Local News – Tuesday, October 26th, 2021

Salem City Administrator Ray Walden has announced the hiring of Stacey Houston as the City of Salem’s Finance Director. Houston will assume her duties November 22nd and comes with over twenty years finance and accounting experience. She has worked for US Foods in Salem and for the Law Office of Williams, Robinson, Rigler, & Buschjost in Rolla. Walden said they were impressed with Stacey’s experience, education, and commitment to the community. Walden went on to say that he would like to thank Mayor Steelman and the Board of Aldermen for their support for this position. The city’s elected officials and employees care deeply about this community, and the addition of Stacey to the team will greatly enhance the city’s ability to provide good service to the local citizens. Houston noted that she has worked in fast-paced environments and learned to adapt to change, quickly learn new skills, and is eager to join the City of Salem team as the finance director. Houston received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at Southwest Baptist University and has lived in the Salem area since 1991.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART monies sent by the state in October. She said the county received $59,381.75 while in October of 2020, the county received $61,264.88. That is a decrease from last year of $1,883.13. Year-to date, the county CART Fund is up $48,062.95. In the road reports, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated the work crews would be checking for damages from the storms over the weekend, be it rain damage or wind damages. Larson also said a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repairs this week. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that former full time Dent County Emergency Management Director Brad Nash agreed to serve as the interim voluntary Dent County Emergency Management Director during the stormy season until a replacement can be found. He was monitoring the weather situation this past Sunday. Nash resigned from the position earlier this year. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles indicated that he presented a Volunteer Service Award to Joe Brand Thursday evening at the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet in Linn, Missouri. Skiles said he appreciated all the people from the Dent County area that attending the ceremony in Linn. Skiles also said he would be attending a broadband meeting at Echo Bluff Thursday at 5:00. At the last meeting, it was reported the commission approved the deductible for each employee. The current policy was to have the employee responsible for the first $2,000 and the county will pay the provider the next $2,500 for a total of a $4,500 deductible. That policy was continued by the commission. The commissioners also decided to opt out of the state’s financial audit since the county had already taken bids for a 2021 financial audit by a 2-0 vote with Commission Larson not in attendance. Also at the last meeting, the Dent County Health Department would like the county to donate to them their MRPC grant writing hours that are provided to the county as part of their MRPC membership. The commissioners agreed to donate up to eight of their available hours to the health department. The next meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) annual wild turkey brood survey for 2021, average turkey production statewide was similar to production at the statewide scale in 2020, but better than statewide production from 2016-2019. Compared to last year, production in the Ozark Border and Ozarks West Regions increased by 43% and 57% respectively. The Lindley Breaks Region also saw a nine-percent increase in production, but the most significant improvement was in the Mississippi Lowlands Region where the poult-to-hen ratio (PHR) increased 118% from 2020. Unfortunately, several regions including the Northeast, Northwest, and Union Breaks, saw slight downturns in production this year after experiencing increases in productivity during 2020. The Ozarks East and West Prairie Regions saw similar PHRs this year as in 2020. Since 1959, MDC has conducted an annual wild turkey brood survey where MDC staff and citizen volunteers record the number of hens and recently hatched turkeys, which are called poults, they see during June, July, and August. For a more detailed report outlining the results of the 2021 Missouri Wild Turkey Brood Survey, and to read reports from previous years, visit the Turkey Reports webpage at Department of Conservation website at https://mdc.mo.gov.

Staff members at Echo Bluff State Park invite the public to their annual Halloween in the Park at 3:00 this Saturday afternoon, October 30th. Festivities will begin with a grab-and-go craft that can be picked up at the check station in the campground until 4:00 or while supplies last. All participants are then invited to meet at the Union Hill Carpenter Cemetery by for the trick-or-treat parade. Trick-or-treating will take place only in the campground area. Cabin and lodge guests who would like to hand out candy should bring their treats to the field by the cemetery. Visitors staying in the campground or cabins are encouraged to decorate their campsite or cabin door. Entry forms for campers will be available at the check station. Forms for cabin participants will be at the front desk. Judging and the announcement of winners will happen after the parade and judges have had a chance to view all entries after dark. Everyone is invited to the fire ring in the field by the cemetery for hot cider and award presentation. Contest winners must be present to receive their prize. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. For more information, please contact Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-5211. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.