News
The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Dick Kitchen representing the Current River Car Cruisers asked the commissioners for permission to use the Dent County Courthouse and square for their annual car show on Saturday, June 15th. The commissioners approved the request. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that workers are checking roads for washouts from the rains over the weekend and also checking for any downed trees. He did state that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5600. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said that a tree was reported down on Dent County Road 4050 and workers would be taking care of that. He also said that workers would be out checking for washouts and patch grading where necessary, but Larson stated that most of the county roads are too wet to do any type of grading. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he would be attending a Meramec Regional Enhancement Corporation meeting today at noon. He also indicated that PILT money for Dent County would be reduced due to the sequestration by 2.3 to 5.1%, and that will amount to $1,600 to $3,500. Skiles also said that the current 12-month maintenance agreement from CenturyLink for the 9-1-1 system would expire on March 31st. The commissioners agreed to renew the agreement for another 12-month period at a cost of $674.01 and that is down two cents a month from the amount paid for the last 12-month contract. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting for the April election continues, that the last day to request a mail-out absentee ballot will be March 27th, and that the clerk’s office will be open on Saturday, March 30th from 8:00 AM until noon for absentee voting. Commissioner Larson said the second reading and hearing will be held on March 14th at 10:00 in the commissioner’s office at the Dent County Courthouse to hear testimony on both sides regarding the possible abandonment of Dent County Road 2230. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
An accident occurred at 10:05 Sunday morning in Phelps County on I-44 at the 189-mile marker in Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 48-year old Joseph Chan of Fort Smith, Arkansas was driving a 2008 Acura in the eastbound lanes when the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a sign and guardrail, and overturned. When approaching the wreck, 39-year old Stacy Hardwick of Salem attempted to change lanes in her 2000 Ford Explorer. The vehicle then ran off the left side of the roadway and struck the median cable. Chan suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Hardwick suffered minor injuries, but sought her own treatment. They were both wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Acura was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed by Ron Dishman Towing.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their regular meeting at the Fire Station on Tuesday, March 5th at 6:00. After the minutes from the previous were reviewed and approved, the board presented the financial report and the calendar review. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 26 calls for the month of February including 3 structure fires, 2 flue fires, 4 brush fires, 1 car fire, 3 landing zones, 8 first responder calls, 3 calls for motor vehicle assistance, 1 meeting and 2 others with a total of 80 calls-to-date for the year. Fire Chief Brad Nash reported that the 96 Blazer is beginning to have repairs more often and asked if the board wanted to replace or repair. After discussion, the board asked for more information concerning repair prices to make the vehicle more reliable as well as replacement prices. Chief Nash also reported that Road Rally went well with no issues and stated that he had several comments on what a great facility Salem has, saying it was one of the best on the circuit. In the board reports, Liz Gruendel reported that the PR committee, after discussion and checking the community calendars, set the date of the open house for Saturday, April 20th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The board then set their next meeting for Tuesday, April 2nd at 6:00 pm at the Dent County Fire Protection District.
Seven miles of Highway 72 in Phelps County will be improved later this year following the awarding of a contract by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission at its March 6th meeting. APAC-Missouri, Inc. of Columbia was awarded the contract for resurfacing Highway 72 between Highway 63 and Phelps County Road 5220 after submitting the low bid of $2,382,114 for the project. The construction will take place in 2013. Motorists should expect lane closures. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).
Sports [TOP]
The City of Salem Spring Youth Soccer program will be starting soon for all children ages 4-12 years and Spring Youth Soccer sign-ups will be held on Thursday, March 14th and Friday, March 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the front lobby of the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The cost is $20 per child. For more information contact the City of Salem Parks & Recreation Director, Greg Nash at 729-6290.
The St. Louis Blues will host the San Jose Sharks tonight at the Scottrade Center. The Blues are 13-10-2 on the year and currently hold the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. You’ll be able to hear the game on KSMO, starting with the pre-game show at 6:30.
Kevin Youkilis hit a fourth-inning solo homer as the New York Yankees beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, 4-0, in Spring Training action. Lance Lynn made the start for the Cards, allowing one run and two hits over four innings. St. Louis third baseman David Freese played defense for the first since falling into the stands on March 4th while attempting to catch a foul ball and landing on his tailbone. The Cardinals will play the Braves this afternoon at 12:05.
The 2013 Cardinal pocket schedules have arrived! Those schedules can be picked up at businesses around town that sponsor Cardinal baseball games heard on KSMO Radio as well as in the front office of the KSMO studio.
The Kansas City Royals had the day off yesterday but will continue their Spring Training schedule today at 3:05 against the Athletics.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Willis L. Guffey of Hillsboro formerly of Salem, age 83, will be held this morning at 10:00 at the Chapel Hill Mortuary in Cedar Hill Mo. Interment will be in the Cedar Hill Memorial Gardens.
Memorial service for Benton Clark Warfel of Salem, age 79, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the First Baptist Church. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.
Memorial service for Frances M. Wallen of Rolla, age 88, will be held Saturday, March 23rd at the First Presbyterian Church in Rolla. Memorials may be made to the church. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.
Weather [TOP]
