Local News – Friday, August 24th, 2018
The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was attending a FEMA Flood Plain Map update meeting so Assistant Dent County Clerk Crystal Pilkington appointed District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell as Acting Presiding Commissioner. Kevin Parr with Midwest Public Risk, an insurance pool, was in to share information about the organization’s different insurance plans. In the road report, Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3110, 6080, 6083, 6370, 6410, and 5600. He noted that culvert repair would be done on Dent County Road 6400 and culvert installation would take place on county roads 6090 and 6040. Purcell reported that Monday evening he attended the Tourism Commission meeting where one proposal was submitted and approved, plus one reimbursement request was submitted. It was tabled awaiting additional information. On Tuesday, he attended the South Central Community Action Agency meeting in Winona. Purcell said funds were available for a variety of programs and information is available by contacting Sarah at (573) 729-3500. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4020, while grading only would be done on county road 2020. He reported that two men were cutting brush on Dent County Roads 5340, 5323, 2305, and 2340. Larson said that work continues on the low water crossing on county road 2070 and that the road would probably be closed most if not all of next week. Pilkington reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Propane bids were opened at 10:00 and Ferrell gas was the low bidder for 3,500 gallons at $1.395 per gallon. The next regular meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.
The American Volunteers will be hosting the Second Annual Ron’s “Race for a Reason” this Labor Day Weekend starting Friday, August 31st and lasting through Sunday, September 2nd at Flat Nasty Off-Road Park. The big attraction is a Cross Country Race Saturday morning starting at 10:00 that costs $25 to enter and offers a 100% payback. The purse is already at $3,000 and it’s growing. There will be a race for trucks and side by sides. A special event will happen at the conclusion of the race when the last living Medal of Honor Recipient living in Missouri, Donald “Doc” Ballard, will present the checks to the winners of the Cross Country Race. Food will be available each day. Spectators are welcome to attend as are those who wish to ride trails as open trail riding will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the grounds. As a special treat for the kids on Saturday, an artificial snow machine will create snow for everyone to enjoy. The 2nd Annual Ron’s “Race for a Reason” will benefit The American Volunteers, a community service group of veterans and supporters. For more information about this special family friendly Labor Day event, you can go online to theamericanvolunteers.us, check them out on Facebook, or call Flat Nasty at 729-6668 or 573-548-1112.
The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of July. During the month, they wrote four equipment repair orders, nine summons to appear in court, 16 warning tickets, and 15 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 11 accidents, two assaults, two burglaries, served four city warrants and three fugitive warrants, one report of disorderly conduct, one dog bite, one report of a domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, two reports of driving while being intoxicated, three reports of driving while having a license revoked or suspended, one endangering the welfare of a child and three reports of fraud. The department also investigated six reports of possession of a controlled substance and four reports of possession of drug paraphernalia. There were five investigations of property damage, two reports of resisting or interfering with an arrest, 18 reports of stealing, one trespassing and one 96 hour commitment. The police department received 1,359 calls for service during the month and handled 96 walk-ins to the station. They spent 10 hours in court testifying and 10 hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,274 miles and arrested 18 males and 11 females during the month of July.
With temperatures expected to be in the 90’s this weekend and into next week, City of Salem Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon is reminding everyone the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool at the Salem City park will remain open through Saturday, September 1st. The pool will be open 4:00-7:00 weekdays, noon until 7:00 PM on Saturdays and from 1:00 until 6:00 this Sunday. For questions, call 729-6228.