Local News – Friday, May 31st, 2024

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 6230 and 6435 while only grdaing would be done oncounty road 6280. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4380, 5310, 5330 and 5333. He went on to report rock would be added to county ropad 4290 andbrush was going to be cut on county roads 3210 and 4340. He said crews would be welding a patch on dump truck #116, working on the water system on the ashpalt roller and also work on the steering mechanism on grader #37. Polk said a man would also be going to get parts from Caterpillar in Rolla. He also said the county would be receiving the new road groomer at the road and bridge department this week. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the CEO of Royal Oak Charcoal would like to come to a commissioner meeting on Monday, June 10th between 9:30 and 10:00. This stems from a conversation that Sheriff Bob Wells had with Tim Jones at Royal Oak about the increase in semi-truck traffic on Dent County Roads 3290 and 3300. Jones told the sheriff he would be speaking with the Royal Oak dispatch as well to reroute the trucks. Sheriff Wells said deputies will continue to patrol the area. The commission reviewed a draft ordinance proposed by Sheriff Wells that would give the Dent County Sheriff’s Department a law the deputies could enforce when dealing with the large trucks who violate state laws. Commissioner Larson said he would like to discuss the ordinance further with the sheriff before having the commission vote on it. Larson also brought up a request from Four Rivers Community Health Center for a letter of support to the state to provide certain health services to the residents of Dent County. The letter was approved by a 2-0 vote with Commissioner Mobray abstaining since his wife Kendra is an employee of Four Rivers. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said sample ballots for the August Primary would be available in her office after June 25th. Citizens could stop by and pick one up or contact her office and she could e-mail them a sample ballot. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday mroning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Today is the last day to apply for the Energy Assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Energy Assistance is designed to provide financial assistance to help pay primary fuel source heating bills for Missourians during the months of October through March. Eligibility requirements for this assistance are based on income, family size, available resources and responsibility for payment of home heating costs. The assistance is offered to eligible low-income Missourians for bills from November 1st through May 31st for elderly and disabled households, and from December 1st through May 31st for all other households. Other assistance available is the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) funds. These funds can be used to prevent or restore disconnected service, assist with emergency repairs and furnace replacements and even purchase wood stoves and air conditioners. To qualify for the ECIP assistance, households must provide a notice of disconnect for energy payments. Applications are availbale. For more information or to learn how to apply for LIHEAP, call the South Central Community Action Agency in Salem at 800-325-4633 or call 729-3500. You can also get the application online at scmcaa.org/energy-assistance.

Embark on a journey through history in the Mark Twain National Forest in the Salem Ranger District this Saturday morning starting at 9:00. The American Hiking Society’s National Trail Days® is the host for the annual event. Explore an Old Trail, an unofficial Trail Segment of the National Park Service (NPS) Hildebrand Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, going from Reynolds County into Dent County. The adventure begins on Reynolds County Road 903 at the Trail of Tears “To Original Route – Next 31 Miles” NPS Brown sign across Highway 72 from Marcoot Tower. Hikers will traverse Highway 72, heading west, go past the scenic Marcoot Lookout FireTower, to the locked gate. Beside the gate, hikers will enter MTNF “Forest Road 2795,”on the old Centerville Road. The hike will be in the Scotia-Marcoot Walk-in Spring Turkey Hunting Area. It is free to hike in the Mark Twain National Forest, and parking is free in the Marcoot Lookout Tower area. You hike at your own risk on public lands. One should consider wearing long pants, light-colored clothes, a hat, and boots. Bring bug spray, water, snacks, and maybe lunch. No food is available on or near the premises or restroom facilities. The Missouri Chapter Trail of Tears Association, and the DentCounty Historical Society are the local organizations that meticulously planned the local National Trails Day® event. Contact Deloris Gray Wood, President of the Dent County Historical Society at (573) 729-2545.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education has called for a meeting Monday morning, June 3rd, at 8:15 in the R-80 Administrative Board Room. After approval of the agenda, the board will consider the acceptance of bids for the FEMA construction project. The board will then move into Executive Session to discuss personnel. The board will return to open session and adjourn the meeting. The meeting is open to the public.