Local News – Friday, April 7th, 2023
A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday evening at 8:40 in Dent County on Highway P two miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Pontiac GS being driven by 23 year old James Collins of Salem was traveling northbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Collins, and a passenger, 20 year old Emily Marrill-Hamm also of Salem, were both taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Pontiac sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report went on to state that Collins nor the passenger were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.
The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley named Gary Larson the acting Presiding Commissioner. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said workers cleaned seven trees off roads in District 1 on Wednesday after the storm which dumped a lot of water in some areas and not so much in others. Mobray said patch grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 4210, 6580 and 6590 and on any roads that need repair the workers find. Two trucks will also be stockpiling rock at the road shed. District 2 Commissioner Larson said crews would be repairing Dent County Road 4040 where a crossover pipe was partially washed out. They will be adding materials and readjusting the position of the pipe. Larson said grading was also going to be done on county roads 3333, 3335, 3337, 4060 and 4290 while materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3330. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2120. Dent County Clerk Curley said only 13.09% of the registered voters eligible to vote in the county cast their vote. The Commissioners elected to close the courthouse today for Good Friday. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the previous county depository bids that had been submitted and opened. The bids reflected the interest the county would earn on their deposits at a local financial institution. Progressive Ozark Bank’s bid was for 3.75% while The Bank of Salem’s bid was for 4.475%. Williams recommended and the commissioners approved going with The Bank of Salem bid. At the meeting, Corky Stack with Stack Engineering came in to discuss the previous contract change order on the courthouse repairs. It was previously reported the change was from 300 to 600 sheets of plywood which was incorrect. The actual change was from 300 to 600 linear board feet of lumber due to more rotten or broken wood. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk came in to give her monthly report for March where her office collected $185,521.93. The commission agreed to request the allocation of engineering funds for Flap Project 077 at $48,757.64, and that with the full allocation of funds, this will reduce the amount available for construction. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.
Healthy Dent County would like to invite everyone out to the fun community event, the “Non Newlywed Game” Show. You won’t want to miss this even as it is couple vs. couple in this hilarious version of the classic game show where you will discover just how much our couples know (or don’t know!) about their spouse! This fundraising event will be held next Friday, April 14th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory beginning at 6:30 PM. Four local married couples have been selected to play the game, they are: George and Liz Gruendel; Mason and Ashlee Roper; Joel and Dottie Steelman; and Chris and Jody Heavin. These couples have graciously volunteered their time to play this fun game and entertain the audience. VIP sponsored tables can be reserved with a $300 donation. The VIP Tables includes reserved seating; free wine and sparkling cider and light refreshments. A concession stand and cash bar will be open during the evening. A limited number of individual tickets will be sold for $25 per ticket. The individual tickets will not have reserved seating. Lei’s will be sold throughout the night to support your favorite couple. Last year this event sold out with tickets not being available at the door so get your tickets now by calling 729-8163. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. The event begins at 6:30 PM and doors will open at 5:30 PM.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special meeting today at noon via zoom. The meeting will be held to discuss personnel in closed session.