Archive for 2026

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at approximately 3:40 on Highway O just south of the Dent & Phelps’ County line. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 1999 Peterbilt 385, driven by a 60-year-old Salem man, was conducting an improper turn on the highway and traveled into the path of a southbound 2008 Chrysler Town & Country driven by a 19-year-old Rolla woman. The woman suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Salem Memorial Hospital. According to the report both drivers were wearing safety restraints. The Chrysler was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive. There was no damage to the Peterbilt and it was driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night for its regular meeting. Under public comments, resident Katie Gaither expressed frustration at inconsistent monthly utility bills, trash pickup, and quality of services offered by the city and requested the board give further consideration to rate increases. Meanwhile, the Memorandum Of Understanding with the Missouri State University, West Plains and its continued use of the classroom space at the Old City Hall for the Adult Education and Literacy program was approved. The board approved two conditional use permits: one for 707 W. First Street, in which a manufactured home is proposed to be installed and readdressed as 4 N. Grand Avenue, and 1005 E. Third, in which the home is proposed to be used for a short-term vacation rental. First readings were then heard, including a change order to utilize the remaining ARPA funds for BuildTec to replace four fire hydrants and control valves, along with extending the contract to Aug. 1st, 2026. Several ordinances establishing rates for electric services, concerning the demand meters, commercial customers, employment incentive rates, and large industrial user rates, were also heard, recommended by a cost of service study performed by UFS in February 2025. Several second readings were heard, including two task orders with Toth and Associates, Inc.: one task order to replace the sewer line running west from Hickory Street at a cost of approximately $41,500 and another for the Roosevelt Street sidewalk survey at a cost of approximately $9,000. Both task orders were approved by the board. A contract extension with Archer-Elgin for the water tower project was also approved, in order to accommodate a delay in delivery for a pitless adapter. In addition, the board approved five amendments to the code of ordinances relating to engineering firms in order to allow contracting out engineering services. Finally, the board approved an ordinance for year-end budget adjustments to the FY 2025-26 budget. The board approved the FY 2027 proposed budget, with proposed revenues of $23.9 million; anticipated expenditures of $23.3 million; and intergovernmental transfers of $3.9 million. City Administrator Sally Burbridge stated the city did not shut down the marijuana dispensary, dispelling rumors circulating on social media. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that the construction crew fixed a drainage issue at the Salem Community Center parking lot. Following reports of city officials, the board adjourned the meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, July 14th, and is open to the public.

The Salem Community Choir will present its second annual Patriotic Spectacular Saturday afternoon, July 4th at the Salem City Hall. There will be performances at 2:00 and 4:00. The choir will feature soloists including Jimmy Cotner, Rachel Rush, Sophie Krautmann, Steve Morton and Michelle Smith. The narrator for the event will be Ruth Ann Parker. The choir is under the direction of Catherine Dent.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its regular board meeting Thursday afternoon. Superintendent Nathan Wills presented the 2026-27 Salem R-80 District Budget to board members. Due to reduced state revenues, the State Adequacy Target (SAT) was set at $6,700 rather than $7,145. The district has been transferring 7% of its Weighted Average Daily Attendance (WADA) to Fund 4 for facilities and capital improvements; that being said, to offset losses, the district will transfer only 5% moving forward to keep more funds in salaries and general revenue. The state mandates that teacher salaries be set at $40,000, with grant funding allotted from the state to subsidize the difference between the base salary and the mandate; however, grant funding is expected to go away. With that in mind, Wills proposed the standard base salary be increased every year by $1,000 to ensure when grant funding is pulled the district is financially prepared. The coming fiscal year the standard base salary was set at $36,750. Health insurance increased 9%, which is approximately $68 increased per person. The projected fund balances to end the fiscal year were presented, with $5.1 million in the General Fund or Fund 1; Fund 2 has to be set at $0 by state statute and is utilized for teacher salaries, transferred later from the General Fund; $440,000 in the Debt Service or Fund 3; and then Capital Projects, or Fund 4, will contain $1.5 million. Under anticipated revenues, local revenue is expected to drop by roughly $110,000, primarily because it’s a non-reassessment year. Using a five-year historical average for similar years, Wills projects a negative 0.3% assessed value. Based on the calculation tool utilized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), tuition is projected to increase approximately $5 per student resulting in $9,780 per student. The total expected tuition revenue is $2.5 million. Anticipated expenditures were provided with the highest cost to be staff salaries and benefits at about 73%. Capital projects are estimated at $700,000, to include parking lots, bathroom renovations, and painting the high school gym, among others. The estimated unrestricted fund balance is 31.84%, which indicates the district is in a good financial position and not in any current financial distress. Moving forward to salary increases, Wills shared that he is working hard to eliminate salary compression out of the salary table. The district has made consistent, gradual progress toward raising pay for both certified and non-certified staff, with an almost 25% increase for non-certified pay in a few years, from $12 to $15 an hour. In only four years, the teacher base salary increased from $32,000 to $36,750. Wills further disclosed some data: next year, Salem R-80 will have the highest average teacher salary in the county; the student to teacher ratio is the highest in the county at 14 students per teacher; and the administrators oversee more students than any other district in the county, all of which indicates the district is not overstaffed. Wills encouraged district staff to push for families to fill out eligibility forms for free and reduced lunch to ensure an accurate dataset for the population served by the district. This dataset affects funding as well as grant opportunities for the district. The cohort survival rate, which indicates student body population increase or decline and therefore staff consolidation, was reported at a decline of approximately 25 students within the next six to seven years. Several CIP projects were discussed, including a gym painting project, parking lot work, new fencing, and potential upgrades to the baseball and football facilities. The board approved the proposed 2026-27 budget, all applicable fund transfers, participation in the state salary grant programs, and amended the 2024-25 budget to reflect actual expenditures and revenues. Reports from school administration were provided, with many administrators praising their custodial and maintenance staff for a job well done in preparing facilities for the upcoming school year. A first read of MSBA policy updates were provided. Two out of state trips were approved, including a trip for FFA and another for the 2026-27 National Choir Trip, following discussion by the board. The board also discussed head lice procedures and policies, ultimately asking administration to discuss with nurses the best practices moving forward. The annual District Reassessment Plan was approved, alongside the request for proposals to replace the Suburban. A change to the 2026-27 calendar was approved, with staff off and paid for on Martin Luther King Day. An annual MOU with Compass Health was approved, allowing the entity to provide services to students with no cost to the district. Finally, the board amended a previous action taken regarding the ECSE process coordinator position salary to meet position requirements. Under staff changes, a transfer was made of Amanda Walker; several hires were made, including Mark Panagoss, Beau Lyle, Regeana Schafer, Shelly Karr, Faith Milligan, Adrian Gant, Kaylee Utley, Lisa Blackwell, and Miranada McCurdy; and one resignation was made of Elyse White. The board moved into closed session for the discussion of personnel, in which several hires were approved including Junior Rictor, Nick Gover, Angela Browne, Janice Griffith, Stephanie Grace, and Tessa Gorman. Resignations were approved from Heidi Ross and Jackie Fanson. The resignation of Matt Parker was denied, to activate the contract buyout provision. The next meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Directors will be Thursday, July 17th, at 5:30 in the evening and is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their regular monthly business meeting this evening at 7:00. This meeting will take place in the Hospital Library and is open to the public. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, including minutes of May 18th, May 22nd, and June 18th, the board will hear public comments, if any. After, the board will hear operational reports, to include a vote considering the approval of the monthly financial reports. Under new business, the board will consider the approval of bank signers, the budget, a new candidate, and Show-Me HVN. Part of the meeting will be closed for discussion of personnel. After a return to open session, the board will adjourn. Except for the executive session, the meeting of the Salem Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green was absent, so Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported on both first and second district road reports. First district crew members will be grading on County Road 5170, alongside preparing chipseal roads for overlay. Second district crew members are planning to grade and haul rock to county roads 4380, 4010, 4480, and 3330. In addition, a crew member is traveling to Springfield to retrieve oil for chipseal repair, which is planned for county roads 3230, 3240, and 3220. County Clerk Angie Curley reminds all businesses with liquor licenses that they are due by June 30th. For the Aug. 4th Primary Election, Curley reminds voters that excused absentee voting begins June 23rd, Tuesday. If any voters have any questions or changes to make to voter registration records, be sure to contact the County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144 as soon as possible. Sample ballots are now available at the office, alongside fair ballot language on the amendments. County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on CART Tax. There has been $90,460.11 received, which is up year-to-date $30,008.36 or an increase of 6%. Under public comments, resident Katie Ann Gaither asked if commissioners would consider moving one meeting per month to the evening so more residents may be able to attend outside of working hours. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated this had occurred several years ago, but that it was short-lived as the meetings were not well-attended. Upon reviewing previous meeting minutes, Gaither asked for clarification on who the commissioners were consulting with for legal counsel which stated that no law allows flock cameras or data centers to be voted on. Larson said he would provide the answer at a later time. Collector Shannon Vankirk reported that there are only seven business days left for those eligible to apply for the SB190 Senior Tax Freeze. She also reported that 39 delinquent 2023 taxes will need to be paid by June 30th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be on Thursday, June 25th at 9:00 in the morning in the courthouse. These meetings are open to the public.

The Salem Public Library will be hosting a “Hamilton” trivia night on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30. Adults 18 and over are invited to test their knowledge of the “Hamilton” Broadway musical about pivotal figures in American history. Be in the room where it happens! Costumes are optional. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome.

The generosity of many over Friday evening at the “We’ve Got Your Back, Zach” event has raised over $44,000 for Zach Moser and his family, who face a difficult battle with Stage 4 Sarcoma. Organizers express their thanks to all who donated and lent a hand to make a difference. If you missed the event, there is still time to help with a competitive 3v3 basketball tournament to be held Saturday, June 27th, with registration at $60 per team. All proceeds will help Zach and his family with treatment expenses, travel, and daily living costs as he continues his fight against cancer. For more information, please call 573-739-1127 or email Susie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.

Colonel Michael A. Turner, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers and boaters to make smart choices and celebrate safely during the Independence Day holiday. During the 2025 Fourth of July counting period, 13 people were killed and 415 were hurt in 993 traffic crashes across Missouri. Troopers arrested 118 people for driving while intoxicated. During the same period, there were 11 boating crashes, which included four injuries and no fatalities. Troopers also made 13 boating while intoxicated arrests. No drownings were reported during the holiday weekend. The 2026 July Fourth holiday counting period will begin at 6:00 Thursday night, July 2nd, and continue through 11:59 Sunday night, July 5th. Due to ongoing road construction across the state, the Patrol encourages travelers to use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map when planning their trips accessible at traveler.modot.org. The map provides up-to-date information on road closures, delays, construction zones, and alternate routes. Motorists and boaters are reminded to follow all of Missouri’s laws, be courteous, buckle up when traveling in a vehicle, and wear a life jacket when near, on, or in the water. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.