Your World Today

The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Monday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2430, 5530 and 6370, plus a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. He also said one of the crew members of District 1 was helping the guys from District 2 install the new “No Truck” signs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said men would be installing the new “No Truck” signs on chip and seal county roads 3210, 3260, 3280, 3290 and 3300. Polk went on to report rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2120 and brush would be cut on county road 2300. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said Tuesday the MCEC budget was approved. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk presented to the commission an estimate from Anita Ridenhour from A Ridenhour, LLC on creating the Senior Tax Credit System for the Dent County Collector’s tax collection computer program that would be required to determine the senior tax credit from Senate Bill 190. The estimate indicates the cost to be between $16,500 to $19,500 with the final cost to be determined by what is required by the county. The new Senior Tax Credit system would have the ability to add and modify senior credit amounts on unpaid accounts, tracking of all modifications and necessary reporting to each taxing district, the auditor as well as any other reporting that may be required by the county. The work to be done in the tax collection system would have to modify and update all programs related to real estate accounts to include the Senior Tax Credit amounts including inquiry, all collection programs, abatement and add-on screens, statements, paid receipts, all reports and website changes. Further, VanKirk attended a workshop on Senate Bill 756 (which the governor has not yet signed) that attempts to remedy some of the confusion from Senate Bill 190 allowing people, who are 62 years of age, to qualify for the credit and if those on a different retirement plan other than Social Security such as a state pension plan would qualify. She stated certain things cannot be “frozen” from taxes such as bond levy increases and the blind discount pension from any reassessment. She also said applicants would have to get copies of their deed from the Recorder’s office and the Assessor would have to check each application as well and this would have to be an annual event. It is still unclear how many applications would be submitted and what the effect would be on the taxing districts. The county commission reiterated they are doing their due diligence before making any final decision and will wait until all the facts and figures have been collected. They also plan on doing a poll to see what the citizen support is for the credit as well. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register to vote for the Primary will be July 10th and the excused absentee voting continues in her office. At the last meeting, the commission approved putting out bids for a concrete pad and four-foot walls at the Road and Bridge Department that will be due by July 15th at 10:30. The courthouse will be closed on Independence Day but the lights on the courthouse will be left on featuring red, white and blue colors. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday, July 8th at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened in Franklin County Sunday afternoon at 3:50 on Interstate 44 at the 234.2 mile marker that took the life of a man from Cuba, Missouri. According to the highway patrol report, 73-year-old Ruben Caldera of Cuba was operating a 2023 Harley Davidson Tri-Glide heading westbound on Interstate 44 when he lost control causing the motorcycle to go off the right side of the roadway where the Harley Davidson struck a rock bluff and overturned, ejecting Caldera from the motorcycle. Caldera was pronounced dead at the scene by the St. Clair Ambulance personnel. His body was taken to the St. Louis County Morgue by Superior Mortuary Transport LLC. The motorcycle was removed from the scene by Vogelsang’s Towing. Caldera was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday, June 20th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 21 COVID-19 cases reported and the new strain is circulating, 37 lead cases, 37 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, no cases of Influenza and 9 animal bites. There was a brief discussion about the Avian Flu that has broken out in dairy cattle and has spread to a few humans, but is not spreading from human to human. The Environmental Report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 5 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 31 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was one CPR Course, one consultation for Childcare Health, no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 13 Title X appointments, no Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid) and 304 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 496 total appointments other than WIC, 99 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 117 Treatment Court visits, 224 lab appointments and 42 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner service details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 6 family plannings, 7 well-child visits, 12 online appointments, 2 other well-woman exams, 9 other physicals, 10 SEMO physicals, 10 other visits, and 53 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 253 individual patients, 3 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 3 pregnancy tests and 11 lead tests. There were no Immunizations for COVID-19 in May, while there were 5 for Influenza and 98 other vaccines administered, including the new RSV vaccine and new formulations of pneumonia vaccine. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that there will be a Lead Poisoning Town Hall meeting that is open to the public on August 1st at 5:30 at the Community Center @ the Armory. Progress on the DCHC Strategic Plan was discussed. Moser was asked about insurance adjuster results from the April 18th hail storm. He reported that an insurance adjuster has not yet been to the DCHC to determine damage. The Health Center financial reports for May, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After these questions were answered, the financial reports and the report from H & R Block were approved. In news business the Financial Audit was approved by the Board. The next regular meeting of the DCHC Board was set for Thursday, June 20th at 5:00.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Monday June 24th deputies responded to East Center St. for a reported wanted subject. During the investigation, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Later on the same day deputies responded to the 900 block of County Road 5070 for a reported assault. During the investigation, a 37-year-old Salem man was arrested for assaulting a 52-year-old Salem woman. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24 hour hold pending formal charges. Then on Wednesday June 26, deputies responded to the area of Highway F and County Road 6400 after a vehicle fled from an attempted traffic stop. The operator, an 18-year-old Salem man, was located by law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing. Two days later on Friday June 28, deputies responded to the 2900 block of Highway 68 for a reported weapons violation. During the course of the investigation, a 63-year-old Salem man was arrested. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24 hour hold pending formal charges. The next day Saturday June 29, deputies responded to the 500 block of Fifth St. for a reported wanted subject. During the course of the investigation, a 33-year-old Bunker man was arrested. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. If you have information regarding any investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

At a probation revocation hearing held Wednesday in Dent County in front of Judge Michael Randazzo of the 42nd Judicial Court, Jeremy Jackson of Dent County was sentenced to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Jackson had previously pleaded guilty in March 2022 to multiple felony charges, including stealing, forgery, burglary, and passing bad checks. He was initially sentenced to a 15-year treatment program in May 2022, which he completed in 2023. This past April, Jackson was arrested and charged with drug trafficking in the second degree for possessing over 20 milligrams of fentanyl. Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley filed a motion to revoke Jackson’s probation, citing failure to obey the law, use of intoxicants, and failure to repay victim restitution. At the hearing, Prosecutor Curley sought execution of the previously imposed sentences, while the defendant requested continued probation with drug treatment. Judge Randazzo ultimately decided to execute the original 15-year sentence.

This Friday, July 5, there will be a Summer Concert featuring Kirk Pierce at Echo Bluff State Park. This free concert begins at 8 pm. Then, next week Thursday at Current River State Park, there will be a Women Outdoors class. These classes are taught by women and designed to give women more confidence in getting out in nature. Get in the water during this event to learn about water quality and how to use a water filtration system to get drinkable water from rivers and creeks. The class is free and open to women 16 and older, but registration is required and can be submitted by emailing connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov or by calling her office at 573-751-1224.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will conduct two managed deer hunts at Big Spring this October. The hunts are designed for youth and military service members with permanent mobility impairments. Applications for both hunts will be accepted beginning today through July 31. Ten hunters will be randomly selected for each hunt. The youth hunt is scheduled for October 5, and 6. Interested participants must apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. The Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired hunt will take place October 19, and 20. Applications and information are available at go.nps.gov/BigSpringHunt2024. Portions of the Big Spring area will be temporarily closed to the public during these hunts on October 4-6, and October 18-20. Superintendent Jason Lott is pleased to once again offer these recreational opportunities for our youth and in honor of individuals who have sacrificed so greatly for our country. For more information, visit the park’s Facebook page, www.nps.gov/ozar, or call (573) 323-4236.

Construction at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) fish hatchery in Bennett Spring State Park hasn’t stopped trout fishing this summer. Over 60,000 trout tags have been issued through June, with more than 120,000 trout stocked in the park’s waters this year. Ben Havens, MDC’s Bennett Spring Hatchery manager, reported favorable fishing conditions and angler success. The $40 million hatchery renovation includes a new intake structure, raceway reconstruction, and water quality improvements. Cahills Construction of Rolla is handling the project. Despite reduced local production, fishing continues thanks to trout from MDC’s Montauk and Shepherd of the Hills hatcheries, as well as private sources. Stocking now occurs several times weekly instead of daily, but weekly totals remain unchanged. Stocking numbers are posted in the park store. The project aims to improve fish production and site resiliency. MDC Hatchery Systems Manager Clint Hale emphasized efforts to maintain regular stocking and angler amenities during construction. Bennett Spring typically produces about 450,000 fish annually, supporting local businesses through tourism. While some areas may be affected by construction, the park remains open for fishing and other activities.

A presentation of the book, “Summers at Cedar Grove” by author Ben Timson, followed by a book signing, will be held at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 S Main Street in Salem on Saturday, July 13th at 10:00 in the morning. Timson was a professor of Biomedical Sciences at Missouri State University for 32 years before retiring two years ago. The book “Summers at Cedar Grove, The Rise and Fall of an Ozark Village,” is Timson’s book about his summers spent at Cedar Grove and the history of Cedar Grove, Missouri, along the Current River. The Dent County Historical Society is the sponsor of the event. For more information, please call Deloris Gray Wood, president of the Society, at 573 729-2545 or send an email to uppercurrentriver@gmail.com.