Local News – Tuesday, May 1st, 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4160 and 5520, while only grading will be done on county roads 4220, 6660 and 6670. Purcell indicated materials would be added to Dent County Road 5490, brush would be cut on county road 6240, and chip and seal repairs would be made to Dent County Road 4180. He asked drivers to use caution when driving that road and be aware of the county workers making those road repairs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 2160, 2165 and 3300, while materials would be added and grading done on county roads 4380 and 5260. Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 4290 while a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. A man will also be replenishing the supply of chips for the chip and seal repair. Another man from District 2 will be screening brown rock. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to congratulate Chaplain Richard LaBrash and everyone at the American Legion/VFW Post on Highway 32 West for an extremely successful Veteran’s Affairs Day this past Friday. A number of veteran’s were helped by the event. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported she attended the South Central County Clerk’s meeting held at West Plains along with Dent County Assessor Tina Whitaker. They met with the State Tax Commission and went over the new online formal reporting for clerks and assessors. Curley said it is very important that the numbers are reported properly as the numbers they report can affect what schools and other entities receive in taxes. She said the reporting could also affect CART funds and more. Curley reminded the commission the courthouse would be closed on May 8th for Truman’s Birthday. At 10:00, bids were opened for the sale of a sheriff’s vehicle and three bids were received ranging from $300 to $660 dollars. The county accepted the bid of $660 from Jimmy Whitaker. The commissioners also set the meeting of the Board of Equalization for 1:00 on Monday, July 16th in the Commissioners office at the courthouse. If you have an issue to bring before the board, you must make an appointment by contacting the Dent County Clerk’s office at 729-4144 or stopping by the clerk’s office at the Dent County Courthouse. At the last meeting, Sheriff Bob Wells and Sergeant Lenny Pabin came in to discuss a camera being placed in the Associate Circuit Courtroom and a couple on the outside of the building as well. The commission said Rommel Lock and Key could install one and get an estimate back to the commission on the others. The cameras will be paid for out of the LERF fund. They also discussed a county work program for Drug Court clients under supervision instead of going to jail. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The pedestrian bridge over the Jacks Fork River along Highway 106 at Alley Spring is permanently closed and the Jacks Fork River beneath and adjacent to the bridge is temporarily closed to all visitor use. This includes all activities such as swimming, floating, fishing and gravel bar use within 100 feet of the bridge. This closure does not affect the highway bridge, which is next to the pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge was structurally damaged during the April 2017 flood and was closed to foot traffic at that time while the park sought funding to repair the bridge and the damaged water and sewer utilities beneath. Then in February 2018, additional flooding caused an eight-foot rise of the Jacks Fork River. A recent emergency inspection performed by a Federal Highway Administration bridge engineer determined the stability of the pedestrian bridge has been further compromised and has now created a safety hazard to anyone nearby. The National Park Service has been notified that ongoing movement of two of the bridge piers has increased. Based on field observations and evaluation of the bridge plans, any increase in water volume or wind has the potential to cause the structure to collapse. Closure of the river below it is required to avoid injury to park visitors to avoid personal injury should the bridge collapse. Park visitors who are floating upstream from the bridge must take out at the Alley Spring gravel bar above the bridge (near the campground) and are prohibited from floating underneath the bridge. The Burr Oak day use area just downstream from the bridge will serve as an alternate river access for concession operations and visitors who want to float downstream from Alley Spring. The Burr Oak day use area is located on the north side of the Jacks Fork River, just south of the Alley Mill parking lot. The Alley Spring pedestrian bridge isscheduled for removal as soon as possible, but that will likely occur later in 2018. The pedestrian bridge and adjacent section of the Jacks Fork River will remain closed until demolition is complete and the hazard is removed.

The Dent County Soil and Water District will be holding an Open House and Supervisor election today at their offices at 1012 East Scenic Rivers Blvd in Salem. The polls will be open from 11:30 until 5:30 and refreshments will be served.