News – Thursday, February 13th 2025

The City of Salem Utility Committee was unable to meet last night for their regularly scheduled meeting, citing poor weather conditions.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their meeting Tuesday evening, February 11th, the consent agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved. The financial report was reviewed with an ending balance of $401,763.43. All bills, payments, and statements were reviewed and approved. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 21 calls for the month and a total of 40 for the year. Of the 21 calls for the month, 15 were fire related with seven of those being building fires and two mobile home fires; three calls were classified as Hazmat related, one call was a motor vehicle accident with injuries, and two calls were classified as other. In old business, board member Leigh Ann Price stated that several events had been planned to make sure that all the facts were given so that voters could make a valid decision on the Fire District bond at the next election. The board then heard from Bret Bailey to annex his property into the Dent County Fire Protection District. Bailey lives approximately eight miles east of Salem and would like to become a part of the district. After answering questions and some discussion, the board gave Mr. Bailey the state statutes and paperwork for review. The board discussed the lease of the ice maker currently with B&B distributors out of St Louis. After the discussion, board approved to not renew the contract with B&B. The board also discussed the current Cintas Service they receive and elected not to discontinue that service. In  the Chief’s report, Chief Dennis Floyd reported Ladder Truck 8012 was back in service after being repaired in St. Louis at a cost of $12,679.00. He also stated four people attend the Winter fire training school at the Columbia MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute. Floyd went on to report that he and Jeff Stokes would be meeting with the IDA Board on Wednesday, February 19th in the library basement. Floyd also reported that on Saturday, April 12th the department will hold training on propane tank fires. It is a state sponsored class and other departments will be invited to participate. Before adjourning, the next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 11th at 6:00 in the evening.

An accident happened in Maries County at the Highway 63 and 28 Junction at 9:52 Wednesday morning. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Buick LeSabre driven southbound by a 23-year-old woman from Licking, lost control on the snow-covered road and crossed over the center line where the Buick was struck by a 2023 Peterbilt driven northbound by a 69-year-old man from Rosebud, Missouri. The woman suffered serious injuries and was transported by an EMS to Phelps Health. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Plaza Towing, while the Peterbilt sustained extensive damage and was taken from the scene by Patriot Towing. The woman from Licking was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Maries County Sheriff’s Department and Vienna Fire Department.

An accident happened in Texas County at 3:40 Wednesday morning on Highway 32 about four miles east of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a GMC Sierra driven eastbound by a 36-year-old man from Licking, traveled off the roadway and struck a tree. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Texas County Memorial Hospital by the Texas County Ambulance. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene Jay’s Towing at the request of the officer. The man was wearing his seat restraint at the time of the accident. 

The Dent County Chapter of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” has received a $4,000 grant from Intercounty Electric’s Charitable and Education Foundation. Chapter President Patti McKeown said the chapter applied for the Intercounty Round-Up grant and then interviewed with Intercounty on Thursday, February 6th, before receiving the news they had been awarded the grant Tuesday, February 11th. Congratulations to Patti and the Dent County Chapter of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.” If you are not familiar with what they do, they are an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers new beds to children in need who do not have a bed. Anyone can apply for a child on the SHPbeds.org website. For more information about “Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” contact Patti at 703-964-6495. You can also e-mail Patti at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.