Local News – Friday, September 22nd, 2023

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in to visit with the Commission. Wilson reported that Smith conducted a Healthcare Round Table series of meetings from Crystal City through the Bootheel where they met with physicians, administrators and the public to discuss governmental regulations and how they affect rural hospitals and healthcare facilities. One point receiving considerable attention was that urban hospitals receive higher Medicare payments than rural hospitals for the same care and procedures. Wilson also said that the impeachment inquiry would start next week and Congressman Smith would be chairing the inquiry. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson noted that he had been questioned as to what the visits by personnel from Congressman Smith’s office has to do with the business of Dent County. Larson said those visits help make sure the county is aware of federal legislation and actions that could affect it. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6580 and 5680. He said two trucks would be hauling rock to county road 5530 and brush would be cut on county road 6410. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk was not in attendance so the District 2 report was given by Mobray. He said grading would be done and rock would be hauled to Dent County Roads 4270 and 4310, grading only would be done on county road 4300, and brush would be cut on county road 6160. Mobray said that in District 2 Chip and Seal patching with the ultimate patching material would be done on county roads 2300, 2250, 2315, 2630, 2640, 2620 and 2070. Larson reported that he attended the Tourism Tax Committee meeting where 2 applications were approved, 3 reimbursement requests were approved, and 1 reimbursement request was tabled until more information is provided. Larson said that the Committee asked if the Commission would put a limit on the amount of dollars per request that the Committee could approve. He asked County Clerk Angie Curley if the Tourism Tax Committee had bylaws and her response was she wasn’t aware of any. She said the only thing she knew of was the ballot language when the tax was approved by the voters. It was pointed out that in the past the Tourism Tax Committee had only partially funded some requests, plus some events might merit the investment of dollars above a limit. Larson went on to report that on Wednesday he attended the South Central Missouri Commissioner’s Association meeting in Houston. He said he serves as vice president of the association and they worked on planning events. County Clerk Curley reported that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment and her office continues to work on the budget for 2024. Commissioner Mobray reported that the FLAP 77 grant funds are in place for the asphalt to Tan Vat. It is 100% funding in the amount of $800,000.00. Mobray said the only cost to Dent County would be $2,319.08 for initial engineering design. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse and it will be open to public.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday morning at 8:15 on M Highway about one mile west of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2013 Chevrolet School Bus, driven by 60-year-old Judy Harris of Edgar Springs, traveled off the right side of the roadway striking a sign. The vehicle returned to the roadway where it traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking an embankment before coming to rest. Harris, and eight juveniles ranging in age from 4 to 12 years of age, suffered minor injuries. All occupants of the bus were transported by private vehicles to Phelps Health in Rolla. Harris was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident, while the juveniles were exempt. The bus sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.