News

Mike Fiaoni of the Department of Conservation would like to inform residents of Dent County that the shooting range at Indian Trails will be closed today through Wednesday, July 18^th and then reopen on Thursday, July 19^th. The closures are due to logging taking place in the Indian Trails Conservation Area. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. 

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6600, 6610, and 6620, and ditch work would be done on Dent County Road 6230. Purcell also said that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5520 and 6180, and material would be hauled to Dent County Roads 6620 and 6410. Commissioner Purcell also attended a Tourism Tax Committee Meeting yesterday evening.  District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2150, 2530 and 3050, and brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2050. Larson also said that material would be hauled to Dent County Roads 4405, 4430, 5320 and 5323.  Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he spoke with Dent County Emergency Management Director Brad Nash and despite the rain Salem received Friday evening the county wide burn ban is still in effect.  Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came by the meeting to have the Commission sign off on bills that needed to be paid from the county’s tourism fund. Ron Michno stopped in to ask Commissioner Larson about the bridge on Dent County Road 3210.  Larson said the county has done everything they can and is waiting on Missouri Department of Conservation to get their portion of the funding together. MDC gets involved with bridge construction because of the aquatic life and they determine what type of bridge would be best suitable for a stream. Marvin Ragsdale came by to also talk with Commissioner Larson about finishing the chip and seal in Ray Oaks Subdivision. Ragsdale is interested in the possibility of cost sharing the expense with the county, but will first talk with the other residents on the road and will get back with Larson. David Baker came by to ask Commissioner Purcell why Sweeney Bridge on Dent County Road 5680 was closed and why it hasn’t been replaced yet. Purcell explained that MoDOT inspects the county’s bridges every two years and they deemed it unsafe. Purcell said that once Missouri Department of Conservation had made their suggestion as to what type of bridge was needed, the Army Corp of Engineers gets involved and they have to issue a permit before construction can begin. The corp recently issued the permit and MDC took bids for the construction of it and are now in the process of getting the funding together and letting the county know how much money they will commit to the project.  Baker also questioned the width of Dent County Road 6070. He said the width of the road was less than 22 feet and the shoulder was crumbling.  Purcell said that material is still being hauled to that road and he would measure the road width. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released their reports. On Saturday, July 7^th, deputies responded to the Spring Creek Golf Course for a reported burglary. Upon arrival, a 53-year old Salem male stated that numerous items, valued at $2,330, were taken from his Yamaha golf cart that was parked inside a storage building. On Monday, July 9^th, deputies responded to County Road 6410 for a report of a stealing. Upon arrival, a 37-year old Licking male stated that a set of steel forks for a skid-steer, valued at $750, were taken without his consent. On Tuesday, July 10^th, deputies responded to the 1100 block of County Road 5013 for a report of a stealing. Upon arrival, a 69-year old Salem male stated that several rolls of wallpaper border and a television set, valued at $400, were taken without consent. On Thursday, July 12^th, deputies responded to County Road 5170 in reference to a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies found that the residence had been burglarized and several items had been taken. Items reported missing were a Panasonic DVD player, a Sears battery charger, a Toro Leaf Blower, and a Husqvarna Chainsaw. Sheriff Rick Stallings reported that burglary and stealing reports are on the rise, and he asking that all county residents watch for vehicles that are hauling any type of personal property items in their areas that look suspicious. The best deterrent to home burglaries is neighbors watching out for each other and if you see any suspicious activity please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be conducting their monthly meeting tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the minutes from the June 19^th meeting will be the summary of operations and statistics report for the month of June. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will then update the Board on the nursing services and ancillary service reports. Administrator Dennis Pryor will then update the Board with an auxiliary report, hospital activity calendar, legislative issues, a construction update and the inpatient and ER patient satisfaction survey results. In old business there will be a 2011 strategic planning goals update and the Community Health Needs Assessment. In new business the Board will address purchases, the public tax meeting scheduled for August 21^st at 5:45 pm and the election of officers. The Board may then vote to go into Closed Session. The monthly meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

A widespread scam that claims to pay utility bills is making its way across the nation. Rural electric cooperatives are reporting incidents involving the scam daily. Intercounty Electric Cooperative is warning members to be aware of a bill-paying scam that asks them to disclose Social Security and bank routing numbers. Scammers claim electric consumers can have their utility bills paid under a federal government assistance program. No such program exists. The solicitations have been made door-to-door, online using Facebook and through e-mails, and by phone. Members are asked for personal information and then given fake bank account numbers to use for making a payment on their utility bill. Members are urged to alert police and the cooperative if they're contacted about the scam. If you have any questions about your account, please all Intercounty Electric at 1-866-621-3679.

Sports [TOP]

Allen Craig's go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth inning capped a three-run frame as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the Milwaukee Brewers, 3-2, in the opener of a three-game set. Matt Holliday’s two-run single accounted for the Cardinal’s other runs. Starter Lance Lynn struck out ten over seven innings while only giving up one run. Jason Motte worked a 1-2-3 ninth to notch the win. Before the game, St. Louis purchased the contract of pitcher Trevor Rosenthal from Double-A Springfield, optioned pitcher Maikel Cleto to Triple-A Memphis, and transferred pitcher Jaime Garcia to the 60-day disabled list. The Cardinals and Brewers play again tonight and you can hear it on KSMO at 6:35.

Casper Wells blasted a three-run home run as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals, 9-4, to take the opener of a four-game set. Kansas City starter Jonathan Sanchez gave up seven runs in just 1 1/3 innings. Billy Butler and Salvador Perez each hit a home run for the Royals, who will face the Mariners again tonight.

Obituaries   [TOP]