Local News – Thursday, June 17th, 2021
In response to higher than usual City of Salem electric bills, in May and June the South-Central Community Action Agency, Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army came together each Tuesday at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory to help citizens with utility assistance. To date over 200 households have been assisted with $110,000 being spent. Due to the enormous response, a large portion of the allocated funds have been depleted. The June 22nd and June 29th dates where the agencies where to come together at the Armory have been cancelled. All three agencies have worked together to assist as many residents as possible and will continue to do so in the coming months. If anyone still needs assistance, you may contact the Salvation Army by calling 729-8163 or come to the Salem Community Center @ the Amory, Monday thru Friday from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.
Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk w ants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2018 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by Wednesday June 30th, during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2018, 2019 and 2020 will be declared due by August 20th, 2021. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held on Monday, August 23rd, 2021. Check payments will no longer be accepted, so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check or money order. If you are not sure this applies to you or you do not understand how the system works, you need to call the Dent County Collector’s Office immediately so that it can be explained to you. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 573-729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Starting July 1st, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember, only the taxes for 2018 need to be paid IN FULL by Wednesday, June 30th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will host a series of one-day workshops about the basics of fly fishing on June 24th, July 22nd, and August 19th at the Akers Visitor Center. These free workshops are limited to 10 participants for each date and reservations are required. Park ranger Mark Van Patten will demonstrate various fly rod casting techniques, proper catch and release techniques, and strategies for fly presentation. Instruction will also include lessons on aquatic entomology (fish food), recommended equipment, reading the water, and understanding flies. Fly rods and reels will be available for those who do not have their own. The book “Fly Fishing A-Z” will be provided. The clinics are expected to last the full day. Participants should bring a valid Missouri fishing permit and trout stamp, fishing vest, waders, hat, sunglasses (polarized preferred), sunscreen, bug spray, lunch and bottled water. For more information and to make reservations for one of the workshops, please contact the Round Spring Ranger Station at (573) 323-8093. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and any corresponding federal mandates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants at the workshop should be prepared to practice social distancing as needed. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, masks are required when social distancing cannot be maintained.
A reminder that the Missouri Department of Conservation will offer one-day women’s only clinic highlighting the fundamentals of shotgun and handgun shooting this Saturday. There will be four separate classes from 9–11 AM, from 12:00–1:30 PM, from 2-3:30 PM, and from 4-5:30 PM at the Rolla Shooting Club in Rolla. Beginner Handgun Class is designed for women and girls ages 16 and older; those age 16 to 17 may participate with a parent or guardian who is also registered for the workshop. The minimum age to participate in Beginner Shotgun Shooting is 12; but participants ages 12 to 17 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian that is also registered for the class. Spots are limited for all classes; registration is required by June 18th. A waiting list will be made available for courses that become full. For more information, send an email to Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov. The Rolla Shooting Club is located at 13950 County Road 3240 in Rolla.
The Salem License Office will be closed July 1st through July 5th. They will reopen on July 6th at 8:00 AM. Customers needing immediate assistance can visit one of the area license offices in Rolla, Ellington, Viburnum, or Cuba.