Local News – Friday, July 21st, 2023
The Salem Public Library would like to get the word out about some changes affecting your children’s use of library services. In order for the library to comply with the new Missouri state rule known as “Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors,” parents or legal guardians are required to sign updated paperwork permitting children age 17 and younger to access the public library internet and Wi-Fi. It is also necessary for parents or legal guardians of children in possession of their own juvenile library cards to sign updated paperwork. All previously signed permissions for children will expire on Friday, July 28th, 2023. Please visit the library or call (573) 729-4331 with any questions. The library staff appreciates your patience as we work through the regulation change together.
The Salem and Dent County 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction was held this past Saturday at The Commons that raised an unofficial total of $299,352.30 through bids. Auctioneers Roger Schafer and Brady Hagler auctioned off two pens of market chickens for $2,506, two pens of market rabbits for $434.30, three cured meats brought in $1,025, 19 market goats sold for $23,221, 12 market lambs fetched $24,062.50, 40 market hog sales raised $62,590, the 46 market steers raised $191,163.50 while the seven ribbons added an additional $3,900. There were numerous add-ons to purchases at the sale that totaled $9,550 that raised the total amount collected to $308,902.30. The top ten buyers at the auction this year were the Bank of Salem, Phil-Mart, South Central Regional Stockyards, County Fuels, Town and Country Bank, Interstate Regional Stockyards, Steelman Abstract and Title Company, Gahr Truck and Equipment, Dent County Farm Supply and Chilton Oil Company. There were 78 different businesses, organizations or individuals participating this year in the auction who purchased at least one animal or ribbon to help with the cause, with many buying more than one animal. Also, the dessert auction last Wednesday added an additional $12,660. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thank everyone who attended the auction this year for their generosity and support.
The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Treasurer Denita Williams reported on CART funds received in July. The county received $79,139.93 and that is up year-to-date from last year about 17.87%. The county is up $79,138.20 from last year. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray reported that a crew will be out checking roads for washouts and debris from the storms. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported that crews will be out finish cutting county roads 3210, 3220, 3240, 3230; plus crews will be out to seed and straw the property on county road 3230 at the house that had chip and seal wash into his yard. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he attended a Tourism Tax Commission meeting where they had two reimbursements approved and one request denied. The TAP grant application for the 80/20 grant for new sidewalks and handrails for the Courthouse was discussed. A motion was made for Great Rivers Engineering to do a cost analysis for $1,000 of the project which was approved by the commission. County Clerk Angie Curley said the 2023 county tax rate hearing for General Revenue Fund, Road and Bridge fund, Senate Bill 40 Fund and the Salem Senior Citizen Service Fund will be held at 10:00 in the morning on August 21st. According to the unofficial minutes from the last meeting, the Commission then went to look at the buildings across the street and came back. Beth Frizzell with Century 21 came to visit with the Commission. She understands that the Commission inquired about a building that she has a contract listing agreement on. She is upset about a comment that District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk made to the owner about buying it when the contract expires. Gary Polk apologized. Frizzell felt, as a business owner, it was very unprofessional to try to go behind her back to buy it when the contract expires. Frizzell asked Gary Larson and Wes Mobray what they thought about the comment that Gary Polk had made, and they both agreed she was correct in her statements, and that it was unprofessional. The next meeting of the dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.
An accident happened Wednesday morning at 7:45 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 eastbound at the 233 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Hyundai Sonata being driven by 35-year-old Erin Ellisbyrd of Rolla, hydroplaned on the wet pavement and slid into the center median and struck the cable barrier. Ellisbyrd suffered minor injuries and was taken by St. Clair EMS to Mercy Hospital in Washington. The Sonata was totaled and removed from the scene by Vogelsangs Towing. The report went on to state that Ellisbyrd was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.