Archive for 2025

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will be presenting eleven awards at its Annual Awards Dinner on October 23rd at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Each year, the MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time and talents and give support to their communities. Individuals being recognized by MRPC for Outstanding Contributions to a Community in the immediate Dent County area include Kelly Money of St. James, nominated by MRPC Board Member Taisia Gordon; and Dana Richter of Steelville, nominated by Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Steve Black. A locally elected official was also nominated and that is Dent County Clerk Angie Curley of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson. Also being recognized as an Outstanding Local Agency Representative is Rolla City Administrator John Butz of Rolla, nominated by MRPC board members Kent Bagnall and Dawn Bell. The public is invited to attend the event in Salem. The 2025 Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient remains a secret until announced at the Annual Dinner. Dent County is proud to have been home to the last two Eugene E. Northern award winners in Stan Podorski and Deloris Gray Wood. The deadline for reservations is tomorrow. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993. 

Americans increasingly rely on smartphones, tablets, headphones, power tools, toys and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries that if used incorrectly or damaged, can overheat, start a fire or explode. National Fire Prevention Week 2025 is going on now and it focuses on understanding the risks these devices may pose and how to buy, charge and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely to reduce risks. State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said many people don’t realize it, but virtually every electronic device that is rechargeable uses lithium-ion batteries and it’s essential to use, charge and recycle these batteries safely to prevent fires in the home. Following simple steps will reduce risks and protect your family. We increasingly buy devices and products online without knowledge of the manufacturer. Some products – online and in stores – may not meet safety standards and could increase the risk of fire. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, take time to research it. Look for a certification stamp from a nationally recognized testing lab, like UL, ETL or CSA, on the packaging and product, which means that it meets important safety standards. Be sure to always charge devices safely. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge it. Follow manufacturer instructions. If you need a new charger, buy one from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Never charge devices near flammable materials. These could cause a fire. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycling your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location is the best way to dispose of them. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and lithium-ion battery safety, visit fpw.org.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is seeking public input from roadway users for the region-wide “Safe Streets and Roads for All” to help create a Regional Safety Action Plan. The public is encouraged to take a short survey on how individuals utilize transportation and safety concerns with the roadway systems in their county of residence. It is crucial for the public to take the surveys because it directly impacts the safety and effectiveness of transportation infrastructure in each of our communities. The Online surveys by county are for Dent County: mrpcsurveys.typeform.com/SS4ADent; for Phelps County: mrpcsurveys.typeform.com/SS4APhelps; and for Crawford County: mrpcsurveys.typeform.com/SS4ACrawford. In 2023, MRPC was awarded a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Established in 2022, the program funds planning and implementation activities to prevent deaths and serious injuries on roadways. The safety action plan is being developed for the Meramec Region, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. The draft plan will be completed by the end of 2025, with the final plan to be submitted in March 2026. For more information, please contact Anne Freand at afreand@meramecregion.org or Senior Community Development Specialist Orin Pogue at opogue@meramecregion.org. You can also call the MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

A “Hocus Pocus Front Porch Sign N’ Wine” class will be held Friday evening, October 10th, from 6:00 until 9:00 at the Creative Arts Center with Danielle Norris. Come and follow along step by step to make a “Hocus Pocus” sign just in time for spooky season! Or go amuck and create your own porch sign leaner or 15×15 square sign for fall or Halloween! Stencils will be available for letters and personalization! The cost is $30 for porch leaner, or $32 for the 15 x 15 square sign. At least six people need to sign up for the class which will be limited to no more than 20. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com

An accident occurred Friday afternoon around 12:45 in Phelps County on Hwy J just north of Hwy P. According to the highway patrol report a 2005 Chevrolet 1500 driven by a 29-year-old male from Licking was travelling northbound and travelled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing. The report goes on to state that the male was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The 62nd Annual Rose Holland Trout Derby was held this past weekend at Montauk State Park with incredible weather! The Derby raised $16,300 exceeding the goal of $15,000 for the tournament with the proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. The money came from the silent auction, trout tag sales and the country store. A total of 54 tagged fish were caught during the derby. The Men’s Heaviest Trout caught was by Caden Steinhorn of Hazelwood, Missouri, which also won him the Slippery Liz II Award for the heaviest fish, and it was six pounds and one ounce; and the Women’s Heaviest Trout was caught by Megan Fuhr of Augusta, Missouri and it was three pounds and ten ounces. No Brown Trout were caught during the tournament. Taking First Place in the Kids Heaviest Stringer was Bently Rawson of Bonneteville, Missouri whose stringer total was five pounds and thirteen ounces. The Second-Place winner in the Kids Heaviest Stringer was Bentley Foster of Imperial, Missouri with a total catch that weighed in at five pounds and six ounces. The 3rd place award went to Justin Fleener of Salem with a stringer that weighed in at four pounds and twelve ounces, while Emmett Stafford of Salem took 4th place with a stringer of four pounds seven ounces. The Slippery Liz I trophy, which is the first tag drawn at the derby, went to Sara Foster. Sixteen attendance prizes were also given away. New this year was the Corn Hole Tournament that was a big success with 20 teams participating. The Pony Rides for kids stayed busy for two hours, plus kids lined up to honk the horn on the Fire Truck and play on the Bounce House Slide. The Derby is held in honor of Rose Holland who was the trout hatchery manager at Montauk for 24 years who passed away in 1963 from heart disease. Co-Coordinator of the derby, Darlene Griffith, wanted to thank all those who attended this year’s derby and all the volunteers who helped make it a great success!

At the Dent County Commission meeting Monday morning, Deloris Gray Wood from the Dent County Historical Society reported on the 155th Birthday Celebration of the Dent County Courthouse and that the event went very well. She thanked Commissioner Gary Larson for being at the event and turning the lights on around the courthouse. She also wanted to thank all those who participated in making the event special with a special thank you to KSMO Radio/Your World Today and Townscreen for the banner, programs and news about the event, and to The Salem News for their feature article about the celebration. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said two men were going to Springfield to get oil for the Durapatcher. He said brush would be cut on county road 6520 and crews will be replacing pipes on Dent County Roads 2400 and 6500 as well as other roads if time permits. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers will be installing a new crossover pipe, adding rock and grading Dent County Road 3160 while only grading would be done on county roads 3300 and 4260. Williams indicated brush would be cut on county road 2030 and rock will be added to county road 3305. He went on to report a crew would be repairing a flat tire on tractor #6. Presiding Commissioner Larson said the Solid Waste Executive Board meeting was not held last Friday as there was typographical error in the notice, so it will be held today in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the courthouse would be closed on October 13th for Columbus Day. She also said she received the 2026 County Budget Packet to begin preparing the county budget for the next fiscal year. At the last meeting, Zach Moser from the Dent County Health Center gave his monthly update to the commissioners before they went into closed session to discuss personnel. After coming back into open session, the commission approved CERF contributions will remain the same for employees. They also voted unanimously that all elected officials and employees pay their own County Employment Retirement percentage. 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 Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said work crews would be finishing up their grading work in the Montauk area as asphalt patch work is being done on Dent County 4110. Green said brush cutting is being done on county road 5520. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers will be adding rock and grading Dent County Road 3300 and 4280, while only grading would be done on county roads 3310 and 4270. Williams indicated that his crew will be finishing up their chip and seal patching by early next week. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he did not attend the Solid Waste Advisory Board meeting Wednesday as another officer filled in for him. He will be attending the Solid Waste Executive Committee Board meeting in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would be doing a voter registration drive at the Salem High School Cafeteria Foyer on Tuesday, October 21st from 11:00 in the morning until 1:30 in the afternoon. She then reported that she received permission from the Salem R-80 Art Department to hold another “I Voted” sticker contest that allows students to design a new sticker that will be used in the county clerk’s office and at all voting locations in Dent County for the 2026 and 2027 elections. This is a contest between students that began Wednesday and will continue through December 1st. All submissions by the students will be due on December 1st and the five finalists will be determined by December 5th. Their artwork will then be posted in the courthouse on the walls from December 8th through the 19th for registered voters to come and view, then cast their vote on their favorite design. The winner and runners-up will be notified on December 20th. This contest was done back in 2022 and the winner of that “I Voted” sticker contest was Olivia Wisdom. The commissioners agreed to list on Purple Wave two dump trucks and a groomer to be sold. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk and Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the Sale of Surplus Property funds in the amount of $15,125.19 which is for Betty Brown’s property. The funds needed to be turned over to the Department of Social Services, Missouri Healthnet Division to release the lien placed on the property. The commission approved turning over the funds. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00. The meeting is open to the public. 

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, October 6th, 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.

A beginners stained glass workshop will be held at the Creative Arts Saturday starting tomorrow and be held every Tuesday through October 28th from 4:00 in the afternoon until 7:00 in the evening. Jennifer Curry will be the instructor. You will learn the fundamentals of the stained glass foiling technique during this workshop. In this class you will create your very own glass project using the foiling technique, while learning to score, break, grind, foil, and solder. You will be introduced to the vocabulary, materials, and the tools used, while creating a beautifully designed piece for your very own. You will select a pattern from one provided, upon arrival during your first workshop. The only thing you need to bring is the desire and enthusiasm to learn the beautiful craft of creating art with glass. At least two people need to sign up for the class to be held and walk-ins are welcome up until the end of the first session on Tuesday night. The class will be limited to five people. The cost is $130 for the four week workshop which includes all the supplies and safety equipment are included. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

Maggie Hogan was crowned the 2025 Football Homecoming Queen by the 2024 Homecoming Queen, Kenzie Owens. The other senior Queen Candidates were Addison Fulton and Lizabeth Hendrix. The other members of the Homecoming Court were Freshman Brinkley Tripp, Sophomore Aubree Grauf and Junior Rylee Parker.

The 62nd Annual Rose Holland Trout Derby will be held today through Sunday at Montauk State Park. Derby fishing hours on both Saturday and Sunday will begin at 7:30 in the morning. Fishing will end at 6:30 Saturday evening and at 11:30 Sunday morning. Several activities will take place in conjunction with the derby including a cruise-in car show Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 at the Searcy Building Parking Lot across the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge sponsored by the Current River Car Cruisers. On Saturday, there will be a Health Screening by the Texas County Memorial Hospital from 9:00 in the morning until noon. Make sure you fast for 10 to 12 hours for the best results. From 11:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon, families can enjoy face painting, pony rides, bounce houses, games and walks throughout the grounds. A Corn-hole Tournament will begin at 1:00 with prizes awarded, and there will also be live entertainment starting at 5:00 in the afternoon and lasting until about 8:30 Saturday evening featuring James Van Kirk from Licking and others. On Sunday, prizes will be awarded in front of the lodge starting at noon including attendance prizes, the kids’ heaviest stringer, heaviest brown trout as well as any tagged fish that were caught and registered. All the proceeds raised from the derby will benefit the American Heart Association. For more information about the derby, call 573-548-2434.

Missouri has entered the fall harvest season and it’s important that drivers and farmers pay attention and share the road. In 2024, there were 194 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment or implements. In those crashes, two people were killed and 65 were injured. Whether you are driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, these crashes can be prevented by paying attention to the full-time job of driving and obeying all traffic laws. For farmers, make sure your farm equipment is properly marked with lights and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem when you travel on the roadway. Be sure the lights and reflective materials are clean and free of debris to be visible. Utilize escort vehicles to warn motorists when moving equipment that is wider than the lane of travel. This is especially important on roadways that are narrow or have hills/curves that limit sight distance. If traffic accumulates behind you on the road where it is difficult to make a safe pass, pull off onto the side of the road in a level area, so vehicles can pass. Always drive as far to the right as possible and avoid traveling at dawn or dusk. Often, all-terrain vehicles are used for agricultural purposes. ATVs being used for farming can only travel on highways during daylight hours and must be equipped with lights, a bicycle flag, and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem. The law requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a safety helmet when operating an ATV. If you are driving, stay alert for slow moving farm equipment especially on hilly rural roads. When you drive behind a tractor or other farm machinery, please slow down and be patient. Wait to pass until you have a clear view of the road ahead and there is no oncoming traffic. Never pass on a bridge or when sight distance is limited by a hill or curve. Collisions commonly occur when a motorist tries to pass a left-turning farm vehicle. A tractor that appears to be pulling to the right side of the road to let motorists pass, may actually be preparing to make a wide left turn. Watch the farmer’s hand and light signals closely. Special attention must be paid when traveling at dawn or dusk when the sun makes can make it difficult to see. Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility. It’s that simple.