Local News – Friday, November 17th, 2023
An accident happened in Phelps County Wednesday morning on Highway 72 about three miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Chevrolet Express driven eastbound by 56-year-old John Wulff of Rolla, attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by a 2008 Subaru Outback driven southbound by 66-year-old Rhonda Byars of Salem. Byars suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health. According to the report, Byars was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while Wulff was wearing his. The Chevy Express sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene while the Subaru had moderate damage and was removed from the scene..
The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 6070 and 6080, and a crew would be repairing chip and seal on county road 6240 with the ultimate paving material. Mobray said the tires were going to be changed on county truck #121. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2390, 2405, 6102 and 6123. He also said a crew would be patching chip and seal on county roads 3210, 3260, 3290, 4300 and 5225. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the county will let out for bid for companies to provide propane for the county courthouse from December through May 31st. Bids will be due in the office by 10:00 Monday, December 4th. Larson said there will not be any commission meetings next week due to the commissioners and other county officials being at the MAC Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks Sunday through Tuesday, as well as the courthouse being closed on Thursday and Friday, November 23rd and 24th for Thanksgiving. Collector Shannon Vankirk came in with her monthly turnover including surtax and interest of $41,163.96. Administrator Zach Moser from the Dent County Health Center came to visit about the PDMP renewal user agreement. This agreement is between Dent County and St. Louis County. This is regarding the statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. As part of this agreement, the County intends to transfer the County PDMP data to the State. The commission signed the agreement. The Alexander Construction Company is finishing up the exterior repairs to the courthouse. Their sub-contractors still need to do work on the guttering, finish painting, repair concrete and the Trim Light Company still needs to come in and finish their installation work. Alexander is still waiting on Quaker Windows to get back with a price on the back nine windows where the bottom grids are missing. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 27th at 9:00 at the courthouse.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will hold the Christmas Parade of Lights in Salem on Saturday, December 2nd starting at 5:30 with this year’s theme: “Winter Wonderland.” The Grand Marshall for the parade this year is the Salem High School’s “Marching Blue.” The parade will run from the corner of South Grand and Franklin at the SBU Campus, traveling east to MacArthur, then going north to 4th Street before going heading east to the Dent County Courthouse square. Entry forms are now available at the office of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 1136 South Main. Forms need to be returned by November 30th to the chamber offices. You can mail them, fax them at 573-729-6741 or e-mail them at chamber@salemmo.com, or drop them off in person. A full list of the parade rules are available at the chamber office.
Lexie Mutch will hold a workshop for ages 12 and up on Monday and on Monday, November 27th for anyone interested in learning the technique of coptic bookbinding, making their own journals, books, or a gift for a friend. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon from 1:00 until 3:00 tearing down paper, cutting and gluing covers unique to you own taste, and sewing a strong and lovely binding. This coptic-bound book will lay flat, be a joy to work within and lovely to have. No previous knowledge is required to attend. This process involves utilizing sharp blades, a bit of muscle and can be hard on arthritic hands at certain points. Handmade books are a treasure to use yourself or to share with someone you cherish. Each participant will make their own blank book, with paper torn and folded, covers chosen, cut and glued, and bindings sewn together all by themselves. Learn this little-known art and share it with others! All supplies and provided at cost of $30. A minimum of 3 students are required to hold the class with a maximum of 10 attendees.