News – Tuesday, February 11th 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Keith Green said crews were getting the equipment ready for this week’s expected storm and they were also screening sand. He also said brush was being cut in the area of Dent County Road 6400. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported grading was being done on Dent County Roads 4050, 4055 and 4290. He said crews were getting the equipment ready for the impending bad weather by adding a spreader box and blade on County Truck #122. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said an Industrial Development Authority Board meeting would be held at 6:00 on Wednesday, February 19th in the basement of the Salem Public Library. Larson said that long time IDA board member Donald Dodd will not be seeking re-appointment when his term expires in April. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the Dent County Treasurer on all accounts for the month of January. Curley also said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull was in attendance and brought in reporter Hannah Schuh from the Missourian who is doing a story on county commissioners and their relationships with their coroners. Pursifull updated the commission on some impending legislation that may require more education to qualify to be a coroner, and other legislation that may increase the pay of the coroner to $45,000 per year which is $26,000 more than Pursifull now receives. Again, that legislation is all still pending. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium for their regular meeting. After the Call to Order will be the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed by a request for road closures for the Parc Expose for the 100-Acre Road Rally from Rob Benowitz. In new and miscellaneous business, Public Works Director Steve Paine will request the city surplus a transformer with the intent of selling it. The board will then hear and discuss Resolution #4-2025 that would be a change order for the “Welcome Home Project” Property at 403 East Hunt Street for a contract reduction of $3,600; and they will discuss an amendment to the City of Salem Hazard Mitigation plan to reduce the risks of service interruption due to flooding events. In the first and second reading of bills, the board will hear Bill #3642 that would establish an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute contract change order #1 between the City of Salem and Archer-Elgin; and hear Bill #3643 to authorize the execution of Task Order 20 for the Bonebrake Sewer Realignment Project between the city and Archer-Elgin. In the second reading of bills, the board will consider Bill No. 3640, which would create an ordinance to amend the 2024-2025 annual budget for the city of Salem increasing revenues from $23,163,056.00 to $23,894,316.60 and increase expenditures from $21,043,249.00 to $21,403,251.29.  Reports from City Officials will then be heard before the board goes into closed session to discuss litigation. The meeting tonight of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

Each February, the state of Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize the chance of a major earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and the importance of being prepared. Located in Southeast Missouri, the NMSZ generated some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever jolt the nation. A series of major quakes occurred in 1811-1812, destroying buildings, ringing church bells hundreds of miles away and briefly causing the Mississippi River to run backward. The area is still active today with an average of more than 200 earthquakes each year, though most are too small to be felt. No one can predict exactly when an earthquake will occur, but scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate there is a 25 to 40 percent chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said Missouri faces a variety of severe weather threats and hazards each year, but a large earthquake could potentially be the worst natural disaster the state has ever experienced. There is no warning for earthquakes, which is why it’s so important to learn about the risks and how to protect yourself before one occurs. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury. Several resources for families, schools and businesses are available on SEMA’s Earthquake Preparedness website.