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The 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 grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5200, 5410, 5450 and 5490. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Road 4280, and brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3150, 3240 and 3270. Larson also said that repairs would be done on two graders.  Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended the Salem Area Community Betterment Association Meeting on Monday evening where it was reported that the organization did not receive the grant to expand the pavilion at the Farmer’s Market, but they would apply again when more money became available. Skiles also attended a series of MRPC meetings yesterday in St. James. At the previous meeting, the Commissioners talked with Steve Morton of Morton Construction Company about the work that will be done in the Judicial Building Annex. Morton had a contract drawn up for the Commissioners to review, and Commissioner Skiles discussed the contract with Anderson & Associates and all agreed that work could now begin on the building. No time line has been set on when the work will be completed. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public. 

At the 81^st Dent County Fall Festival Thursday night, 17-year old Shala Plank was crowned the 2009 Miss Dent County in front of large crowd gathered at the livestock show barn. The 1st Runner-Up was 20-year old Jessey Gouldsmith who also was presented the Miss Personality Award. The 2^nd Runner-Up was presented to 16-year old Samantha Riley. The Junior Miss Dent County crown was presented to 13-year old Makayla Ann Farrar with 15-year old Sierra Hagler capturing the Miss Personality Award. In the other competitions, eight-year old Kirsten Golden was crowned the 2009 Dent County Princess, Eli Wethy was crowned as the 2009 Little Mr. Dent County with Kayla Howard capturing the Little Miss Dent County crown, and the 2009 Dent County Baby crown was presented to Brody Philip Hasten. Congratulations to all the winners and the contestants who participated in this year’s event.

The Dent County Fire Protection District held their monthly meeting Tuesday evening. After approval of the agenda, bills were discussed and approved and it was noted that the 2010 budget was in the works. In new business, the Board set the date for the tax levy meeting for Tuesday, August 24^th at the fire station and the meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. President Grant Hamlet reported for Chief Nash that the new tanker truck is currently in service and has been inspected by the Conservation Department and signed off on. The Board then set the date for their September monthly meeting for Thursday, September 3^rd at the fire station and the meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. The meeting was then adjourned. 

An 18-month covert narcotics investigation by the South Central Drug Task Force has resulted in 25 more drug-related warrant arrests in Phelps County. Arrest teams consisted of law enforcement officers from the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the United States Forest Service. On July 27, 2009 and August 4, 2009 these agencies worked together to apprehend nearly 70 individuals as a result of this investigation. At approximately 6 a.m., Thursday, approximately 40 individuals were being sought as these agencies initiated a third warrant arrest round-up. As in the past, the criminal cases on the suspects were developed when undercover operatives with the South Central Drug Task Force, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Rolla Police Department and U.S. Forest Service, were able to conduct a series of covert narcotics investigations involving the distribution or sales of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs. None of those arrested in this group were from the Dent County area.

Captain Lee Ann Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I, announces the results of a hazardous moving enforcement operation conducted in Crawford County on Friday, July 31^st.  During the eight-hour operation the two assigned troopers stopped 15 vehicles.  The troopers issued 17 warnings, issued 14 violations and made one arrest. There were 13 speed violations issued, one for failure to wear a seat belt and one felony drug arrest. Thus far in 2009, the six-county Troop I area has had 12 traffic fatalities compared to last year when they investigated 27 fatal traffic crashes. 

If you were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred between May 8^th and 16^th, and you live in Dent, Shannon or Texas County, time is running out to register for assistance from FEMA. The deadline to register to see if you qualify for that assistance is Tuesday, August 18^th. To apply, visit the website www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Listen to KSMO Radio or www.ksmoradio.com tomorrow at 2:00 for the live broadcast of the Salem 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction from the auction barn at the Fall Festival.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will conduct a public tax rate hearing, which will be held during the Board of Alderman meeting to be held on Monday, August 17^th in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 North Washington, at which time citizens may be heard on the property tax rate proposed to be set by the City of Salem of $0.624 per $100 valuation. The tax rate shall be set to produce the revenue, which the budget for the fiscal year beginning at July 1, 2009 shows to be required from the property tax. The public tax rate hearing is open to the public.

The South Central Specialty Crop Growers Association Workshop will be held on Thursday, August 20^th at My Place Restaurant in Salem. These workshops are for specialty crop growers and those interested in becoming specialty crop growers. Specialty crops cover a broad range of products including vegetables, fruits and cut flowers. Registration will begin at 8:30 am followed by an introduction to the South Central Region Specialty Crop Growers Association. At 10:00 Andy Read University of Missouri Extension will talk about “Getting the Most Out of Your Product” with marketing strategies. At 11:00 Dr. Will McClain from the University of Missouri Extension will discuss “Managing Missouri Soils and Soil Fertility” and lunch be provided at noon. There is no charge for the workshop and lunch, but pre-registration is required. To register or for more information contact the Dent County Extension Center at 729-3196.

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Funeral services for Daniel Michael Cahill of Salem, age 72, will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 at the Scared Heart Catholic Church in Salem. Visitation will be held tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 at the church. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.

Funeral services for Paul Lavern Bell of Salem, age 93, will be held Sunday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be Saturday from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Interment will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Dent County Animal Shelter.

Graveside services for Mildred Ruth Cowan of Steelville, age 89, will be held Sunday at 2:00 at the Cherry Valley Cemetery in Steelville. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 to 8:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville.

Funeral services for Clifton Everett Mayes of Mehlville, age 72, will be held Monday, August 17 at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Lower Bee Fork Cemetery, Reynolds County. Memorials are suggested to the family.

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