Local News – Monday, March 13th, 2023
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the minutes from the February meeting were approved. The financial report was presented which showed an ending balance as of February 28th of 193,081.57. Bills, payments, and statements were then reviewed and approved. During the calendar review, this week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, participants from the 100-Acre Wood Rally will register cars at the station. Chief Nash will be at Northwood R-4 on the 14th for an interview with JAG; and on March 22nd, the forest service will be hosting a tabletop exercise for the department and other first responder agencies. The district reimbursement report was presented which showed a total of 20 calls for the month of February, bringing the year to date total to 65. Truck 85 is still out of service and the department is waiting for parts that should be in on March 21st. In his report to the board, Chief Nash reminded the board that October 7th from 8:00 until 4:30 there would be a class for the board of directors that the district will be hosting and it is mandatory for all members to attend. Nash also presented the board with a projected estimate of the cost for the district for the upcoming election and it will be around $6,720.00. Before adjourning the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, April 11th, at 6:00 in the evening at the Dent County Fire Station.
An accident happened Friday morning just after 9:00 on Highway 63 just south of Locust Street in Freeburg. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Ford F-250 being driven south by 30-year-old Bobby Houston of Rolla, crossed the center line and struck a 2016 Dodge Ram being driven northbound by 56-year-old Matthew Duncan of Licking. The Ford then slid into a 2016 Toyota Scion being driven by 46-year-old Michael Jensen of Olatha, Kansas. Jensen was taken by ambulance to Capital Regional Medical Center in Jefferson City. Two passengers in the Ram, 54-year-old Janell Duncan and 82-year-old Sharon Stephens, both of Licking were taken by ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. All three vehicles sustained moderate to extensive damage and were removed from the scene by Poettgen Towing. The report went on to state that everyone involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.
March is the annual observance of National Nutrition Month, a campaign to raise awareness of healthy eating and physical activity. Nutrition is especially important for older adults. Receiving proper nutrition is not only a vital part of healthy aging it can impact immunity, energy levels, heart health and much more. National Nutrition Month is the perfect time for older adults to educate themselves and consider the impact certain food choices have on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Salem Senior Center can help with education on nutrition and how to live a healthy lifestyle. On Wednesday morning at 11:00, there will be a presentation on “What is in your soda?” This is a great way to learn more about health and nutrition while enjoying good food, visiting with friends, and having fun. For more information, contact Jody Schaefer, 573-729-2373, and see them on Facebook: Salem Senior Center.
Last week, there were two reports of people being sentenced to the Missouri Department of Corrections for drug related incidents. In one case, 43-year-old Bradley Delashmit of Salem pled guilty to felony counts of second-degree drug trafficking and will serve eleven years as recommended by Prosecutor Andrew Curley in front of Judge Megan Seay. Sentenced to serve 15-years under the State Statute 559.115 program with a 120 day shock incarceration was 53-year-old Tabitha Freeman of Salem who pled guilty of distribution of a controlled substance, the possession of a controlled substance in the Dent County jail and possession of methamphetamine. Judge Michael Randazzo presided over the plea and sentencing. He followed the recommendation of Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley.
Students have the opportunity to participate in multiple contest categories, including posters with hand-drawn and graphic arts, and re-purposing recyclables and trash into three-dimensional pieces of trash art. All art entries should echo the theme of the contest and an underlying solid waste management theme to reduce, reuse, and recycle. First and second place contest winners will be awarded prizes, made possible by sponsor donations. Honorable mention projects will also be recognized. All prizes will be earth-friendly, with the first prize valued at $30, second prize valued at $10 and honorable mention prizes valued at $5 approximately. Entries for all categories will be accepted through this Friday, March 17th. and may be dropped off at the county clerk offices at the nearest courthouse or at MRPC, located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Posters must not exceed 28” x 22”, and trash art projects must not exceed 12”x 12” x 12”. Only one entry per category per student will be accepted, but students may submit entries for all three categories. All entries must be clearly marked with the student’s name, grade, school district, school name and teacher’s name. If any information is not labeled, the entry will be disqualified. If you or your business would like to be a sponsor or for more information about the contest, call 573-265-2993.