Local News – Friday, October 18, 2019
The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2470, 2480, 2490 and 5610. He stated brush would be cut on county road 2460 and a crew would be replacing a crossover pipe and installing a new crossover pipe on Dent County Road 4155. Purcell stated he attended a South Central Community Action Agency meeting on Tuesday and was informed there are still funds available for weatherization and for home repair to make homes more energy efficient and create structural stability. There are income guidelines to qualify for the funds. Those who are interested should call Sarah at 729-3500. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4010 while only grading would be done on county road 2330. He indicated brush would be cut on county road 3250 and a man would be screening brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended the TAC committee meeting last Thursday where all road construction is done in this region but striping still has to be done on a number of roads. There were also informed that deaths on the roads in the Meramec region are down three from last year and stand currently at 27. He said anyone who would still like a ticket to the MRPC Annual Volunteer Awards Dinner can still call 265-2993, but they would need to do so by today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she met with risk manager for the insurance group and was told that based on claim experience this year that the workers compensation insurance should go down by about one percent. Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in to discuss re-establishing the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board that would hear requests for tax credits for new businesses or expanding current businesses in the area that would mostly create tangible products. She said their terms would all begin in December and the people she recommended to the commission to appoint were Dean Jones from Independent Stave, Dustin Howard from the Bank of Salem, Willie Strader from Farm Bureau Insurance, Jamie Homeyer from VIP properties, Kasey Lucas from the Salem Memorial District Hospital, John McCulloch from the Salem R-80 and Daniel Salyer from Phil-Mart. The commission approved the new board as submitted. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Monday, October 7th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 40000 block of Highway 72. During the course of the traffic stop, a 45-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license suspended for a 2nd or subsequent time. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Thursday, October 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of South Main Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day while on routine patrol, a deputy recognized a male they knew to have active warrants near a residence in the 1000 block of East Mondy Street. The 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for the active warrants through Dent County and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he later posted bond. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please call the sheriff’s office at 729-3241.
It’s time to start preparing for this year’s Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Exhibit entry
forms are now being accepted for this year’s entries with the theme this year being “Miracles on Main Street.” You can pickup you’re an application form at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 South Main or call 729-0029 for more information. This year’s chairman is Judy Thompson and she can be reached at the ONCRC or call 573-578-0682. All exhibit entry forms must be turned in by October 31st! The exhibit will start with an open house on November 17th from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided. The exhibit will continue to run through Christmas Eve from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon starting Monday, November 18th. The exhibit will also be open on Saturdays from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. You will also be able to visit Santa’s Workshop December 7th & 14th.