Archive for 2025

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking Missouri turkey hunters and others for their feedback on a potential regulation change to nonresident spring turkey hunting. The proposed regulation change would reduce the nonresident bag limit from two bearded birds in the spring to a single bearded bird in the spring. Nonresident landowners would maintain a two bearded bird bag limit, provided only one be harvested during the first seven days of the season. Past public comments and other feedback on the topic show that many turkey hunters highly value an uncrowded place to hunt. According to the Conservation Department, nonresident participation in Missouri’s spring turkey season has increased in recent years and some resident hunters have expressed concern about how it is impacting their hunts. Reducing the nonresident spring bag limit should reduce the overall number of nonresident trips statewide, thereby alleviating some of the crowding or pressure that resident hunters encounter. The Missouri Department of Conservation welcomes public comments on the topic through November 7th. Get background details and comment online at mdc.mo.gov. Click on the “latest news” link and go to the story “MDC seeks public comments on changes to spring turkey hunting” which provides the direct link to comment. 

Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was honored with an Outstanding Community Service award during the Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet, held October 23rd at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Each year, the MRPC honors residents, local agency representatives and local elected officials in the Meramec Region who contribute to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support going above and beyond the call of duty. This year’s event was hosted by Dent County, the City of Salem and the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Curley was nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson and has been in public service since 1988 when she was hired as a deputy clerk for Dent County, where she served for 19 years. She became county clerk in 2006 and is currently serving her 5th term. Curley also contributed 14 years of service to the County Collector’s Office during tax season. She has been a champion of election integrity and civic engagement. As chair of the South Central County Clerk’s Association, she worked with the bipartisan election authority advisory committee to strengthen cooperation with the Secretary of State’s office. She has conducted voter registration drives at the Salem High School to encourage youth to be active participants in democracy. Curley initiated the first ever “I Voted” sticker design contest for Salem High School students. Additionally, she has served as vice president and president of the Salem High School Alumni Association, Dent County representative to the Industrial Development Authority board, Dent County website committee, city of Salem Parks and Recreation Board and secretary of the MAGIC Heath Insurance Consortium. Curley coached little league basketball, soccer and softball, worked as Booster Club present of the SHS softball and basketball club. Her involvement with the parks and rec board has led to significant improvements including adding new ADA compliant playground equipment, building a splash pad, upgrading ball fields and renovating the bathhouse and pool house.

Good Dads, Missouri’s leading father-focused nonprofit. Leaders across the community, from business and local government to social services and education, collaborated to build a Good Dads chapter in Salem and surrounding areas with the goal of better understanding the needs of fathers in the area and equipping them with the tools they need to be “Good Dads.” Founded in 2015, Good Dads is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization aimed at helping kids and communities one dad at a time. Headquartered in Springfield, MO, Good Dads has a presence in more than two-dozen Missouri communities. It serves hundreds of fathers a year through a variety of programs, events and resources that empower them to be Good Dads. The new chapter will operate under the title “Good Dads Dent County” and they will be launching three programs very soon. They are “New Pathways for Good Dads” which is designed to equip men with the tools they need to overcome barriers to responsible fatherhood; “Good Dads Strong Schools:” which is aimed at fathers of elementary-aged students, this program promotes connection and conversation between child and parent (including step-parents, adoptive parents and grandparents); and “Fundamentals for Good Dads” which is especially effective in workplace settings, this program uses common language and relatable examples common to any sports lover. In the following weeks and months, Good Dads Dent County will gain a foothold by hosting Good Dads classes and events, raising funds and enrolling dads in these new programs. Anyone who wants to participate in the success of the new chapter by serving on the advisory board or by making a financial or in-kind donation can contact Good Dads at info@gooddads.com or call our main offices at (417) 501-8867. Additionally, if readers know of dads who would benefit from the “Good Dads: services, they are welcome to reach out as well. For other information about the organization, visit www.gooddads.com/chapters.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:00 in the City Hall Auditorium followed by the public meeting to hear a request for a conditional use permit to install a manufactured home at 402 South Pershing by John Lewis. After accepting or rejecting the request, the commission will from JD Norris. The meeting, called by Chairman Keith Inman, is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Tuesday morning at the courthouse. Amanda Stites and her husband were in to ask what the role the commission has over the Dent County Health Center. They were told the Dent County Health Center Board is an elected position and the commission only suggests replacements should someone resign during their term. Stites, who is a nurse practitioner, was given a choice of either being fired or resigning based on allegations made against her that she says have no merit and were false. She indicated she would like to see an independent investigation of the actions taken by the Health Board to clear her name. The Stites were told there is not much the commission can do as they have no control over the decision of the health board. Thomas Haines was also in attendance to ask if the commission could help him get a copy of the Dent County Sheriff’s Department “Social Media” policy. Haines requests have been denied by the sheriff’s department and also by the Missouri Attorney General. The commission has no authority to grant that request, and Haines was trying to figure what his next step would be. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said rock was being added and grading was being done on Dent County Road 6220 while only grading was being done on country roads 4220 and 6230. Rip Rap was being added to the side of county road 6510 to shore up the road. Rock will also be added as needed to other roads. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Road 3090, while only grading will be done on county roads 2510, 2520, 2530, 3080 and 3100. Williams said brush will be cut on county road 2120 and rock will also be added to county road 2590. He also mentioned that bids are still being taken on the county trucks and road groomer on Purple Wave until tomorrow. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley there is no election in Dent County today. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported personal property and real estate tax bills are being mailed out. If you do not receive your tax bills in couple of weeks, you can contact her office at (573) 729-3911 or stop by the courthouse. You can view your tax liability at dentmo.taxnet.us. Tax bills can be paid in person at the courthouse, by dropping them off in the collection box at the southwest corner of the courthouse square, by mail, and online at billpay.forte.net/DENTCOMOTAX. There is a slight surcharge for paying online. Jordan Brown, who bid on the lawn care and snow removal for the courthouse properties, came in to discuss his bid. The commission had some questions and his bid of $125 per mowing occurrence and $400 for snow removal occurrence. After some clarification, the commission agreed to accept his bid. The commission received the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Salem and Dent County regarding the City of Salem providing a contribution to the county in support of the TAP sidewalk and lighting project for $25,000, due to the city owning the light poles. The commission agreed 3-0 to accept and signed it. The commissioners also talked to Jeff Chronister and agreed 3-0 to accept Ollis/Akers/Arney as the retail insurance broker of record on property, auto and liability insurance. The commissioners signed the letter that goes to Mo Rural Services Corp in Jefferson City. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 12:45 in Phelps County on I-44 Eastbound mile marker 189 exit ramp. According to the highway patrol report a 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by a 16-year-old juvenile female from St. James attempted to overtake a 2009 Volvo VNL Semi Truck driven by a 60-year-old male from Detroit, MI. The Jeep failed to clear the lane before merging, causing the Volvo to strike the rear of the Jeep. The Jeep travelled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.  Two occupants were ejected from the Jeep. The Jeep’s driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Rolla by Phelps Health Ambulance; she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Two juvenile female occupants a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old both from St. James suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Phelps Health Rolla by Phelps Health Ambulance; it is unknown if they were wearing safety restraints.  A 16-year-old female juvenile from Rolla suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to University Hospital Columbia, she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. An 18-year-old female from St. James also suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital Columbia by Mercy Life Line. According to the highway patrol report she was not wearing a safety restraint. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The Volvo sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 8:55 in Phelps County on the north outer road just east of Highway V. According to the highwaypatrol report a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban driven by a 21-year-old male from Rolla was travelling westbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The driver was partly ejected. The driver suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital in Columbia. The report goes on to say he was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. 

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” this evening starting at 5:30 and lasting until 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in the Rotary Room! Upcoming events, needs, and more will be discussed. The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501c3 non-profit that provides a new, free bed to children in need in our community who do not have a bed between the ages of 3 and 17. Mark your calendars and please join them, and new volunteers are welcome!! If you are not able to help physically, donations of new bedding are always welcome to help provide a good night’s sleep to the area children. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please make checks payable to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and designate the MO-DENT County Chapter. If you have questions, please contact Patti McKeown at 703-964-6495 or e-mail her at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the City Auditorium at 202 N. Washington Street. Following approval of the agenda and consent agenda, Mayor Greg Parker recognized the tenth anniversary of the Hero’s Marathon and presented organizers with an official proclamation from the City of Salem. Oren Pogue, a representative from the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), gave a presentation on an active transportation planning project proposing a 15.8-mile bicycle network throughout the city. The Board appointed Linda Maxwell to the Salem Public Library Board of Trustees and scheduled public hearings for two annexation petitions for Thursday, November 13, during the next regular meeting. Two bids were approved: one from Trojan Technologies in the amount of $13,976.12 for ultraviolet (UV) products to maintain operations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant—leaving $1,023.88 remaining in the plant’s equipment maintenance budget and another from Fire Hydrant Services and Repair for $9,750 to complete maintenance on 60 fire hydrants across the city. Funds for the latter will come from the fire hydrant maintenance and rebuild contract, which has $15,000 budgeted. Under new and miscellaneous business, the Board approved a list of state and federal legislative priorities for 2026. Members also discussed a request from resident Nancy Major for utility service outside city limits for a small structure on her property intended to house a bakery. Major explained that city utility representatives had previously requested permission to install a storm siren on her property in exchange for an easement allowing access to city utilities, without having to voluntarily annex into city limits, but the agreement was never finalized. The Board voted to table the matter pending legal review and verification of the alleged verbal agreement. The Board also approved Resolution No. 24-2025, an intergovernmental agreement with Dent County providing $25,000 to support sidewalk and lighting improvements around the courthouse. Additional approvals included updates to the city’s Utility Identity Theft Policy; Resolution No. 26-2025, authorizing participation in the CGI Digital Street Banner Program, which will feature 25 commemorative “Happy 250th Birthday America” banners with city branding, which will come at no cost to the City of Salem, no city budget allocation, in kind donations, staff time or labor, and a supplemental agreement for electrical services completed by Intercounty Electric Cooperative for the new T-Hangar at the Salem Airport. The city will request reimbursement of $3,788 for those services. The Board also approved a Capital Improvement update for the airport. After receiving reports from city officials, the meeting adjourned to executive session for attorney-client discussions. The next Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, in the City Auditorium, due to the Veterans Day holiday on November 11.

Missouri families should utilize the extra hour they’ll gain this weekend as they roll back their clocks to step up fire safety precautions in their homes. On Sunday morning at 2:00, clocks “fall back” one hour as daylight saving time ends. This time of year has always been considered a good time for installing, maintaining and replacing batteries in your home smoke alarms. With the colder weather on the way, space heaters are a factor in about 43% of home heating-related fires and 85% of associated deaths. They should only be placed on the floor, and if they are propane, they need to be vented. It is time to make fire safety a habit with all family members, including children.