Archive for 2026

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday evening at approximately 8:05 in the 600 Block of West James Boulevard in St. James. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2019 Dodge Charger St. James Police Department Patrol Car, operated by a 27-year-old St. James man, began making a U-Turn to stop a violator and struck a 2018 Ford Taurus, driven by a 26-year-old St. James man. Both vehicles came to rest off of the left side of the roadway. The driver of the Dodge Charger suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by personal conveyance. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled while the Dodge sustained moderate damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Spurgeons.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting and annual Tax Rate Hearing Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members would be brush cutting on County Road 6485, and grading, hauling rock and clay, and installing a pipe on County Road 6490. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members would be cutting brush on both County Road 3180 and 3140. Crew members continue working on County Road 2270, to include replacing a pipe. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he may be absent the next few meetings in order to attend a family member’s funeral. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll and bills are to be approved. Moving on to the Tax Rate Hearing, the General Revenue tax rate for 2025 was $0.0357; for 2026, the commissioners approved an increase to $0.0452. The Road and Bridge Fund tax rate was approved to remain at $0.2553. The Developmental Disability Board, or SB40, took a voluntary rollback from $0.1343 to $0.1341. The Senior Citizen Service Fund tax rate for 2026 was approved to remain the same at $0.0481. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be at 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the courthouse and will be open to the public.

The Dent-Phelps R-III Board of Education met for its regular meeting and Tax Rate Hearing Thursday evening. The proposed tax levy of $2.75 was approved. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, CTA presented survey data and goal-setting for the upcoming school year. The food services report from the 2025-26 school year was discussed and approved. Superintendent Karla Tiefenthaler provided updates on facilities, sharing that Brown Heating & Cooling has completed services on the HVAC. Additionally, Meramec Fire and Safety has completed fire extinguisher inspection and repairs of the fire suppression system in the kitchen, alongside installation of portable extinguishers to the diesel storage tank area and bus barn. Bus inspection results were also presented, with a certificate awarded from MSHP for 90% or higher approval rating for the 2026 bus inspection program. Tiefenthaler shared that a $40,000 grant has been received by the school from DELSA Foundation to be utilized for student technology upgrades. The Vector Bus Driver/Safety Compliance Training was tabled until a later date. The District Emergency Operation Plan Board of Education Commitment was approved. The evening custodial job description was also updated, as presented. The board then voted to move into closed session for the discussion of personnel, during which the board approved hiring Robin Blackwell as building aide for the 2026-27 school year. The next regular meeting of the Dent-Phelps R-III Board of Education will be Sept. 17th at 6:00 in the evening and is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid-Missouri area through Friday. In Dent County, bridge maintenance is scheduled to begin this week over Pigeon Creek north of Montauk. On Hwy. 32, resurfacing continues east of Salem as the project continues toward Iron County’s Hwy. KK. On Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 32, pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem with minimal traffic impacts expected. All three of these projects are scheduled for completion in September this year. In Phelps County, preventative maintenance is scheduled from Hwy. 68 in Phelps County to Hwy. 28 in Gasconade County, with one lane to remain open. Bridge rehabilitation continues over I-44 with the bridge at Business Loop 44/Hwy. 72/Kingshighway closed to all westbound traffic. Bridge rehabilitation also continues over Little Piney Creek near Yancy Mills, alongside the bridge on 10th Street in Rolla.

The Salem Memorial Hospital (SMH) invites the community to help welcome the new Chief Executive Officer Brent Peirick to Salem. Monday, Aug. 24th marks Peirick’s first day with the SMH team. Originally from O’Fallon, Mo., Peirick brings rural healthcare leadership experience to the hospital, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Mo. Beyond his healthcare experience, Peirick is looking forward to becoming part of Salem. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, and hanging out with his two dogs, Martin and Nelly. Welcome to SMH and to Salem, Brent Peirick!

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency is seeking landlords for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8. Landlords are needed in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps and Washington counties. The program assists low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford decent, safe and sanitary rental housing from private landlords. Some of the benefits of accepting Housing Choice Vouchers include a large pool of potential tenants, guaranteed rental income, free advertising of available units, lower vacancies and unit oversight by qualified housing inspectors. Currently, there are 173 families with Housing Choice Vouchers in the Meramec Region searching for approved housing and another 415 families on the waiting list. For more information, contact Donald Keeney at 573-265-4200 ext. 128 or dkeeney@meramecregion.org.

A fatal accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday evening at approximately 9:30 at Highway YY, one mile west of the Crawford County line. According to the Highway Patrol report, a westbound 2005 Ford F-150, operated by a 48-year-old Saint James man, failed to negotiate a curve, travelling off the right side of the roadway and overturning, ejecting the driver. The vehicle came to rest in the roadway. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene by Phelps County Deputy Coroner Theresa Talermo at 9:50. This is Troop I’s second fatality for the month of August and 23rd for 2026. The driver was transported by the Phelps County Coroner to Rolla Crematorium. The report stated the man was not wearing a safety restraint. The vehicle was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:00 at Highway 72 and County Road 5285. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2003 Ford F150, operated by an 18-year-old Rolla man, failed to yield to and collided with an eastbound 2012 Chevrolet Impala driven by a 59-year-old Eminence man. The Eminence man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that both men were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be holding its regular meeting at 7:00 Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, the board will hear any scheduled public comments or presentations. Under new business, the board will be discussing the Helping Hands Auxiliary and the resolution of potential conflicts of interest. The board will then hear operational reports. A vote will then be taken to move into executive session for the discussion of personnel before adjournment. Until a vote to close is taken, this meeting 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 Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its Tax Rate Hearing and regular board meeting Thursday evening. Superintendent Nathan Wills recommended a continuation of the $2.75 operating levy and a $0.45 debt service levy for a total tax rate of $3.20 for the district. This is not a change from previous years. Wills also explained that there has been a 2% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) generating an additional $58,555 of revenue. Under the superintendent’s report, Wills shared some updates on facilities, stating the floors of the Salem Middle School are almost finished; the next portion of work is planned for Thanksgiving break, to include another coat of epoxy. Work is ongoing to the men’s bathrooms, with work expected to be completed before or shortly after school begins. The new Request for Bids (RFB) for the Upper Elementary parking lot has not yet been drafted. A fence has been constructed at the Upper Elementary baseball field. The Salem Middle School has reported leaks in the hallway near the cafeteria, so a roofer has been reached out to. New Tiger Training has been completed with Wills reporting enthusiasm from incoming staff, and the first back-to-school professional development day has also been completed. Under new business, the board approved MSBA 2026 policy updates regarding fringe benefits for staff and support staff, alongside the preliminary 2025-26 Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR.) Additionally, the board approved the annual i-Ready contract for the middle school. Non-certified staffing changes were approved, including hires of Jovee Gollaher, Corey mcCurdy, Delaney Owen, and Penny Gordan. The board then moved into closed session to discuss personnel before adjourning. The next regularly scheduled Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting will be Sept. 17th at 5:30 in the evening. These meetings are open to the public. To view a recording of the Aug. 20th meeting, visit the KSMO Media Youtube channel at youtube.com/@ksmomedia.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) would like to encourage parents to include conversations about safety when preparing their students for the 2026-27 school year. It’s also important that drivers be prepared for the change in traffic patterns as students begin another year of instruction. In 2025, one person was killed and 284 injured in traffic crashes involving a school bus. Last year, a total of 871 traffic crashes involved school buses in Missouri. For students, remember to stay alert while crossing the street at intersections or marked crosswalks – and never cross between parked cars. Use sidewalks when available. If you ride a school bus, follow all safety tips: if waiting in line for the bus on the shoulder or sidewalk, never try to retrieve items that fall under the bus; walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street, and sit quietly on the bus and keep the aisle clear. If an incident occurs, stay calm and follow the instructions of the bus driver. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. Motorists are encouraged to always be vigilant, especially near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths, and crosswalks when schools are in session. Drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and is displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.

An accident occurred at 7:30 Wednesday morning in Phelps County at the 181.2 mile marker of Interstate 44. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Ford Edge driven by a 57-year-old female from Dixon had crashed when the vehicle lost control on wet pavement traveling eastbound. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health. The report states she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Edge suffered extensive damage and was removed from the scene by D&D Towing & Repair.

An accident occurred Wednesday morning in Phelps County near Highway V, just north of County Road 2080. According to the highway patrol report, the crash occurred when a 2018 International Truck driven by a 29-year-old male from Rolla going northbound crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2020 Kia Rio driven by a 42-year-old female from Rolla going southbound. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries, and the driver of the Kia suffered moderate injuries. Both drivers were transported to Phelps Health. The truck suffered extensive damages and was removed from the scene by Big Boy’s Towing. The Kia suffered total damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under public comments, a resident of County Road 6670 inquired about the progress of widening that road, to which First District Commissioner Keith Green clarified that progress was ongoing with timing yet to be determined for project completion. Requests for easements from property owners will be sought closer to the date of construction. City of Salem Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield shared that the Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) board met Thursday, Aug. 6th with no changes made to the chairman, who remains Dean Jones. Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire proposed an ordinance to make the county an “occupancy county,” which allows a county to assess newly constructed and occupied residential property all 12 months of the year. Without the ordinance, the county is a “non-occupancy” county, which means it can only pick up new constructions and occupied residential properties September through May. Brookshire clarified that the county is omitting the charge for permits. There will be no new taxes, and taxes will not increase as a result, she further clarified. The commissioners approved the ordinance. Under road reports, Green reported that crew members will be grading County Road 5680 and hauling rock to County Road 5490. Brush cutting is planned for county roads 6480 and 6485. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be brush cutting on county roads 4300, 4310, 4040, and 3180. Crew members have also gone to retrieve a load of cold mix from Lebanon. Next week, crew members plan to work on County Road 2250, which includes replacing culverts and pulling ditches. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s report, he shared that he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting, in which members nominated officers and shared updates on Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) programs. Larson further reported on the Meramec Region crash fatalities within Dent County. There have only been two in 2026. He also attended the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) meeting, where a representative from Missouri S&T reported updates on the Missouri Protoplex being built near Interstate 44. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington shared that there are bills to be approved. The next regular Dent County Commission meeting will be Monday, Aug. 24th at 9:00 in the morning and is open to the public.

The Salem Community Blood Drive will be Tuesday, Sept. 1st from noon to 6:00 in the evening. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) and Dickerson Park Zoo are Partnering throughout September and October to help boost the regional blood supply for local patients. Successful donors will receive a voucher for two free general admissions to the Dickerson Park Zoo, along with a limited-edition T-shirt while supplies last. Salem area residents will have the opportunity to donate within the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church located at 201 North MacArthur Street. Photo identification is required. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating. Eligible donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have not donated blood within the past 56 days. Appointments are strongly encouraged to help reduce wait times. To schedule an appointment, visit cbco.org/zoo or call 417-227-5006.