News
The Dent County Commissioners met at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that ditch work would be done and a crossover pipe would be installed on Dent County Road 6230 and brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5530. Purcell said that a crew would be hauling material to Dent County Road 6070 and would be widening the junction of that road where it runs into State Route NN for a bigger turning radius for trucks pulling trailers. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that material would be hauled to Dent County Road 3030, brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2050 and grading would be done on Dent County 2190. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he would be attending a MRPC Public Transit Transportation Coordination meeting in St. James on Thursday. An overview of current public transit services will be given and they will also discuss funding and current needs. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind voters that if they have moved recently or need to know their polling location to please call the clerk’s office at 729-4144. If you need to request a mail out ballot, you must do so by Wednesday, August 1st and you can also call the clerk’s office for that. Harry Jackson came by the meeting to present a petition to the Commission requesting a 35 mph speed limit to be set on Dent County Road 4180. The petition had 28 signatures and that covers almost all residents on the road and the Commission voted 3-0 to approve that request. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Nancy Major discussed her vision of the Old Middle School property through drawings showing a preschool courtyard and friendly classrooms if she got the property. Ted Cunningham discussed with the board how 70% of the money received by the city goes to the 4-H program that has 201 Dent County youth participating. Sherry Lea discussed how the Salem TCRC had to cut some programs after the University of Missouri and US Foods ceased being a partner, and how they have had to adapt with new programs like fingerprinting and taking over the Salem Fitness Center. She said that the cut by the alderman puts an additional burden on them in their efforts to secure grants to make permanent improvements to the Salem Freedom Activity Center. Stacy Medlock and Becki Godi also discussed the budget cuts by the aldermen and how it affects the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Area Community Betterment Association. The board approved the purchase of culvert pipes from Metal Culverts of Jefferson City at a cost of $4,000.46, but postponed any decision on the bids for the Old Middle School Building without Aldermen Jerry Randell present. They did give City Administrator Clayton Lucas direction on getting an appraisal on the property. Lucas then gave his report about work on the clarifiers, that Jeff Meadows from Archer Engineering is working on getting a price on installing utilities at the Golf Course Property, and he discussed an on-line bill paying system for the utility department that would cost $500 to start up with a maintenance fee of $300 to $400 per year. He will put the item on the agenda for the next meeting. Mayor Gary Brown said that due to the dry conditions, there would not be any fireworks this year. He also said that the pressure of the water wells even with the drought is still good. The Board approved Resolutions #20-2012, #21-2012, #22-2012, #23-2012 and #24-2012 that cut by 10% the contributions made by the city to the Salem TCRC, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem Area Community Betterment Association, Dent County Museum and the Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council. Aldermen Haydn Powell indicated that these organizations had raised about half of the money cut by the alderman by private donations and told those organizations that the rest of money cut would be there. He also said that the cuts were only for this fiscal year and will be reviewed before the next budget. The Board approved the petition for annexation by the McFarlands at 1504 Roberts Street in Brandon Heights. This was the only property in Brandon Heights that had not been annexed into the city. The petition will be sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Finally, the Board approved the final lease purchase of $11,726.07 to the Bank of Salem for a 2011 Ford Explorer for the Police Department, approved the final lease purchase payment of $11,869.81 for a 2010 Ford Explorer for the Salem Police Department to the Bank of Salem, and they approved the lease purchase payment of $17,401.13 for a John Deere Backhoe and Loader for the Street Department to the Bank of Salem. The Board then went into closed session
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released their report for a burglary that took place on Monday, July 16th. The incident took place in the 3900 block of Highway W and upon arrival, a 55-year old Salem male stated to deputies that tools and electrical wire valued at $1,000 were taken without his consent. Anyone with any information regarding this report, which is still under investigation, is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department by calling 729-3241.
Sports [TOP]
Luis Cruz hit a three-run home run to help the Los Angeles Dodgers take a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game series. Carlos Beltran clubbed a two-run homer while Jon Jay went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for St. Louis. The Cards and Dodgers play again tonight and you can hear it on KSMO at 6:40.
Kendrys Morales came off the bench to smoke a game-winning, bases-clearing single in the eighth inning as the Angels took the opener of a three-game set against the Royals, 6-3. Eric Hosmer had a pair of hits and scored twice for the Royals, who have dropped eight of 11. The Royals and Angels play again tonight.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Beverly Jean Grogan of Salem, age 70, will be held today at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be held from 10:00 until time of service. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Funeral services for Gloria Dorcas Williamson of Salem, age 65, will be held Wednesday at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Salem Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Memorial services for June E. Adams of St. James, age 85, will be held Wednesday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time.
Funeral services for John Edgar Ruth Sr. of Steelville, age 85, will be held Wednesday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from 11:00 until the time of the service. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery.
