Local News – Wednesday, May 27th, 2020
The Dent County Commissioners met Tuesday morning for a regular meeting and budget hearing. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in attendance to discuss the COVID-19 funding received by the county and if the commission had determined how those funds are to be distributed. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that the Meramec Regional Planning Commission would be attending the meeting to discuss the CARES Small Business Relief Funding. Bonnie Prigge, the Executive Director of the MRPC, discussed the program, a reimbursement approval form, and the application for the CARES Act reimbursement. She also mentioned the county could set up a Dent County CARES Committee if they wanted to form one. She said the application would go to the MRPC first, then sent back to the county for review and approval. The commissioners agreed to a contract with the MRPC to provide more information about the program and to monitor the application for reimbursements. For more information, call the MRPC at 573-265-2993. You can also go to meramecregion.org, go to grants and a link will be there for applying. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson both reported crews would be out checking roads for washouts, downed limbs and trees from the weekend rains. Both commissioners said if you have a road issue to call the road and bridge department phone number at 729-7770. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be on conference call the CCAM Board of Directors and the MAC Staff Attorney about the CARES Act funding. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the last day to vote absentee would be June 1st and the clerk’s office would be open this Saturday from 8:00 AM until noon Saturday. The Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, June 2nd from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. Remember to vote, you will need to bring a form of ID and don’t’ forget, not every district is having an election, so call the clerks office if you need clarification at 729-4144. The commissioners then held a budget hearing to adjust the budget due to the money received by the county for the COVID-19 Fund where $1,925,000 has been posted as revenues as well as expenses to zero balance out that account, and also there was $20,000 added for revenues in the Special Election Service Fund and $20,000 to the expenses to zero that fund out. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the CART Funds report that showed $47,523.42 was received in May and that is down from last May’s figures by $12,081.55. Year-to-date, the CART funds are down about $6,537.45. Prosecutor Andrew Curley wanted to add to the minutes of the last meeting that the Notice of Delinquency was first provided to him in May which he believes is a county policy. He said this policy results in a taxpayer being assessed approximately twice the amount in interest and fees as compared to January. He indicated he has concerns with due process when assessing penalties on any citizen without giving notice prior of the delinquency in May. County Clerk Angie Curley said the previous meeting minutes had already been approved, but his request could be added to the minutes from May 26th. Presiding Commissioner Skiles wanted to point out this was not a county policy, but it is the Collector’s policy when the late notices are mailed, and said Mr. Curley was afforded the same due process as any citizen would. Dwight Ramsburg and Nick Smith from Septagone were both in attendance to give a status report on the jail and get a few items approved that needed to be purchased. They feel they will be finished by the end of June and possibly tours could be given the first week of July. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
In closed session at the Salem R-80 Board meeting held last Thursday, the board employed Olivia Elliott as a 3rd grade teacher, Charles Mosley as the Middle School band teacher and assistant high school band instructor, Scott Frederickson as the High School Band Director, George Alex as a high school math teacher, Lisa Baker as a high school special education instructor and Darcy Reardon as the assistant track coach. The meeting was then adjourned.
An accident happened Monday morning just after 10:15 in Reynolds County on Route H about 8 miles east of Ellington. The report from the highway patrol states a 2004 Suzuki LTZ being operated by a 16-year old juvenile of Granite City, Illinois was northbound when he failed to yield and traveled into the path of a 2019 Ford F-150 being driven east by 34-year old Marley Stephan of Salem. The juvenile sought his own treatment for minor injuries. Both vehicles sustained minor damage. The Ford was driven from the scene and the Suzuki was removed by a private vehicle.
Six people died in traffic crashes over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend counting period beginning at 6:00 on Friday evening, May 22nd, and ending at just before midnight, Monday, May 25th. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated 341 traffic crashes over the 2020 Memorial Day holiday weekend resulting in 112 injuries and 5 fatalities. The patrol also made 111 DWI arrests and 112 drug arrests. There were 10 boat crashes resulting in 7 injuries. Two drownings were also investigated during the counting period. The patrol made 11 arrests for boating while intoxicated and made 2 drug arrests. During the 2019 counting period, the Patrol investigated 296 traffic crashes, which included 127 injuries and seven of the eight fatalities. Troopers made 96 arrests for driving while intoxicated last year. Also, over the 2019 Memorial Day holiday: Marine operations troopers investigated seven boating crashes involving three injuries and two fatalities; and arrested 10 people for boating while intoxicated on the state’s rivers and lakes. There were no drownings over the 2019 Memorial Day holiday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol invites you to follow them on Twitter for the latest news.