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TThe Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that District 1 received up to six inches of rain over the last couple of days causing more washouts.  He said crews would be on Dent County Road 4185 cleaning out a culvert and hauling rock, patching washouts on roads between Routes B and N, and cutting a tree off of Dent County Road 5440. Purcell also said that a crew would be grading and hauling rock to Dent County Road 4122. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported there were too many roads to list that had washouts, but crews would be busy repairing those washouts as quickly as possible.  He said rock would be hauled where necessary and he wanted to remind everyone that the county is getting the roads passable for now and when all washouts have been patched, crews will then go back and grade those roads. Larson also said that a crew would be cutting a tree off of Dent County Road 2210.  Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Committee Meeting on Tuesday, where discussion was held on grant money, illegal dumping and high school chemistry lab cleanup.  At the meeting the Commissioners signed a Certificate of Acknowledgment recognizing Robert Wilson of Dent County for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Also at the meeting, the Commission approved a proposal from Ad Par Construction to replace the insulation and ceiling tiles in the Judicial Building. The Commission also approved a proposal from Salem Heating and Cooling for $4,440 to replace the air conditioner unit in the Sheriff’s Department.  The unit is 25 years old and has cost the county $2,128 over the past year and a half for repairs and since the proposal was less than $4,500, the county did not have to put it out for bid.  The Commissioners also appointed Larry Sensintaffer and Babbett Wells to the Board if Equalization. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Thursday morning at 7:25 in Dent County on Route FF about three miles east of Highway 72. According to the highway patrol report, a 1997 Saturn driven by 20-year old Rebecca Zimmerman of Salem was traveling westbound on Route FF. Zimmerman met an unknown vehicle in her lane, attempted to avoid the vehicle and lost control. The Saturn then ran off the right side of the roadway, down an embankment and overturned. Zimmerman suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance. She was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Saturn sustained extensive damage and was left at the scene to be removed by a family member.

The National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the State Emergency Management Agency have joined together to promote Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week from June 21^st through June 27^th. This coincides with the National Lightening Safety Awareness Week. While lightening failed to gain the headlines of tornadoes, it is statistically more deadly. Over the last 30 years, an average of 62 Americans annually lose their life to lightning. In 2008, 28 people died across the United States due to lightning strikes and hundreds of others were permanently injured. Of the victims who were killed by lightning in 2008; 100% were outside, 79% were male, 32% where under a tree and 29% were on or near the water. When thunder roars, go indoors. The reported number of injuries is likely far lower than the actual total number because many people to not seek help or doctors do not record it as a lightning injury. People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms including; memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression and an inability to sit for long.

The City of Salem’s Finance Committee will be holding a meeting called by Mayor Gary Brown this morning at 10:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers for the consideration of the budget for 2009/2010. The meeting of the City of Salem’s Finance Committee is open to the public.

The National Park Service is working on a new general management plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The last plan was done in 1984, and many things have changed at the park since then. Plan to attend an Open House on the preliminary alternatives of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways on Wednesday, June 24^th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center located at 202 South Main Street in Salem.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem invite you to be a part of the 4^th of July festivities. There will be an all day flea market, as well as food vendors and a car show at the Commons. The annual 4^th of July parade will begin at 6:00 and will run the regular parade route from the old fairgrounds to the Dent County Courthouse. First and second place prizes will be awarded in both commercial and non-commercial categories. For an entry form or for more information stop by the Chamber Office located at 200 South Main or call 729-6900.

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Funeral services for Reverend Donald A. Lunsford of Boss, age 94, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Boss Assembly of God Church. Interment will be in the Boss Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Boss Assembly of God Church. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary of Salem

Funeral services for Pearl Walls of St. James, age 78, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Interment will be in the Miles Cemetery.

A Memorial Service for William J. Higginbotham of Rolla, age 72, will be held Saturday, June 20^th at 7:00 at the Central Community Church in Rolla. Memorials are suggested to the Central Community Church of God or the American Cancer Society. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

Funeral services for Robert Gordon Jones of Rolla, age 74, will be held Monday morning at 10:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 night. Interment will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Hartsburg, Missouri at 2:30 Monday.

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