Archive for 2025

Meramec Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, Planning Manager Anne Freand and Missouri Department of Transportation Meramec Area Engineer Preston Kramer will meet with Dent County commissioners and citizens to discuss transportation needs on the state system at 10:30 this morning, at the Dent County Courthouse Commission meeting room located at 400 N. Main in Salem. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting and share concerns or needs about road and bridge and multi-modal transportation need such as bike, pedestrian, airports, transit, rail and port. MRPC Executive Director says it’s important that they from Dent County leadership and residents about road, bridge and multi-modal needs in the county, so now is the time to make sure our county needs list is complete. The MRPC and MoDOT are meeting with all eight counties in the region, not just Dent County. Each county meeting will conclude with the identification of top road and bridge priorities and multi-modal priorities. The information from these meetings is gathered and prioritized to help inform MoDOT for the next Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as well as consideration of the Central District’s High Priority Unfunded Needs list. Each county is asked to select its top three or four needs to be prioritized with the other projects in the Meramec Region. Road and bridge projects will be prioritized at the December Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting and multi-modal will be done most likely in February at the newly formed Multi-modal Transportation Advisory Committee (MMTAC) meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting, please reach out to the MRPC to add a need to the list. You can call them at 573-265-2993.

With winter weather just around the corner, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold its annual winter operations drill today. Motorists may notice an increased number of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill, which will begin at 8:00 this morning in rural areas and 9:00 in urban areas. The exercise should be completed by 3:00 in the afternoon. With turnover rates and many positions still open, driver training on this day is more critical than ever. MoDOT State Maintenance Director Darin Hamelink said that roughly 16% of our plow operators have less than one year of experience, and 40% have less than three years of experience. This training drill is important to help us prepare before winter arrives. All snowplow operators will drive their routes to get familiar with the details of the road and turn-around points without any snow and ice to contend with. During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate, and all employees involved in winter operations will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested. Hamelink went on to note that the drill ensures that proper equipment, plowing techniques and safety measures are used by every MoDOT employee. In addition, every piece of equipment—every truck, motor grader, snow blower and tractor—is inspected and calibrated to conserve materials and operate efficiently and safely. MoDOT spent more than $64 million on winter operations last year and used 160,000 tons of salt, 2.1 million gallons of salt brine and 229,000 gallons of beet juice. For the most up-to-date information on road conditions in any winter storm, motorists are urged to use MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org. This map is also available on the Apple Store and Google Play.

A Two-Day Slow Stitching Class will be this this and next Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center with M. Emilia Barbosa. The class is open to all, but those 10 to 18 years of age will need a parent or legal guardian. At the class, you will enjoy the benefits of Slow Stitching while making a small fabric pouch by hand. You will also learn how to make twisted cord from fabric straps. No prior knowledge needed even though knowing the basics of hand stitching such as threading a needle, making a knot, starting and finishing a hand sewn piece are helpful. At least six people need to register for the class to be held, and it will be limited to no more than 20. The cost is $30. To register, go online to the SACBA website, click on Programs category and then go to the Salem Creative Arts Council link. If you have a question about any class, please e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

The City of Salem’s Airport Board will hold a meeting this evening at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. After the call to order and approval of the agenda the Board will approve the previous meeting minutes. The Board will consider recommending CIP and Fuel Price. The board will be updated on the gate opener and camera, plus discuss the Swartz Hangar, followed by public comments prior to adjournment. The meeting was called by Airport Board President Tyler Naramore.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, Planning Manager Anne Freand and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Meramec Area Engineer Preston Kramer will meet with Dent County commissioners and citizens to discuss transportation needs on the state system tomorrow, at the Commissioners at 10:30. The public is encouraged to attend this meeting and share concerns or needs about road and bridge and multimodal – bike, pedestrian, airports, transit, rail and port – transportation needs. Prigge, executive director at MRPC said it’s important that we hear from Dent County leadership and residents about road, bridge and multi-modal needs in the county, so now is the time to make sure our county needs list is complete. She went on to note that if you cannot attend the meeting, please reach out to MRPC at any time to add a need to the list. MRPC and MoDOT are meeting with all eight counties in the region. Each county meeting will conclude with the identification of top road and bridge priorities and multimodal priorities. The information from these meetings is gathered and prioritized to help inform MoDOT for the next Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as well as consideration of the Central District’s High Priority Unfunded Needs list. Each county is asked to select its top three or four needs to be prioritized with the other projects in the Meramec Region. Road and bridge projects will be prioritized at the December Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting and multimodal will be done most likely in February at the newly formed Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee (MMTAC) meeting. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/meramecregion/

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) encourages those eligible for Medicare to review their plan options and costs during this year’s open enrollment period. Starting today and lasting through December 7th, Missourians can change their Part D drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. To help with that choice, the department offers free assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals and their caregivers through Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which is funded through a grant from the Administration for Community Living. Funding is administered through DCI, and service is provided by Missouri Connections for Health, a nonprofit organization. Missouri SHIP also helps Missourians on a limited income determine whether they qualify for a low-income subsidy or Medicare Savings Programs to offset the cost of their prescription drugs. Missourians can seek unbiased assistance from Missouri SHIP at no cost throughout the year by phone or arrange one-on-one counseling by calling 1-800-390-3330 or visiting missouriship.org. Remember that fraudsters often use the Medicare open enrollment period to target seniors and other vulnerable individuals through deceptive sales tactics, such as commercials, online ads, or even personal phone calls. These scams occur year-round, but they are especially common when individuals are actively reviewing their coverage options. One of the best ways to protect yourself against health care fraud and abuse is by never sharing personal information with strangers, especially your Medicare or Social Security numbers. DCI is charged with protecting Missouri consumers through oversight of various professional licensees operating in the state. For more information visit their website at dci.mo.gov.

The Salem High School Track will be closed to the public today and tomorrow for maintenance. Thursday will be used as a makeup date if weather delays any tasks. Just a reminder that the Tiger Trail is open to the public at the Salem Upper Elementary School at 1601 Doss Road as well as the Frisco Trailhead on 3rd and Grand Street and the Lake Ziske Trailhead located at the Shawnee Mac Conservation Area.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tomorrow at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. William Lynch Elementary students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports, updates will be shared on the FEMA building, and a ribbon cutting will be scheduled. Staff recognition will occur for Jenn Moss and Heather Maglothin for September and Danelle Roos and Jennifer Bass for October. The Board will be updated on the Track and consider Food Service Bids. The Upper Elementary Roof situation will be updated with a November 1st start date. The Board will be updated on the Superintendent Coaching Group and Baseball Dugouts. Mr. Copeland will report on MAP and EOC. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business, the Board is to approve a student out of state trip and hear the first read of MSBA Policy Updates. No Transfers, Hires or Resignations/Retirements are scheduled to be considered. The Board will enter closed session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. After the Call to Order and Roll Call will be the approval of the Consent Agenda, which includes review of previous meeting minutes, the financial report and approval of bills, plus the budget review. The Monthly Reimbursement Report will precede Old Business, which will include the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease consideration and results of motion to change vent fan purchased to Honda Motor. In New Business the Board will be updated on Firefighters Association of Missouri (FFAM), Recruitment/Retainment Incentives, plus equipment and program quotes for Officers and Chief. Chief Dennis Floyd will present his report, followed by setting the date for the next meeting and closed session, if necessary, before adjournment.

You can create Hand Knitted Pumpkins Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 with Danielle Kissir at the Creative Arts Center. Come and learn how to knit adorable soft pumpkins for decorating your home or giving as gifts! Bring a friend and make it a party! This class is considered an intermediate class; some prior crochet or knitting experience is recommended and beneficial. The class is open to everyone 10 years of age and older and costs is $40 which includes all supplies. At least five people need to sign up to hold the class, and it will be limited to 12 people. To register, go online to the SACBA website, click on Programs category and then go to the Salem Creative Arts Council link. If you have a question about any class, please e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

Enjoy hunting deer or watching them? Want help managing private land for deer? Want to know more about the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) efforts to keep deer healthy? MDC invites deer hunters, landowners and managers, wildlife watchers, and others interested in Missouri’s white-tailed deer to a series of community open houses around the state. Attendees can talk with MDC staff about deer management and regulations, impacts of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) on deer populations, managing private land for deer, and MDC’s Deer Management Assistance Program. In addition, MDC staff will share new information on CWD and how MDC is working with hunters, landowners, and other partners to minimize the threat of CWD and keep Missouri deer healthy.  MDC Director Jason Sumners said that for generations, Missourians have worked together to protect deer and deer hunting. He noted that fueled by a shared passion for white-tailed deer, hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts inside and  outside MDC have built a healthy, abundant herd. These open houses offer a chance to build on that foundation. MDC staff will share information on the previously mentioned topics and welcome questions and comments from attendees. MDC invites the public to stop by the community open houses anytime between 4:00 and 8:00. No registration is required. The open house nearest Dent County will be October 15th in West Plains at the Civic Center, 110 St Louis St. For other open house locations throughout Missouri go to mdc.mo.gov. In addition to welcoming public comments at the community open houses, MDC is also accepting public comments about deer management online through October 17th at short.mdc.mo.gov/4yd.

The Dent County Commission meeting was held Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said two men were going to try to get patch work done on chip and seal roads 4110 and 6150, provided they can get the Durapatcher started. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3255, 3265 and 6160, while brush would be cut on county road 2010 and 2020. Rock will be added to county road 3250 and some chip and seal patch repair continues. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management Executive Board meeting Tuesday where they went over financial statements before reviewing Waste Reduction grant applications and scoring them. Larson said the grant applications totaled $253,652.45, but there was only $175,657.99 available from tipping fees which helps fund the grants from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Larson reported five of the applications were fully funded while three others were partially funded. One local application from the Lake Spring Satellite Recycling submitted by Richard Osa was not funded. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the courthouse would be closed on Monday, October 13th for Columbus Day. She also said her office balanced with the Dent County Collector and Dent County Assessor on all accounts for September. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented her report on the sales tax monies received this month from the Missouri Department of Revenue. The General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Funds each received $103,846.55, which was up $9,582.59 from October of 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $29,288.11 or about 3.1%. She said the Road and Bridge Fund received $51,923.20, and that’s up $7,909.96 from last October. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $44,363.98 and that’s about 10.2%. Williams reported both Jail Funds received $104,285.81, which was an increase of $15,838.62 from October of 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $88,824.24, an increase of over ten percent. 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.

The Dent County Health Center is excited to invite the community to the Fall 2025 Community Health Fair. This free event is dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and preventive care for all residents of Dent County. The Health Fair will be held on Friday, October 17th from 7:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon at the Dent County Health Center on Highway 32-72 East. Community members are encouraged to attend and take advantage of the many services and resources available, including free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol; Flu vaccinations; health education booths covering nutrition, substance use prevention, maternal/child health, and chronic disease management; local healthcare providers and organizations sharing information about resources and services; and giveaways and educational materials to help families stay healthy year-round. The event is open to all ages, and no appointment is required. Residents are encouraged to bring their friends, family, and neighbors to take part in this community-wide celebration of health. For more information, please contact Dent County Health Center at (573) 729-3106 or visit www.dentcohealth.org.