Local News – Friday, March 8th, 2024

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the courthouse. In the road report Jason Akins reported for First District Commissioner Wes Mobray. Akins said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 6580 and that Truck #125 was in the maintenance shop for servicing. He also reported that the District One crew was replacing missing road signs. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said that rock would be added to Dent County Road 2110 and that his crew was checking roads. He also noted that they were replacing stolen signs. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that Friday he would be attending the South Central Commissioner’s meeting in Houston. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she would be attending the South Central Commissioner’s meeting, which the clerks have been invited to. Curley said the voter registration at Salem High School went well with 16 new registrations occurring. She went on to say that she balanced with the county treasurer on all accounts for February, plus she balanced with the collector and assessor on monthly collections, add-ons, and abatements. Curley said that absentee voting ends April 1st for the April 2nd election, no excuse absentee voting will begin March 19th, and the last day to mail out an absentee ballot is March 20th. She also asked that voters who need to update their voter information can do so at their earliest convenience in her office at the Dent County Courthouse. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

Want to see Missouri state parks from a new perspective? Join the Learn2 Climb program and learn the basics of outdoor rock climbing from a certified instructor and then try it out on real rock. This beginner-level course will allow you to enjoy nature from new heights! From 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon Saturday, April 6th and Sunday, April 7th, Missouri State Parks is hosting an introductory rock climbing program at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. This opportunity allows participants to try a new activity while experiencing some of Missouri’s vertical attractions. All equipment (harness, helmet and climbing shoes) and expertise is provided; participants just need to provide enthusiasm and eagerness to discover nature and a new skill. They should wear appropriate clothing and footwear for hiking and rock climbing activities, and bring a packed lunch and enough water for the day. This program is free, but preregistration is required. Registration online is open and participation is limited. Participants must be at least 10 years of age; children ages 10-14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the entire program (parents or guardians are not required to climb). To register, visit icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx. If you have questions, please email taylor.ratcliff@dnr.mo.gov. This program is made possible by the Bronco Wild Fund, whose mission is to support agencies and organizations that are devoted to the great outdoors. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook. For more information, contact 573-546-2450. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Experience two rare events at once on Monday, April 8th when the Smokey Bear Balloon and a total solar eclipse will both be visible in the sky above Big Spring —and visitors can get much, much closer to the Smokey Bear Balloon than the sun or moon! This unique hot air balloon will be traveling to Ozark National Scenic Riverways in early April from Albuquerque, New Mexico, courtesy of Mark Twain National Forest and the National Park Service. Its destination will be Big Spring, the largest spring in Missouri, located approximately three miles south of Van Buren, down State Highway 103. Weather permitting, the Smokey Bear Balloon will be set up in the field near Big Spring for about two hours on the mornings of Saturday, April 6, Sunday, April 7, and Monday, April 8. While fuel lasts, some visitors will get a chance for a short ride, approximately 50 feet in the air and back, in the balloon’s basket. In conjunction with the Smokey Bear Balloon, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be hosting a special event at Big Spring on April 8th to celebrate and view the total solar eclipse. Join us at “The ‘Zark Side of the Moon” for fun and educational activities, information booths, Junior Eclipse Explorer badges, celebrity photo opportunities (Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl!), food vendors, and free eclipse glasses. Though the total eclipse won’t occur until 1:55 in the afternoon at Big Spring and lasts just under four minutes, plan to arrive early to beat the traffic, view the Smokey Bear Balloon while inflated, snag your eclipse glasses, and enjoy activities on the grounds. Pack lawn chairs or blankets so you can grab a spot to watch the sky when the partial eclipse begins at 12:39 pm. For more information, call (573) 323-4236 or check out the website: www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/2024-eclipse.htm.