News – Wednesday, October 22nd 2025

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met at 6:00 last Wednesday evening at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. The board approved the consent agenda, plus reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous meeting, then did the review of the financials, followed by the review and approval of bills, payments and statements. The budget was also reviewed and approved. The Monthly Reimbursement Report showed there were 26 calls for September and a total of 219 year-to-date. The calls in August included eight fire calls, two accident calls, one false alarm response, six medical calls, three calls categorized as other, and two canceled calls en route. In old business, the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease was again tabled. In new business relative to Firefighters Association of Missouri (FFAM), recruitment and retainment incentives information was presented by Director Stokes and the following motions were voted on and passed. Chief Floyd is to start the process for professional grant writing services for AFG grant with Fire House Grants. A Resolution for a Cooperation Agreement for the security investment of Public Funds with MOSIP. To join Firefighters Association of Missouri (FFAM). To join the National Volunteer Fire Council. Lieutenant Robbins presented bids for training room equipment and completion, which were approved for a total of $5,000.00. Captain Marffit presented information on the Junior FF program and the board voted to approve the implementation pending legal review. Director Knight presented quotes on Crib Units, Digital Fire Training Systems, and Extraction Kits. Chief Floyd presented quotes for new hose nozzles. A motion was made and passed to accept the bid from Sentinel for the new trucks and to replace nonfunctioning nozzles. Tire quotes were also presented for Truck 8020 and the bid from Mastertrack for $377.29 per tire was approved. Chief Floyd reported that the electric has been installed in the bay for the charging drops for the trucks. He said that the annual ladder tests have been completed and passed. Floyd reported that the training facility construction is coming along nicely. He also reported that Greg Thies and Scott Montoya will be attending instructor training school in November. The board went in to closed session to discuss competitive bidding. After returning to open session the meeting was adjourned at 9:43.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said materials would be added where needed and grading done on Dent County Roads 5220 and 5179 as well as some other roads in that area. He indicated brush would be cut on county road 5520, and a grader blade would be changed out on a grader. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Roads 2360 while only grading will be done on county roads 2200, 2340 and 3120. Williams said men will be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that the county received the remonumentation agreement that will be pay the county surveyor $400 per corner by the Department of Agriculture. The county surveyor, Michelle Elwood, will rework eight corners and the reimbursement will be no more than $3,200. The commission signed the agreement. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office and the county treasurer’s office balanced on all accounts for the month of September. She also said the CART funds project for Dent County for 2026 is expected to $1,080,000 for 2025 based on 200 million dollars spent on gas and car purchases as well as increase in the CART tax rate due to the final fuel tax 2.5% increase in July of this year. Curley said she will be doing a voter registration today at the high school from 11:00 until 1:30 and then return Wednesday to the school for Kim Thompson’s Life Skills class. Curley reported the county’s Workman’s Comp premium for 2026 will be 11% lower than in 2025. At the last meeting, the commission also discussed the county’s health insurance renewal. The premium showed a 6.5% premium increase which was better than what was expected. The commission agreed to keep the deductible agreement that same as in previous years. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

This week is School Bus Safety Week, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists that school bus safety is an important part of driver etiquette. The Patrol encourages everyone to review these school bus safety tips. Parents, please remind your students to use proper school bus etiquette when being transported to and from school. Students should sit quietly in their seats and keep the aisle clear. They should never shout, throw objects, or stick anything out the window. Students should make note of where emergency exits are on the bus in case they need to use them. They should always listen to the school bus driver for instructions. When exiting the bus, always use the handrail and stay at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing a street. Motorists are reminded to be aware of all school zones and school bus stop signs. Bus drivers must activate the bus’s crossing control arm when loading or unloading students. MO law states that if motorists are meeting or following a stopped school bus on a two-lane road, drivers must stop. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Be extra cautious as some children may not be aware of traffic and step unexpectedly onto the roadway. Allow extra time during your commute during school hours. Drivers, students, and parents should remain patient and aware when school bus transportation is in use. Not only does this protect school children, but it will ensure your and other motorists’ safety as well. For more the, Missouri State Highway Patrol is on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ