Local News – Friday, April 13th, 2018
The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax figures for the county’s four funds: General Revenue, Law Enforcement, Road and Bridge, and the Jail Operating and Building fund. Williams stated the sales tax received in April for the General Revenue Fund and LEST was $86,326.04 and year to date, the sales tax revenue is up $59,058.49 for the first four months and that percentage increase in those funds is 21.12%. The Road and Bridge Fund received $38,903.55 in April and year to date, that fund is up 16.2% over last year. The sales taxes received for the jail funds were $76,437 for each fund and Commissioner Skiles said payments to the architectural firm and construction manager are made from those funds. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2440 and 5150, while materials would be added and grading done on county road 6220. He also said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5520. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2380, 2390, 2405, 4030, 6120 and 6123. He also said materials would be added to county roads 3273, 3275 and 4040 while brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2270 and 2303. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated that all three commissioners and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended the MAC Legislative Conference on Monday. Skiles said it was a very good conference and the group heard from Senator Rowden, Senator Hegeman and Senator Wallingford as well as Representative Justus and Representative Lauer about a number of issues. Richard LaBrash brought in a Resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives that the Senate concurred with regarding a state funeral for the final World War 2 Medal of Honor recipient when they pass. This resolution will be sent to the President and Vice-President of the United States and many others in Washington, D.C. to ask the President to make the request a reality. LaBrash also said the petitions in the area for this cause will be picked up the week of April 16th and sent off to support the resolution. LaBrash also wanted to remind everyone the American Legion and VFW Post on Highway 32 West will be holding their Veteran’s Affair Day on April 27th from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. He said the VA has changed their position on Care Giver status in caring for veterans. He said this would benefit some spouses or family members that currently give care to veterans at home as long as they meet three requirements. To see if you meet these qualifications for these benefits, LaBrash says to make plans to attend the Veteran’s Affair Day as the Veteran’s Administration personnel will be in Salem along with staff members from Senators and Representatives from the state and federal government during those four hours. At the last meeting, Sheriff Bob Wells said bids will be accepted for the sale of a 2005 white Crown Victoria Interceptor from the sheriff’s department. Bids will be accepted until April 27th at 5:00 in the sheriff’s office. Bids will be opened at 10:00 the morning on Monday, April 30th at the commission meeting. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Don’t forget to attend the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo will be held tomorrow morning starting at 9:00 and ending at noon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The event is FREE and open to the public! There will be 43 vendors on hand to discuss their products and/or services in the local area. There will be four star prizes this year and they are four St. Louis Cardinals tickets from Town and Country Bank, a refurbished Windows 10 computer with keyboard, mouse and monitor from A-1 Tech of Rolla; a one night stay and basket full of goodies from Echo Bluff, and a free enrollment along with a free uniform, free trainer weapon & private lesson from Salem ATA Martial Arts. Parking for the expo will be held at the armory, the Salem City Park and also across the street from the Salem Community Center on Rolla Road. For any questions you may have, contact the chamber office at 729-6900.
An accident occurred in Dent County Thursday morning at 10:10 on Route C about one mile south of Anutt. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford Focus, driven by 70-year-old Darlene Maass of Lenox, ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Maass suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Salem Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The report stated the Maass was wearing her safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.
An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 1:35 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about nine miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound a 2009 Yamaha XVS650, driven by 60-year-old Thomas Mash of St. James, failed to negotiate a curve. The Yamaha traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a sign. Mash suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that Mash was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. The Yamaha sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.