Local News – Friday, June 3rd, 2022

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on numerous county roads including Dent County Roads 5130, 6220, 6600 and 6620 while only grading would be done on county roads 5140, 6240 and 6610. Mobray went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 4110, 4180 and 4210. He stated the commission would seek bids on their 1996 New Holland 6640 Tractor with the Tiger Brush Cutter. The tractor has new brakes and air conditioner and more. Bids will be accepted in the county clerk’s office until 10:00 the morning of June 23rd for the tractor. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2210 while only grading would be done on county road 2020. He said rock would be added to county roads 2030 and 3180 and brush was going to be cut on county road 4280. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to congratulate the Salem Running Club and thank all the sponsors and participants of the First Annual Salem 5K/10K and Color Run held this past Saturday morning on making it a tremendous success. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said applications for the Lead-based Paint Hazard Control Program issued through the Meramec Regional Planning Commission are available at the courthouse. The program is to address childhood lead poisoning in all the Meramec Region including Dent, Crawford, Phelps and other counties in south central Missouri. Our goal is to determine if a child is being exposed to lead-based paint hazards in the home. If lead-based paint hazards are present, the MRPC will then determine the best strategy to eliminate the hazards from the property and to make the home lead safe. The Lead-based Paint Hazard Control Program is a grant funded program. Every project is eligible for up to $15,000 in funds. Owner occupant projects are completed at no cost to the resident. Rental property projects require a 15% cash match by the property owner. This includes the process of lead inspection/risk assessment, lead removal, clearance testing and temporary relocation (if needed) while the lead safe work is being performed. For more information, contact Patrick Stites at the MRPC office at 265-2993, ext. 135 or e-mail pstites@meramecregion.org. Curley also said business that have liquor licenses with the county must have them renewed by June 30th in order to legally sell alcohol. She recommends you bring in your renewed state license when coming to her office to renew your county license. Fees vary on the type of service your business offers. Harold Tubbs from Dent County Road 5015 was in to inquire about some ditch and culvert work needed at his home. At the last meeting, the commission heard from Dent County Health Center Director Zach Moser as he discussed with the commission various projects they could use ARPA funds for. The commission did unanimously approve a project to increase the Community Messaging Capability up to $37,000. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem will be doing curbside yard waste pick-up on Monday, June 6th. Items that will be picked up by the city include limbs and branches that are cut to a length of 4 feet or less, and grass that is bagged in recyclable leaf bags which can be purchased at the city utility office $2.50 for ten bags. The city will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged, cut, and placed at the edge of the curb or sidewalk. They ask that you do not block the sidewalk or place items in the street. The city of Salem reserves the right to charge for exceptionally large volumes of yard waste or to recommend removal by a private company. Items that will not be picked up include appliances, household trash, tires, electronics, lumber or building materials, furniture, or recyclables. For more information, call the city at 729-4811.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is conducting a Youth Academy Program from July 28th through the 31st for high school students interested in a career in law enforcement. Students must be between the ages of 16 and 18 and must be in good physical condition. There is no cost required to attend. Cadets enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to become a law enforcement officer, experience police training, and participate in military drills. They will be exposed to the different jobs available at the Missouri State Highway Patrol including the canine division, the aircraft division. the water patrol, criminal investigations and more. The camp will be held this year at Camp Mahaska in Bourbon and they will accept about 40 students to the camp. For more information or to get an application, contact Corporal Tony Sandoval at 573-308-8507 or e-mail him at antonio.sandoval@mshp.dps.mo.gov.

Be sure to visit the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center from June 6th through July 31st for a display honoring Missourian Thomas Hart Benton. On display will be a scaled replica of the Thomas Hart Benton mural. The mural was commissioned in 1935 and completed in 1936. The mural explores the history and tales of Missouri’s past. If you have questions, would like more information, or would like to volunteer please call Liz Condray at 573-729-0029.