News – Wednesday, June 11th 2025

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said he had a man going to Springfield for oil for chip and seal. His crew is going to work on Dent County Road 5080, commonly called the Frankie Schartz Road, as they prepare it to be re-chipped and sealed. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams said his district had lots or rain, particularly in the northern portion with 5 plus inches Thursday and more Sunday night. He said his crew worked on the worst spots after the rain Thursday and were returning to work there today, plus hopefully do some grading tomorrow. Williams noted that MoDot is going to close TT for work on the low water crossing so the detour road will be graded as soon as its dry enough. He reported on several breakdowns including repairs Monday to flat tires on Truck #124 and Grader #40. Williams also said that Truck #122 has a major coolant leak that the guys are working to locate and repair if possible. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded businesses that the Liquor License renewal deadline is June 30th. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report on sales tax receipts. Road and Bridge Fund received $51,490.82, which is up $3,383.73 from June of 2024 and year-to-date it’s up $17,890.08 or about 7%. The Jail Operating and Jail Trust Funds each received $103,403.97, an increase of $6,768.06. Year-to-date these funds are up $35,858.22 and that’s another increase of about 7%. General Revenue received $108,825.11, which reflects an increase of $5,616.63 and year-to-date it’s up $4,577.32 or about .9%. At last Thursday’s meeting Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk was in to remind everyone age 62 and over of the June 30th deadline for SB190 applications. She also reminded those with delinquent real estate taxes for 2022 that payment is due by June 30th for the one year and after July 1st all three years will be declared due. Vankirk noted she has 67 delinquents left to collect. Her May monthly turnover was $98,692.35. The Commissioners agreed 3-0 to seek proposals for hiring an engineering firm to provide services for 3 FEMA disaster relief projects on Dent County Roads 3210, 4210, and 5150. Firms are to submit a letter of interest to the Dent County Commission, 400 North Main, Salem, MO, 65560. The sealed proposals are to be marked Sealed Engineering Bid and are due July 7th at 10:00 am. Questions should be directed to EMD, Derrick Marfitt at dentcountyemd@gmail.com or contact Gary Larson at 573-368-9099. The next meeting of the Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2025 annual school bus inspection program. Missouri’s 2025 school bus inspection results indicate that 10,144 School buses rated as “approved” upon initial inspection, 799 were rated defective, and 312 were rated as “out-of-service” upon initial inspection. Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed out-of-service require the correction of the component(s), re-inspection, and a return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers. Colonel Turner said that Missouri State Highway Patrol personnel, with the cooperation of pupil transportation professionals, completed the successful inspection of 11,255 school buses in accordance with Missouri revised state statutes. These efforts help the Patrol, Missouri schools, and private pupil transportation companies ensure schoolchildren are safe while they travel on school buses. Missouri school bus inspection results are a matter of public record. Individual school district results for 2025 are available on the State Highway Patrol Website. Online results show that Dent-Phelps R-III had 4 buses approved, 4 defective, and 2 out-of-service. Green Forest R-2 bus inspection resulted in 2 approved, and 5 found to be defective. Northwood R-IV’s inspection results were 5 approved, 1 defective, and 1 out-of-service. Oak Hill R-1 inspection showed 2 approved, 2 defective, and 1 ruled out-of-service. Salem R-80 buses were 10 approved and 1 defective. For more news, follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ.