Local News – Thursday, August 11th, 2022

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 board members reviewed the minutes of the July meeting before hearing the financial report which showed an ending balance in the general fund of 111,290.87. The budget was then reviewed and compared to last year with about 74% of the total income revenue being received and approximately 88% of the income being used to date. The monthly reimbursement report was presented which showed a total of 18 calls for the month of June and 23 calls in July to bring the total to 175 calls year to date. Of the calls for the two months combined, two were for building fires, two were natural vegetation fires, four were grass fires, three were calls to assist EMS, and five calls were for received for LP or natural gas leaks. The department was cancelled enroute to six calls after being dispatched, responded to five motor vehicle accident with no injuries and two accidents with injuries. The department also responded to four special types of incidents. In old business, Chief Brad Nash presented a plan for an increase in the firefighters and officer’s reimbursement of 50.00 per month, which was carried and approved. Chief Nash also reported that the new work structure for officers and firefighters was ready and was approved by the board. In new business, the board reviewed the tax levy which is at the ceiling according to the Hancock amendment of $0.2377 per $100 assessed valuation. A motion was made and carried to leave the tax rate as is with no change. Nash also presented information and bids for a new washing machine to wash turnout gear. This is a needed item due to the materials now being used in buildings and automobiles that could cause potential health problems in the future as well as eliminate materials that cause cancer to firefighters. The machines will be located in the basement of the department. Payment for the washers will come from $10,000 in ARPA funds which has been approved by MRPC. The machines are American made and are industrial quality. The motion was carried to go ahead with the purchase provided the money is awarded. The Dent County Fire District by-laws were read and discussed by members to be reviewed and voted on at the September meeting. Chief Nash then reported to the board that the department has some items that need to be sold and is waiting for information from the Fire Marshalls office as to the proper procedure. Nash also reported that the new door locks are almost complete and in use, and that new turnout gear has been ordered. The boots and gloves are in but the actual gear would not arrive until late November or early December. Nash reported that acquiring the SCBA air bottles will have to wait until the first of the year. This will enable the department to get the current price rate, but the department will not receive the bottles, allowing them to last longer in operation before having to be replaced. Chief Nash also reported on the broken glass from construction work. He presented a plan to remove the glass and wall in the front show room to be used as a training and meeting room. This would help with heating and cooling and add more functionality to the building. Discussion was then held on the cost and how to go about completing the project. It was noted that part of the construction could be completed in-house, saving the department some of the cost. The board asked Nash to get pricing and get back to the board as soon as possible due to the fact it would need to be completed before the November election. Before adjournment the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, September 6th at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. The meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened Tuesday night just before 10:30 in Dent County of County Road 2010 about a half mile north of Highway OO. According to the highway patrol report a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon being driven north by 36-year-old Tiffany Mourning of Licking was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle and unknown driver that then left the scene. As a result, Mourning ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Mourning, and a passenger 48-year-old Kenneth Lee, also of Licking, suffered minor injuries but both refused treatment at the scene. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident happened Tuesday night in Phelps County on Highway 72 about six and a half miles east of Rolla. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup being driven by 79-year-old George Fromm of Poplar Bluff, was traveling west when he traveled off the left side of the roadway. The Ford then struck an embankment and overturned. Fromm, who was wearing a seat restraint, was taken by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman Towing.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board will hold a meeting this evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Rd for closed session meeting. The meeting will be dealing with sealed proposals and related documents, or any documents related to a negotiated contract until a contract is executed, or all proposals are rejected. Following the closed session, the meeting will be adjourned.

The last Youth Paint Party of the summer will be Friday night from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center led by Ashley Wilkinson. The instructor will do the work in setting out supplies, preparing and demonstrating the painting in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step fashion. Parents are required to attend and assist children. The cost of the class is $25. Then on Saturday morning from 10:00 until noon, an Adult Clay Workshop will be held that is designed specifically for older children and adults who are interested in learning how to make hand-built pottery and objects with clay. The cost for this workshop is $20. The Creative Arts Center has two easy ways to sign up for events! Call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.