Archive for 2025

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 5:15 in Crawford County on Hwy 19 about 3 miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Honda Accord driven by an unknown person was traveling southbound and failed to negotiate a curve. The Honda began to skid and travelled off the left side of the roadway. The Honda then struck a tree, an unoccupied park car, and the side of a garage before coming to rest. The driver fled the scene before officers arrived. A 34-year-old male from Salem, 22-year-old male from Cuba, and a 20-year-old male from Sullivan all suffered moderate injuries and were airlifted to Mercy Creve Coeur. It is unknown if any occupants were wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon around 2:10 in Dent County on Hwy 68 near County Road 3250. According to the highway patrol report a 2015 Toyota Prius driven by a 69-year-old male from Festus was traveling northbound and failed to negotiate a curve. The Toyota travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a pole. The male suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem Memorial Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by American Towing.

The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) approved an agreement Wednesday July 16th setting new rates for natural gas customers of Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri. The Commission approved an unopposed agreement reached among the parties in the case: Ameren Missouri, PSC Staff, the Office of the Public Counsel and the Missouri School Boards’ Association. Under the agreement terms, Ameren Missouri will increase rates by $31.5 million. The amount approved by the Commission is $8.1 million less than Ameren Missouri’s original request of $39.6 million. The new rates will become effective on September 1, 2025. The agreement also included approval of certain low-income and weatherization programs, including the Critical Needs Program and the Income-Eligible Weatherization Assistance Program. The Missouri Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas, steam, manufactured housing and modular units, water and sewer companies, and has limited authority over telephone providers in the state. The Commission ensures the public has access to safe, reliable and reasonably priced utility service. The Commission must balance the interests of the public – ratepayers – as well as company shareholders. In proceedings before the Commission, rates are set to allow the utility company an opportunity – but not a guarantee – to earn a reasonable return on its investment after recovering its prudently incurred expenses.

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval to several regulation changes from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to expand furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities at its May 16th open meeting in Jefferson City. As many populations of furbearing species continue to increase, the proposed regulation changes will increase trapping opportunities and provide landowners with additional tools to manage wildlife populations and respond to human-wildlife conflicts. The Commission gave initial approval to increasing the number of days that allow the use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment when harvesting coyotes. The proposed regulation would extend the use of these tools to 252 days from January 1st through September 30th, excluding the prescribed spring turkey hunting season. Prior to the proposed regulation, artificial light, night vision, and thermal imaging equipment could only be used to harvest coyotes from February 1st through March 31st, a total of 59 days. The Commission also approved a proposed regulation change that would allow Conibear and similar type traps that are 7 inches in size or smaller to be used in dryland sets on private property with some restrictions on placement and use. Previously, these types of traps could not be more than 5 inches, unless set in water. In addition, the Commission approved a proposed regulation change that would allow the use of snares in dryland sets on private property with certain requirements on size and device configuration. Currently, snares can only be used in water sets. The proposed regulation would allow snares in dryland sets on private property as long as they are set 150 feet from public areas and property borders, unless written consent is obtained. MDC is seeking public comments on the proposed regulation changes until this Thursday. Get more information and submit comments at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage. If given final approval, the anticipated date for the regulation changes to take effect is January 1st, 2026, for extended use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment when harvesting coyotes. If given final approval, the anticipated date for the other regulation changes to become effective is April 1st, 2026. For more information on Hunting and Trapping in Missouri, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Citizens Deloris Gray Wood, Dr. Leigh Ann Price, and Cindy Jones were in attendance. Deloris presented two requests for activities on the courthouse lawn. The first, on September 6th, would be a “Birthday Party” celebrating the 155th anniversary for the Dent County Courthouse. The plans are tentative at this point, but might include speaker(s), music, a picnic, etc., and would begin at 4:00 in the afternoon. The second event would be Friday, September 4th, 2026, and would be a WWII Remembrance of events on September 4th, 1943, in Meramec Township. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the events would be fine based on what the Commission learns from Jeff Banderet of Great Rivers Engineering about timing of the sidewalk project. The Commissioners gave tentative approval to the two activities. In the road report District One Commissioner Keith Green said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5015 and 5080, plus his crew had spent two days on 5080, the Swartz Road, preparing for the chip and seal repair project. He went on to report that grading would be done on county roads 5590 and 5600 and another pipe would be installed on county road 4210, the Maledy Ford road. Green also said he had a man going to Lebanon for a load of cold mix asphalt. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2200, 2340, and 4340, plus rock would be added and grading done on county road 3233. Presiding Commissioner Larson reported that he attended a Tourism Tax Committee meeting on Monday where they had 3 requests for reimbursement. Two were approved, while one was denied. Larson also said that committee received a thank you letter from John Hambacker for their approval of the Frisco Trail signage. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said bills were being approved by the commissioners for payment, and that she wanted to remind all tax entities such as cities, schools, hospital, health center, unbalance, fire, etc., that their ProForma Tax Rate forms are headed their way and they need to publish their tax rate hearings asap. The commission set their tax rate hearing for August 18th at 10:00. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to report CART receipts and Sales Tax receipts. The road and bridge CART receipts for the month were $89,339.41, which is up $6,272.78. Year-to-date CART receipts are up $47,339.04, or about 8.7%, when compared to 2024. She also reported that the General Revenue and Law Enforcement each received $84,102.40, and those are up year-to-date $26,968.84 or about 4.2%. Road and Bridge was up year-to-date $15,247.49 with this month’s receipt of $38,855.32. That was about a 5.1% increase. The jail funds each received $78,132.45, which is an increase year-to-date of $30,573.11, also a 5.1% increase. Banderet presented engineering agreements for road and bridge improvements. Two smaller projects were proposed on Dent County Roads 5150 and 3210 at a cost of $25,500 each for a total of $51,000. A larger bridge replacement on county road 4210 was proposed at $145,000. The commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the agreements for the three FEMA related bridges, but due to the fact that the county is waiting on FEMA reimbursement Banderet will not begin any work until the commission tells him to. Derrick Marfitt, Emergency Management Director, shared his frustration with FEMA and outlined what he has done supplying reports and documentation, some multiple times to the same department since FEMA lost the information or a personnel change had occurred. It was suggested that the commissioners should contact Congressman Jason Smith and Senator Josh Hawley about the FEMA situation. Banderet also addressed the sidewalk project and the courthouse lighting options. He recommended an alternative that potentially would save $40,000 on the project. Banderet addressed the FLAP Project #077, which is the back road into Montauk. There were some archaeological findings so he recommended going to the Phase I project, which would involve curve widening and would save enough money to stay within the $800,000 fully funded project budget. Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield was in to visit about the MRPC Waste Collection September 13th and requested volunteer help. Commissioner Larson said he would follow up on the request. Noah Gates with Tri-State Truck Center visited with the commissioners on the state bid pricing for 2026 Mach dual-axle and tri-axle dump trucks. The commissioners decided to wait on a decision pending FEMA funding. Chris Holliday, IDA President, was in to recommend the reappointment of Lori Plank, Dean Jones and Camron Erway to the Industrial Development Authority Board. Their reappointment was approved 3-0. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning in the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the National Deer Association (NDA) invite landowners to a Wildflowers and Whitetails webinar on August 26th at 6:00 in the evening as well as a Utilizing Prescribed Fire for Deer Management on September 9th at 6:00 in the evening. If you’d like to learn more about deer management at you can visit mdc.mo.gov.

With summer activities, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds everyone to be careful with all sources of fire that could cause a wildfire. If you are building a campfire clear a generous zone around fire rings. Store unused firewood a good distance from a campfire. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquid to start a fire. Keep campfires small and controllable. Keep fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, close. Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments. Learn more about camping on MDC areas at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/camping. Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.

Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health (SEMO BH), a trusted provider of mental health and substance use treatment in central and southeast Missouri, will soon become part of the nation’s largest nonprofit behavioral health organization. SEMO BH is an affiliate of Brightli, a Springfield-based nonprofit that recently announced plans to merge with Centerstone, a Nashville-based behavioral health provider. The two organizations have entered into a non-binding agreement and expect to finalize the merger by November 2025. When complete, the unified organization will serve more than 250,000 people annually and operate more than 360 behavioral health facilities across nine states. For residents of Dent County and surrounding areas, this merger means that services currently provided by SEMO BH will be strengthened through access to broader resources, expanded provider networks, and advanced, research-backed care models. SEMO BH will continue to operate as usual with no disruptions in patient care. Clients will keep seeing their current care teams and accessing services close to home. The demand for mental health and addiction services is at record levels following the COVID-19 pandemic, providers like SEMO BH face increasing challenges—from workforce shortages to evolving regulations. By joining forces, Brightli and Centerstone aim to stabilize and expand community-based services in rural areas like Dent County, ensuring local access to life-saving treatment now and into the future. The combined organization will have more than 10,000 employees and over $1 billion in annual revenue, positioning it to lead innovation and expand care nationwide. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has praised the merger as a model for strengthening the U.S. behavioral health system through collaboration. For more information you can contact Rance Burger by call or text at (573) 286-9393 or email at rance.burger@burrellcenter.com

According to a press release from the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) they have announced they’re compliance and implementation strategy following the passage of Senate Bill 63. MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad sent a letter to all member schools on July 15. In summary, effective August 28, 2025, this new law expands participation opportunities to full-time homeschool, full-time Family Paced Education (FPE), and full-time virtual school students with the public or charter school which serves the place they live. The law applies to a broad scope of athletics, fine arts, and integrated co-curricular activities, not just those governed by MSHSAA. MSHSAA will refer to students who are eligible and choose to participate under Senate Bill 63 as resident participant students. To align with Senate Bill 63, MSHSAA member schools will implement by-law changes via a Special Ballot, which will be open to them from August 11-22. Full rule changes will take effect August 25, upon ballot certification. Dr. Rukstad said that MSHSAA member schools must approve the Special Ballot and that it’s not a matter of preference but of legality. Member schools are strongly encouraged to accept the by-law changes to ensure uninterrupted, equitable access to interscholastic athletics and activities and protect student eligibility. MSHSAA will allow relief for resident participant students from current by-laws for early participation to coincide with the beginning of the fall sports season.

Landowners and conservation enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity this fall to learn firsthand how to improve habitat for Missouri’s wild turkeys. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a Turkey Nesting and Brood-Rearing Workshop on Saturday, September 6th from 10 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon at a private farm located at 55-1 Old Mine Road in Cook Station, approximately 20 miles north of Salem off Highway M. This hands-on, field-based event is designed to educate attendees on what constitutes high-quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys. Participants will be guided through habitat areas by MDC wildlife biologists and the hosting landowner, offering an up-close look at completed land improvement projects. The workshop will also include discussion of incentive programs that can help landowners implement similar practices on their own property. Lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees, and participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and wear clothing appropriate for walking outdoors. While the event is open to all ages, space is limited to 65 participants. As of this week, 32 spots remain available. A wait list will be offered for anyone unable to register in time but interested in future events in the region. The workshop will be led by MDC biologist Jeffrey Esely, and registration is required in advance. Those who need to cancel should do so before the September 6 deadline. For questions or to register by phone, call 1-888-283-0364 during weekday business hours. Email inquiries can also be directed to the instructor via the MDC website.

Need fishing gear? The Missouri Department of Conservation works with your own Salem Public Library as well as other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. Call the Salem Public Library at 573-729-4331 or stop by at 403 North Jackson Street. You can find other locations that offer the Department of Conservation Rod and Reel Loaner Program locations at mdc.mo.gov/fishing and search for the rod and reel loaner program.