Archive for 2025

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet this 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 finalizing the bank account for Bond Payments with the Bank of Salem. In New Business the Board will consider Traffic Safety Equipment, review the Bunks Across America Bed Build, and plan for the Dent County Courthouse 155th Celebration. Chief Dennis Floyd will present his report, followed by setting the date for the next meeting and closed session if necessary, before adjournment.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report the sales tax receipts for September. The General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Funds each received $107,727.54, which was up $4,580.05 from September of 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $69,840.76 or about 8.3%. She said the Road and Bridge Fund received $50,897.05, and that’s up $2,398.83 from last September. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $36,453.82 and that’s about 9.4%. Williams reported both Jail Funds received $102,215.99, which was an increase of $4,797.82 from September of 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $72,985.62, an increase of over nine percent. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said it was still too dry to grade so brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 6210, 6220, and 6390. He indicated a crew member would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair this week. Green also stated a crew would be replacing crossover pipes in District 1 on county roads 2460 and 2470. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock on Dent County Road 3140 while brush will be cut on county road 2060. He stated Grader #40 was in the shop for full maintenance and a crew will be preparing roads for chip and seal repairs next week. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to remind citizens about the special electronics and tire collection that will be held this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until noon at the City of Salem Water and Sewer Construction Building at Third and Grand Streets. Drop off old computers, cassette players, stereos, hair dryers, and other items that run on battery or electricity for no charge. There may be a charge from some items like TV’s and monitors. The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District will also be collecting old used tires for a small charge. If you have any questions, please contact the MRPC at 573-265-2993 and ask for Jill Hollowell. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the collector and assessor for the month of August on all collections, abatements and add-ons. 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 Salem R-80 School district held a special meeting on Thursday afternoon at 12:00 in the administration building located at 1409 W. Rolla Road. After approving the agenda, the board voted to approve the Compass Therapy Solutions contract for SLP and SLPA services. The motion passed, with board member Marjorie Pyatt abstaining, noting a conflict of interest. The meeting then adjourned. The next regular meeting for the Salem R-80 School district will be held Thursday September 18 at 5:30 in the administration building, and is open to the public. 

The following reports were released for the end of August and beginning of September from the Dent County Sherriff’s office. On Wednesday August 27th deputies responded to the 900 block of County Road 5440 for a reported animal abuse. The victim advised one of his cows had been shot. The investigation is pending. Then on Friday August 29th deputies responded to the 1000 block of County Road 6160 for a missing person. A report was generated, and the investigation is ongoing. On Sunday August 31st deputies responded to the 2200 block of County Road 4110 for a report of several mailboxes that had been damaged in the area. Then on Tuesday September 2nd deputies conducted a traffic stop on N. Highway 19 and Highway 68. During the stop, two suspects were arrested for active warrants and transported to the Dent County Jail. Later that week on Thursday September 4th deputies conducted a “knock and talk” in the 3100 block of Highway 68. Suspected narcotics were located, and the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on an ongoing investigation, please contact the sheriffs’ office at 573-729-3241.

An accident occurred on Friday September 5th around 11:30 in the morning in Texas County on Hwy AW about a mile south of Evening Shade. According to the highway patrol report a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by a 36-year-old male from Calico Rock, Arkansas travelling northbound was overtaking a 2003 Peterbilt truck being driven by a 29-year-old male from Salem which was also traveling northbound. The Ford impacted a 2018 Ford F150 being driven by a 29-year-old female from Plato who was turning onto the roadway. Then the Fusion impacted the Peterbilt, travelled off the left side of the roadway impacting a mailbox bank and coming to rest. The female suffered minor injuries along with a 4-year-old male juvenile in the Ford F150, both were transported to General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital by a private vehicle. They were both wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The 36-year-old male suffered minor injuries and was transported to Texas County Memorial Hospital by Texas County EMS. The report goes on to state he wasn’t wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Both Ford vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Arrington Automotive. The Peterbilt sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 12:10 in Laclede County on Hwy 32 east of Hwy U. According to the highway patrol report a 2025 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by a 45-year-old male from Stilwell, OK was travelling eastbound and struck a dog in the roadway. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Mercy Hospital in Lebanon. The Harley sustained minor damage and was removed by a private party.

The Salem R-80 School district held a special meeting on Thursday afternoon at 12:00 in the administration building located at 1409 W. Rolla Road. After approving the agenda, the board voted to approve the Compass Therapy Solutions contract for SLP and SLPA services. The motion passed, with board member Marjorie Pyatt abstaining, noting a conflict of interest. The meeting then adjourned. The next regular meeting for the Salem R-80 School district will be held Thursday September 18 at 5:30 in the administration building, and is open to the public.

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, September 8th, starting at 5:30 to 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 Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt discussed submitting an Emergency Management Performance state grant that would double Marfitt’s salary as Dent County Emergency Management Director. He would have to be certified and have to use the NIMS program for reporting. This was approved and signed by the commission. Marfitt also said the hazmat plan for the region is being reviewed by the emergency management directors and said nothing has changed. He also reported the county is waiting on FEMA for the payment in the 60–90-day window before submitting the next phase. Also, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department wanted to submit a Local Violent Crime Prevention Grant for new radios for patrol vehicles. Their current radios have reached their end of the useful life and this grant will provide up to $25,000 to buy new radios. They are looking at the E.F. Johnson VM-8000 which has already been approved for use for this grant. The current radios do not always reach in the Boss, Bunker, Cedar Grove and Lecoma areas. This is a Missouri Public Safety state grant, and the window closes on this grant September 15th. The commission approved and signed the grant for submission. There was also a request to use the courthouse lawn and square for a car show fundraiser on October 11th to benefit the “Project Win Cancer Program” which was approved by the commission. New Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire was also in attendance at the meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said it was too dry to grade so crews will be out in numerous locations putting in pipes where necessary such as on county road 6420 and the Canoak Road. Green went on to say chip and seal repairs continue on county road 5015. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be grading in the Boss area on Dent County Roads 4405, 5260 and 5340, while brush will be cut on county road 2050. Williams indicated that a number of roads are having their ditches pulled with the dry weather. He went on to say rock is being added and the backhoe will be on county road 3140 working on a low water crossing. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report while Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she received all the tax entities tax rates on time. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zack Moser reported on the “Care Cab” that is now available in Dent County for any transportation need. The cab runs from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. It is a local ride service for Dent County residents who need dependable transportation. Currently there is no charge to use the Care Cab as it was funded by the opioid settlement funds, but this is for a limited time before there will be a slight charge to use it. You can book the Care Cab online at the CareCab.org app or call the Dent County Health Center at 573-729-3106. Moser said flu and COVID vaccines will be available at the drive-through that will be held on October 2nd at the Dent County Fire District Firehouse. He also reported April Greener is no longer at the Dent County Health Center as she is now instructing at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, and two new nurse practitioners have come on board: Kyla Hobson, MSN, FNP-BC, and Amanda Stites, MSN, FNP-BC. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

On Wednesday, September 10th, Respect Missouri Voters will begin gathering signatures across the state to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot to ban legislators from attacking the will of the people. Launch parties will be held throughout Missouri, where volunteers can pick up supplies to begin gathering signatures. Three parties will be held in the Rolla area, each beginning at 6:00 in the evening. The closest launch party will be at the Phelps County Courthouse Meeting Room at 200 North Main Street in Rolla. The Initiative was fueled by the actions of legislators who worked to overturn two initiatives voters approved last year: paid sick leave and women’s healthcare. The legislature also passed Senate Bill 22 which may make it easier for politicians to put deceptive language on the ballot. These actions add to the long record of Missouri politicians overturning initiatives passed by Missouri voters. Clean Missouri, an anti-corruption and redistricting reform initiative passed in 2018, was gutted by lawmakers in 2020 through misleading ballot language. Similarly, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, approved by voters in 2010, was repealed by the legislature the following year. Missourians can learn more about the September 10 launch day events and how to get involved at respectMOvoters.org/launch-day.