Local News – Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated that a crew would be out checking roads for downed trees and branches. He went on to say service would be done on truck #21 and the Durapatcher would also be serviced. He said another crew would be working on Tractor #8. Mobray reported that he attended the Bunker Board of Aldermen meeting that was held Sunday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that workers would be doing maintenance in the shop and on trucks #68, #69, #116, #122 and #124. He said another crew would be out checking some roads for slick spots and that they are repairing the compressor on the maintenance trailer. Larson stated that he and Commissioner Mobray attended a Superintendent’s meeting at Green Forest R-2 to discuss establishing a snow route. Larson said State Representative Ron Copeland was also at the meeting to hear concerns from the superintendents and discuss with them current issues going on legislatively. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended TAC meeting last week where he said there will be some changes to the BRO bridge replacement program. He said he also attended the external relations committee meeting and the MRPC plans to have a Awards Dinner and Banquet in October. On Wednesday, Skiles said he and county clerk Angie Curley will attend the MAC legislative committee meeting and then board meeting. He also said he plans to attend the Industrial Development Authority Board meeting Wednesday at 6:00. Dent County Clerk Curley wanted to remind everyone that absentee voting for the April Municipal Election begins today at the courthouse. Remember, you must have a valid reason to vote absentee. She will also be sending out a temporary polling location letter to 18 people who would normally vote for the R-2 school board at R-3 school, but due to R-3 not needing a board election, those people can vote for the R-2 board candidates at the Dent County Courthouse for this election ONLY. At the last meeting, Collector Shannon VanKirk came in with the monthly turnover for collections of $232,272. There was a refund and the commission signed the monthly turnover book. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, March 1st at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Recently, an issue regarding the publication of semiannual financial statements was brought to the attention of the Board of Aldermen. In response, the Board of Aldermen is directing the semiannual financial statements for the time periods of January 1, 2019 thru December 31, 2020 to be published in the Salem News. Further, the City of Salem will be seeking an independent third-party to conduct an investigation into this matter.
With the increase in demand for the recreational use of public lands with over 21.1 million visitors at Missouri State Parks and an increase in visitors of over 40% in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways operated by the National Park Service, the Missouri State Parks has proposed to the Missouri State legislature to improve their facilities in 22 state parks that would include a total of 28 projects. In our area, those would include six new cabins at Echo Bluff State Park for three million dollars, a new campground loop with 32 sites along with a new shower house at Montauk State Park for 2.1 million dollars, and a 9.9 million dollar investment in the Current River State Park that would include six new full service two bedroom cabins by the lake, rehabilitation of the existing lodge originally built back in the 1930’s that would include replacing the dormitory wing, upgrading the kitchen as well as the dining room areas, and also making some structural improvements to the structure. These improvements would be paid for by the issuance of revenue bonds that still have to be approved by the state legislature. These bonds would be paid back by the fees incurred by the public for the use of the facilities.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations for those who qualify in Phase 1A and 1B, Tiers 1 and 2 this Thursday at the Dent County Firehouse. You MUST set up an appointment by calling the Dent County Health Center at 729-3106.
An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 4:35 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2010 Toyota Prius, driven by 23-year old Allysa Jackson of Edgar Springs, ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign and a fence. Jackson suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Toyota sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.