News – Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Dent County and MO 911 will launch a Countywide GIS Remediation Project to update the 911 mapping and improve 911 services throughout the county and the State of Missouri. The project is funded by grants using federal ARPA funds. This project aims to improve the accuracy of the county map and addressing data used by emergency responders. The Missouri 911 Service Board requires this work so that our local mapping data can be used to route 911 calls more accurately. Mapping engineers from Dent County’s 911 mapping contractor, SDR Inc., will drive throughout the cities, towns, and some recreational areas during daylight hours to verify locations. The 911 field vehicle will be clearly marked with white signs and “911 Mapping” in red letters. The 911 field vehicle will stop in front of structures to observe, verify, and document the posted address but will not knock on doors or conduct interviews with residents. If no address is posted or legible, the technician will mark the record for further investigation. They may leave the vehicle to verify the layout of apartment units in buildings but will not trespass on private property. The field work for this project is expected to be complete by the end of July. For questions regarding this project please contact Sherry Lea or Lacey Hampton with the Dent County Rural Addressing located in the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 573-729-8163; or Julie Kellerman, the project manager from SDR, Inc. at 1-800-283-1911, extension 706.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of June. The department responded to 13 accidents during the month. Officers responded to seven alarms sounding and addressed 30 animal calls, investigated six assaults or fights, one burglary, performed 31 well-being checks and 13 area checks in June. Police investigated eight domestic disputes, nine verbal disturbances, conducted 50 follow-up investigations, and provided 15 escorts. They investigated three nuisance violations, one report of fraud, and offered assistance to four motorists. The Salem Police wrote two property damage reports, made ten stealing reports, and responded to four traffic complaints. Officers investigated three suicidal persons, 18 suspicious circumstance calls, four suspicious person calls, and nine suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve two warrants and conducted 81 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 479 incidents in June with the average response time to calls being one minute and 47 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 17 minutes and 31 seconds.

A little can change a lot! Missouri State Parks has always been a proud supporter of our veterans and once again for the month of July, all proceeds from the Round Up program will be earmarked for events designed specifically with veterans in mind. The Round Up program provides guests with an easy opportunity to donate to state parks and historic sites by rounding up their total purchase to the nearest dollar. Normally, the money rounded up will be used at the park where the purchase is made. However, in July all money raised will help fund special events and programs for veterans. In the past, funds have been used for events such as the Hero Deer Hunt held at Mark Twain State Park and the Veteran Deer Hunt held at Crowder State Park. These events invite veterans to apply and be chosen to participate in a managed deer hunt at the parks. All permits, food, lodging and guide services are free to the veterans, thanks in part to the donations from the Round Up program. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved the largest Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to date, allocating $14.6 billion for transportation projects from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The FY 2025-2029 STIP includes additional funding from General Revenue, approved by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Governor Mike Parson. Key projects include improvements to Interstates 70 and 44, repairs to low-volume minor roads, and upgrades to bridges, airports, and rail crossings. Of the total $14.6 billion, $10.7 billion is earmarked for road and bridge construction, averaging about $2.1 billion per year. Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna said, “This historic investment in transportation infrastructure will benefit Missourians across the state.” The STIP covers maintenance for Missouri’s 33,811 miles of roads and 10,392 bridges and culverts. It also includes plans for non-highway transportation and details on operations and maintenance activities for the next three years. For more information or updates, visit modot.org or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).