Archive for 2025

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at 9:00 in the Courthouse. During public comments Robert Malone, resident in District One, complained to Commissioner Keith Green about the conditions of Dent County Road 6020. Malone said he talked to Green May 15th and that he said the road would be graded and repaired. Green pointed out that the weather has not cooperated and that his grader that works in the Highway 119 area will be making its way down towards 6020. Green again noted that the rainy conditions have really slowed up grading progress and asked for residents’ patience. Representatives from the Salem Chamber Singers were in requesting permission to sell snow cones on the Courthouse Square during the 4th of July Parade. The Commissioners approved the request and thanked them for asking. Commissioner Green said that he had two guys out and part of his crew was gone to Lebanon to get hot mix to do some specific repair to chip and seal areas. He noted that the rest of his crew is addressing the worst spots on roadways with spot application of gravel and grading. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams said he had two guys out and part of his crew was dealing with a low water crossing in the area of Barnitz Farms. He also said that rock would be added, and grading done on Dent County Road 4050. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson announced that the Annual MRPC Awards Banquet would be returning to the Salem Community Center @ The Armory October 23rd. Larson complimented Executive Director Sherry Lea on her work preparing the bid for the banquet. Larson noted that the Commission will need to put out for bids for an engineering firm to work with FEMA for repairing the flood damaged bridges. He also reported that Susan Clancy had contacted him about paying an invoice from Alexander Construction for repair of hail damage to the roof and vent on the Courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curly reported that she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of May. She noted that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment and that Ray Schwartz from Senator Justin Brown’s office would be in to visit with the Commission. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 7th and 8th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual Department of Conservation event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample Missouri’s abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state’s more than 1.1 million anglers. For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2025 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, for the observance of Juneteenth. Normal operations will resume on, June 20, 2025. For more, follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting tomorrow evening, at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main in Salem. After the call to order and roll call the Board will approve the consent agenda which will include review of the minutes, financial report, bills and budget. The monthly reimbursement report will be reviewed followed by old business, which will include approval of Bylaws Revisions. New business will consist of review of insurance for the district. Chief Floyd will then report, and the date will be set for the next meeting. The Board may vote to go into closed session, which will be followed by adjournment. The regular meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors in open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for May 23rd through 30th. On Friday the 23rd Deputies took a report of tires being dumped on County Road 6150. Suspect information was obtained, and the investigation is ongoing. Then on Saturday the 24th, Deputies took a report of a trailer that was stolen from the 2800 block of County Road 4050. The investigation is pending. On Memorial Day, the 26th, Deputies took a report of a shed burglary in the 1000 block of County Road 6160. The investigation is pending. Deputies took a report on Tuesday the 27th of a stolen Harley-Davidson motorcycle that occurred in the 200 block of County Road 4155. The investigation is pending. Then on Thursday the 29th Deputies took a report for a domestic assault that occurred in the 400 block of Private Lane 117. Suspect information was obtained, and the investigation is ongoing. That same day Deputies took a report for stolen property that occurred in the 18000 block of Highway C. The investigation is pending. The next day, Friday the 30th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop at Highway 72 and Highway H. During the stop, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges drivers to be cautious and give turtles a break! These reptiles are often hit by cars during warmer months but are at special risk this time of year because they are more active. Common turtles spotted on roads include three-toed box turtles, ornate box turtles, red-eared sliders, painted turtles, Mississippi mud turtles, and even snapping turtles. Turtles emerge from their winter burrows and begin to hunt for food and mates during warm and wet conditions, which can lead them to cross roadways, oftentimes resulting in their death. Thousands of box turtles are killed each year by vehicles. Young males make up most of the travelers. They sometimes wander as many as six miles searching for territories and mates. Females are also crossing the roads in search of nesting areas. Turtles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, and depend on external sources of heat to determine their body temperatures. This is why they are seen on warm asphalt during cool, spring days. Vehicles are one of the leading threats box turtles face in Missouri, and MDC encourages motorists to be cautious and slow down if they see a turtle in the road. If helping a turtle make it safely across, check for traffic and always move the turtle in the direction it is traveling. MDC also urges the public to leave turtles in the wild. Taking a wild animal, whether a turtle of other species, and keeping it as a pet normally ends in a slow death. Turtles have an extremely low survival rate if taken from their original habitat. Leave turtles in the wild, follow the speed limit, and keep your eyes on the road. For more information on Missouri’s turtles, visit the MDC online Field Guide at .mdc.mo.gov.

Join the Graham Cave State Park team for a journey through time as they celebrate World Atlatl Day Saturday, June 7th. From 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon, the Missouri Chapter of the World Atlatl Association will be on site to share this ancient throwing tool’s history and use. Predating the bow and arrow, humans first used the atlatl in the Upper Paleolithic Period, and archaeological evidence suggests that it was used around the world. If you have never heard of or used an atlatl, come learn how it’s done! Participants don’t need any prior experience, and there is no fee or registration requirement. Participants should bring a sun hat and wear closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent. The event will take place at the Lower Day-Use Area Shelter in Graham Cave State Park. The park is located off I-70, between Kingdom City and St. Louis, on Highway TT two miles west of Highway 161 at exit 170 in Danville. For more information about the event, call Graham Cave State Park at 573-564-3476. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that an accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at 12:55 on Highway 32 five miles west of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2001 Chevrolet S10, driven by a 33-year-old Salem woman, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck several trees, and a fence. The woman suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that the woman was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by a private party.

The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training program is coming to Rolla at the Rolla Fire Department at 1490 East 10th Street on June 10th for those interested in becoming certified. Safe Kids Worldwide is the certifying body and responsible for managing all aspects of the program. They work closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Child Passenger Safety Board, and are sponsored by State Farm. Child Passenger Safety technicians and instructors use their considerable knowledge and expertise at a variety of community-based activities, such as child safety seat checks, where parents and caregivers receive education and hands-on assistance. CPS technicians and instructors also keep up-to-date on the latest technical information about child passenger safety through seminars and other continuing education opportunities. All CPS technicians must take and pass the CPS Certification Course and pay a course fee of $95. To learn more about the course and/or about becoming a tech, visit cert.safekids.org. If you are interested in attending the course in Rolla, you must be at least 18 years old at the time the course starts. The standardized child passenger safety technician (CPST) certification course is usually 3-4 days long and combines classroom instruction, hands-on work with car seats and vehicles, and a community safety seat checkup. Attendance is required for the entire course and the ID number to use on your application is MO20250127151.
Echo Bluff State Park will host a festival all about our feathered friends and the native plants that can keep them happy and healthy. The event will begin at the amphitheater with a live bird program presented by the World Bird Sanctuary. On Saturday, June 7th from 11:00 in the mroning until 2:00 in the afternoon, visitors of all ages can participate in a variety of activities related to birds and blossoms. Activities will include arts and crafts, games, bird-watching opportunities, and more. This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Pets will not be allowed at the live bird program. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive, just off Highway 19 south of Salem. You can call 573-751-1224 for more information.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has proposed increases to hunting, fishing, and trapping permit prices for 2026, receiving initial approval from the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 16 meeting in Jefferson City. The changes aim to help MDC maintain infrastructure and services while addressing rising costs. The proposal includes significant increases to nonresident deer and turkey hunting permits to align more closely with surrounding states’ pricing. MDC also plans to create new nonresident permits, including a $60 migratory bird permit and a $40 trout permit. MDC Director Jason Sumners noted that resident hunters generally support adjusting nonresident permit prices to be comparable with neighboring states. Missouri currently hosts approximately 43,000 nonresident deer hunters, 10,000 nonresident spring turkey hunters, and 165,000 nonresident anglers annually. Notable proposed increases include resident hunting and fishing combination permits rising from $20.50 to $22.50; nonresident firearm deer permits increasing from $288 to $360; and nonresident spring turkey permits going from $243.50 to $304.50. Most resident permits will see modest increases of $1-2. The price adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index related to cost-of-living increases from 2008 to 2024. MDC recommends a gradual 50% CPI-based increase over ten years for resident permits, while accelerating increases for nonresident deer and turkey permits. The public comment period for the proposed changes runs from July 2 to July 31, 2025. Comments can be submitted at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities. The Commission will consider final approval at its September 12 meeting, with changes taking effect January 1, 2026, if approved. Permit sales represent approximately 17% of MDC’s annual revenue, with the Conservation Sales Tax providing about 62% and federal reimbursements accounting for 15%. MDC receives no funding from tickets, citations, or the state’s general revenue budget. The average Missourian pays about $24 annually for conservation efforts through the Conservation Sales Tax. For complete details on all proposed permit changes and MDC’s fiscal information, residents can read the MDC Annual Review for Fiscal Year 2024 in the January 2025 issue of the Missouri Conservationist, available online at mdc.mo.gov/magazines/missouri-conservationist/2025-01.