Local News – Tuesday, April 30th, 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4210, 5600 and 5615. He said grading would be done county roads 6540, 6550 and 6670 while materials would be added to county road 5460. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2120, 2520, 2570 and 4430. Larson said only materials would be added to county road 4437 while brush will be cut on Dent County Roads 3140 and 3150. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley presented the lease/purchase agreement from Town and Country Bank for 2.84% for three years for the 2019 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab bought on the state bid from Don Brown Chevrolet for the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. The state bid price for the 2019 Silverado is $32,945. The commissioners all signed the lease/purchase agreement. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An estimated 350 black bears call southern Missouri home, and as the spring season gets underway, these magnificent mammals leave their winter dens in search of food. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reminding Missourians to be proactive and “Be Bear Aware.” MDC Resource Scientist and Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee said it is imperative that residents remove bear attractants from their property, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste. Conlee noted that intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous as it makes the bears comfortable around people. It can also lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for a meal. Food is usually a bear’s main motivator, but that also means it can be a main source of conflict. MDC offers the following tips to avoid attracting black bears to possible food sources: Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container until trash pick-up day. Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside. Don’t leave pet food outside. Feed pets a portion at each meal and remove the empty containers. Refrain from using bird feeders in bear country from April through November. If in use, hang them at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from any structure. Keep in mind that even if a bear cannot get to the birdseed, the scent could still attract it to the area. Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources. Keep campsites clean and store all food, toiletries and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. Do not keep food or toiletries in a tent, and do not burn or bury garbage or food waste. While black bears are generally a shy, non-aggressive species and bear attacks are rare, follow these tips when outdoors in bear country: Make noise, such as clapping, singing or talking loudly, while hiking to prevent surprising a bear. Travel in a group if possible. Keep dogs leashed. Be aware of the surroundings. If there is evidence of a bear, such as tracks or scat, avoid the area. Leave bears alone! Do not approach them, and make sure they have an escape route. The American black bear is the only species that resides in Missouri and is one of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri, some reaching up to 500 pounds. MDC research shows most of the black bear population resides in the southern third of the state in the Missouri Ozarks, but Missouri’s population is growing and bears are moving into areas north of Interstate 44. Black bears are currently a protected species in Missouri. MDC asks the public to report bear sightings and post photos online at mdc.mo.gov/reportbears. The online report helps MDC staff obtain complete and accurate information. Sightings reported by the public allow MDC to track expansion of the black bear population and respond to nuisance issues.

The Salem Upper Elementary School will hold their 32nd Annual Serendipity on Thursday, May 2nd where the students will be introduced to a number of different interests, activities, hobbies, jobs, trades, crafts, skills and more in a fun environment from professionals and enthusiasts. This community event involves numerous volunteers that include emergency responders, teachers, businesses, different sports, hobbyists, artists as well as people from the US Armed Forces, Department of Conservation, Salem Memorial District Hospital, US Forest Service and many others. Serendipity, the gift of finding value in things not sought for, allows each student to attend three, 50-minute activity sessions of their choice. Serendipity, created by Anne Rouse and Becky Mitchell, won the Success Link Award in 1999.

The Salem Public Library is accepting photo submissions for the “A Universe of Stories” Teen Photography Contest between May 1st and June 7th. You can visit the library at 403 N. Jackson or call 729-4331 for more information. Details about the contest are also available on the library’s Facebook page.