Local News- Tuesday, March 5th, 2024

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in attendance and wanted to let the commission know that Smith filed for re-election for the 8th District. Currently there are two Democrats who have also filed for the 8th District seat for the Primary. Besides that, Wilson wanted to let the commission know Smith is working on keeping the government open for business and not letting it shut down. In the road report, Jason Akins filled in for District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5610, plus only grading would be done on county roads 2450 and 5220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2120 and 2150, while only grading would be done on county road 2155. Polk also said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 4050. He went on to report that road signs would be installed on Dent County Roads 2210 and 3355 including new truck crossing signs on county road 2210. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported on the commissioner training attended by all the commissioners last week that featured updates on the Missouri Association of Counties, University of Missouri Extension, Sunshine Law requirements, how to properly run a meeting, and received updated information on what to do with the opioid settlement funds. Larson said the commissioners also went to the capital to visit with their legislators. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to register for those who want to vote in the Municipal Election this April is Wednesday. She said the “no excuse” absentee voting will begin March 19th and last through April 1st, and the last day to request a mail-out ballot will be March 20th. The commission took fuel bids for 1,000 gallons of unleaded gas by phone and the low bid was MFA Oil at $2.485 per gallon. Phil-Mart and County Fuels each bid $2.85 per gallon. The bid was awarded to MFA Oil. It was announced the County Commissioners of central Missouri will be holding a meeting this Friday in Houston and have invited the Central Region County Clerk’s to join them. It was also announced there will NOT be a commission meeting Thursday due to the lack of a quorum as two commissioners are going to be absent. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon just before 3:30 in Crawford County on Route H about four miles south of Leasburg. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Harley Davidson ridden southbound by 69-year-old David Honea of Cuba, failed to negotiate a curve. The Harley went off the right side of roadway, struck an embankment, and overturned. Honea suffered serious injuries and he was flown by Arch 6 to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. The Harley sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing. The report stated that Honea was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.

A one vehicle accident happened Friday afternoon at 3:50 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 2290, about two miles west of St. James. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1997 GMC Jimmy being driven west by 19-year-old Trevor McFadden of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway, then over corrected and overturned. McFadden suffered minor injuries and was taken by the St. James ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’ s Towing. The report went on to state the McFadden was wearing a seat restraint.

This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week and the Statewide Tornado Siren warning will be done at 11:00 Wednesday morning, weather permitting. The day of the tornado drill, NOAA Weather Radios set to receive the Routine Weekly Tests (RWTs) will alert listeners that the tornado drill has begun. Outdoor warning sirens will also sound across participating Missouri communities. At that time, participants should practice taking cover in a designated shelter area or an interior room on the lowest level of a secure structure. Schools, businesses and families are all encouraged to participate in the drill. Educators are also encouraged to use the tornado drill as an opportunity to incorporate tornado facts, meteorological information and safety tips into their lesson plans. Create a family emergency plan to stay safe, and remember to include all pets when building an emergency kit and stocking up on supplies. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is also important to know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. Therefore, it’s important to be ready to act quickly if it becomes necessary. A tornado warning means seek shelter immediately because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar causing imminent danger to life and property. The safest shelter location for tornadoes is generally an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of sturdy structure, preferably in the basement. Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse. Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building and never seek shelter under an overpass – the dangerous wind tunnel effect combined with flying debris can be deadly. You can learn more about Missouri’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Week and other weather-related resources at stormaware.mo.gov.