Your World Today

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met December 19th at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported that outpatient lab services were provided for 90 clients in November. She also noted that all documents have been submitted to Maloney, Wright and Robbins for the 2017/2018 audit. Mobray said that the SEMA PREP visit was completed December 13th from 10:00 until 2:00. She also stated that she attended the Region I SEMA meeting in Lebanon December 12th. Mobray said that 463 Flu shots have been administered to date and they continue to be available at the Health Center on a walk-in basis with Flulaval, for ages 6 months and up, Flublock, for those with egg allergies, and High Dose Fluzone for ages 65 and up. The Health Center is able to bill private insurance and child Medicaid. Mobray went on to say that Flu shots are $37.00 for adults who are uninsured, plus if places of business or job sites are interested in Flu shot clinics they should contact the Dent County Health Center at 729-3106. She reported that filings for the two Board seats that will be expiring in April 2020 began December 17th and will continue through January 21st, 2020. Those interested in filing must do so in person at the Dent County Clerk’s office in the Dent County Courthouse during regular business hours. The Health Center reported 8 cases of Influenza with one related death, 1 case of Campylobacteriosis, 1 Meningococcal, plus investigated 2 animal bites. Mobray presented the Administrative Manual and Personnel Manual to the Board for annual approval. Both manuals were approved by unanimous vote. Pursuant to Section 610.021 of the Missouri Statutes, the Board went in to closed session where bids for HVAC, a phone system and flooring were reviewed. Upon returning to open session, bids for HVAC from Victor Heating and Cooling, a phone system from Advanced Telephone, LLC, and Toman’s Flooring were approved. DCHC expenses for November were approved and the next regular board meeting was set for January 16th at 5:00 at the Health Center.

The Dent County Sheriffs Department has released reports for the department’s activities between December 17th and the 20th. On Tuesday the 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on 8th Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 49-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or 3rd offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and later released. Then on Thursday the 19th, a deputy observed a 28-year-old Salem woman the deputy knew to have active warrants through Dent County. The woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where she later posted bond and was released. The next day on the 20th, a deputy responded to the 2000 block of Highway 68 for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival at the address, the deputy discovered that a 69-year-old man was the reported victim. After further investigation, a 30-year-old Salem man was arrested for trespassing in the 1st degree and property damage in the 2nd degree. The man was arrested, fingerprinted, issued summons and later released. If anyone has information regarding any investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday afternoon, December 19th at about 2:23, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 60-year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $5.88. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday evening, December 20th close to 7:00, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of South Sligo in reference to someone banging on a door and trying to get in. That investigation revealed a 32-year-old male of Salem had pushed the front door of the residence in and assaulted a 21-year-old female of Salem. A further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for assault, damage to private property and harassment. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. On Saturday, December 21st, near noon, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a stolen vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a red 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt from a residence in the 800 block of East Ellis. A further investigation revealed that a female suspect had used a credit card that was in the vehicle at various locations in Salem. Later that day the Licking Police Department reported seeing the stolen Cobalt and attempted to stop it. A pursuit ensued and ended in an accident. The driver of the Cobalt, a 43-year-old female of Salem was taken into custody for receiving stolen property and possession of methamphetamine. The report is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police at 729-4242.

Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk wanted to remind the public that the Collector’s office in the courthouse will have extended hours today as well as Monday and Tuesday of next week for the payment of your personal property taxes and real estate taxes. Her office will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30 each evening. Vankirk says those paying their taxes can do so in person at the Dent County Collector’s Office in the Dent County Courthouse where you will get an immediate receipt. You can also drop them off in the drop box at the southwestern corner of the courthouse lawn. If you plan on mailing in your taxes, make sure that you have a postal clerk postmark the envelope with the date by December 31st to avoid penalties and interest. You may also pay your taxes online through the use of a credit or debit device. There is an additional charge for these types of payments as the collector’s office cannot cover the processing fees by state statute. Your tax receipt with any other method other than bringing your taxes to the collector’s office, will result in the tax receipt being mailed mailed to you. If anyone has a question about the payment of their taxes, contact the Dent County Collectors office at 729-3911 or stop by the Dent County Courthouse.

The Dent County Commissioner met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell was not in attendance due to a previous commitment, so Road Supervisor Rodney Atkinson gave the road report for the district. He said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 6470 and maintenance will be performed on county truck #119. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated brush would be cut on county roads 2150, 4400 and 4403. He also said materials would be added to county road 3200. Larson stated repair work was being done to county trucks #68 and #69. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind any vendor that is going to submit a bill to the county to be paid for work done in December should get them in to the clerk’s office before Monday morning at 10:00 as that will be the last day the commissioners will be able to approve and pay bills until the 2020 budget has been approved sometime in late January. Skiles again wanted to remind anyone who is interested in being the interim Dent County Assessor after the retirement of Tina Whitaker that will be effective December 31st at the end of the day, needs to let the commission know. Pursuant to Revised State Statutes of Missouri 150.030, the Dent County Commission will make an interim temporary appointment to fill the assessor position. Governor Mike Parson will eventually appoint a replacement to fill that position for the remainder of Whitaker’s term. The office will be up for election in 2020, but state statutes do not allow the new assessor to take office until the following September. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she continued to work on the 2020 budget. At the last meeting on Monday, Alisa Brookshire and Edie Wells both approached the commission with their interest to serve as interim Assessor. Tom Van Hatten from the 100-Acre Wood Rally was in attendance to visit about the rally. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

If you have a need for infant and toddler size gloves, mittens, hats, and children’s blankets during this bitterly cold weather, feel free to stop by the Dent County Health Center at the corner of Franklin and McArthur. The health center will have available a “Warming Tree” loaded with those items in their foyer and they are free to those who need them to stay warm. The tree will stay up through February. If you would like to help restock the items people have already taken from the tree, you can donate gloves, mittens, all sizes of hats and children’s blankets to the “Warming Tree.” For more information about the “Warming Tree” or about donating items to the “Warming Tree” at the Dent County Health Center, feel free to call them at 729-3106 or stop by Dent County Health Center at 601 S. McArthur.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development approved two organizations for a total of $1.1 million in grants and tax credits under the Workforce Training Initiative round one. The Workforce Training Initiative helps provide quality job training opportunities through non-profit organizations, local governments, community colleges, public technical colleges, and public universities. These programs will increase access to training to underserved areas and benefit 860 persons of low and moderate income. The initiative defines job training as a method of skill development derived from the practical application of work-related skills. This training prepares individuals for a specific job opportunity, particularly those within occupations that are experiencing growth. The Department of Economic Development worked closely with the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to select organizations to receive funding. The funds may be directed towards capital improvements, equipment, program supplies, and training materials. These projects will increase the number of students trained and improve the readiness of the students to enter their respective fields. One of the recipients was the City of Salem. Funding will be used by the City of Salem to construct a facility to house construction and technical trade programs for high school students and a manufacturing trade program for post-secondary adult students. This facility will provide all students with classroom instruction and real work experience. According to Salem City Administrator Ray Walden, this grant provides the community an opportunity to expand the Construction Trades and Computer Science programs. The City of Salem and the Salem R-80 District along with other stakeholders are committed to educational opportunities for both current students and adults. It’s the city’s expectation the investment this represents will benefit our community and the State for years to come. The other recipient is Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.

On Friday, December 20th the Dent County Republican Committee received official notification that the Dent County Assessor, Tina Whitaker, will be retiring on December 31st, 2019. The Dent County Republican Committee will be holding a special meeting at the Dent County Court House this Friday evening, December 27th at 6:00, to interview anyone interested in being recommended to fill the Dent County Assessor position. Those interested also need to let the Dent County Commissioners know of their interest in the position. If you would like to attend this meeting to be interviewed for this recommendation, please call the Dent County Republican Chairman, Mike Homeyer, at 314-609-0117 to make your appointment to speak. The Governor will make the appointment to fulfill the assessor’s term.

A one vehicle accident happened Sunday evening at 8:33 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about ten miles south of St. James. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2012 Mazda 3 driven by 25-year old Samantha Ambrocia of St. Charles was driving southbound and struck a deer in the roadway. Ambrocia was transported by St. James ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Mazda sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. According to the report, the driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Tuesday, December 3rd at about 11:45 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to the Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 East in reference to the theft of fuel. The investigation of the report revealed a male driver of a white Toyota SUV pumped fuel valued at $24.56 and left without paying. The report is under investigation. On the Friday night, the 13th of December at about 8:32, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Iron Street in reference to damage to private property. That investigation revealed a 25-year-old male of Salem had damaged property valued at $200.00 inside the residence after an argument that resulted in a fit of rage. A further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Saturday, the 14th of December at about 4:37 in the afternoon, an officer transported a 29-year-old male of Newburg from the Phelps County jail to the Dent County jail due to an active arrest warrant from the city of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.