential Primary is February 12th and that the Courthouse will be closed that day due to Lincoln’s Birthday. On the 12th, applications to register can be completed online. Bill Ard was in to visit with the Commission. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Congratulations to the 28 High School and Middle School band students who represented Salem R-80 and Northwood R-4 this weekend at the SCA Honor Band Concert. They performed on February 1st in Ava. The Salem High School band students attending were Harmony Alexander, Jainey Pettus, Faith Jasper, Martin Jones, Megan Watkins, Ashton During, Reagin Toten, John Stark, Chris McSwain, Collin Hinderliter, Jon Gallagher, Kelsey Stienbarger, Christopher Harris, Marvin Aspinwall and Taytan Barton. The Salem Middle School band students at Ava were Hunter Barton, Chris Frederickson, Kaison Wilmont, Jarrod Brooks, Rory Dahms, Wyatt Patrick, Parker Holtz and Jacob Bender. The Northwood R-4 students included Xander During, Natily Cook, Harley Medley, Jacob Koontz and Nathan McGraw. Congratulations to all these students for being part of the SCA Honor Band!

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met at 6:00 Tuesday evening for their regular monthly meeting. After the roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda as well as minutes from the January meeting being reviewed and approved as presented. The financial report was discussed with bills being reviewed and approved as well as the 2019 final budget and 2020 budget being reviewed with an ending balance at the end of January of $268,708.21. During the calendar review, February 8th was determined to be a work day at the station for painting and general cleanup. It was also noted that March 10th will be the Presidential Preference Primary election in Dent County and the Road Rally would take place March 19th. During the monthly reimbursement report, the board made note of 24 calls for the month including 1 structure fire, 7 brush fires, 6 first responder calls, 3 vehicle accidents, 2 fire alarms responses, 2 training events and 3 calls classified as others. Total calls for the year so far is 41 with the average cost for call being $124.82. In new business, Chief Nash asked the board to consider a plan change for the area between the walkway on the Center Street side to add concrete from the building to the new walkway. The current plan has this as a sloped away from the sidewalk on both sides, possibly allowing water to run into the building. The board considered this to be a good idea but would need pricing to make an approval which Chief Nash said he would get and present to the board. Chief Nash also gave a tentative completion on the current renovation as March 1st and also discussed what the district would have to complete after the construction crews leave as far as installing, painting, and cleanup. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:00 at the firehouse. The meeting is open to the public.

Join the Montauk State Park staff for a unique bald eagle viewing at 8:00 this Friday morning, February 7th. Watch the eagles glide across the skies above the Montauk valley. Participants will accompany park staff on a hike near an active eagle’s nest in the park. A spotting scope and binoculars will be available. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Those who would like to attend can meet at the CCC stone picnic shelter by 8:00 Friday morning to warm up around a fire with free coffee and hot chocolate. Montauk State Park is located 22 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. For more information about the event, call the park at 573-548-2201.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold a blood drive Friday at Salem Wood Products at 200 Stave Mill Road off Highway 19 North. The blood drigve will be from 11:00 that morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. There is a critical need for type “O’ negative and AB plasma. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. For more information, call Lori Westerman at 729-7767.

Tom Botkins will lead a discussion about the Copeland Cemetery at 6:00 Tuesday, February 11th at the Salem Pizza Inn Meeting Room. It is a cemetery with a Who’s Who of early Dent County families living from the Howes Mills Community. This will be a discussion about lost or forgotten cemeteries and the meeting is a welcome call for people who own burial plots, small cemeteries, or know of a cemetery that is being lost to neglect or where no one is still alive that knows its history. For more information, contact Tom Botkins at 573 626-4522 or Deloris Gray Wood at 573 729-2545.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the city hall council chambers Monday night. At the meeting, the board heard from operations manager Joe Bruno from the Dent County Sheltered Workshop who explained to the board their budget had been cut $47,300 and there will be a sharp increase in salaries this year due to the increase in the state minimum wage. He also explained there is federal legislation passed through the house to eliminate the adjustment to the minimum wage for those with disabilities that would basically put an end to sheltered workshops if passed through the Senate. He said he appreciates all the businesses that use their services, but even if everything would go perfect this year, the sheltered workshop would end up the year about $7,000 in the hole. Kristen DeLuca of K DeLuca Audit Services LLC presented the board with findings from her audit of fiscal year 2019. She said she gave the city an unmodified opinion that states the books were fairly stated in her opinion. In short, she said the city had in total over 27 million dollars in assets and had over 9.8 million dollars in liabilities which leaves the city with a net position of over 16.4 million dollars. DeLuca also said she had no new findings for the city in their financials. She said two notes that are presented say the city has a problem with the segregation of duties which is normal for a city of this size, and that the books were prepared under the guidance of the generally accepted accounting principals better known as GAAP. The board approved the recommendation by Archer Elgin to go with the bid from Don Maggi, Inc of Rolla to do the work for the TAP Grant to build the trail from the R-80 Administration building to Pavilion #1 in the Salem City Park for $306.500.52. With this grant, 80% will be paid by MoDOT with 20% being the responsibility of the city. After the board approved the consent agenda, Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois reported the football camp that just got underway had 134 children in it. She wanted to thank Andrew Wynn and Head Football Coach Dylan Wyrick for helping with the camp and making it possible. She said Smart Soccer Signups end Friday for boys and girls age 3 through 5 and a parent, and the regular Soccer program signups for boys and girls 14 and under will also end Friday with late registration ending on February 14th. City Administrator Ray Walden said there were 4,421 people who used the Salem Community Center@The Armory in January. He said utility bills will be going out this week and will only reflect about one months usage. He said if anyone has questions, they can stop by the utility office or call 729-4117. Walden invited everyone to the retirement celebration for Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman and Lieutenant Marty Farrar at the Salem Police Station from 2:30-4:00 on February 14th. Walden said the next Board of Aldermen meeting would be held on February 18th due to President’s Day on Monday and the offices will be closed that day. The board approved Resolution 2-2020 that adopted an economic development policy for the pricing of land for sale in the Masters Industrial Park, and approved Resolution #3-2020 approving the agreement between the City of Salem and C. M. Archer Group, P.C. to be the city’s engineer. The board approved a layout plan submitted by Legend Clift to create a mobile home park at 701 East Center Street. The plan had previously been approved by the building inspector. Clift is in the process of improving the property and installing a new water line. The board also approved the allowed destruction of old police records that are seven years and older to be destroyed in accordance with state statutes as submitted by Chief Keith Steelman. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Area Arts Council is sponsoring “Art Across the Ages” from March 2 through March 27, 2020 at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC) in Salem to celebrate Youth Art Month. Young people and adult artists from all around the Dent County area are encouraged to submit their work for display during this time to show how artistic talent can be found in many forms and artists can be of any age. Additionally, a “Meet the Artists” public reception with refreshments will be held on Tuesday evening, March 10th from 6:00 to 8:00. Artists can make arrangements to drop off their artwork during the month of February by calling (573) 247-0279. This is a wonderful way to display the amazing talent found within this area, and artists of all ages and art of all media are encouraged to participate. All school art teachers and home schoolers are being invited to submit examples of their students’ work. For more information, please feel free to call the representative of the Salem Area Arts Council at (573) 247-0279. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is located at 202 South Main in Salem.