Local News – Tuesday, June 28th, 2022

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Grant Wilson from Jason Smith’s office was in attendance and commented on the repeal of Roe Vs Wade. Missouri had passed legislation in 2019 that had a revisor of statutes that automatically became law ending legalized abortion in Missouri if the verdict was reversed. Governor Parson then signed a proclamation activating the "Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act," making Missouri the first state in the nation to effectively end abortions. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4160 while only grading would be done on county road 5500. Mobray stated brush would be cut on county roads 6630 and 6633, service would be done on brush cutter #8 and John Deere would be installing a new wiring harness on a John Deere grader that has had problems for three years with an error code. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported crews would be replacing two culverts on Dent County Road 2240 before adding materials with grading to follow on that road. He said brush would be cut on county roads 3223 and 3295, and two men would be patching chip and seal roads 3220 and 3230. Once completed, they will go to Springfield to get more oil for chip and seal repair. Larson also indicated a crew would be removing a tree near county road 4430. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District will have about $150,000 for waste reduction and recycling projects for the upcoming year. Skiles said the grant program begins July 1st and those interested can go online to find the links at meramecregion.org. He said a grant workshop will be held on July 27th at the MRPC in St. James at 10:00 in the morning, and applications MUST be turned in by 12:00 noon on August 19th or they will not be considered for the grant. For more information, contact the Meramec Regional Planning Commission at 573-265-2993 and speak with Jill Hollowell or Tammy Snodgrass. Skiles said that if anyone in Dent County will be submitting an application to let him know so that he is aware of the project before the scoring of the applications begins. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register to vote in the Primary in August will be July 6th, and absentee voting will continue through August 1st. The deadline for a mailout absentee ballot to be sent is Wednesday, July 20th, and the testing of the election equipment will be held at 9:00 on July 20th. Curley said that any county business that has a state liquor license need to renew their county license by 4:30 on Thursday, June 30th in her office. She also said the Board of Equalization meeting would be held on July 18th at 1:00 at the commissioners’ office. Curley stated the courthouse would be closed on Monday, July 4th for Independence Day. The commission also approved delaying the opening of the bids for the courthouse renovation until 10:00 on July 6th at the commissioners’ office. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting it open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will meet Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. After approval of the consent agenda is approved, Bill #3508 that would create an ordinance establishing rates for electric services provided by the City of Salem, will be read and discussed. Also, to be read and discussed is Bill #3509 that would create an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2022; and Bill #3510 that would create an ordinance adopting an annual budget for the City of Salem for the fiscal year beginning on July 1st, 2022. The board will also read and discuss Resolution #20-2022 that would authorize the extension of an agreement between the City of Salem and Godi’s Excavating LLC to extend the previous resolution for the certified site until October 15th. The board will hear from the Salem Housing Authority which is recommending the reappointment of Wanda Henson for four years as her current term will expire July 24th. City Administrator Ray Walden will give a report on MPUA as well as provide updates from People Centric and Connell Insurance. The board will also hear from Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge and any aldermen who wish to speak. In new and miscellaneous business, Building Inspector Jarred Brown will discuss trailer court licenses before the board hears Planning and Zoning about the cell tower that was approved to be erected at 1702 Doss Road. The board will then go into closed session. The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.

A fatality accident occurred Monday morning at 1:19 in Crawford County on Interstate 44 eastbound at the 207.8-mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Ford Ranger, driven by 33-year-old Justin Studdard of Cuba, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. The Ford overturned and came to rest on its side. Studdard was partially ejected and pronounced deceased at Mercy St. Louis at 10:57 by Nurse Practitioner Sara Zimmermann. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing. Studdard was not wearing his seat restraint at the time of the accident.