News – Tuesday, December 31st 2024

The Board of Aldermen scheduled a special meeting last night at 5:30 in the Old City Hall Auditorium to hear the first and second readings of Bill #3636 that would approve the change order #2 for the City Sidewalk Tap Grant project. The board was also going to discuss and hold the first and second readings of Bill #3637 that would amend items A and B from Section 710.330 regarding sewer billing. However, there were not enough members to hold a quorum, and so the meeting was canceled. At this time, the meeting has not been rescheduled.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. It was the last meeting for outgoing commissioners Wes Mobray and Gary Polk, and Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to thank them for their time serving the public in their roles as district commissioners. Mobray served the county for four years while Gary Polk served the county for just under two years. Mobray said he learned a lot from his four years including parts of the position of commissioner he didn’t even know existed. Polk also stated the job was very educational and he appreciated being given the opportunity to serve the public. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Mobray said the work crews would be servicing a grader to finish up the year. District 2, Commissioner Polk stated that rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4370, while only grading would be done on county road 3180. He also said crews would be installing a spreader and plow on truck #116. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the courthouse would be closed New Year’s Day. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the swearing in of the newly elected officers would be at 10:00 this morning in the courthouse in the courtroom. She also said she would be working on the budget that the county will begin working on in 2025. At the least meeting, Michael Smith with Hope Construction finished fixing the water leaks in the Judicial Building and County Annex Building. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance came in with the new coverage form for the county auto and property insurance. The new annual premium is $268,539. The next meeting will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Over the Christmas 30-hour holiday counting period, three people died in traffic crashes between 6:00 Tuesday evening and 11:59 Christmas Night. The 2024 Christmas holiday traffic statistics show there 65 traffic crashes, 38 injuries, three fatalities and 17 DWI arrests. There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol who will be retiring February 1, 2025, after almost five years as superintendent and 34 years as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. No one wants to start 2025 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. During the 2023-2024 New Year’s period which was a 72-hour counting period, there were 821 traffic crashes with 293 traffic crash injuries, nine traffic crash fatalities, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol issuing 139 DWI incidents in Missouri. The 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6:00 Tuesday evening and ends at 11:59 Wednesday night, January 1st, 2025. If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. If you plan to drive this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Be sure to use your turn signal to communicate your intentions. Download the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smartphone, and check road conditions before you travel. Allow extra time during inclement weather or consider staying home. Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.