Local News – Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, there was general discussion on the MoDOT open house between the commissioners and guests in which the consensus was the detour plan suggested by MoDOT would not be safe and would probably end up costing them more to repair routes K and KK than to put in a temporary bridge. You can find the same exhibits that were at the open house on the project’s webpage at www.modot.org/missouri-route-19-bridge-replacement-over-standing-rock-creek-dent-county. A comment form is located at the bottom of that page. You can also e-mail comments to CDCR@modot.mo.gov or mail them to Dent County Route 19 Standing Rock Creek Project, c/o MoDOT, 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. All comments must be received or postmarked by October 13th. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4220, 5600 and 6470 while brush was going to be cut on county road 6420. He said if the parts come in, a radiator hose would be replaced on a county truck along with other repairs. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said crews would be installing a four-foot culvert on Dent County Road 3140 and adding rock to that road. He also said grading would be done on county roads 3220 and 3230. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said MRPC has released information for grants for small projects for museums from $5,000 to $25,000 that need no matching funds and large projects ranging from $25,001 to $75,000 with a 50/50 match. The deadline will be November 15th for those disciplines who qualify. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993. Larson also reported he nominated Chris Pollock from Technology Junkyard on Highway 72 North for a recycling award from the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.
An accident happened in Dent County on Route O Sunday afternoon around 4:26. According to the highway patrol report, 25-year-old Dominic De Leon of Rolla driving a 2017 Volvo S80 driven northbound, lost control and the Volvo went off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned, coming to rest facing westbound. De Leon suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to Phelps Health. De Leon was not wearing a seat restraint. The Volvo sustained moderate damages and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
This Friday and Saturday, the Doe Run Company and the Viburnum community will commemorate the rich mining history of southeast Missouri at the 37th Annual Old Miners’ Days Festival. The event will include two fun-filled days of entertainment for all ages, including free tours of Doe Run’s Buick Mine Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Festivities will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at the Airport Strip. Scott Miettinen, mine operations manager, said that visiting underground mines is a rare opportunity for those outside the industry. He went on to say that even former miners may be intrigued to learn about the technological advancements that have transformed the tools and machinery used in modern-day mining operations. That is why Old Miners’ Days is such a unique event that provides the opportunity to witness firsthand the intricate workings of a mine and the multitude of jobs and roles involved. Visitors age 12 and older are invited to explore a fully functioning mine that extends over 1,250 feet below ground by signing up for the experience at the Doe Run table at the main event site. The underground mine boasts spacious roadways that can accommodate a range of heavy machinery, from haul trucks to loaders. Visitors can also observe the maintenance shop and rock pillars filled with valuable ore. Free bus transportation will be provided to transport guests to and from the Buick mine site, which is only a short drive from the Viburnum Shopping Center. Old Miners’ Days is a festivity that honors the globally recognized mining district of Viburnum. Individuals and families alike will enjoy a diverse range of entertainment such as a grand parade, a car show, musical performances, children’s games, and food booths. All events will take place at the Viburnum Shopping Center parking lot located next to Viburnum High School. Learn more about Old Miners’ Days, including a full schedule of events, at https://www.oldminersdays.com/.
A 4-Week Stained Glass Panel Class will be held four straight Thursdays in October beginning on October 5th. You can attend classes from 1-4 pm or from 4:30 – 7:30 pm with Jennifer Curry.Learn the art of Stained Glass and create a panel of your own using the foiling technique. In this workshop, you will learn the basic stained glass techniques of scoring, breaking, grinding, foiling and soldering, and be introduced to the vocabulary and materials used while creating a beautifully designed piece. Stained glass artist Jennifer Curry will provide the professional materials and equipment, as well as the knowledge and instruction for you to have a successful and enjoyable experience. Walk-ins welcome up until the end of the first session. The cost is $150 for the 4 week class. All supplies and safety equipment are included. Two people must sign up to hold the class with no more than five per session, Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.
Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports on Wednesday, September 27th in the 42nd Judicial Court in front of Judge Nathan Kelsaw, Donny Boxx of Salem pleaded guilty to a new charge for the possession of a controlled substance. He had been on probation for the possession of a controlled substance which was revoked by Judge Kelsaw at the request of the prosecutor. Kelsaw sentenced Boxx to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Curley and agreed to by Boxx.