Your World Today

The Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart still has a number of “angels” remaining as of Sunday evening and the last day to adopt an “angel” will be Tuesday. It is the goal of the Dent County Salvation Army Service Unit to try to make sure that every Dent County child’s Christmas morning is bright and you can help by adopting an angel. It is easy to help out. Just follow these steps: Select a tag representing a specific child from the “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart. Then shop for gifts based on the parent’s suggestions. You do not have to purchase everything on the list, just use it as a guideline. Once you are finished shopping, bring the unwrapped gifts to the Wal-Mart Service Desk along with the “angel tag” by tomorrow. Your gifts will be distributed to your adopted “angel” on Thursday, December 19th. For questions about the “Angel Tree,” please contact the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army at 729-8163.

A fatality accident occurred late Saturday morning at around 11:15 in Phelps County on Grant Road approximately six tenths of a mile
south of the Doolittle city limits. The report from the highway patrol states that three female juveniles were traveling north on a 2009 Kubota RTV 1140 CPX and the accident happened as the vehicle was making a left turn and started to skid, overturned and ejected all three of the occupants, landing on top of the 14-year old victim who was transported by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health and was pronounced dead at 12:10 by Dr. Clay in the Phelps Health emergency room. The other two 13 year old juveniles were not injured in the accident. According to the report, none of the juveniles were wearing safety devices. There was no damage to the Kubota.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 5:05 in Dent County on Highway 19 about seven miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by 59-year old Martha Tibbs of Salem was traveling southbound and struck a deer. Tibbs suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance. She was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened in Maries County Friday afternoon at 4:15 on Highway 63 in Vichy involving 2 Rolla residents. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2004 Ford Ranger driven by 20-year old Mark Kidd of Rolla was southbound when he was struck from behind by a 2005 Ford Freestyle being driven by 27-year old Randa Fogelman of Rolla. Kidd was transported by the Ozark Central EMS to Phelps Health in Rolla for treatment of minor injuries. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints according to the report. The Ranger sustained extensive damage and was driven from the scene. The Freestyle was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7:00 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. After the consent agenda is approved, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Walden who will provide the board an update on current city projects and update them on office holiday closures as well as a discussion on the December utility bills. After Walden has completed his report, the board will discuss a trailer court license application submitted for approval. Chief Keith Steelman will discuss the destruction of 2013 police records with the board. The Board will also hear Resolution #27-2019 that authorizes the filing of an application with the Missouri Department of Natural bResources State Revolving Loan Fund program for the construction of the new sewer to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The board will then go into closed session to discuss real estate, contracts and personnel. The meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at the Commission’s December 13th meeting for upcoming turkey-hunting season dates. The 2020 Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting dates are as follows. Spring Youth Portion will be April 4th and 5th and Regular Spring Turkey Season will be April 20th through May 10th, while Fall Firearms Turkey Season will be October 1st through 31st. Details on hunting regulations, harvest limits, allowed methods, required permits, and other related information will be available in MDC’s “2020 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information.” Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Learn more about turkey hunting in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. Road Supervisor Rodney Atkinson gave the road report and stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2440, 5015 and 5080 while only grading would be done to roads 5085, 5520 and 5530. He also stated that brush would be cut on county road 6410. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2550 and 3200 while only grading would be done on county road 3190. Larson went to say brush would be cut on county roads 2200 and 5330. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday that prioritized the transportation needs in the MRPC region. Skiles also attended the regular MRPC Board meeting that evening. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she balanced with the Dent County Treasurer on all accounts. Curley said her office received a $2,627.65 Election Efficiency Grant from the state for equipment maintenance, poll pads and other items. She also said she was working on the county 2020 budget. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk said the Collector’s office in the courthouse would have extended hours on December 26th, 27th, 30th and 31st from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30 each evening. Vankirk wanted to remind those paying their taxes that they can do so in person at the Dent County Collector’s Office, drop them off in the drop box at the southwestern corner of the courthouse lawn, by mailing them as long as they are postmarked by December 31st, or pay them online through the use of a credit or debit device. Be aware there is an additional charge to use a credit or debit device. If anyone has a question about the payment of their taxes, contact the Dent County Collectors office at 729-3911. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

As the Christmas Holiday rapidly approaches, so do the cutoff dates established by the US Postal Service about the mailing dates for expected delivery before December 25th. Domestic mailing deadlines for First-Class Packages is December 20th, Priority Mail December 21st and Priority Mail Express is December 23rd. If you have packages going to service men and women outside the United States your package mailing deadlines are this Saturday for Priority Mail Express International and December 19th for Global Express Guaranteed. For costs and more information about the dates and deadlines, contact the Salem Post Office at 729-3442.

The Salem FFA Chapter has beautiful red and white poinsettias for sale from their greenhouse. The cost of each poinsettia is $8.00. For more information, call the Salem FFA Department at 739-2016 or call the Salem High School Office at 729-6641 and leave a message.

Dillard Mill State Historic Site invites visitors to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon to 2:00, Saturday, December 14th. Santa Claus is gearing up for his Christmas deliveries and has once again contacted Dillard Mill to grind special oats for his reindeer. This free event will be at the mill where Santa and Mrs. Claus will hand out ornaments and candy to children. Bring your camera and dress for the weather. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served. Dillard Mill State Historic Site is one of Missouri’s best-preserved water-powered gristmills. This mill, which has been restored to operational order, was built around 1900 and continued to grind grain until the 1960s. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the park office building. Dillard Mill State Historic Site State Park is located at 1142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. For more information about the event, call the historic site at 573-244-3120. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

A Winter ’19 Art Party Sponsored by the Salem Area Arts Council will be Friday night, December 20th, from 6:30-9:00 in the Creative Arts Center (Formerly the Teachers’ Closet) Bring yourself, your bestie, or a hot date to the Creative Arts Center in Salem and paint a matching (or complementary) picture. You can paint a fun scene and put your own special creative spin to it, then take it home. The cost is $25 per single or $40 per couple, and all supplies are included–acrylic paints, aprons, brushes, canvas, and easels. Led by artist Danielle Norris, this event for adults does NOT require any talent or previous experience, just a happy spirit and willingness to try. Reservations are required and can be made by calling or texting (573) 247-0279 and arranging to pay your fee to reserve your spot.