Local News – Tuesday, March 31st, 2020
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5170, 5380, 5450 and 6580. Purcell stated brush would be cut on county road 6280. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2240, 2360 and 4437 while brush would be cut on county road 2380. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he has attended a number of COVID-19 updates and there are still no positives in Dent County. He wanted to thank folks for continuing to practice social distancing and he also wanted to remind people that many food establishments are still open providing services, be it delivery or carry out, and to support them whenever possible if you can. Remember many other local businesses are still providing their services everyday and if you are not sure they are open to please contact them by phone. Continuing to support local business during this time may be vital to their very existence in the future. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting will continue to June 1st and that May 20th will be the last day to ask to mail out a ballot. The Road and Bridge Department took bids for 2,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline and the low bud came in from County Fuels at 98 cents per gallon. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in with the CART money receipts for this month. She said the county received $50,168.39 and that was down $1,690.65 from the March receipt of $51,859.04. She said year-to-date, the county is down $104.81. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, April 6th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Park and Recreation Department will hold a Park Board meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@ The Armory. The meeting will be open to the public through live streaming on the KSMO Radio website. Social Distancing will be enforced at the meeting. After the Roll Call and approval of the agenda, the board will review the previous meeting minutes. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois will then give her report before the board discusses the Spring Soccer Program and COVID-19. Following that discussion, the Park Board will discuss the Spring Baseball, T-Ball and Softball League signups and schedules that will include the Opening Day Festivities and possible late start due to the State of Emergency with the coronavirus. The board will hear from Dubois about early pool pass and pool party sales as well as pavilion rentals. Sometime during the meeting, the board will be given a tour of the new Salem Community Center@The Armory Gym shell by Healthy Dent County’s Sherry Lea. After hearing any other business, the meeting will be adjourned. The Salem Park Board meeting will be open to the public through a live stream through the KSMO Radio website at ksmoradio.com.
A two vehicle accident happened Saturday afternoon around 2:25 in Crawford County on Highway 8 about five miles west of Steelville. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Toyota Corolla being driven by 23-year old Stephanie Matthes of Rolla was eastbound when the Toyota crossed the center line of the roadway and struck a 2013 Toyota Venza driven by 55-year old David Woods of Potosi. Matthes suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Woods and a passenger, 52-year old Shelly Woods also of Potosi, both suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. Both occupants of the Woods vehicle were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident while Matthes was not. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.
A one vehicle accident happened early Monday morning shortly after midnight in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 1140 about one mile east of Route B. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2004 Ford truck being driven by 23- year old Michael Christenson of St. James was traveling east when the Ford went off the left side of the roadway striking several trees and a fence before overturning. Christianson, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private vehicle to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.
With so many Missourians stuck at home, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering teachers, parents, students, and others its free Discover Nature Schools (DNS) nature-based curriculum for pre-kindergarten through high school online. Find Discover Nature Schools information and curriculum for all age groups online at nature.mdc.mo.gov and then put in discover nature in the search box. With the current public-health emergency caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), MDC reminds people to continue to heed recommendations for hand washing, social distancing, and all other public-health measures during outdoor activities.
The Salem Area Arts Council announces that artwork that was displayed in Art Across the Ages needs to be picked up as soon as possible. While they don’t know if the next event is going to occur, they need to get their stuff out just in case. Access to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center can be arranged by contacting Libby Sanders. Text or call her at 573-247-0279. Thanks to all who participated! If you need information, please contact (573) 247-0279 or e-mail saac@embarqmail.com.
The Salem Board of Aldermen met at the city hall auditorium for a special meeting Monday afternoon at 5:00. At the meeting, the board approved Resolution 6-2020 that authorized the non-renewal of the city being under contract with the Midwest Public Risk of Missouri for insurance coverage for property and liability as a member municipality with MPR Missouri. They also discussed a problem with waste water treatment plant. Jeff Medows from archer-Elgin Engineering was on a conference call to discuss the problems with the RAS WAS pump station between secondary clarifiers #2 and #3 and that it is no longer working properly. The replacement of the pump station was scheduled for the second phase of the waste water treatment facility update as the city is currently in Phases 1A and 1B. Medows said by having to replace the pump now would not alter the plan for Phase 2 except it was not scheduled to begin until 2022 into 2023. The approximate cost for this replacement would be about $480,000. The city could lease a pump for a short duration ffor about $3,500 a month but it would not provide the same flow which could cause more problems. City Administrator Ray Walden said there is money available to make the repair now as part of Phase 1 using the current contractor with a change order needed. The board will have to make a decision on this at their next meeting on Monday, March 6th. The meeting was then adjourned.