Local News – Monday, December 28th, 2020
Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reminds residents that the Dent County Collector’s office has extended their operating hours beginning Monday. The office will be open today through this Thursday, December 31st from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30. Remember that all mail must be postmarked no later that December 31st. There is also a drop box in the front of the courthouse for your convenience. You can also0 pay your personal property and real estate taxes online by following the instructions on your tax forms. There is a convenience fee to pay your taxes online.
An accident happened in Reynolds County Sunday at 12:55 in the afternoon on Highway 106 at Main Street in Ellington. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chevy pickup driven northbound by 73-year old Robert Burnett of Eminence, was making a left hand turn onto Highway 106 and pulled in to the path of a 2007 Pontiac G6 driven eastbound by 27-year old Tiffany Cessell of Bunker. The Pontiac struck the Chevy in the side. Suffering minor injuries was a two-year old female infant passenger in the Pontiac. The child was transported to the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center by the Reynolds County Ambulance. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were removed from the scene Aissie Towing and Auto. Cessell and the child were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident while Burnett was not.
The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting Thursday, December 18th, at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray updated the Board on the Health Center’s continued response to Covid-19. She reported that cases are steady across Dent County. The 7-day positivity rate has hovered around 15% during the week, which is a decrease from previous weeks. Dent County is currently considered to be in the “Critical Risk” category based on the State Wide Public Health Advisory. Case numbers are being updated on Facebook every Monday and Thursday. As the holidays approach it is important that everyone do their part in preventing further spread of the virus by following CDC guidelines. Pfizer vaccine has been distributed to several areas in Missouri. The Health Center has submitted necessary forms and is pending approval through DHSS to be a COVID-19 vaccinator. Mobray said that the Health Center is hopeful that vaccine for the general public will be released in early spring, but no date has been set at this time. The Heath Center is working with Salem Memorial District Hospital to develop a plan for dispensing once public vaccine is available. She went on to report that Flu shots are being given by appointment and free flu shots are available for uninsured adults and children, as well as high-dose flu shots for seniors and quadrivalent flu shots for anyone over 6 months of age. The Board of Trustees voted to close the Health Center at noon December 31st and re-open Monday January 4th at 8:00. The Administrative Manual and Personnel Manual were reviewed and approved by the Board. Mobray reported that fillings for the one Board seat that will be expiring in April began December 15th and will continue through January 19th. Those interested in filling for the seat must file in person at the County Clerk’s office in the Dent County Courthouse. The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees for the health Center was set for January 21st at 5:00. The meeting was then adjourned.
A three vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon just after 2:30 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about five miles south of Rolla. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2007 Chrysler Town and County being driven by 63-year old Sandra Seeger of Foristell, Missouri was entering the highway from Phelps County Road 7160 and pulled into the path of a 1995 Chevrolet Silverado being driven east by 67- year old Clifford King of Rolla. After the Chevrolet struck the Chrysler, it then rolled backward striking a 2017 Ford Escape being driven by 70-year old Carolyn Crow of Licking. Both Seeger and King were transported to Phelps Health in Rolla for treatment of minor injuries. According to the report, all drivers involved were wearing safety restraints. The Chrysler and Chevrolet both sustained extensive damage. The Chrysler was towed from the scene by C & C Towing and the Chevrolet was removed by Taylor’s Towing of Rolla. The Ford had minor damage and was able to be driven from the scene.