Local News – Thursday, September 28th, 2023

The Missouri Department of Transportation invites you to attend an open house today from 4:30 to 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road, to get public input on a planned bridge replacement project on Highway 19 South in Dent County. Feedback is needed by the everyone on the timing of a planned 45-day closure, especially from those who will most be affected, as that window has not yet been determined. Members of the project team will be there to answer questions, discuss proposed plans for the bridge, consider detour options and other construction details. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees may come at any time during the open house. Exhibits will be on display showing the current plans for the project. Comment forms will also be available at the meeting. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can find the same exhibits that will be at the open house on the project’s webpage at www.modot.org and type “standing rock” in the search bar. A comment form is located at the bottom of that page. Additionally, comments may be emailed to CDCR@modot.mo.gov or mailed to Dent County Route 19 Standing Rock Creek Project, c/o MoDOT, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. All comments must be received or postmarked by October 13th.

FRIDAY is the last day to get your tickets for the The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Annual Dinner that will be held on October 26th at the Hermannhof Festhalle in Hermann. Each year, MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time, talents and give support to their communities and this year there will be 12 recipients. Some of the individuals being recognized by MRPC for 2023 contributions to their communities are: Easton May and Deloris Gray Wood of Salem were nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; Madiline Pankey of St. James was nominated by MRPC Board Member Shane Anselm; and Rylee Krawiecki of Rolla was nominated by MRPC Board Member Shane Anselm. The public is invited to attend the event in Hermann. A reception will begin at 5:30 with the dinner, catered by The Inn at Hermannhof, served buffet style at 6:30. The program and awards presentation will follow. The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner for 2023. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient is kept secret until announced at the Annual Dinner. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993.

If you a person born after January 1st, 1967, and you want to hunt with a firearm alone, you must take the Missouri–approved course to complete your online hunter safety education. Hunter-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Get hunter certified in 3 steps: Study and pass the $24.95 online course, finish any other requirements and get ready to go hunting! You must be at least 10 years old to take the online course. Students who are 10 years of age may complete this course, but they must be 11 years old to take the Hunter Education Skills Session. After this course is complete and if you are 11 to 15 years of age when you REGISTERED for this course, you must pass this online course and attend the Hunter Education Skills Session to complete your hunting safety certification. Bring your student manual with you. In our area, seats are available at the Cuba Police Department for their October 12th class from 6:00 until 9:30. There are also seats available at the Ellington High School course on Saturday, October 14th, from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00. If you are 16 years-of-age or above and want to get your Hunter Education Card, you only need to pass the online test. You are NOT required to attend the skills session. For more information, visits Hunter-ed.com.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking input from turkey hunters on possible changes to spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons, including all-day spring hunting and reduced harvest limits for fall seasons. In the nearly 20 years since the last significant regulations change for turkey hunting, much has changed for both hunters and wild turkeys.Turkey populations across the country and in Missouri have declined, predictably, after a post-restoration boom. Turkey hunting participation, over time, has also declined. According to MDC, Missouri’s spring turkey hunting season, specifically the start date, was designed to take place after the peak in turkey breeding had occurred. Additionally, MDC research indicates that the current season structure, combined with the reproductive ecology of turkeys, has resulted in relatively low harvest rates on juvenile and adult gobblers over the years. This means that a small increase in the total number of the males harvested each spring would be sustainable. Extending shooting hours during the spring season may expand the opportunity for individuals to take up turkey hunting or offer more time for others to return to the field while maintaining a healthy turkey population. The department is considering changes to fall turkey hunting regulations that aim to balance the wellbeing of the turkey population while trying to maximize hunting opportunities. MDC encourages turkey hunters to go online to mdc.mo.gov/turkey-regs for more information on potential regulation changes and to provide comment. The comment period closes October 6th.