News

Scroll Down for Sports, Weather and Obituaries! For State-Wide News, go to the MissouriNet! To read previous editions of Your World Today please visit our Archives Page.

The 2014 Dent County Toy Drive is going on now through December 17^th. Donations of new or gently used clean toys may be dropped off at the Dent County Fire Station and the KSMO Radio lobby, or those toys purchased at Dollar General can be left at Dollar General. The Dent County Toy Drive sign-up will be held on Tuesday, December 9^th at the fire station from 4:00 to 6:00 pm for infants thru age 12. Parents or guardians need to bring proof of Dent County residency, the child’s age and proof the children resides in your home. While at the firestation, parents and guardians can also signup children for the Salvation Army Angel Tree located at Wal-Mart. Once you register for the Toy Drive, an appointment will be made for parents to pick up the toys on December 18^th between the hours of 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information on the Toy Drive call the Dent County Fire District at 729-3250. For more information on the Salvation Army Angel Tree call 729-8163.

The Dent County Fire Protection District held their December meeting Tuesday night at the fire station. After approval of the agenda and the minutes from the November meeting, the Board reviewed financial reports. Bills were reviewed and approved. It was noted that as of November 30^th, 61% of the budget has been spent with 100% of the budget having been received. For the same time period last year, 98% of the budget had been spent with 100% having been received. Filings for the April election will begin December 16^th and run until January 20, 2015 with one 6-year term seat open on the Board. The board position is currently being held by Mike Godi. The yearly reimbursement report presented to the Board showed that there were a total of 355 calls for the 2014 year. Calls consisted of 41 for structure fires, eight for flu fires, 49 brush fires, 11 car fires, 36 landing zones, 94 first responder calls, 53 for motor vehicles, 21 mutual aid calls, 14 Haz Mat, four fire alarm calls, eight calls for meetings, 11 training calls and five calls for other. For the same time period in 2013 there were a total of 316 calls. In old business, the Board approved the reimbursement policy and the sexual harassment and discrimination policy as presented, but tabled the building use policy awaiting information. Then in new business, Kristen Deluca Audit Services, LLC presented the audit. Overall the audit was very good with mostly suggestions on procedural practices being noted. The suggestion was made to house all of the checks and Quickbooks at different locations with more people involved in the check and review process. After a discussion, the Board motioned to move all financial documents and check to the district. Chief Nash will write checks and will present bills and checks to the treasurer for signature and will obtain a second signature as well. The treasurer will handle taxes, audit reports, make deposits and reconcile accounts and produce reports. Chief Nash then reported that the Toy Drive is in progress with a signup on Tuesday, December 9^th and pickup day will be held on Thursday, December 18^th. The Board then set their next meeting for Tuesday, January 6^th, 2015 and the meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct their December meeting on Tuesday, December 9^th beginning at noon at the Southwest Baptist University in Salem. There is no cost for the lunch but members need to RSVP by Friday, December 5^th by calling 729-6900 or you can drop by 200 South Main Street.

The Dent-Phelps R-3 School Holiday Shoppe Fundraiser will be held today from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. There will be numerous vendors on site with everything from A to Z. Gift wrapping will be available for a small fee and there will also be a concession stand. Children can have their picture taken with Santa for $1. The proceeds raised will go toward the district’s “Santa’s Helpers” program that assists families in the district that are having a hard time making ends meet during the holiday season. For more info, call the school at 729-4680.

The Houston Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program offers free classes in Salem to help adults improve their math or reading skills or prepare for the High Equivalency Test, the HiSET. AEL/HSE classes are free, but students are required to maintain at least 50% attendance and work diligently toward educational gain. The AEL/HSE classes are available Monday- Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon and Monday - Wednesday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Adult Learning Center at 202 North Washington in Salem. Classes were formerly known as GED classes. To register or for more information, visit the AEL/HSE class during class hours or call the Salem AEL/HSE instructor during class hours at 573-729-2756.

The Dent County Collector’s office at the courthouse will be open this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until noon for those who would like to pay their personal property and real estate taxes. They will be open again on Saturday on December 20^th with the same hours. If you have any questions, call the collectors office at 729-3911.

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History, located at 601 North Hickory, will host the annual Children's Old-Fashioned Christmas on Monday, December 8th starting at 6:30 pm. Children will help make ornaments and decorate the Children's Tree. The cost is $3 per child or $5 for the whole family. Adults can stay if they wish and are free. For more information, call 729-3400.

Just a reminder, Flu Shots are still available at the Dent County Health Center on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday. The cost is $30, and the Health Center will bill Medicare, but you need to bring your card with you. The Center for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot for all those 6-months of age and over. The Health Center is located at 601 North McArthur. For more information call 729-3106.

Sports [TOP]