Archive for 2025

The Dent County Health Center announces the upcoming departure of Dr. April Greener, DNP, FNP-BC, who will conclude her service on August 29, 2025. Dr. Greener has accepted a position at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, where she will continue her work in public health by serving students through their campus health clinic. Greener stated that it has been an incredible honor to work alongside the dedicated team at Dent County Health Center and care for the wonderful patients who make this community so special. She said that this role has not only been professionally rewarding but has also given me a deep sense of connection to the people of Dent County. Zach Moser, Administrator of the Dent County Health Center, said that April’s compassion, clinical excellence, and deep commitment to our mission have made her an invaluable part of our team and she will be greatly missed, and we wish her all the best in her new role. Moser noted that April will continue addressing refill requests until patients have a chance to establish with new nurse practitioners Kyla Hobson and Amanda Stites. To mark this transition and celebrate Dr. Greener’s years of service, the Health Center will host a Community Open House on Thursday, August 28th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Health Center. Patients and community members are encouraged to stop by, say farewell to April, and meet Kyla and Amanda.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports for the end of July and beginning of August. On Friday, July 25th, Deputies responded to the 200 block of County Road 2480 for a domestic dispute. The situation was resolved with all parties. The next day, which was Saturday July 26th, Deputies responded to the 35,000 block of Highway 72 for a stolen vehicle report. The vehicle was discovered to have been repossessed, and no further action was taken. Then on Wednesday the 30th Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of County Road 5080. During the course of the stop, a 37-year-old Salem woman was arrested on several outstanding warrants. Finally on Friday August 1st, Deputies responded to the 4600 block of County Road 4110 for a reported property damage. A subject had damaged the parking lot of Walking Faith Ministries with their vehicle. Suspect information was established, and the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 729-3241.

Online Registration for Salem R-80 is going on now until Friday August 15th for returning families, to access registration through your Campus Parent Portal go to https://salemmo.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/salem.jsp, and update any field necessary. Please add any new students to the district in your application under the student tab during your annual update to avoid registering twice. Only one parent within the primary household is able to complete this annual update. For new families: Register all of your students in one application at bit.ly/OLRkiosk . Once your registration is complete, you will get information on how to create your Parent Portal.

Come to The Creative Arts Center and bring your friends and family for a fun and relaxing few hours of painting! Pick your choice of many of our beautiful ceramic bisque pieces. You may take your piece home the same day if it is painted with acrylic or come back and pick it up if it is glazed and needs to be fired. This event will be held Saturday August 9th from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. In order to have the event there must be tickets sold. The cost is just $1.00. If no tickets are sold event will be cancelled. Walk ins welcome day of if event is held. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

Tickets to all Missouri State Fair concerts and events are on sale to the public, while supplies last. This includes all concerts and events in the State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance, the Governor’s Ham Breakfast and $12 advance adult gate admission. These tickets will be available through Etix.com and by phone 1-800-514-ETIX, that’s 1-800-514-3849. Starting at noon on Monday, June 30th tickets will be available for purchase at the Missouri State Fair Box Office, located on the Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Box office hours are noon to 6:00 Monday through Friday, June 30th, through August 1st, expanding to 9:00 to 6:00 August 4th through 6th and 9:00 to 9:00 daily during the Fair, August 7th through 17th. The Box Office is closed July 4th in observance of 4th of July Holiday.

An accident occurred on Highway 72 Monday morning at approximately 8:18 six miles north of Bunker. According to the Highway Patrol report a 1995 Jeed Wrangler, driven by a 40-year-old man from Bunker, travelled off the right side of the roadway, the driver overcorrected, and the Jeep travelled off the left side of the roadway where it overturned ejecting the driver. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Arch Air to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The Jeep sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Bunker Police Department, Ellington Volunteer Fire Department, Bunker Fire Department, and the Dent County Fire Protection District.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said that grading would be done in the Bunker area around Dent County Road 5600 and that might be done by the end of the week, however it could extend into next week. He went on to say that the brush cutter would also be moved to the Bunker area and would be working in the county road 5500 to 5600 area. Green said that work could continue into next week. He said some rock would be hauled this week, but not on Monday since he had two men out. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that grading would be done on Dent County Road 2350 and that rock would be added and grading done on county roads 2320, 2360, and 4283. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said that on Wednesday he would be attending a Solid Waste Advisory Board meeting at MRPC in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Two heartfelt books honoring American veterans are now available at the Salem Public Library, thanks to a generous donation from a local family. America’s True Heroes and America’s True Heroes Volume II, written by Nicholas Rider, offer powerful firsthand accounts of military service, including stories from two former Salem residents. Author Nicholas Rider was just 14 years old when he began interviewing veterans, inspired by conversations with his grandfather, a World War II veteran. His first volume was published in 2006, capturing the voices of those who served. Following national recognition in the November 2007 issue of Guideposts magazine, Rider received hundreds of letters from readers eager to share their own stories. A second volume was published in 2008, expanding the collection of personal accounts from America’s servicemen and women. Among those featured in the books are two Salem connections: Raymond Maxfield, a World War I Army veteran, and Robert Moore, a World War II Army Air Force veteran. Moore was the son of Myron and Flossie Moore and the husband of Dawn Maxfield. Their daughter, Sally Moore, donated both volumes to the library in tribute to her family’s legacy of service. The books are now available for circulation at the Salem Public Library and offer readers a compelling glimpse into the sacrifices and experiences of those who have served our nation.

Social media is evolving so quickly that even seasoned business owners who use it daily for marketing often feel like beginners. A new workshop being held for free online aims to change that by giving participants fresh insights, practical strategies, and actionable tips on how to maximize social media for their business. Whether you’re confident in your skills or just getting started, this session promises to offer new knowledge and a clearer understanding of how to integrate social media into your business strategy. The free workshop will cover the most popular platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with a focus on how to create posts that truly engage customers. The session will be led by Kim Beer, a national speaker and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and small business marketing. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and nearly 20 years as president of the small business marketing firm Midnight Productions, Inc., Kim has built a reputation for delivering marketing education that is both honest and highly actionable. As a Certified Authorized Local Expert and Platinum Solution Provider with Constant Contact, she has helped countless entrepreneurs take their marketing efforts to the next level. Participants are encouraged to log in at least five minutes early to ensure a smooth connection. The webinar begins promptly at 9:00 Thursday morning and will conclude by 11:00. To register go to Score.org and under the Local Workshops tab, select Events Calendar and select the Zero Cost Social Media event.

The Salem Parks & Recreation Department regrets to inform everyone that the City Pool will be closed until further notice due to mechanical issues. Their new pump is currently experiencing problems, and the backup pump has not been repaired. They understand how disappointing this is during the peak of summer, and they have a team is working to reopen the pool as soon as possible. For more information you can visit the Salem MO Parks & Recreation Department Facebook page or call (573) 729-6290.

The Salem Public Library will be closed tomorrow for staff development. They will reopen on Wednesday at 10:00 in the morning and resume their normal hours of operation. To learn more about the library or utilize their online resources visit their website at SalemPublicLibrary.net.

The Salem Police Department released two arrest reports from July 28th. In the first report, a patrolman and sergeant from the Salem Police Department conducted a traffic stop in the 1300 block of West Scenic Rivers Boulevard. The Officers identified the driver as Steven McCarter and discovered McCarter did not have a valid driver’s license. A consent search of the vehicle was conducted which yielded no contraband. As a result of the traffic stop, McCarter was issues a summons and was taken into custody for driving while having their license revoked or suspended, a second or subsequent offense. According to the second report, a short-term, narcotics investigation brought three patrolmen and a sergeant to the 600 block of South Jackson Street. The police made contact was made with a suspect, Deseray Fish. During the investigation, the police located suspected fentanyl. As a result, Fish was taken into custody and was transported to the Dent County Jail where she is being held. A probable cause statement was filed with the office of the Dent County Prosecutor, Andrew Curley. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney James Weber filed a felony complaint in the Circuit Court of Dent County. The Honorable Judge Nathan Kelsaw issued a $10,000 cash or surety bond warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance. The suspects in each case are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will once again have a strong presence at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, running from August 7th through August 17th. Located inside the MDC Conservation Building, open daily from 9:00 in the morning to 7:00, visitors can view a variety of native fish and wildlife, including snakes, turtles, and amphibians. The building will also feature vibrant displays of Missouri-native plants that support butterflies, bees, and other critical pollinators. MDC staff will be on hand throughout the fair to answer questions, provide educational materials, and engage with the public about conservation issues affecting the state. One of the highlights of MDC’s involvement is “Missouri Department of Conservation Day,” taking place Friday, August 8th. The day will feature special programs, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities that celebrate Missouri’s natural heritage. Throughout the fair, the MDC Outdoor Pavilion will host an array of interactive demonstrations. These include the popular Raptors of Missouri presentation by Dickerson Park Zoo, where attendees can see live birds of prey up close. Fish cooking and cleaning demonstrations will be held August 8th and 9th, offering tasty insights into Missouri’s aquatic resources. Fairgoers can also learn how to combat invasive species during a special exhibit on the MoDOT lawn, adjacent to the pavilion. On August 11th visitors can discover how to get involved with MDC’s volunteer programs such as Stream Teams and the Missouri Master Naturalists. Conservation Canines will take center stage August 12th and 13th showcasing how dogs assist with wildlife efforts. A working scale model sawmill will be demonstrated on August 14th, giving attendees a glimpse into the state’s forest history. Rounding out the week are sessions on foraging for wild edibles on August 15th, a visit from the Montauk Fish Hatchery truck on August 16th, and a campfire cooking demonstration on August 17th to close out the fair. Whether you’re interested in native wildlife, outdoor skills, or getting involved in conservation, MDC’s presence at the Missouri State Fair offers something for all ages and interests. For full event details and scheduling, visit mostatefair.com.