News – Wednesday, October 30th 2024

The City of Salem will launch a city-wide fire hydrant maintenance program on Monday, November 4th, with all work, including painting, expected to be completed in December by Fire Hydrant Services and Repair out of Arkansas. The project will address all 290 hydrants across Salem, with a focus on ensuring optimal functionality and uniform appearance. Over the next month, crews will clear vegetation, replace bonnet seals, oil internal components, inspect outlet threads, and install reflective rings on each hydrant. Fire Hydrant Services and Repair will be documenting each hydrant’s condition, including any leaks, damage, or worn parts, which will help the City proactively address issues moving forward. The Dent County Fire Department has endorsed the use of safety yellow paint for all public hydrant barrels, in alignment with NFPA 291 recommendations. This safety yellow color is designed for visibility and rapid identification, particularly at night, further enhancing each hydrant’s visibility. Water valves for the hydrants will also be painted in the same safety yellow color to maintain consistency. The City of Salem is proud to be taking proactive steps to maintain and beautify our infrastructure in the interest of public safety and aesthetics. For more information, please contact the City of Salem at (573) 729-4811.

For the eighth year, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners, schools and businesses throughout the state, are encouraging better driving behaviors as part of the annual “Buckle Up – Phone Down” Day today. The day challenges all drivers to do the two most important steps while driving to reduce your risk of a fatal crash. The goal of BUPD Day is to have zero traffic fatalities on Missouri roads throughout the day. To date in 2024, of the more than 740 fatalities in Missouri, 63% of vehicle occupants killed were unbuckled. Distracted driving is also a leading cause of crashes in Missouri. In 2023, distracted driving was cited in crashes that claimed 106 lives. In August of 2023, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri, prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The law aims to address distracted driving, which contributed to crashes that claimed the lives of more than 800 people across the state during the last decade. Paired with the requirement to wear a seat belt, the enactment of the hands-free legislation means BUPD is officially law in Missouri. Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has been educating drivers on the new law for the past year, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will begin writing citations for driving distracted beginning January 1, 2025. Drivers can accept the challenge to BUPD at modot.org/bupd.

The 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat is in the works and the committee is looking for amazing organizations and businesses to participate. Some ways you can contribute is by handing out candy on 4th street Halloween evening this Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00. If you are unable to hand out candy due to personnel, time, or wanting to attend with your children donations of prepackaged candy or monetary contributions to purchase more candy is being excepted. As a community, we can help keep our children safe with a blocked off section of 4th street between MacArther and Main Streets. For more information, please contact Deputy Derrick Marfitt at dmarfitt@dentcountysheriff.org or Patrolman John Brown at jmbrown@salemmo.com.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has announced important changes to fall turkey hunting regulations. Hunters must now purchase a new fall turkey permit, regardless of whether they’re using firearms or archery. This permit is separate from the archery deer-hunting permit. The combined harvest limit for fall turkey hunting has been reduced from four to two birds of either sex. In the Ozark Region, the average fall turkey harvest over the past five years has been 597 turkeys, with 55% to 75% being hens. For deer hunters, the antler-point restriction has been removed for counties within the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone, affecting 13 counties including Phelps. MDC Protection Captain Gerald Smith reminds hunters to purchase permits before hunting, properly notch permits immediately after harvesting an animal, and check deer or turkey by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest. Notching can be done on paper permitsor through the MO Hunting mobile app, even without cell service. The archery turkey season runs through November 15, reopens November 27, and continues until January 15, 2025. Fall firearms turkey hunting is now through October 31st in open counties. For more information, hunters can visit the MDC website.

University of Missouri Extension website lists numerous apps to help in decision-making on the farm, says MU Extension agricultural engineering specialist Charles Ellis. Ellis says these apps can help you make objective decisions to better manage your crops and livestock. By entering information from your farm, you can get answers specific to your operation. MU Extension has a large list of helpful apps on their website. Another comprehensive app website is AgPhD. It contains a planting population calculator, spray tip guides and apps on fertilizer removal and corn and soybean diseases, among others. Find it at agphd.com/agphdmobileapps.

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White State Forest Nursery, just north of Licking, is now taking orders for native tree and shrub seedlings. These low-cost seedlings can improve wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, and property value. Available species include pine, oak, walnut, maple, redbud, elderberry, and many others. Seedlings are sold in bundles of 10 or increments of 25, with prices ranging from 40 cents to $1.17 per seedling. Orders can be placed now through April 15, 2025. Early ordering is recommended for best selection. Seedlings will be available for shipping or pickup from February through May. To order or for more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-seedlings.