Local News – Tuesday, May 24th, 2022

The Dent County Commissioners held a meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s office in Rolla was in attendance and talked with the commissioners about the redistricting map that was passed. In the new redistricting map, District 8 lost Crawford and Washington counties and picked up more of Jefferson County up to the Meramec River on the east side of Interstate 55 including Arnold, Festus and Hillsboro. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5170, 6440 and 6470 while only grading would be done on county road 5510. He said brush would be cut on county road 2470 and Mobray said he received a petition to set the speed limit at 30 MPH on county road 6040. He went on to say that ten trees were blown down from the storms last week that had to be removed from or were near county roads. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5300 while only grading would be done on county roads 2120, 4050, 4055 and 4405. Larson stated materials would be added to Dent County Road 2130 and brush would be cut on county road 4330. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to thank the City of Salem and the Intercounty Electric for restoring power quickly after last week’s storms. He also said he as well as the other commissioners may be attending the IDA Board meeting Wednesday at 6:00. At the last meeting, the commission approved the low bid for diesel fuel from Phil-Mart for $4.05 per gallon for 7,465 gallons. The commission also approved replacing the old 9-1-1 console equipment and installing a new 9-1-1 console and related equipment for $100,687.40 as well as support for the new 9-1-1 console for $23.831.20. The equipment and support were state bids and came from A+W Communications, Inc. This will be paid for out of ARPA funds. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

On Thursday afternoon, May 19th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, the Hero’s Marathon Committee presented awards and proceeds from the 2021 marathon totaling $25,000 to various veteran’s organizations. The first award presented was the Founders’ Award, named after the founder of the marathon, Bob Gravely. This award went to Representative Ron Copeland for his work in getting flags placed along the Highway 72 marathon route. The Water Station Award went to Boy Scout Troop 185 with Ozark Trail District Boy Scout Coordinator LeRoy Maurer accepting the award. Other water station winners were Team Pickleball, the Salem City of Peach Garden Club, Salem Memorial District Hospital, the Shrine Club of Rolla and the MS&T Student Veteran Resource Association. Checks were presented to the Dent County Veteran’s Emergency Fund with American Legion member Marvin Wofford accepting the check; to the VFW Post 6280 with Commander Eric Surles and Tod Kinerk accepting; and to the American Legion Post 99 Auxiliary with Barb Medlock accepting. Phelps County agencies receiving donations included the Assistance League for the Missouri Veteran’s Home, the VFW Post 2025 and the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Rolla. Pulaski County agencies receiving donations included the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 49, the Mid Missouri Chapter of the Association of the United States Army; the Army Emergency Relief Fund of Ft. Leonard Wood, the Dixon VFW and the Crocker VFW. The 2022 Hero’s Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 19th.

On May 16th, 49-year-old Leon Barnes of Springfield, pled guilty to felony counts of making a materially false statement to a federal law enforcement officer and resisting arrest during an interaction with park rangers at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. According to court documents, on July 13th of 2021, National Park Service law enforcement rangers were investigating and clearing an illegal campsite near the Pulltite section of the park when they were approached by Barnes who stated some of the items belonged to him. When Barnes was asked for identification, he provided law enforcement rangers with a fictitious name, date of birth, and social security number. Barnes then quickly accelerated his vehicle and drove away. A pursuit ensued with Barnes traveling nearly 30 miles before surrendering. It was then determined that Barnes had an active warrant for his arrest, and he admitted providing false identification because he was aware of the outstanding warrant. Barnes was sentenced to 54 and 48 months imprisonment, respectively, in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The prison terms will run concurrently and be followed by a term of two years intensive supervised release. The National Park Service law enforcement rangers were assisted in the pursuit and investigation by members of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

An accident happened in Washington County Sunday afternoon at 3:40 on Highway 185 north of Isert Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan driven northbound by 68-year-old Mike Rhodes of Steelville, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility pole. Rhodes suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Washington County Memorial Hospital by the Washington County Ambulance. Rhodes was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Elliott Motors.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will hear Resolution #17-2022 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Department of Health and Senior Services for the purpose of sewer shed disease trend monitoring; and hear Resolution 18-2022 that would authorize the filing of an application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Financial Assistance Center’s state ARPA Grant programs for a sub award for the completion of the lead service line inventory or a drinking water, wastewater or storm water project. The board will then amend their approval of a new truck for the Park and Recreation Department. In bids, the board will go over received request of qualifications for the Professional Engineering Services. The board will hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois and from each individual alderman. The board may go into closed session to discuss contracts before the meeting adjourns. The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.