Local News – Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday evening at 7:00 on Route P approximately a half mile west of Dent County Road 5070. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by 43-year-old Dean Ramey of Bunker, failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway causing the vehicle to travel off the left side of the roadway where it overturned, ejecting Ramey and a passenger, 46-year-old James Hobson of Salem. Both Ramey and Hobson suffered serious injuries. Ramey was transported by Salem Memorial Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Hobson was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. A second passenger in the vehicle, 47-year-old Tenille Hobson of Salem, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. According to the report, Tenille Hobson was wearing a safety restraint, while James Hobson and Dean Ramey were not. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Automotive. Dean Ramey was arrested and then released for medical treatment for an alcohol DWI with serious physical injury, DWI with physical injury, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway resulting in a crash, no insurance, failure to display valid plates and no seatbelt.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, both District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said their crews were out checking roads, fixing washouts, filling in bridge approches after the heavy rains of the last few days. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he has been unable to reach John Smith to see if Smith wants to continue as the “At Large Board Member for Profit” at MRPC. He said he will continue attempting to contact Smith. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. Mobray noted that he had been talked to a constituent that lives between Highway 68 and Route J expressing his concern about the number of heavy trucks crossing from Highway 68 to reach Route J on the way to and from the charcoal plant. The traffic involves Dent County roads 3280, 3290, and 3300. During a lengthy discussion, Larson noted that this has been a perennial problem dating clear back to when he was elected District 2 Commissioner. One of the problems cited was that, even though signs are posted to reduce truck traffic, some drivers have trouble interpreting the signs. Since these roads are in District 2, Gary Polk plans to contact MoDOT to see if they can get some signage that uses symbols rather that written directions. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning in the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital District board of Directors will be holding a special meeting this afternoon at 1:00 in the Physician’s Office Building Conference Room. On the tentative agenda after the call to order and roll call will be vote to go into closed session.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding their Spring 2024 Health Fair and Vaccine Clinic this Friday from 7:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. No appointments are necessary. Dent County residents can get free basic screenings of Blood Pressure, Height and Weight determination, and BMI Calculation. Rapid Heart Health Screenings are available for Lipid (Cholesterol) and A1C for $34.50. Expanded services will be available for Blood Chemistry for $3.80, Vitamin D for $13.75, Basic Thyroid at $3.50 and Blood Counts for $3.00. Other services available include Rapid Blood Lead Screening for $10.00, plus free Narcan and free STD Testing. Information and scheduling for additional services will be available. No orders are needed for the screenings as the Dent County Health Center has a standing order for health screenings. In order to speed up the processes no insurance will be accepted. Some have asked if the DCHC is still located on MacArthur and the answer is No, we’re located at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard, across from Town and County Bank. To answer other questions about the Health Center Spring Health Fair and Vaccine Clinic feel free to call 573-729-3106.