Archive for 2025

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet this evening, at the Fire Station #2 South Main in Salem. The meeting will begin at 6:00 with the call to order, roll call, and approval of the consent agenda, which will include review of the minutes, the financial report and approval of bills, and the budget review. The monthly reimbursement report will be reviewed followed by old business, which will include the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease, which was tabled last month. New business to be considered will include the tax rate hearing, MEC Resolution, the sale of old trucks, and brush truck bids for equipment beds, skid units, and lighting. Other new business items will include fuel cards, truck radio for #8010, and budget requests. Chief Floyd will give his report followed by setting the date for the next meeting. Prior to adjournment the Board may go in to closed session to discuss personnel.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a workshop today at 5:30 before their regular meeting, where they will discuss vacant buildings within the community. During their regular meeting, the board will hold a public hearing to discuss the annexation of property in the 1000-1200 block of W. Roosevelt-Adams St, and the 2025 tax rates. The board will then approve the agenda and consent agenda and hear public comments. They will then hear first and second readings of Bill No. 3682 regarding conflicts of interest, Bill No. 3684 regarding Phase 2A improvements at the waste water treatment facility, and Bill No. regarding the 2025 tax levy. New business items include discussion and approvals related to the city’s demolition policy, a mobile home park license, and multiple equipment purchases such as a paint sprayer, streetlights, a transformer, wastewater shoring equipment, and a new desktop computer. Reports from city officials will be presented before the board enters a closed session to discuss legal matters and certain contract negotiations, followed by adjournment.

A Bunker man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit from Salem into Iron County late Saturday night. According to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began on August 9, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., when deputies on routine patrol clocked a vehicle traveling 103 miles per hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone within the City of Salem. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to pull over, prompting a pursuit east on Highway 32 into Iron County. The chase came to an end near Belleview when the suspect’s vehicle crashed and suffered a mechanical failure. Deputies said the driver, identified as 40-year-old Benjamin Smith of Bunker, was tased and taken into custody. A warrant application was submitted to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office, and on August 10, 2025, Judge Kelsaw issued a no-bond warrant for Smith. He is charged with aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, driving while intoxicated, careless and imprudent driving involving an accident, failing to drive on the right half of the roadway resulting in an accident, driving in the center lane of a three-lane roadway, and three counts of exceeding the posted speed limit by 26 miles per hour or more. The Dent County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Salem Police Department, Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Iron County Ambulance District, and the Pilot Knob Fire Department. Authorities note that the charges are merely accusations and that Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

On August 04, 2025, Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Task Force (R.A.D.E.) officers concluded a short-term narcotics investigation with the execution of a search warrant in the 100 block of Fourth Street, Salem, Missouri. The warrant was served in connection with an ongoing investigation into illegal drug activity. R.A.D.E. was assisted in the investigation and operation by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, and Rolla Police Department. During the search, investigators located and seized quantities of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm. Glenn A. Head, age 55, was arrested in connection with the investigation and transported to the Dent County Jail. He was held pending formal charges from the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The following day on August 05, 2025, a warrant was issued for Head in the 42nd Judicial Circuit for felony possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a firearm (possession of a firearm and controlled substance), and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety. The charges for which Glen Head was arrested are merely accusations and do not constitute evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

An accident occurred in Dent County Thursday afternoon at approximately 12:50 on Highway 19, just south of county road 5080. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by a 17-year-old male juvenile from Salem, failed to negotiate a curve, crossed the centerline, and struck a southbound 2006 Chrysler Town and Country driven by a 70-year-old male from Salem. The report stated that a 68-year-old female occupant of the Chrysler suffered serious injuries and was flown to Cox in St. Louis. The juvenile suffered serious injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital. The 70-year-old man suffered moderate injuries and was also transported to Salem Memorial. The report stated that all three occupants of the two vehicles were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Citizen Cindy Jones was in attendance and had a question about the source of the vertical address signs at county residences. The Commissioners told her that the signs are available from the Scenic Rivers Industries. She also said she received information in the mail about a pipeline proposal by Inspire that’s to be along Highway 72 and wondered what the Commissioners new about it. They were unaware of the pipeline. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that his men were completing the 2000-hour service on one of graders and then it will start grading in the Turtle area. He also said a pipe was being installed on Dent County Road 4210 and that was all he had to report since he had two men out. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams said his crew was grading in the Lecoma area on Dent County Roads 2025, 2050, 2060, and 4353, plus rock would be added and grading done on county roads 2020 and 4330. Williams noted that new blades were being installed on Grader #40. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that on Wednesday he attended the Solid Waste Advisory Board meeting in Jefferson City. He said there was discussion on the disposal of scrap tires, plus reports from all the districts. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment and that she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on the monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of July. She also noted that she balanced with the Treasurer on all accounts for July and the Commissioners had her reports for review. Curley said she would be gone next Monday to attend the MAC Board meeting, as well as Thursday to attend the County Clerks Association meeting. She also noted that the Treasurer Williams and Commissioner Williams will be attending the MAC Trust Board meeting next week. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to report her July turn-over of $58,422.30. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report the sales tax receipts for August. The General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Funds each received $131,898.06, which was up $38,291.87 from August of 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $26,715.04 or about 3.6%. She said that both Jail Funds received $126,662.99, which was an increase of $37,614.68 from August 2024. Year-to-date each fund is up $68,187.79 or about 9.9%. Williams reported that the Road and Bridge sales tax receipt was $63,120.72 and that’s up $18,807.50 from last August. Year-to-date Road and Bridge is up $34,054.99 and that’s about 1%. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zach Moser was in with the county road and bridge employee drug testing invoice and results. The Commissioner visited by phone with Jeff Banderet of Great Rivers Engineering about the overhead lighting for the courthouse sidewalk project. He reported that his best guess on the cheapest solution would be to keep the same 6 exterior lighting poles and keep the wiring above ground. Banderet also said he would like for MoDOT to seek proposals in order to see what actual costs are going to be. The estimated original cost was $98,000 and that would probably go up to $126,000. Jeff said he would meet with City of Salem Administrator Sally Burbridge and the Commission on the cost share of the 6 electric poles around the courthouse. At last Monday’s meeting Mike Smith with Hope Construction was in to look at the gazebo and said he will submit a quote for fixing the boards and painting them. Also on Monday, Presiding Commissioner Larson signed a Supplemental Agreement, which was part of the engineering services contract dated 3/1/24 between Great Rivers Engineering and Dent County for FLAP #077. The agreement is for an additional $4,267.49 and is not to exceed $8,835.49 without authorization. The total service shall not exceed $90,947.33. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.

Join Amy Terrill at the Creative Arts Center on Tuesday August 12th from 5:30 in the evening until 7:30 for a fun rug-making, hands-on workshop! Learn an easy technique to make a rug with torn strips of fabric and a modified toothbrush. These rugs are relaxing to make and require no sewing. In this class, you’ll learn how to begin a toothbrush rug or table placemat; and due to time, the goal will be for each person to leave with a trivet size piece to build on at home and make as large as you want it to be!  All projects are machine washable, dry-able and last for years! No previous experience or skills necessary. The cost is $20 per person. Please bring your own scissors, all other supplies are included. A minimum of 2 people are needed to have the class and a maximum of 10. The classes are for participants 18-years-old and older. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District is now accepting grant applications for the 2026 grant round through noon on Friday, August 15th. This workshop ensures that potential grantees know application requirements and understand the benefits and obligations, should they receive reimbursement funding for their projects. Projects must be located in or benefit the Ozark Rivers district, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Grants are available to city and county governments, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, citizens and other interested parties to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled through waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. The district’s list of targeted materials is based on the state-targeted materials list. In addition, the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has identified multiple priority project areas to address specific needs in the district, however all projects will be considered. Potential projects can focus on district priorities for education, end-market development for recycled materials, waste reduction and reuse, hard to recycle items such as carpet and mattresses, food waste reduction or composting, construction and demolition waste, and special events/business/multi-family dwelling recycling. Some $140,927 is available for grants this round. A more detailed list of priorities and targeted materials is included in the grant application and available at ozarkrivers.org/grant-projects/how-to-apply. In its 2025 grant round, Ozark Rivers awarded $132,331.50 to fund or partially fund five projects throughout the seven-county district. These projects included assistance to local recycling programs and collection centers along with district-wide programs for outreach and education, illegal dump cleanups, continued support of the household hazardous waste collection sites in Rolla and St. Robert and special collections for electronics, appliances, and tires. The grant dollars awarded by Ozark Rivers comes through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and represents a portion of the landfill tipping fees collected state-wide. The grant application is available online at www.ozarkrivers.org. For more information, contact Jill Hollowell at 573-265-2993.

Salem residents are being encouraged to take proactive steps this summer to reduce energy usage and lower their utility bills while helping the community maintain overall cost-efficient operations. According to the City of Salem’s Utility Department, small behavioral changes and low cost improvements can lead to immediate and long term savings. Key recommendations include setting your thermostats as high as comfortably possible especially when you’re away. Installing a programmable thermostat or adjusting settings to around 84°F while you’re out of the house can make a significant difference. Residents should also keep window shades closed on sunny sides of the house during peak hours, and wear light clothing indoors to stay comfortable without overcooling. Practical household tips underline the impact of good maintenance: clean or replace HVAC filters every few months, clear debris away from outdoor AC units so airflow is unrestricted, and ensure that vents are not blocked by furniture or drapes. Caulking around windows and doors, replacing weather stripping, installing insulation blankets on water heaters, and adopting low flow showerheads also contribute noticeably to reduced energy use. Everyday choices make a difference: avoid using heat producing appliances like ovens, dishwashers and dryers during peak hours  between 3 pm and 6 pm, use cold water for laundry when possible, and run appliances only in full loads. These recommendations follow guidance from national energy savings programs and utilities across the state. For instance, Ameren Missouri advises raising the thermostat, sealing drafty doors and windows, switching to LED lighting, and optimizing ceiling fan settings to enhance cooling efficiency—all of which align with the City of Salem’s suggestions. By putting these energy-saving strategies into practice, families can expect to see lower monthly bills and contribute to reduced strain on community utilities. Those looking for more comprehensive guidance can visit the Summer Home Efficiency Tips section on the City’s website, SalemMO.com.

The MU Extension office is inviting the public to take part in a needs assessment survey regarding Alpha Gal Syndrome also referred to as AGS. AGS is a tick-borne food allergy cause by a bite from the lone star tick. A bite from this tick can result in the development of a food allergy to mammalian meat and related products. The survey is estimated to take ten to fifteen minutes, and you must be 18 years of age or older to participate. For more information you can contact Rachel O’Halloran a Field Specialist in Nutrition and Health at (573) 266-2701 or at RachelOhalloran@missouri.edu.