Local News – Friday, December 2nd, 2022
The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6470 while only grading would be done on county roads 4210 and 5490. He went on to say the Title II rock work is almost completed. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3140 and 3180 while brush would be cut on county road 2530. Larson reported work crews would be installing a driveway pipe on Dent County Road 3300 and materials would be added to the road as well. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he met with Dent County and Salem Economic Development Director and temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge about a letter of support for the city’s application for additional grant funds for the Department of Economic Development’s Community Revitalization Grant. These funds would be in addition to the TAP grant the city has already been approved for that would remove and replace all non-ADA compliant sidewalks serving businesses along 4th Street as well as installing historic replica lighting on 4th Street on the south side from Highway 19 to Iron Street, and both sides of 4th Street from Highway 19 to Washington Street. The additional funds would be used on the west side of the 4th Street project and extend the scope of the original project. The total amount of funds for the project would come to just over $990,000. The commission approved the letter of support from the county for the project. Skiles said he spoke with the Alexander Construction Company concerning the courthouse Christmas lights and they reported to him they are on their last leg. They have them working at this time and hope they will make it through the holiday season. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continues to work on the budget and financial statements. A.J. Seay and Amanada Sapaugh with the Senate Bill 40 board updated the commission on their status. He said 60% of their budget goes to the Sheltered Workshop with another 34% going to administration for salaries and building upkeep. He also said six percent of their funds go to schools for special education needs. Seay said they are working on their budget and brought to the attention of the commission the Sheltered Workshop may need a new storage building if they receive three work contracts they are negotiating. He said the SB40 Board budget couldn’t assist with that project at this time as the estimated costs could be $60,000 or more. Also, the flood plain maps at the Dent County Courthouse as reported in Your World Today Thursday are the proposed preliminary maps from 2019 and 2020 as the new maps are not yet completed. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said her office will have extended hours for those wanting to pay their tax bills on December 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th from 8;00 in the morning until 5:30 in the afternoon. Remember, all mail MUST be postmarked NO LATER than Saturday, December 31st and she recommends if you wait until that day to take your envelope inside to have it hand stamped. There is also a drop box in the front of the courthouse at the southwest corner of the courthouse square. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Kick off the Christmas season with the annual tree lighting and Salem Chamber Choir performance at Echo Bluff State Park this evening. The tree lighting will be at 7:00 followed by the Salem Chamber Choir’s heavenly sound as it fills to the rafters of the Lodge lobby as the choir performs traditional Christmas carols. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive just north of Eminence. For more information, call 573-751-5211. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will be holding their “Parade of Lights” Saturday night starting at 5:30 from the SBU Salem Campus at Grand and Franklin. Over 50 entries are participating this year with the theme “Under the Christmas Tree” with the Grand Marshall this year being former Mayor Gary Brown. The parade will move east on Franklin to MacArthur where the parade will travel north to 4th Street and then head east to the courthouse square. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the parade, but if you are unable to make it this year, KSMO Media will be streaming the parade LIVE from their post near the Salem Public Library at 4th and Jackson Streets. The broadcast should get underway close to 6:00 and can be seen on the KSMO Facebook Stream page, ksmoradio.com and the KSMO YouTube page. There is no charge to watch the parade and if you miss it, the parade will be available for playback at a later time. If you have any questions about the parade, please call the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 729-6900.