News – Tuesday, September 10th 2024

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5100 and 5400 while only grading would be done on county road 6350. Mobray said a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5300 where work crews will also be cutting out some curves to straighten the road. He said brush would be cut on county roads 2390 and 4380. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported on the MAC Conference she attended last week. She said she has been appointed to the mentoring committee, the legislative committee and scholarship committee. She said they heard reports on A.I., cyber security, the opioid health settlement, mental health, and their group took a tour of the St. Louis County Election Warehouse near Westport Plaza. She said it was very impressive with all the information they have and the layers of data they have on every voting district. She said she will have a zoom meeting with the MAC Board this Thursday. The commissioners accepted bids for propane for the courthouse for the winter at 10:00 and received three bids: Chilton Oil in Salem, Ferrellgas in Salem and MFA Oil from Rolla. The Commission elected to go with the the bid from Ferrellgas for $1.659 per gallon. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk brought in the August turnover and said her office collected $87,583.39 during the month which has been distributed to the tax entities. She also said her office issued the Collector’s Deeds to the properties sold in 2023 on the courthouse steps for unpaid taxes. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order and roll call, the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda, followed by public comments. The University of Missouri Extension will make a presentation followed by a Library Board appointment. Bids for Pool Media will be considered for approval. In new and miscellaneous business the Board will hear Resolution No. 22-2024, a resolution authorizing the mayor to executed an agreement between the City of Salem and the Meramec Regional Planning Commission for membership services. City officials will then report followed by adjournment. The City of Salem Board of Aldermen meeting tonight, is open to the public, and will also be live streamed through the City of Salem Missouri Youtube Channel.

In a letter from the Salem R-80 District Superintendent, Nate Wills talks about the importance of open and transparent communication between students, parents, teachers and staff. In his letter he explains that clear communication for students is crucial to their success and well being as they have access to the resources they need to thrive. Parents and guardians also benefit from clear communication about their child’s progress and school activities, allowing them to be more engaged and supportive partners in their child’s education. By sharing ideas and concerns openly the school can address challenges more efficiently and develop innovative solutions. Superintendent Wills would also like to invite families to Coffee Connections, an event that will take place several times throughout the school year, where the school district will share what is happening at the schools and get feedback from community members, parents, and friends of Salem R-80. Wills will be present at the Coffee Connections meetings. The first meeting will be held on the morning of Wednesday September 25th from 8-9 at William Lynch Elementary. Future dates will be posted to the Salem R-80 District Facebook Page. To read this letter in its entirety, please go to the KSMO Radio/Your World Today Facebook page.

In November 2023, the Missouri Department of Conservation received a report of a mature bull elk found shot dead and left to rot near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County. Shannon County agents led the nine month investigation. The investigation ended recently with 15 charges of multiple violations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri being filed in court against three Missouri men from the Bonne Terre area. Poaching is the taking of wildlife outside of season, without the proper permit, or in other violation of the Wildlife Code of Missouri, and hurts Missouri wildlife and those who appreciate it as hunters, anglers, and nature watchers. The Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline allows Missourians to protect nature by reporting poaching. Please report possible violations of the Wildlife Code to your local conservation agent or call OGT at 800-392-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and may be considered for a reward. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/about-regulations/operation-game-thief.