Local News – Thursday, December 10th, 2020
The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. After approval of the consent agenda, minutes from the November meeting were reviewed and approved as presented. The Board then heard the financial report with bills being presented and approved. The budget showed an ending balance of $112,628.43 as of November 30th. After the calendar was reviewed, it was announced there will be two openings on the Board of Directors for the April 6th election including a two-year and a six-year position. Filing will be held from December 15th to January 19th at the Dent County Fire Station with a filing fee of $100.00 in accordance with RSMO 321.130 and 115.357. The Board then heard the monthly reimbursement report. The department had a total of 27 calls for the month of November including 4 structure fires, 11 brush fires, 1 car fire, 1 landing zone, 3 first responder calls, 1 vehicle accident, 2 mutual aid calls, 2 haz-mat calls, 1 training call and 1 call listed as other. Total calls or the year to date stand at 228 with the average cost per call of $117.66. A total of $26,827.50 was paid out for reimbursements during 2020. Chief Nash reported that the building project is still not finished as there are problems with the guttering and other small problems. Because of the failure to complete, the project is now in mediation. In new business, it was reported that Engine 85 was struck by a deer while in route to a fire call. A claim has been filed with the insurance company and the District is waiting for adjusters and estimates. Chief Nash reported that the painters are finishing up the painting of the Fire Station with only touch-ups, trim and 1 office left to be completed. Nash also reported that the electrical drops are installed and in operation. The date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday, January 5th at 6:00 at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. That meeting will be open to the public.
The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will host the 29th annual “Cookie Walk” this Saturday between 10:00 in the morning and 1:00 in the afternoon. Come walk around the house and fill your basket with a wide variety of luscious homemade cookies and pay by the pound. This is a popular activity, with more than 75 dozen homemade goodies donated by Salem’s best cookie bakers, so come early and pick out your favorites to take home to serve to your guests and family during this holiday season. Due to the COVID-19 situation, volunteers will safely package up your choices and take your money. They are asking that participants practice social distancing and wear masks to the event. The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History is located at the northwest corner of Hickory and Rolla Road in Salem.
The Delta Regional Authority named four Missouri leaders as fellows of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. One of the those named was Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge. The Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy is an extensive, nine-month executive leadership program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit sector leaders from DRA’s eight-state region. The 2021 DLI class will consist of 30 fellows from all eight DRA states. The leadership program empowers fellows with the tools, experiences, and networks needed to address local and regional challenges. Sessions led by local, regional, and national experts cover policy areas such as infrastructure and transportation, small business and entrepreneurship, workforce development, public health, and other fields necessary to facilitate economic growth in the Delta. As a result, DLI fellows graduate with improved decision-making skills, policy development know-how, strengthened leadership capacity, and a mutual understanding of regional, state, and local cultures and issues. Since 2005, the DLI Executive Academy has provided leadership development to more than 500 community leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and industries to strengthen skills development, information sharing, regional collaboration, and improve the economic competitiveness and social viability of the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. After graduation, DLI fellows will become members of the Delta Leadership Network, which provides peer-to-peer engagement opportunities for continued leadership development, information sharing, and collaboration with other leaders dedicated to the future of the Delta region. The DLI is a program of Delta Regional Authority in partnership with three institutions of higher education in the Delta region: Arkansas State University, the University of Louisiana Monroe, and the University of Arkansas.
The Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart still has a number of “angels” remaining with one week left to adopt an “angel.” The last day will be Wednesday, December 16th. It is the goal of the Dent County Salvation Army Service Unit to try to make sure that every Dent County child’s Christmas morning is bright and you can help by adopting an angel. It is easy to help out. Just follow these steps: Select a tag representing a specific child from the “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart. Then shop for gifts based on the parent’s suggestions. You do not have to purchase everything on the list, just use it as a guideline. Once you are finished shopping, bring the unwrapped gifts to the Wal-Mart Service Desk along with the “angel tag” by next Wednesday. For questions about the “Angel Tree,” please contact the Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army at 729-8163.