News – Friday, August 8th 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Citizen Cindy Jones was in attendance and had a question about the source of the vertical address signs at county residences. The Commissioners told her that the signs are available from the Scenic Rivers Industries. She also said she received information in the mail about a pipeline proposal by Inspire that’s to be along Highway 72 and wondered what the Commissioners new about it. They were unaware of the pipeline. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that his men were completing the 2000-hour service on one of graders and then it will start grading in the Turtle area. He also said a pipe was being installed on Dent County Road 4210 and that was all he had to report since he had two men out. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams said his crew was grading in the Lecoma area on Dent County Roads 2025, 2050, 2060, and 4353, plus rock would be added and grading done on county roads 2020 and 4330. Williams noted that new blades were being installed on Grader #40. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that on Wednesday he attended the Solid Waste Advisory Board meeting in Jefferson City. He said there was discussion on the disposal of scrap tires, plus reports from all the districts. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment and that she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on the monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of July. She also noted that she balanced with the Treasurer on all accounts for July and the Commissioners had her reports for review. Curley said she would be gone next Monday to attend the MAC Board meeting, as well as Thursday to attend the County Clerks Association meeting. She also noted that the Treasurer Williams and Commissioner Williams will be attending the MAC Trust Board meeting next week. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to report her July turn-over of $58,422.30. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report the sales tax receipts for August. The General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Funds each received $131,898.06, which was up $38,291.87 from August of 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $26,715.04 or about 3.6%. She said that both Jail Funds received $126,662.99, which was an increase of $37,614.68 from August 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $68,187.79 or about 9.9%. Williams reported that the Road and Bridge sales tax receipt was $63,120.72 and that’s up $18,807.50 from last August. Year-to-date Road and Bridge is up $34,054.99 and that’s about 1%. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zach Moser was in with the county road and bridge employee drug testing invoice and results. The Commissioner visited by phone with Jeff Banderet of Great Rivers Engineering about the overhead lighting for the courthouse sidewalk project. He reported that his best guess on the cheapest solution would be to keep the same 6 exterior lighting poles and keep the wiring above ground. Banderet also said he would like for MoDOT to seek proposals in order to see what actual costs are going to be. The estimated original cost was $98,000 and that would probably go up to $126,000. Jeff said he would meet with City of Salem Administrator Sally Burbridge and the Commission on the cost share of the 6 electric poles around the courthouse. At last Monday’s meeting Mike Smith with Hope Construction was in to look at the gazebo and said he will submit a quote for fixing the boards and painting them. Also on Monday, Presiding Commissioner Larson signed a Supplemental Agreement, which was part of the engineering services contract dated 3/1/24 between Great Rivers Engineering and Dent County for FLAP #077. The agreement is for an additional $4,267.49 and is not to exceed $8,835.49 without authorization. The total service shall not exceed $90,947.33. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.

Join Amy Terrill at the Creative Arts Center on Tuesday August 12th from 5:30 in the evening until 7:30 for a fun rug-making, hands-on workshop! Learn an easy technique to make a rug with torn strips of fabric and a modified toothbrush. These rugs are relaxing to make and require no sewing. In this class, you’ll learn how to begin a toothbrush rug or table placemat; and due to time, the goal will be for each person to leave with a trivet size piece to build on at home and make as large as you want it to be!  All projects are machine washable, dry-able and last for years! No previous experience or skills necessary. The cost is $20 per person. Please bring your own scissors, all other supplies are included. A minimum of 2 people are needed to have the class and a maximum of 10. The classes are for participants 18-years-old and older. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.