Local News – Wednesday, February 28th, 2018
Tomorrow morning at 6:30 at Montauk State Park, anglers throughout Missouri will be vying for position on the banks for the opening of the catch-and-keep trout fishing at Montauk State Park near Salem awaiting the starting pistol that Salem native Jim Freeman will fire. Similar starts will be held at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and the Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) operates the trout hatcheries at all four parks. To help predict angler turnout on opening day, hatchery staff rely on permit records going back more than 80 years. Montauk, Bennett Spring, and Roaring River hatchery staff expect crowds of about 2,000 anglers at each location and Maramec Spring staff is planning for a crowd of about 1,000. Based on these predictions, hatchery staff will stock three trout per expected angler on opening day for a total of more than 21,000 fish averaging around a foot in length. The hatcheries will also stock a mix of "lunkers" ranging from three to 10 pounds. Trout anglers will need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri's trout parks. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. Missouri residents 16 through 64 and nonresidents 16 and older will need a fishing permit in addition to the daily tag. You can buy Missouri fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, as well as online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing. The catch-and-keep season at the trout parks runs through October 31st.
Dent County Assessor Tina Whitaker wants to remind everyone your annual assessment forms that list your personal and business property for 2018 will be due THURSDAY. Those forms MUST be in the Dent County Assessor’s Office by that day or postmarked that day to avoid paying a penalty. You may drop off your assessment list at the assessor’s office at the courthouse and they are open from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, weekdays. There is also a drop box on the front lawn of the courthouse for your convenience if you can’t make it by until after hours. You can also mail in your assessment forms but make sure you have the postal clerk postmark your envelope. The penalty for not getting in your assessment form is determined at $10 per every $1,000 of assessed valuation with a maximum penalty of $100 if you have assessed valuation of $10,000 or more. If you have lost your assessment list forms or never received one, or you are new to the area, additional blank forms are available at the Dent County Assessor’s Office. If you have any questions, call the Dent County Assessor Tina Whitaker at the Dent County Courthouse at 729-6010 or stop by during regular business hours.
The Salem Community Garden will host a 2018 sign-up and planning meeting on Saturday morning, March 3rd from 10:00-11:00 at the Salem United Methodist Church fellowship hall (or in the garden weather permitting!) The garden is located in the back corner of the Salem United Methodist Church parking lot (801 E. Scenic Rivers Blvd). The Salem Community Garden is a place for Dent County residents to grow and harvest healthy food for their families, friends or to donate to those in need. Plots at the Salem Community Garden are 4 feet by 15 feet, and individuals, families or friends can sign up for two plots at no cost. Tools, water, compost and other garden materials are available at the garden for shared use by all gardeners. Fifty garden plots are available; registration for plots is first-come, first-served. The Salem Community Garden is a learning garden for gardeners of all experience levels. We share ideas and tips, and have monthly gardening workshops to learn more about growing great gardens! Volunteers are also encouraged to participate to help with the donation plots that are grown for food pantries and local soup kitchens. To sign up or learn more, plan to attend the March 3rd meeting or call Sarah at 729-3196 to get registered for garden plots!
The City of Salem’s Park and Recreation Board will hold a meeting Thursday, March 1st, at 6:00 pm at the City Hall Council Chambers, 202 North Washington. The agenda includes roll call of Board members, review of the previous meeting minutes, report by Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon, review of Pool House Bids, discussion of Pool House Fees, and other business that should come before the Board. The March 1st meeting of the Salem Park and Recreation Board is open to the public.