News – Friday, September 6th 2024

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5400, 6170, 6175 and 6240 while the Mannis brush cutter is being serviced. Mobray said rock will be hauled to a number of locations. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2403, while only grading will be done on county road 4437. Polk said brush would be cut on county roads 4380 and 6150. Polk said workers were repairing a radio on a tractor, and a crew would be installing new speed limit signs on Dent County Road 2070. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the county has received the hail damage insurance check from Tokio Marine HCC in the amount of $584,537.88, and will begin to put bid specs together so the repair projects could be put out for bid. Assistant County Clerk Melissa Piatt said she would be working on the handicapped and elderly applications that will need to be sent out soon in order for the elderly and handicapped unable to go to the polls the chance to vote in the November election. At the last meeting, Dent County Coroner Ben Pursiful told the commission he needs a vehicle with an eight-foot bed. He has been under budget the last four years and doesn’t take the county insurance that saves the county money. They would like Pursiful to look at used vehicles that may be available, but the commission will also check the state bid and compare. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Military veterans can trout fish for free at Montauk State Park Saturday which is sponsored through the partnership of “Hooked on Vets,” the Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri State Parks. Veterans must pick and display a fishing tag that will be given to them at the “Hooked on Vets” tent/booth by their personnel that will be set up in the park. Veterans can also find out more about all the “Hooked on Vets” projects and services at the tent/booth.

“Ladies’ Day Trout Fishing Event” is set for this weekend at Maramec Spring Park. Women anglers of all ages are invited to a free trout-fishing event this Saturday, September 7. The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting the event from 7:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., with no fishing license or daily trout tag required for women participants. A special area of the spring branch will be reserved for event anglers, where 100 tagged prize fish will be stocked. Catching one of these fish could win anglers prizes such as fishing rods, vests, tackle boxes, and nets. MDC staff will provide instruction on basic trout fishing tactics, casting, cleaning, and cooking. Fly tying and casting demonstrations will also be available for those interested in fly fishing. While the event focuses on women anglers, men are welcome to fish other areas of the park with the purchase of a daily tag. The park entrance fee will be waived for all female participants. Maramec Spring Park is located about six miles east of St. James on Highway 8. For more information, contact Hatchery Manager Tyler Edwards at (573) 265-7801 or tyler.edwards@mdc.mo.gov.

Healthy Dent County is hosting an informational meeting on navigating menopause on Tuesday, September 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. April Greener, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, from the Dent County Health Department will be the guest speaker. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP by contacting Susie at the Salem Community Center at 573-739-1127 or susie@salemcommunitycenter.org.

MoDOT inspectors have discovered quality problems with new concrete on the 8-mile eastbound section of Interstate 44 between Rolla and St. James. This is part of a $50.5 million project that began in April 2022. The issues, found in concrete joints, will require corrections and delay the project’s completion. MoDOT is requiring the contractor, Capital Paving & Construction, to analyze the full 8 miles of concrete and develop a remediation plan. The current traffic pattern for eastbound drivers will remain in place while the issue is addressed. A new completion date has not been set. For more information, visit modot.org/I44phelpscrawford or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT.