Local News – Friday, December 8, 2023

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Ben Johnson, Salem News Reporter, announced that he is resigning from the Salem News December 31st. He said he’ll still be around and will do some articles. Jeff Bandaret with Great Rivers Engineering was in to discuss the Flap 077 project which will be reimbursed 100% up to $800,000. He discussed the TAP Grant 9901 for the courthouse sidewalks. This is an 80% reimbursable project up to $393,283. Dent County would be responsible for up to $94,896.69. These projects would begin in 2024 and continue through 2025. The commissioners discussed the project contracts, but made no decision waiting until after the budget numbers are put together. In the road report District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said his crew would be grading Dent County Roads 5130 and 5450. He said grading would be done and materials would be added to county road 6080. He also noted that brush was being cut on county road 2460. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said his crew would be grading Dent County Roads 2075, 3170 and 3173. He said that county road 3070 would be graded and would have rock added to it. Polk also noted that brush would be cut on county roads 3090 and 3120. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that Tuesday he went to Van Buren with Sheriff Bob Wells and a couple of deputies to learn about the 911 ARPA Grant. Larson said he also attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District annual banquet on Tuesday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved for payment and she signed the Election Security Assessment Agreement work authorization. This is a Cyber security assessment she must have done every 2 years in her office with the last one being completed in 2022 and the next to be completed next year. Curley said there is no cost to the county since the Secretary of State pays for it. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk announced extended hours to 5:30 on December 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, and 29th. She reminded everyone that the post office is only open until noon on Saturday the 30th. Payments mailed in must be postmarked by December 30th. Corky Stack with AEA Design came in to talk about the Christmas lights. He is meeting with Casey, the owner of the lighting company, to discuss the project. At 10:00 the Commissioners and Clerk Curley went to the Fire Department and met with Bret Hendricks, State Department of Public Safety Coordinator Region I, and interim Fire Chief Dennis Floyd. They reviewed the inventory of the property of the Emergency Management District. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Seaman Brian Cahill, a native of Salem, Missouri, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, the largest diving facility in the world. Cahill graduated from Rolla High School in 2021. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Salem. Cahill said that working multiple jobs, with multiple skill sets and working well with others translates well into the military, plus the military has set rates, but you have to be well versed in other skills.

Meramec Regional Community Foundation will be awarding two $750 community grants. One grant will be made to a project that focuses on community or economic development and the other will assist at-risk children and/or low-income families. Any nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address these needs are encouraged to apply. Organizations and governmental entities must be based in the Meramec Region which encompasses Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties to qualify. For the last 12 years, MRCF has awarded grants to further local projects through its community grant program. Programs in the past have included city beautification, illiteracy, supplies for homeless populations and more. 2012 marked the inaugural year for the grant program, and in the last 11 years $17,400 in grant funds have been awarded to 64 community projects throughout the region. The grants are made possible through the Meramec Regional Community Foundation Community Grant-making Fund, which was created by a $30,000 donation from Meramec Regional Planning Commission. A portion of the fund’s earnings are distributed each year through grants. Awardees in 2023 included the Pulaski County Salvation Army, Hope Alliance of Missouri and the Belle Community Betterment Association. Applications for the 2024 grant round will be accepted online only until 5 p.m. on January. 31st, 2024. For more information on the grant opportunity, contact Bonnie Prigge at bprigge@meramecregion.org or call 573-265-2993.

An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon in Phelps County at 1:15 on Highway 63 at Keeton Road. The report stated that it was an injury patrol car crash. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2023 Ford F150, driven by 22-year-old Jacob Hutchings of Rolla, was attempting to make a U-turn to initiate a traffic stop. A 2013 Nissan Sentra, driven by 54-year-old Dawn Vankirk of Rolla, attempted to avoid the Ford and struck it in the center turn lane. Both vehicles traveled off the left side of the roadway. The report stated that Hutchings was wearing a seat restraint while Vankirk was not. Vankirk suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was towed by Ron Dishman Towing.

An accident occurred Wednesday night at 7:45 in Phelps County on I44 eastbound 7 miles west of Doolittle. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2023 Volvo Tractor Trailer, operated by 70-year-old Stanley Mason from St. Louis who suffered a medical emergency, causing the Volvo to travel off the left side of the roadway where it overturned, collided with an embankment and caught fire. Mason suffered moderate injuries and was flown to University Hospital in Columbia by Phelps Air. The Tractor Trailer was totaled and towed from the scene by D&D Towing.