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The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that the grounds are frozen so no grading will be done and rock will not be stockpiled. He did say that signs would be replaced on Dent County Roads 5150 and 5160, and that a crew would be taking truck #115 to the repair shop. Purcell said that the winds from Wednesday blew down some trees on Dent County Roads 2400 and 2430 and crews would be out there clearing the roads. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2103 and 3170, and that workers will be repairing signs on various roads. Larson went on to report that maintenance work was being done to county truck #114. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the Coalition for Roadway Safety meeting Tuesday in St. James and he said that they have money that law enforcement can apply for to use for special projects. Dent County applied for funds for two radar guns and two Breathalyzers, and applied for funds for overtime to hold a DWI checkpoint. Skiles attended a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and MRPC board meeting Thursday night. He also said that members of the Industrial Development Authority would start meeting periodically with the commissioners to keep them informed of possible opportunities. Commissioner Purcell stated that the county is going to seek bids to purchase a used 2000-2007 pickup for the Dent County Road and Bridge Department. Coroner Gina White came in and discussed her budget with the commission. She said that she has added some items including an additional $2,000 for indigent burials, $2,000 to cover grant matches, telephone for $1,075 and Internet for $420. She said she is also asking for a raise for her deputy from $1,350 to $4,000. Her proposed 2010 budget was for $36,358. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has begun taking donations for their 2009 Food Drive. Each year they take donations of food, money or gift cards and donate those to a local family in need. Any donations may be dropped off at the Chamber office at 200 South Main Street. For any questions you may email at chamber@salemmo.com or call the office at 729-6900.  The Chamber Board members want to thank you in advance for any donations you may make.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released their report for the month of November. The Department served 169 papers consisting of 117 civil papers, 48 criminal papers and four notices to vacate, plus they served 12 felony warrants and 14 misdemeanor warrants. During the month, there were three drug arrests and seven domestic disturbance calls were addressed. The Dent County Sheriff’s Department issued 24 tickets, made one DWI arrest, assisted on one traffic accident, conducted 42 traffic stops, assisted the ambulance 11 times and assisted other agencies at total of 28 times. For the month of November, the Sheriff’s Department investigated 37 reports of which there were four burglaries, five assaults, nine thefts, two property damage reports, five reports of crimes against children, and two reports of trespassing and/or property line disputes. The Department spent 209 hours working in court, 5.5 hours testifying and 25 hours in training. The Dent County Sheriff’s Department handled a total of 194 calls during the month. In the Dent County Jail Report for November, there were 44 prisoners incarcerated for the month with an average daily total of 18. There was one transfer to the Department of Corrections, five transfers to or from other departments and four transfers to a mental facility. During the month of November, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department drove a total of 16,691 miles on criminal investigations, patrolling and prisoner transportation.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways has closed the road to Shawnee Creek Campground to vehicle traffic. The road suffered significant damage from the late October flooding and is unsafe for travel. The campground remains open to walk-in campers and people entering the site by boat. Repair work will be extensive and the dates for completion are undetermined. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.

The Dent County Health Center would like to remind everyone that they still have both the Seasonal and H1N1 Flu vaccinations available on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed. The cost for the Seasonal Flu vaccine is $20. The Dent County Health Center will bill Medicare and Medicaid. The H1N1 vaccine is FREE. The Dent County Health Center is located at 601 South McArthur and is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or call 729-3106 for more information.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers dropped a 47-24 decision to Ava Thursday night at the Cabool Lady Bulldog Tournament. Jennifer Herndon scored nine points to lead the Lady Tigers. Salem falls to 2-2 on the year and will face the Willow Springs Bears Saturday at 5:30 at Cabool in the third place game.

The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers will host Pacific tonight starting at 6:00 with the JV contest with the varsity game to follow. You can hear the varsity game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com.

The St. Louis Blues will be in action tonight as they will host the Edmonton Oilers starting at 7:00. We will then cut away for the Salem Tiger basketball game and have the 3rd period on a tape delay basis following that game.

The Missouri Tigers will host Farleigh Dickinson tomorrow night at 6:30. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

The St. Louis Cardinals took left handed pitcher Ben Jukich out of the Cincinnati Reds farm system with the 16th pick of the Rule 5 Draft. The Kansas City Royals selected left-handed pitcher Edgar Osuna out of the Atlanta Braves system with the 4th pick. The Cards lost right-handed pitcher Michael Parisi from their farm system as he was taken by the White Sox with the 12th pick

Prior to Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, the Kansas City Royals released first baseman Mike Jacobs and left-handed reliever John Bale to free up two spots on the team's 40-man roster.

Obituaries   [TOP]