Local News – Tuesday, December 29th, 2020
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to illness. First District Commissioner Dennis Purcell acted as presiding commissioner for the meeting in Skiles’ absence. In the road report, Purcell stated that a call was received for a downed tree on Dent County Road 5440. Workers went out and removed the tree as well as some burnt couch springs that were at the scene. Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5630, 6370 and 6500 while brush would be cut on county roads 5630 and 5650. Purcell went on to say that with wintry weather in the forecast, the crews will be checking out the snow removal and salt spreading equipment. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson expressed his deep sorrow for the loss of District 2 Road Supervisor Sam Gorman who passed away Christmas day. A friend to everyone, Gorman will be missed by all that knew him. Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3300 while only grading would be done on county roads 3310 and 4280. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 4040. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would continue to work on getting the 2021 budget prepared for the commissioners as work on the budget would begin next week. She wanted to remind everyone the Dent County Collector’s office will be open extended hours this week from 8:00 until 5:30 daily through Thursday for those who want to pay their real estate or personal property taxes in person. You can also mail in your taxes, but they MUST be postmarked by December 31st to avoid any penalties. You can also drop off your payment in the drop box at the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn before January 1st. Payment of taxes can also be made online by following the instruction on your tax bill. There is a fee to pay your taxes online by ACH, debit or credit card. It was noted with President Trump’s signing of the latest economic COVID-19 incentive package, the CARES Act deadline has been extended to December 31st, 2021. Three CARES Act applications were mailed to the commissioners for their approval and they were from the Dent County Health Center for $9,579.30, Oak Hill R-1 School for $13,630.06 and Green Forest R-2 School for $1,516.17. The meeting Monday was the last meeting for 1st District Commissioner Dennis Purcell who will be stepping aside after serving 12 years as a commissioner for newly elected 1st District Commissioner Wes Mobray. Mobray will be sworn-in this Thursday afternoon to his new position. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, January 4th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully surpassed their $35,000 goal during this year’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. The total raised was $35,410.13 to date. Along with the monetary donations received this year, 208 local children were adopted at the Angel Trees located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or who adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed through- out 2021 to those less fortunate in Dent County.
A one vehicle accident happened Sunday afternoon just before 4:00 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 3010 just north of Route BB. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt being driven by 17-year old Gabriel Buell of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the road. Buell overcorrected causing the vehicle to overturn in the roadway before sliding off the left side of the road and coming to a stop. Buell, who was wearing a safety restraint, was transported to Phelps Health for treatment of minor injuries. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing.