Local News – Friday, February 22nd, 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Courthouse. Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock was in to request that the media continue informing the public of the Forte’ Credit Card website shutdown from February 22nd through March 1st for the transitioning of the Collector’s office from Medlock to Collector Elect Shannon VanKirk, plus restrictions on payments by check from February 25th through the 28th. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that patch grading would be done and materials added to Dent County Roads 5450, 5460, 5400, 4160, 6250, and various other roads as the County continues the battle with weather related bad road conditions. He also noted that chip and seal repair would be done on county road 6180 and various other chip and seal roadways. Purcell reported that on Monday he attended the Tourism Committee meeting where one proposal was submitted and approved and one request for reimbursement was submitted and approved. He also reported on the South Central Community Action Agency meeting he attended Tuesday where he learned that there are still funds available for those meeting income guidelines to receive assistance with weatherization, utility payments, heating costs, and home repairs. Purcell said more information and details can be obtained by calling 573-729-3500 and talking to Sarah. He also noted that the Agency had joined the Salem Chamber of Commerce. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that patch grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 5300, 5280, 2200, and 2150, while patch grading only would be done on county road 3220. He said that a man had gone to the Sligo area to cut brush on county road 4030. Larson also noted that he attended the meeting of Healthy Dent County where he had a chance to review plans for their expansion and learned that they are nearing their fund raising goal. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles noted that all three commissioners attended the Industrial Development Authority Annual Meeting Wednesday evening where Donald Dodd, Dean Jones and Camron Erway agreed to continue serving on the IDA depending on re-appointment by the Commissioners. The Commissioners voted 3-0 to appoint the three. Skiles said that at the IDA meeting, a representative from Intercounty Electric presented information about Intercounty’s work and plans for future expansion of broadband service. The group learned that the chances to be included in the expansion could be improved by contacting Intercounty at 417-674-2211. Callers need to ask for Sarah and request “Interconnect Service,” Intercounty’s name for their Broadband service, when it becomes available. Skiles said the Commissioners had received notice from the construction manager that steel for the jail will be arriving starting February 28th so the last day to park in the lot on the east side of Iron Street will be Wednesday February 27th. He added that the lot will be closed for 90 days or more. Skiles reminded everyone of parking availability on the east side of the Judicial Building Annex on 4th Street. He added that Thursday afternoon he would be attending the Transportation Advisory Committee and MRPC meetings in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved for payment and that the last day to register for the April 2nd election is March 6th. She also noted that sample ballots are available in her office and that today she would be attending the South Central County Clerks regional meeting in West Plains. Three bids were received for food service for the new jail and Sheriff Bob Wells will be reviewing them and bring a recommendation back to the Commissioners. The next regular meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday night at 10:10 in Dent County on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 BMW 328, driven westbound by 23-year old Jerid Land of Salem traveled off the right side of the roadway striking an embankment with the undercarriage. Land suffered minor injuries in the accident and refused treatment at the scene. Land was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The BMW sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.