Local News – Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular Monday morning meeting. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave her sales tax report for the money collected this month. She said the General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $103,208.48 which is $8,460.98 more than for June of 2023. Year-to-date, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST funds are up about $19,242.48. The Road and Bridge Fund received $48,107.09 this month, up $3,609.71 more than June 2023. Year-to-date, that fund is up $7,442.91. The Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $96,635.91 in May and that is up $7,219.18 from the 2023 receipts of $89,416.73. Year-to-date, those funds are up $16,076.87. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5520, while only grading would be done on Dent County Road 5080. Another grader is having maintenance performed on it including getting new blades before it returns to duty. Mobray said a man would be heading to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Mobray was also sending to Representative Ron Copeland a list of all the county road apron approaches to state highways from District 1 and District 2 that need to be repaired or replaced. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2200 in preparation for it to be chip and sealed. Grading was also going to be done on county road 4330 and brush was going to be cut on county road 5305. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported on the TAC meeting held last Thursday and on the External Relations Committee meeting before the MRPC meeting. He said the MRPC’s Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet would be held in Linn, Missouri at the Osage View Event Center on the campus of Linn State Technical College. The proposed date is October 24th and the cost of dinner is $40 per plate. He also said the Dent County Toy Drive would be holding their Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday, July 27th from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon at The Commons. They will have a craft show, poker run, cruise-in, Bar-B-Cue, silent auction, live music and more. There will be free carnival games for the kids. People can bring a toy to help fill their truck and you can even get a picture with Santa by the beach. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said excused absentee voting for the August will begin on June 25th while the last day to register to vote will be July 10th. She also said electioneering within 25 feet of the courthouse is prohibited beginning June 25th and that includes political T-shirts and even caps. Curley also wants to remind voters that if you have moved and changed addresses, or changed names due to marriage or divorce, to please stop by her office and get those voter registrations updated. Further, Curley wants to remind all voters that the August 6th election is a Primary and voters MUST select a political party ballot. They have their choice this year of Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or a non-partisan ballot that will include only issues in the county to be voted on. At the last meeting, Mike Elliott of Town and Country Insurance visited with the commission on their insurance claims from the hail damage. Sheriff Bob Wells was also in to discuss the hail damage insurance claims on deputies vehicles. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. A public hearing will be held at 6:00 followed by a public meeting on five requests. The first request is to rezone 1104 South Gertrude from Residential R-1 to commercial for a retail boutique owned by Michelle Watkins followed by a request to rezone 704 South Askins from R-1 to R-2 for the construction of a two-family dwelling on property owned by Maynard Larson. The third request will be to subdivide Lot 3 of the Scenic Rivers Plaza Subdivision located on Commercial Avenue for the building of a grocery store owned by Ridge Properties, LLC followed by a request for the subdivision of 705 North Henderson into two parcels made by owners James and Cheridal Nicholson. The last request to be heard will be for a conditional use for 1509 South Louise Street for the installation of a 26- foot by 48-foot manufactured home on property owned by Michael Florence. The hearing and meeting are both open to the public

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 in the hospital library this evening. At the meeting, Interim Administrator Wes Murray will give his report before the board hears the summary of operations for the month of May as well as statistics for the month. The board will hear about the 340B program, receive the Chief Nursing Officer report and be updated on Human Resources. In old business the Board will be updated on State and Match Funding, plus receive an update on Strategic Planning. The board will also discuss a tax levy increase. In new business, the Board will discuss and approve a new budget before going into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting tonight is open to the public. To attend the meeting electronically, contact the hospital administration office at (573) 729-6626, extension 4005.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will hold a special called meeting Wednesday at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, the Board will go into closed session to discuss personnel. Upon return from closed session, the meeting will be adjourned.