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The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. For the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5220, 5380, 5400, 6080 and 6083. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2580, 4140, 4150 and 4380. Larson also said that grading would be done and rock would be hauled to Dent County Roads 2570, 3225 and 5220 and crossover pipes would be installed on Dent County Roads 3220 and 3225. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting on Thursday in St. James, where the main topic of discussion was the Highway 63 four-lane project between Rolla and Jefferson City. Skiles said the total amount of the project was estimated to be around 172 million dollars, but there is no money to support this project at this time. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she would be attending the annual county clerks training session in Springfield from Wednesday through Friday. Manual Gearhart stopped by the meeting to inquire about getting Dent County Road 6190 chip and sealed.  Commissioner Purcell said that a counter has to be put on the road to determine the amount of vehicles travel the road before it can be considered a good candidate for chip and seal.  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 evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Jerry Layman that parking on Highway 19 should not be reduced as he heard parking spaces could be eliminated. Mayor Gary Brown said that could have been an option, but the only no parking space would be at the corner of Highway 19 and Rolla Road where the pole and guy wire is. The board held a public hearing about the proposed tax rate for the year 2009. The assessed valuation for personal property values went down $760,000 from 2008 while real estate values climbed $500,000. The tax rate from 2008 was 62.4 cents per $100 assessed valuation and that tax rate would generate $289,691.01 for the city for 2009. According to the state auditor, the city could raise the rate to 63.28 cents per $100 assessed valuation that would generate an additional $4,085.39 in 2009. The board voted to leave the rate as is. In the consent agenda, the sales tax revenue for July was $78,734.82 and was up $3,751.08 from last year, and the sales tax revenue for the city is up over $11,000 for the year. City Engineer Bill Huffman reported that the Planning and Zoning Board recommended making Iron Street a one-way street between Rolla Road and 5^th Street and the board approved. The Planning and Zoning Commission took no action on the request to rezone from commercial to residential R-1 at 1101 South Gertrude on property owned by Steve and Rebecca Plank. The board of aldermen denied the request so the property will stay zoned commercial. Alderman McDaniels asked about asphalting and that should begin on August 31^st on four streets with two more streets to be done later. He also asked about ditch cleanout and the mayor said that work was going to be done on Park Avenue from Center Street to Rolla Road. Alderman Kenneth Nash asked about the growth around the old fairgrounds and old Hagale Building. The mayor said that the fair board is supposed to address the weeds issue this week and the owner of the Hagale building has been informed of it’s condition. Mayor Gary Brown said that smoke testing was done on the west side of town and a few cleanout caps need to be replaced or installed. He said that he worked with DCAI about handicapped van accessibility at the pool and also restrooms. Mayor Brown said that the city has received approval of their grant submission for the soccer field in the amount of $34,109. The grant is a 45-55 matching grant. The board then approved Bill #3177 that set the tax rate for the year 2009 at 62.4 cents per $100 assessed valuation before approving the bills. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred at 11:30 Sunday evening in Dent County on Highway 19 about seven miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Yamaha Scooter driven by 44-year old Jerry Money of Salem was traveling southbound on Highway 19. Money lost control of the scooter, which overturned, ejecting Money and the scooter then traveled across the centerline and into the path of a northbound 1999 Mercury driven by 25-year old Justin Berry of Salem. Money suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by EMS. The Yamaha sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem. The Mercury sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

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 TODAY! To apply, visit the website www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1 800-621-FEMA (3362).

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 Callie Pryor of Vienna, age 75, will be held today at 2:00 at the James and Gahr Chapel in St. James. Interment will be in the James Community Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the cemetery.

Funeral services for Dorothy Lorraine Sullivan of Belleview, age 77, will be held Wednesday at 11:00 at James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Radford Cemetery.

Graveside services for Franklin J. Hedrick of Olathe, Kansas, age 82, will be held Thursday at 10:00 at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. All local arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.

Funeral services for Faron E. Roark of St. James, age 51, will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Flag Springs Cemetery in St. James.

Funeral service for Jessica D. Whitaker of Salem, age 27, will be held Thursday at 1:00 at the Boss Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Boss Assembly of God Youth Group.

Funeral services for Carl J. “Shorty” Parker of High Ridge, MO, age 85, will be held Friday at 2:00 at the Boss Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 at James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Boss Cemetery.

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