Your World Today

Dent County and MO 911 will launch a Countywide GIS Remediation Project to update the 911 mapping and improve 911 services throughout the county and the State of Missouri. The project is funded by grants using federal ARPA funds. This project aims to improve the accuracy of the county map and addressing data used by emergency responders. The Missouri 911 Service Board requires this work so that our local mapping data can be used to route 911 calls more accurately. Mapping engineers from Dent County’s 911 mapping contractor, SDR Inc., will drive throughout the cities, towns, and some recreational areas during daylight hours to verify locations. The 911 field vehicle will be clearly marked with white signs and “911 Mapping” in red letters. The 911 field vehicle will stop in front of structures to observe, verify, and document the posted address but will not knock on doors or conduct interviews with residents. If no address is posted or legible, the technician will mark the record for further investigation. They may leave the vehicle to verify the layout of apartment units in buildings but will not trespass on private property. The field work for this project is expected to be complete by the end of July. For questions regarding this project please contact Sherry Lea or Lacey Hampton with the Dent County Rural Addressing located in the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 573-729-8163; or Julie Kellerman, the project manager from SDR, Inc. at 1-800-283-1911, extension 706.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of June. The department responded to 13 accidents during the month. Officers responded to seven alarms sounding and addressed 30 animal calls, investigated six assaults or fights, one burglary, performed 31 well-being checks and 13 area checks in June. Police investigated eight domestic disputes, nine verbal disturbances, conducted 50 follow-up investigations, and provided 15 escorts. They investigated three nuisance violations, one report of fraud, and offered assistance to four motorists. The Salem Police wrote two property damage reports, made ten stealing reports, and responded to four traffic complaints. Officers investigated three suicidal persons, 18 suspicious circumstance calls, four suspicious person calls, and nine suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve two warrants and conducted 81 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 479 incidents in June with the average response time to calls being one minute and 47 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 17 minutes and 31 seconds.

A little can change a lot! Missouri State Parks has always been a proud supporter of our veterans and once again for the month of July, all proceeds from the Round Up program will be earmarked for events designed specifically with veterans in mind. The Round Up program provides guests with an easy opportunity to donate to state parks and historic sites by rounding up their total purchase to the nearest dollar. Normally, the money rounded up will be used at the park where the purchase is made. However, in July all money raised will help fund special events and programs for veterans. In the past, funds have been used for events such as the Hero Deer Hunt held at Mark Twain State Park and the Veteran Deer Hunt held at Crowder State Park. These events invite veterans to apply and be chosen to participate in a managed deer hunt at the parks. All permits, food, lodging and guide services are free to the veterans, thanks in part to the donations from the Round Up program. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved the largest Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to date, allocating $14.6 billion for transportation projects from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The FY 2025-2029 STIP includes additional funding from General Revenue, approved by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Governor Mike Parson. Key projects include improvements to Interstates 70 and 44, repairs to low-volume minor roads, and upgrades to bridges, airports, and rail crossings. Of the total $14.6 billion, $10.7 billion is earmarked for road and bridge construction, averaging about $2.1 billion per year. Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna said, “This historic investment in transportation infrastructure will benefit Missourians across the state.” The STIP covers maintenance for Missouri’s 33,811 miles of roads and 10,392 bridges and culverts. It also includes plans for non-highway transportation and details on operations and maintenance activities for the next three years. For more information or updates, visit modot.org or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in to touch base with the Commissioners. Wilson reported that as a result of the assassination attempt Saturday of former President Donald Trump the House Oversight Committee has scheduled a meeting with the Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle for Monday, July 22nd. He also noted that Congress is off this week necessitating the weeklong wait for the meeting. In the road report District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2400, 4235, 4237, 4240 and 5600. He also reported that a man had gone to Springfield for oil for chip and seal, and he had two of his crew out. Mobray also noted that he and Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk would be attending a City Hall meeting that night at Bunker regarding SB190. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2010, 2020, 2025, 4310, and 4340. He said rock would be added and grading done on county road 3355. Polk also reported that Monday part of his crew took the backhoe to the Sligo area to clean out culverts and bridges on county roads 4010, 4032, and 4480. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he was gone on vacation last week and would meet with the Tourism Tax Committee Monday night. Larson also mentioned that the County had received information from the Missouri Department of Agriculture about the opportunity to enroll in the Department’s Re-monumentation Program for 2025. The Commission will meet with the County Surveyor before making a decision for next year. Dent County is already participating in the program this year and has $8,300 budgeted for it. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that bills and payroll were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She also noted that absentee voting continues through August 5th and July 24th is the last date to mail out a ballot. If you have questions about voting, registration, dates, etc., contact her office at 573-729-4144. Vankirk was in to discuss SB190 after speaking with MAC attorney Travis Elliott. She also sent Elliott the City/County Collection contact to review and get more clarification on that due to SB190. At 10:30 the Commissioners opened bids for concrete work at the road department salt shed. The bid from Godi Excavating was for $28,490.00 and from Gray Construction was $27,880.00. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the Gray Construction bid. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at 12:44 on Highway K at Highway Z. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2012 Nissan Versa, driven by 75-year-old Joan Sutton of Salem, pulled into the path of an eastbound 2014 Ram 1500, driven by 40-year-old Thomas Barnard of Rolla. Sutton suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The report stated that Sutton and Barnard were both wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred Sunday evening at 5:30 in Phelps County on private property near County Road 3140. According to the Highway Patrol report 69-year-old Randy Romine of Rolla was operating a southbound 2005 Honda Rancher. The Honda overturned, ejecting Romine, and then rolling over him. He suffered serious injuries and was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The report stated that Romine was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Honda sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at 1:14 on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 5240. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2010 Ford Edge, driven by 47-year-old Esther Gann of Licking, was following a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado, driven by 38-year-old Scott Jenkins of Newburg. Jenkins slowed to make a right turn and Gann failed to yield causing the Ford to strike the rear of the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet then traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Jenkins, along with a 14-year-old male juvenile, suffered serious injuries and both were transported by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health. The report stated that Gann and the juvenile were both wearing safety restraints, while Jenkins was not. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by D and D Towing, while the Ford sustained extensive damage and was driven from the scene.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Brooke Bollman will begin her duties as the hospital CEO later this month. The hospital will announce her start date when it is certain. Ms. Bollman is moving to the Salem area after serving as the CEO of Caldwell Regional Medical Center in Caldwell, Kansas, since 2019. It was originally anticipated that Ms. Bollman would begin her duties on July 1st. The Salem Hospital Board of Directors would like to thank Kayla Chamberlain, the hospital CFO, for her willingness to serve as Interim CEO until Brooke Bollman’s arrival at SMDH.

The Missouri State Oil & Gas Council will hold its quarterly meeting on July 17 at 10:00 am in the Land Survey and Agriculture building, located at 1251 Gale Dr in Rolla. The council is responsible for adopting and amending regulations related to the oil and gas industry in Missouri. Its primary objectives include: Promoting economic development and production of Missouri’s oil and gas resources, ensuring proper management of wastes from oil and gas wells protecting

groundwater aquifers potentially affected by well drilling, and establishing standards for well drilling, operation, and underground storage of hydrocarbons. The public is welcome to attend these meetings, Webex is also available. Those wishing to address the council on any agenda item must notify the department beforehand by emailing council secretary cara.bird@dnr.mo.gov, if attending remotely. In-person attendees can complete a Speaker Request form at the registration table. For more information about the Missouri State Oil & Gas Council and its activities, visit the Department of Natural Resources website or contact the Missouri Geological Survey in Rolla at 573-368-2100.

Governor Mike Parson signed into law what many are referring to as the Veteran Omnibus Bills, Senate Bill 912, and HB1495. In these bills, the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) is charged with creating a new program to aid in the efforts to prevent Veteran suicide. The Veterans Mental Health Program will be the Commission’s fourth core program. MVC also operates the Veterans Homes Program, Veterans Cemeteries Program, and the Veterans Service Program. Governor Parson said that we are proud to be a leading state for veterans, military members, and their families where they can find professional success, affordability, welcoming communities, and, above all, support and respect for their service to our great nation. He went on to say that the legislation we are signing continues our commitment to our nation’s heroes that Missouri will remain one of the best places for veterans and service members to live, work, and raise a family. A special thank you to Representative Dave Griffith and Senator Ben Brown for leading these important efforts to protect, honor, and support Missouri’s military members, both past and present. MVC Executive Director (Ret.) Col. Paul Kirchhoff said that since our inception, the Missouri Veterans Commission has been helping Missouri’s Veterans, and we are honored to be able to help in a new way. He went on to comment that this cause is near and dear to my heart, as I have lost close friends to suicide, and I am not the only one. We are losing Veterans every day, and whatever we need to do to curb that, we are all in. MVC is working on a timeline for the rollout of the new program. SB912 and HB1495 require MVC to review the provisions of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 and all subsequent regulations and then compile an annual report first due on July 1, 2025. MVC will work in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Mental Health to “provide recommendations and make efforts to adopt procedures, programs, treatment options, aid, and other assistance necessary to assist in the efforts to prevent Veteran suicide.” The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, five Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program. The Commission is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care for Veterans, seamlessly integrated with the Veteran community,

emphasizing a culture of transparency and excellence. For more information about Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call 573-751-3779 or visit mvc.dps.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a family fishing event on July 23 at Little Prairie Conservation Area in Phelps County. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at William E. Towell Lake. MDC staff will be on hand to provide assistance and instruction to families new to fishing. Fishing poles and lures will be provided for participants. The event is open to all, but is specifically designed for families. Anglers between 16 and 64 years old will need a fishing permit. Little Prairie Conservation Area is located at 12600 Prairie Lake Road, approximately five miles east of Rolla. While the program is free, registration is limited and required. Interested participants can register online at the MDC website or contact Lance Lewis at Lance.Lewis@mdc.mo.gov for more information. MDC reminds residents that various virtual and in-person programs are available across the state. A full listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday for their regular meeting at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to prior commitments. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray was appointed as acting presiding commissioner. Philip Karr and Rich Green attended with their concerns still about the truck traffic from Royal Oak Charcoal as it has now returned after the county put up their road signs. Royal Oak, after a discussion with the commission, stated they would be putting up their own truck signs on their property but they have not been installed yet There are still issues on Route JJ at the end of state maintenance where there is no sign by the county or Royal Oak, and the highway patrol has told residents they can’t do anything unless a sign is posted, and county deputies can’t write citations without an ordinance which the commission has yet to finalize as they are trying to make sure the ordinance doesn’t impede local truck traffic from using the roads to do their jobs. Karr would like to see the sign prohibiting trucks over ten tons placed at that location. Denver Ellis brought in a sample initiative petition that would allow the public to place the questions on the ballot of “Shall the County of Dent exempt senior citizens from increases in the property tax liability due on such senior citizen’s primary residence? Yes or No.” County Clerk Angie Curley took the petition from Ellis but said she only certifies signatures. Ellis said a petition similar to this was passed by a county in southwest Missouri and Curley asked him which one, but Ellis did not have the information with him. He will provide that to Curley so she can follow up the petition to she what steps need to be taken. Curley did say that Ellis would need to collect 362 signatures for the initiative to be put on the ballot. The petition when completed would have to be delivered to the commission. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said three grader drivers are busy patch grading numerous roads with the damage from the rain with two men hauling materials to a number of those roads. Mobray said brush cutting is being done to county road 6660. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said materials are being added and grading done on Dent County Road 2160, while only grading would be done on county roads 2165, 2170 and 4290. He said brush was being cut on county roads 3260 and 3290, and a crew was fixing a tire on grader #37. Gary Fritzinger came in to talk about getting the culverts cleaned out on county road 4030 as well as possibly getting the bent parts cut off. Commissioner Polk said he would check into it. County Clerk Curley said excused absentee voting continues at the courthouse until August 5th and no-excuse absentee voting will begin July 23rd. She also said the last day to mail out a ballot will be July 24th. The treasurer received a check from Terry Baker in the amount of $7,000 for chip and seal of 2/10ths of a mile on county road 2370. He will maintain the road for five years and the commission will have the prosecutor draw up an agreement. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Utilities Committee meeting was called to order at 6:15 Wednesday evening at the City Auditorium. Finance Director Houston presented first with her finance report. During which she highlighted several utility line items, in summary the Electric Fund, Electric D&R Fund, and Electric Reserved Fund totaled a little over 2.5 million dollars, this is an increase of about 1.3 million dollars from the same time last year. The Water Fund, corresponding D&R, and Reserve Fund totaled nearly 1.7 million dollars, the difference compared to the beginning balance is an increase of $34,524. The Sewer Fund, corresponding D&R, and Reserve Funds had a beginning balance of $471,454 and an ending balance of $834,696. An attending citizen asked for clarification about the expenses on chemical supplies for sludge and sewer tools, including a hydrovac truck. Director Houston elaborated on the amounts spent, clarifying the expenditures. Utility Director Paine then arrived at the podium to report on work updates. He stated the water department has been focused on water service line repairs, a major sewer repair off Hickory and 11th street among their routine responsibilities. The Electric department focused on reported outages mostly caused by local wildlife, streetlight replacement, and provided assistance to other departments for infrastructure repairs. City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that the approved electric and trash rates will go into effect on the September Billing cycle, while the approved sewer rates will go into effect on the October billing cycle. On the topic of the MPUA Mutual Aid Agreement, which for context, is a multi-community agreement designed to be utilized under conditions when time is of the essence to save lives, prevent human suffering, and/or mitigate property damage following an emergency. Director Paine informed the committee that the city’s current agreement expires August 1st, and would need to be renewed by an authorized signature should the city decide to continue to participate in the program for the 18th consecutive year. Discussions regarding liabilities, updated insurance requirements, commitments to other communities including those out of the state of Missouri, logistics of communications during a disaster, the presentation of time sensitive documents, overall expenses, the city’s emergency action plans and personnel were all raised by committee members and citizens in attendance. A motion was then made by Kyle Williams to amend a prior motion, and moved to recommend continuation of the city’s participation in the mutual aid program provided the necessary updates with current administration and a legal review. John Hambacher seconded the motion and stated that the city needs to be sure that they are meeting all requirements of the agreement. The motion was approved unanimously. Catherine Dent asked to obtain an updated disaster manual from the city. Director Paine stated he will provide that. The committee also discussed water meter size fees, with John Hambacker presenting documents and Kyle Williams providing comparative information from nearby towns. Two options were considered for metering fees: one based on account and the other on service line size. It was agreed that this would be discussed further in future meetings. At 7:18 PM a motion to adjourn was made and approved by all members present.