Local News – Tuesday, July 7th, 2020

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge brought in her report for the month of June that there were 23 ongoing projects as well as one new business in town, Titan Outdoor Construction for residential and commercial paving, landscaping, drainage problems and more. Burbridge stated she is still working on the certified site application. The Phase I Environmental Assessment has been completed and she has created tornado activity and seismic activity maps as well as put together karst topographical condition maps. This project is moving as she still needs to have the floodplain map which the city is having a public meeting on in August and have a threatened or endangered species review done by the US Forest Service. She said she is researching demolition programs from other cities and checking out a CDBG Demolition Grant Program. Burbridge did report the county’s unemployment rate did go up due to the COVID-19 crisis to 6.1% in April but has dropped back down to 5.9% in May. That puts the county way below the national average in May of 13.3% and below the state average of 10.1%. She also said that John McColloch resigned his position on the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board and Burbridge recommended the new Superintendent of R-80, Dr. Lynne Reed, be appointed. Before appointing, the commissioners would like to meet with her. Also, the EEZ board will be holding a meeting to submit their annual report. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4230, 4235, 4237, 5170, 5600 and 6020. He also stated brush would be cut on county roads 4110, 4170 and 5080. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2160, 2240, 2245, 2330 and 5330 while materials would be added to county road 3180 and brush would be cut on county road 4300. Larson went on to say a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for additional chip and seal road repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to congratulate the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem on a fine parade and fireworks display this past weekend. He also wanted to remind small businesses affected by COVID-19 that the county has set aside $800,000 of the CARES ACT money for small business grants with no more than $20,000 going to any one business. Those interested or needing more information would need to contact Kelly Sink at the MRPC at 573-265-2993. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind anyone who wanted to vote in the Primary election in August that they would need to register to vote by this Wednesday, July 8th. She said those wanting to receive a mail out absentee ballot would need to do so by July 22nd and those wanting to vote absentee in person can do so through August 3rd. Curley said her office would be open on Saturday, August 1st from 8:00 in the morning until noon. She also said that any businesses that had a liquor license got them renewed. The commission announced the Board of Equalization meeting would be held on July 20th at 1:00, but the commission did not receive any applications for a hearing. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center has confirmed a fifth confirmed case of COVID-19 in Dent County. This individual is a household contact of another confirmed case. CDC Isolation guidelines have been implemented and close contacts have been identified. No other information will be provided about the patient. A location in Dent County has been identified as a place of potential exposure and that is the Salem License Office Monday. This person was there June 29th sometime between 12:00 and 4:00. Employees and customers who may have been exposed during these times should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days from June 29. It is important to remember that every activity that involves contact with others has some degree of risk. If you suspect that you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and are experiencing symptoms, call your healthcare provider to let them know before seeking care. It is critical that your provider is aware that you may have COVID-19 prior to your arrival at a healthcare facility, and that you follow all instructions for arriving at a healthcare facility.

The highway patrol reported five traffic fatalities, Zero Boating Fatalities, & One Drowning Over July Fourth Holiday Counting Period. The 2020 July Fourth holiday counting period began at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 2nd, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 5th. Troopers worked 294 traffic crashes, which included 107 injuries and all five fatalities. Troopers also made 139 DWI arrests and 126 drug arrests over the holiday weekend. Troopers also worked nine boating crashes, which included four injuries and zero fatalities. Six boating while intoxicated arrests were made and 25 drug arrests. There was one drowning over the holiday weekend on the Missouri river near the 54 mile marker. During the 2019 counting period, 15 people were killed and 457 injured statewide in Missouri over the holiday in 1,109 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 162 people for driving while intoxicated last year. Over the 2019 July Fourth holiday, there were nine boating crashes, which included four injuries and zero fatalities. Three people drowned during last year's holiday. Troopers made 13 boating while intoxicated arrests during the 2019 counting period.

An accident occurred Monday morning at 7:50 in Phelps County on Route Y west of Route E. According to the highway patrol report, an eastbound 2005 Saturn Vue, driven by 25-year-old Megan Teem of Rolla, crossed the center line and struck a 2015 Dodge Ram 5500, driven by 45-year-old Eric Curtis of Steelville. Teem suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by EMS. The report stated that Eric Curtis was wearing a safety restraint while Megan Teem was not. The Saturn was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing and the Dodge sustained extensive damage and was removed by C & C Towing.