Local News – Friday, January 27th, 2023

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. At the meeting, Grant Wilson from US Representatoive Jason Smith’s office was in attendance. He was letting the commissioners know that no Missourian had been named the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee since John Phelps in 1858. He explained what the Ways and Means Committee does. He said the committee has jurisdiction over all bills dealing with taxation, tariffs, and other revenue raising measures, as well as a number of other programs including Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, the enforcement of child support laws, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, foster care and adoption programs. Smith has set as a priority to bring committee hearings into the Congressional Districts. He also has created an IRS agent whistle blower hotline if an employee of the IRS sees things that are out of line that they can call without retribution. In the road report, both District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said crews were out clearing roads by removing downed limbs and trees from the heavy snow. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the “MRPC Day at the Capital” Tuesday in Jefferson City where they visited legislators about transportation needs, a Highway 63 by-pass to the east of Rolla, unfunded mandates and an increase in the jail per diem. Then on Wednesday, Skiles was in Jefferson City again, this time as a member of the CCAM board, discussing with senators and representative unfunded mandates and asking that the state help counties by paying the county prosecutor’s salaries. Shawn Bolerjack with the Salem Running Club was in attendance to ask the county commission if their group could shut down 4th Street from Highway 19 to Iron Street for the 2nd Annual Salem 5k/10k Color Run which will be held on May 20th. They asked that the road be closed from 6:00 in the morning until noon. Bolerjack said last year there were about 200 people who participated in the event from the local area as well as from three different states. The commissioners approved the request. At the last meeting, the commissioners approved giving the Salem Nutrition Center $30,000 from ARPA funds. The next meeting will be at 9:00 Monday followed by the 2023 Dent County Buidget Hearing and both will be open to the public.

The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit would like to thank the community for donating to this year’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. For the first time ever, because of the extremely cold temperatures and winter storm during the last week of the scheduled kettles, they had to cancel all bellringers for the safety of the volunteers. With the loss of donations during this final weekend, they were unsure if we would reach this year’s goal of $37,500. But with a strong counter kettle collection, some local business fund raisers and some last minute mail appeal arrivals, the Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit is proud to say that we were just able to reach our goal. Along with the monetary donations received this year, nearly 200 local children were adopted at the Angel Tree that was located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2023 to those in need in Dent County. The office of the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army office is located at 1200 West Rolla Road.