Archive for 2025

On November 18th, Sheriff Bob Wells and Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley presented a check for the sum of $495.00 to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams to be placed into the general revenue fund for Dent County. The money is the result of efforts by law enforcement involving the seizure of firearms and prosecution of Timothy A. Burnham, II, for an arrest that occurred on November 26th, 2024, involving unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition to the criminal conviction, the seizure is authorized by Missouri law as a punishment and deterrent to persons that commit a criminal offense. This money will be used for the benefit of Dent County Government. 

The Salvation Army will once again partner with Wal-Mart for the annual Angel Tree program as well as the Dent County Toy Drive to help local children this Christmas. Local residents have always enjoyed adopting a child, and shopping for clothing, coats, hats, and toys. Some families use this time of year to teach their children the importance of giving during the holiday season. The Angel Tree will be available beginning Wednesday, November 26th, through Saturday, December 20th. Sign-ups for families wanting to participate in the Angel Tree and the Dent County Toy Drive will be held in the afternoon on Monday, November 24th and Monday, December 1st at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory from 3:30 to 5:30. This program is for children from birth to 12 years of age. Parents must bring proof of child’s age and proof of residency (utility bill, birth certificate, report card). They must also know the interests of each child and clothing and shoe sizes. The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon and is located in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 W. Rolla Road, Salem, MO 65560. For additional information please call 573-729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org. The Dent County Toy Drive can be messaged directly on FaceBook as well.

Hay and cattle producers are encouraged to join an online workshop today from 11:30 this morning to 1:30 in the afternoon. You’ll learn practical, research-based strategies to tackle hay shortages and enhance forage quality. This program is tailored to equip producers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding sub optimal hay. By grasping the nutritional and economic impacts, you can ensure the health and productivity of your herd, even in challenging circumstances. The Webinar highlights include the economic analysis, comparison of baling hay versus purchasing it, addressing the nutritional strategies for late-cut or low-quality hay, providing supplements to optimize hay utilization, and using techniques to improve forage quality and soil health. To secure your spot go online to https://brnw.ch/21wXuYq
On October 12, 2025, Patrolman #118 of the Salem Police Department initiated an investigation into a reported burglary in the 1100 block of West Scenic Rivers Boulevard. After conducting a thorough review of the case and available evidence, Patrolman #118 identified a suspect, Camron Roman. A probable cause statement was subsequently submitted to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Following this submission, Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley filed a felony complaint in the Circuit Court of Dent County. The Honorable Judge Kelsaw issued a warrant for Roman’s arrest, setting bond at $5,000 cash or surety for the charges of Burglary, 1st Degree and Stealing. On November 13, 2025, Chief #100, along with Patrolmen #114 and #133, located and apprehended Roman in the 100 block of South Jackson. He was transported to the Dent County Jail, where he is currently being held on the warrant. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Creative Arts Center will host a Winter Front Porch Rug class on Friday evening, November 21st from 6:00 to 8:00  with Danielle Norris. Come design and paint your very own front porch rug! They will have stencils and some pre-cut designs, or bring your own idea and go freestyle! Bring a beverage and snack and enjoy a fun evening out! The cost of the class is $30 with all supplies provided. At least six people will need to sign up for the class and it will be limited to 22 attendees. 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

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. A.J. Seay was in attendance to announce that he would be filing to run for the Dent County Presiding Commissioner Position on February 24th, the first day to file for a county office. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5610 and 5615, while brush would be cut on county road 6255. He indicated crews would be doing odds and ends around the maintenance shop and will also be putting in a pipe on Iron Mountain Road. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported brush will be cut on county road 6150 while other crew members will be stockpiling rock at the maintenance shed. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the MRPC Housing Authority Board meeting last Thursday and he stated in the Meramec Region itself, there are 308 people waiting for housing assistance and 25 of those people are from Dent County. Larson reported at the External Relations Committee meeting the results of the survey from attendees at this year’s banquet at the Salem Community Center@The Armory all came back either with a good or excellent rating. He wanted to thank Healthy Dent County Executive Director Sherry Lea for applying for the event to be held in Salem this year and send congratulations from the External Relations Committee to her and her staff for putting on this great event. He stated at the MRPC meeting, the group heard about the Small Business Development Center on the campus of Missouri S&T and how they can help small or new businesses grow. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reiterated the first day that candidates can file for the April 7th Municipal Election will begin December 9th and the last day to file this year will be December 30th. All people interested in running in the April election will need to sign up at the entity you are choosing to run for such as a school district, hospital board, alderman, etc. Curley said if you need more information about the position you want to run for, you need to contact the entity directly for their unique requirements to hold that particular office. At the last meeting, the commissioners talked with Emergency Management Director Derek Marfitt about the agreement for emergency management services through the sheriff’s department. The commissioners have a prepared a contract that has been sent to Attorney Travis Elliott for his review before acting on the agreement. Also, the commissioners will be at a Missouri Association of County Board meeting Monday and there will be no commissioner meeting on Monday, November 24th or Thanksgiving Day, November 27th. 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.

City of Salem Police Chief Joe Chase reports the emergency storm siren project is now complete. This marked the end of a two-year effort to upgrade and improve the emergency warning sirens for the city. The installation was completed by Table Rock Alerting Systems. They provided the lowest bid for the equipment requested. The new system has an indefinite lifespan on the sirens themselves, as they are able to be repaired for years to come. There were momentary tests conducted last week to make sure the system was functioning properly. The new system has state of the art controlling systems and can be activated remotely via a phone app by an authorized user. The system can also be integrated with the National Weather Service to sound automatically when they announce a tornado warning for the city of Salem. The City of Salem is glad to have this project completed and look forward to the added safety the sirens will provide. 

The City of St. James has announced that Amazon plans to expand its operational investments in Missouri with the construction of an 80,000 square-foot delivery station at 925 North Jefferson Street in St. James. This will increase delivery speeds for customers in Phelps County and surrounding areas, and is part of the company’s $4 billion investment to expand its delivery network in rural communities across the country. Delivery stations power the last mile of Amazon’s order process and help speed up deliveries. Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighboring Amazon Fulfillment and Sortation Centers, loaded into delivery vehicles, and delivered to customers. This facility in St. James is expected to create approximately 100 jobs once open, in addition to more driving opportunities through the Delivery Service Partner (DSP) and Amazon Flex programs. These will join the more than 9,500 Amazon employees throughout the state of Missouri. Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks with launch plans for this delivery station in the very early stages with an expected opening later in 2026. Employees at Amazon’s U.S. customer fulfilment and transportation employees earn an average across the country of $23 per hour and starting wages for the St. James facility will be determined closer to launch. 

A Self Defense Workshop will be held at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory tomorrow evening, from 5:30 until 7:00 and Saturday morning, November 22nd from 10:00 until 11:30. The Saturday class is a repeat of the Wednesday one. The instructor is Kris Bieker and the cost is $5.00 and participants pay at the door. The class is open to men, women, and seniors and no fitness level is required. No experience is required to learn simple techniques that anyone can do. Participants will learn to build awareness to avoid danger before it starts, plus safety tips for home, shopping, and daily activities. Self-defense isn’t about fighting, it’s about feeling safe and walking with confidence. Call for more information at 573-729-8163.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet Wednesday evening, November 19th 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, Rescue tools quotes, and Policy and Procedures Review. In New Business the Board will review quotes on equipment and consider a Christmas Party. Chief Dennis Floyd will present his report, followed by setting the date for the next meeting and closed session, if necessary, before adjournment. The meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a public hearing Thursday evening, regarding the annexation petitions submitted by Terry and Shirley Perkins, as well as the Church of Latter-day Saints. With no representatives present to speak on either petition, the public hearing was closed, and the Board proceeded to call its regular meeting to order. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the Board approved a street closure request submitted by Catherine Wynn. As a result, Fourth Street, from MacArthur to Pershing, will be closed on December 5 for the Christmas Parade and for a short time afterward to accommodate local shopping and open houses. Although Wynn did not specify an exact closure time, City Administrator Sally Burbridge noted that the parade is scheduled to begin at 6:00 that evening. A request from Nancy Major for utility services outside the city limits was tabled until the December 9 meeting to allow City Attorney James Webber additional time to review the matter. Under new and miscellaneous business, the Board approved Resolution No. 27-2025, establishing the municipal election for the City of Salem on April 7, 2026. Citizens interested in running for local office may do so from December 9 through December 30 between 8:00 and 5:00, keeping in mind that city offices will be closed on December 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday. The Board also approved a conditional use request to place a 26 by 56 foot manufactured home at 402 S. Pershing Street and voted to adopt the City of Salem Enhanced Active Transportation Plan, which aims to identify and revitalize bicycle and pedestrian trails throughout the city. During reports from city officials, Mayor Greg Parker reminded residents to use caution while driving this weekend due to the large number of participants running from Salem to Rolla in the Heroes Marathon. He also announced his intention to seek re-election in April. Public Works Director Steve Paine provided updates on the Wastewater Treatment Plant mitigation project, recent improvements to the city’s storm sirens, and the Community Center parking lot, which is expected to be paved in the spring. With no further reports, the meeting adjourned to executive session for attorney client privileges before concluding. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held on November 25 in the auditorium and is open to the public.

Every day on Missouri highways, first responders risk their lives within feet of fast-moving traffic. From law enforcement and tow operators to Missouri Department of Transportation crews and EMS personnel, these men and women face danger so others can make it home safely. This week, with a declaration from Governor Mike Kehoe, Missouri will join the nation in marking the 10th anniversary of National Crash Responder Safety Week this week. As we near the end of 2025, we are at risk of surpassing last year’s roadway fatalities total, which would break the multi-year trend of declining fatalities in our state. While this should be alarming for all drivers, this situation is especially dangerous for our emergency responders and everyone who works on and alongside our state’s roadways. MoDOT, continues to ask all drivers in Missouri to slow down, move over and remain alert when approaching an incident. According to the Federal Highway Administration, traffic incidents are among the leading causes of death for emergency responders nationwide. In 2024, Missouri emergency responders handled more than 136,000 crashes, with over 950 fatalities reported on state roadways. Missourians rely on approximately 33,000 trained professionals, including MoDOT personnel, who respond to thousands of roadway emergencies each month. Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary MoDOT, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights on. All states enforce some form of the Move Over law. For more information about Crash Responder Safety Week visit savemolives.com.

The City of Salem is in the process of replacing storm sirens around the Salem area. There will likely be additional siren tests today ensuring the new sirens are working properly. Follow the City of Salem or Salem Police Department, Salem Missouri’s Facebook page to be notified when they’ll be performing these tests. Typically these test only occur during fair weather conditions.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said road crew workers were off Thursday as they worked various projects on Veteran’s Day when the courthouse was closed. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported he would be attending the MRPC Housing Authority Board meeting and the regular MRPC Board meeting Thursday night. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office will be working on the 2026 county budget. She also said the first day that candidates can file for the April 7th Municipal Election will be December 9th and the last day to file this year will be December 30th. All people interested in running in the April election will need to sign up at the entity you are choosing to run for such as a school district, hospital board, alderman, etc. Curley said if you need more information about the position you want to run for, you need to contact the entity directly for their unique requirements to hold that particular office. 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.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds motorists to be prepared for the sudden appearance of wild animals on Missouri roadways during the cooler fall months. As the days grow shorter, more motorists are driving on dark roads when deer are more active. Fall is breeding season and deer are on the move. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri consistently ranks 10th to 15th in the country in deer-vehicle collisions each year, and in 2024, there were 2,952 crashes with deer, with four deaths and 420 injuries reported. Most deer strikes occurred at dawn and dusk in October and November. Drivers should never swerve to avoid animals in the road as it can cause loss of control of their vehicles, resulting in serious injury or death. To avoid hitting a deer, always be cautious and keep your eyes scanning both sides of the roadway. If you can’t avoid a collision and it has resulted in the death of the deer, there are several options you can take. According to Missouri law, an individual who has struck and killed a deer with their vehicle may claim the deer carcass if written authorization to possess the deer is granted by a Missouri Department of Conservation agent. The Wildlife Dispensation permit is free, but you need to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation to obtain the permit. Do not jeopardize your safety to remove the animal in a high traffic area. Notify MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636). Crews will address any deer or animal debris on a highway that is a safety hazard, meaning that the carcass is in the driving or passing lane, or partially in either lane or on the shoulder. Crews will drag the carcass to the outer portion of the right of way, outside any active drainage ditch or channel. If the deer is completely off the roadway, MoDOT will not pick it up unless it impedes mail delivery or is in a neighborhood, especially at or near a bus stop. If a deer is located on the shoulder, MoDOT will address the deer during normal work hours. MoDOT crews will not be called out after hours to remove an item, unless it is a safety hazard.

Would you like to schedule a call with a tax representative regarding your tax matters? Appointments can be scheduled with a tax representative regarding individual income tax questions or business tax questions including “MyTax” portal; business tax registration; sales; use; employer withholding; or corporate income tax. Enter dor.mo.gov/taxation/scheduletaxcall into your browser to go to the site to schedule your appointment.