Local News – Tuesday, November 6th, 2018
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said the Bunker area received some winds last Thursday night that knocked down three trees on Dent County Road 5600 and another three trees on county road 5610. He said he would have two men in the area looking for other downed trees. He said brush was being cut on county roads 54890 and 5500. Purcell stated that truck #73 was in to get the brakes replaced and have full maintenance performed on it, while the hydraulic hoses on the loader that is in the shop will be changed out. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicted the materials would be added and spread plus grading would be done on Dent County Road 2520 which one of the conservation roads. He went on to say brush was going to be cut on county road 4050. Larson reported maintenance on tractor #4 was being done along with general maintenance at the shop. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind everyone to get out and vote as the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. It is one of the privileges Americans have to have a voice in their government. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the treasurer’s office and her office balanced on all accounts for the month of October. She wanted to remind every to bring an ID or your voter registration card to the polls and be ready to expect lines. She wanted to remind everyone that there can be no electioneering within 25 feet of the polls and that includes signs, T-Shirts, caps or anything with any politician’s name or that refers to an amendment or propositions. If you have questions as to where you are supposed to vote, contact her office at 729-4144, but it may be heard to get through. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that hunters checked 2,169 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season, October 1st through the 31st. Top harvest counties were Greene with 57, Henry with 48, and Laclede with 47. Last year’s fall firearms turkey harvest total was 2,899. The Conservation Departments turkey biologist says the low harvest total can be attributed to several years of poor hatches. Turkey harvests around the region include 26 in Dent County, 32 in Crawford County, 23 in Iron County, 39 in Texas County, 16 in Shannon County and 34 in Phelps County. Another factor that has resulted in lower fall turkey harvests is declining hunter participation. This year, 10,262 fall firearms turkey hunting permits were purchased. During the peak year of 1987, nearly 53,000 permits were purchased. Missouri has seen a declining interest in fall firearms turkey season as have other states.
The Salem Police Department has released reports for October 25th and 26th. On Thursday morning at approximately 3:23, October 25th, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to trespassing. The investigation of the report revealed that a 21-year-old male of Salem had entered onto the property of Wal-Mart when he was previously told not to return to the store. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court for trespassing and released. Then Friday morning, October 26th, at approximately 1:48, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 25-year-old female of Rolla for driving while having her license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.
The Missouri Department of Transportation will test its readiness to plow snow for the upcoming winter season with a statewide drill this Wednesday. Motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill. In our area, crews will deploy after 8:00 in the morning. The exercise should be completed by 3:00 in the afternoon. During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate and maintenance employees will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested. The drill serves as a training reminder to make sure proper equipment, plowing techniques and safety measures are used. In addition, every piece of equipment – every truck, motor grader, snow blower, and tractor – is inspected. MoDOT spends about $43 million each year to keep roads clear in the winter and help ensure motorists get to their destinations safely and quickly.