Local News – Friday, March 25th, 2022
The Dent County Commission met the morning of March 24th in the courthouse for their regular meeting. Sally Burbridge, Salem, and Dent County Economic Development Director was in to answer questions about the new Tourism Tax Commission logo. She indicated that the commission wanted a new logo that would be consistent with the rest of the Salem and Dent County branding. The Commission approved the logo unanimously. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said that his crew was checking for washouts, downed trees, and limbs. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that weather permitting, brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6140 while service was being done on grader #37 and truck #68. He noted that bridges would be cleaned out on county roads 3180 and 2330. Larson reported on the Tourism Tax Commission meeting where five reimbursement requests and one request for funding were submitted. He also talked on the new Tourism Tax Logo, which the Commission approved. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Corky Stack of Stack and Associates had been contacted about the sewer problems at the jail and that Corky had gotten the Muffin Monster pump and equipment ordered to solve the problem. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. She noted that absentee voting continues in her office through April 4th and that her office will be open Saturday, April 2nd, from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting. The next commissioner meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.
A Youth Paint Party will be held Saturday at the Creative Arts Center behind the ONCRC with Danielle Norris. This paint party is for boys and girls ages five and older, even those young at heart! There is a maximum of 20 students so register now! Those in attendance will paint a spring themed painting and experiment with mixing colors and trying different types of brush stroke techniques. For more information or to register, call 247-0651. Message them on Facebook or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.
The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held this Saturday at the Creative Arts Center at 6:30. Come on out, bring your instrument and join in, or just come to listen to the music. All types of music are played, everyone is welcome to participate and there is NO CHARGE to attend.
The Dent County Commissioners conducted a road closure hearing March 24th in the morning at 10:00 in the Judicial Building Associate Court Room. The hearing was to consider the petition submitted by Donny Hodges for the closing of 1.2 miles of Dent County Road 5490. District One Commissioner Wes Mobray outlined that 1/2 mile of the road was bordered on both sides by property owned by Hodges, but 1.2 miles would require closure to provide turn arounds. Hodges noted that the roadbed is a partial creek bed since it is approximately 5 feet lower than the hay fields on both sides so that flooding runs right down the road. Irvin Halbrook, Russell Flowers, Janelle Harrison, and Judy Harris were among those who spoke in opposition to the closure. Halbrook questioned why the hearing was being held since the requirements as to abandonment were not met. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles pointed out that the Commission had to follow the law once a petition was presented. Mobray made a motion to leave the road open, seconded by 2nd District Commissioner Gary Larson, and approved by the commissioners, 3-0. The hearing was then adjourned.
The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri thank the thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated 242,774 pounds of venison to the state’s Share the Harvest program this past deer season, including 5,053 whole deer. They also want to thank the participating meat processors throughout the state who grind the donated deer meat into ready-to-use packages, and the many sponsors who financially support the program. Meat-processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Feeding Missouri and Missouri Department of Conservation. The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state. To get Share the Harvest venison, contact local food banks or food pantries. Share the Harvest is coordinated by MDC and CFM and is celebrating 30 years of helping to feed hungry Missourians. Since the program was started in 1992, it has provided nearly 5 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians, including this past season’s donations.