Local News – Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, both Commissioners Gary Larson and Dennis Purcell stated that with the high winds Sunday, crews would be out checking for downed limbs and trees. Purcell said he received a call about a tree down on Friday on Dent County Road 4110 and the county crew took care of that. He also said some trees were down on Highway 19 South. Both commissioners also said the crews would be checking for areas of black ice that could make travel dangerous and treating them. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commissioners needed to approve renewing the county health insurance program. The county would still offer three options to workers. The standard option has a $3,500 deductible with two other employee options that have a $2,500 deductible and a $1,500 deductible where the employee could contribute to the policy. The cost of the insurance this year actually went down a few dollars as the county insurance rating improved to an “A” rating. The commission also approved renewing their policy of covering the remaining $2,000 of the deductible after the first $1,500 is paid by the employee. Skiles talked about the MAC Conference and said it went well. He said Governor Mike Parson spoke at the conference. Skiles went on to say that he and Commissioner Larson would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting and full council meeting today at the MRPC offices in Rolla. The commission reviewed and approved a resolution on the lawsuit they joined about the opiod epidemic and that the unlawful distribution of prescription controlled substances has created a public nuisance and a serious public health and safety crisis for Dent County citizens. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley revisited with the commission the fees to be charged for permits for the ATV and UTV. Back in September, the commissioners voted to go with having people purchase an annual permit for $10 for any person who wanted to ride the county roads in Dent County with an ATV or UTV. After a long discussion and checking with the surrounding counties for the fees they charge, the commissioners agreed to continue to offer an annual permit for a fee of $10 or give the people the option of getting a permanent permit for a particular ATV or UTV for $20. At the last meting, Nick Smith and Dwight Ransburg with Septagone Construction Management gave an update on the new jail. They went over the budget report which showed the budget at $12,893,956. Totals payments to date are $1,137,249.68. Septagone also recommended going with Palmerton and Parrish to perform quality control testing. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met Monday night, November 19th at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported there were 46 clients who received outpatient lab services in October. She said that flu shots are still available at the Health Center on a walk-in basis and they will bill most insurances, Medicaid, and Medicare. Mobray stated Joan Raulston will be attending a Prevention Conference with other Prevention Coalition members on November 28th & 29th. Kendra reported the PDMP ordinance and user agreements were signed by Dent County Commissioners and mailed to St Louis County Department of Health on October 25th. The implementation process is expected to begin soon. Mobray also said she and Jennifer Roderman will be attending a Public Information and All Hazards Event SEMA training on November 28th & 29th. The board approved the closing of the Health Center on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After a long discussion about staffing and client load, the board approved opening a 3/5ths clerical position. Due to scheduling conflicts, the Health Center staff Christmas Dinner will be postponed until January. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees meeting date was set for Monday, December 17th at 5:00.
According to a report released from the highway patrol, an accident happened Monday morning at 7:35 in Phelps County on Route E, just north of Route Y. The accident occurred as a 2006 Ford Freestar, owned and operated by 35-year old Gina Schafer of Rolla, was southbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence. A passenger in the vehicle, seven-year old Gracie Schafer of Rolla, received minor injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by private vehicle for treatment. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.
Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will launch its second series of Meramec Morning gatherings at 10:00 in the morning on November 28th at the Edgar Springs City Hall, located at 555 Broadway St. in Edgar Springs. This round of county-level gatherings will be entitled “Grants 101: Strategies for Success.” Local elected officials, community leaders, non-profits and interested citizens are invited to attend to learn the basics of grant preparation and to discuss specific projects local leaders may be pursuing. Last year, MRPC hosted Meramec Morning meetings in all eight counties and gathered a list of needs in each county. That information was helpful in updating the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which is on track for completion by December 31st, 2018. MRPC will be hosting a Meramec Morning in every Meramec county, starting in November and running through July 2019. The Dent County meeting will be held February 27th in Salem. For more information on Meramec Mornings, Assistant Director Tammy Snodgrass at 573-265-2993 or via email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.