Archive for 2026

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will be holding its monthly Community Meeting today from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Room. SHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers new, free beds to children in need in our community, ages 3-17. The Dent County Chapter is looking for additional volunteers to assist with bed deliveries across Dent County. If you are interested in more information, please contact Dent County Chapter President Patti McKeown through email at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org or call the Dent County SHP Chapter at 1-(844)-432-2337.

The Dent-Phelps R-3 Board of Education met Thursday, May 21st in the conference room. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, containing bills, open session minutes, and the May financial report, the board discussed bids received for HVAC preventative maintenance for the 2026-27 school year, approving the bid from Brown Heating & Cooling, Inc. at the cost of $925. The board also approved soliciting bids for milk and propane for the 2026-27 school year. On the petty cash account, the board approved removing Victoria Brooker and Denny Melvin as authorized signers and approving Superintendent Karla Tiefenthaler. The board approved the Dent-Phelps R-3 Literacy Plan Revision and Comprehensive Needs Assessment as presented. After moving into closed session, the board approved the hiring of two teachers, Ashley Patterson and Audrey Ray, and one bus driver, Kermit Lonning. The board returned to open session and then adjourned. The next board meeting will take place at 6:00 in the evening Tuesday, June 23rd.

The Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of $1.455 million to 108 fire departments across the state to bolster the firefighting capabilities of small volunteer departments that provide critical protection to their rural communities. The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to small volunteer departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less, where resources for essential firefighting equipment can be strained. The most requested items were firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and interoperable radios and repeaters for communication. There was also strong demand for basic supplies like hoses, nozzles, power tools and saws. DPS announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant in October 2025. There was a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000. The performance period of the grant ended May 15, 2026. Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant Recipients in our area included the Ironton Fire Department, Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department, Licking Rural Fire Department, Montauk Rural Fire Department, and the Timber Community Fire Protection District. 

The removal of a crashed vehicle from the roadside of Missouri Route 32 east of Salem will require a 12-hour roadway closure on June 8th and June 9th. To minimize impacts to traffic using this route as a detour for the closure of Dent County Route B and the narrowing of U.S. Route 63 south of Rolla, the closure is planned during the overnight hours June 8th through June 9th. Beginning as early as 7:00 in the evening on June 8th, the towing company, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will close Route 32 between Route 72 south and County Road 4350. A signed detour will not be in place, but motorists should use Routes 72, A and 19 to navigate around the closure. The roadway is expected to reopen by 7:00 in the morning on June 9th.  Due to the amount of equipment and effort involved in removing this oversized, heavy vehicle from the roadside, that timing may change. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. 

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department announced that Water Aerobics will begin today. This is a low-impact, high-energy exercise that welcomes all to build strength, boost cardio, and improve flexibility without stressing joints. This exercise is great for all ages and fitness levels. Water Aerobics will take place weekdays at the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool from 10:30 to 11:30 in the morning. From June 8th through June 19th and July 6th through July 17th, the hours will be 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning. Costs are $5 per class or a $60 monthly pass can be purchased. Contact the pool for any questions or more information at 573-729-6228. Open pool hours are Monday through Saturday noon to 6:00 and Sunday from 1:00 to 6:00.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for its regular meeting. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be out grading county roads 5090 and 5220. A pipe will be installed on County Road 4110. Crew members will also be preparing chipseal roads for most of the coming week for resurfacing. Green also stressed for residents to have patience, as County Road 5220 is receiving higher usage due to the bridge closure on Route B and trucks utilizing it as a detour. Crew members are aware of the issue and will keep an eye on the road and provide maintenance when able. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be out hauling rock and grading county roads 2120, 2150, 2155, 4260, and 4270. In addition, crew members have performed maintenance around the area of Anutt. Williams further reported that both district commissioners visited MoDOT recently to request maintenance on the approaches on county roads. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that the County Clerk’s office is preparing for the August 4th Primary Election. Meanwhile, Danny Brown and Rob Pulliam visited the commission on possible grant opportunities for low-water crossings around Dent County. Pulliam, a representative for a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called The Nature Conservancy (TNC), encouraged the commissioners to send a list of high priority crossings which have caused issues in the past for the county. According to Pulliam, TNC can assist with funding for low-water crossings and some culvert bridges which pose significant barriers to the movement of fish and other wildlife, have high maintenance costs, and are hazards for folks during high-water events. One example Pulliam provided was a project on Willhite Road in Crawford County, which now allows fish and other species to pass through freely. In order to be eligible, low-water crossings need to be over moving water and open miles of river. To learn more about TNC and its efforts in Missouri, visit its website at nature.org and search “Protecting and Restoring Missouri’s Rivers.” Commissioners will be in contact with Pulliam in the future and send him a priority list of possibly eligible crossings. The next meeting will be 9:00 in the morning next Monday at the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night for its regular meeting. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved an auction seller agreement with J.J. Kane Associates, Inc. and J.J. Kane Exchange, LLC. for the sale of city property by public auction, a switch from Purple Wave with a hope of better returns. The board also approved the annual renewal of health insurance through United Healthcare for city employees. The board approved the final request for reimbursement for the six unit T-Hangars project, which will be reimbursed at a total of $3,409 from MoDOT. The board approved the purchase of aviation fuel for the airport, not to exceed a total expense of $9,775. The board discussed joining a consortium alongside Dent County Health Center (DCHC) and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), in order to apply for the Delta Health Care Service Program Grant for Workforce Development. The program is for funding for those entering the healthcare field. DCHC will be the administrator for the grant, with management of the program to be completed by either Salem Memorial Hospital or DCHC. It was explained by the grant writer the city would inhabit an advisory role to include offering feedback on program development, assisting in choosing scholarship applicants, and providing workforce statistics. The board approved joining the consortium. Under bids, the board approved the purchase of 15 total transformers at a cost of $14,475, to come out of the electric department’s line replacement fund. A second reading was heard of two ordinances amending the City of Salem codes related to backflow prevention devices and their annual inspections. The board approved both ordinances. Meanwhile, a first reading was heard amending water rates for Fiscal Year 2027 from $8.00 to $10.00 base rate and $7.50 to $9.28 per 1,000 gallons of use. No vote was held. Mayor Greg Parker reported that the annual spring clean-up is complete with 171 tons collected. Financial Director Stacey Houston stated that the total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2026, through April, was $4,074,748; this is up 2.7% from prior year. Fund balances for FY 2026 through April was a total of $17,099,822. The city has brought in 69% of the budgeted amount and has spent 62% of the budgeted amount. Both are less than anticipated 10 months into the budget year, due to grant revenues and expenses coming in lower than anticipated. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that as the wastewater treatment plant moves into Phase 2A, remediation concrete work and new rotors will be completed within the next 30 days. This work will provide better oxidation; however, there will be a stronger scent to the treatment plant during the work. The electric department is out of street lights until the next order arrives. The department removed and restored the Salem Heritage sign, which needed lighting and frame repair. Construction crew members poured a new pad for the Salem Heritage sign. Alderwoman Catherine Dent reported that the Community Involvement Committee met at the fountain area at the junction of Hwy. 32/72 to complete yard work and prepare for planting. The board then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be June 9th and will be open to the public.

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will be holding its monthly Community Meeting Monday, June 1st, 5:30 – 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Room. SHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers free beds to children in need in our community.

In Wednesday’s Your World Today, we erroneously reported that the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center exhibit of the Civilian Conservation Corps artifacts would be closing at the end of May. They have extended that exhibit now until the end of July. We apologize for the error.

If you haven’t visited the Ozark Natural Cultural Resource Center’s historical display of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) artifacts, you now have more time. The ONCRC will have the CCC display open until the end of July. The ONCRC is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. The Indian Trail State Park will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary later this year, and the Civilian Conservation Crews were based at the area from 1933 to 1946, building most of the area’s 55 miles of access roads, constructing the pond, and planting pine trees in many of the open areas. This Saturday morning at 10:00, Jason Stotler will present a “Walk and Learn” program at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Attendees will learn about the Civilian Conservation Corp artifacts on display and hear stories about those who worked to develop Indian Trail Park as well as other parts of our area. The program is free and open to the public. 

The Shannon County Sheriff’s Office has released that on Monday, May 25th, dispatch received a call from an individual who stated that a neighbor had physically assaulted him. Deputies responded and made contact with the alleged victim. The victim advised deputies his neighbor had assaulted him, causing significant bodily injury. The victim further stated the suspect had threatened to kill law enforcement officers if they responded to the scene. Due to the nature of the call and the threats made toward law enforcement, deputies requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Deputies staged near the location of the alleged altercation until additional units arrived. Once deputies and a trooper arrived at the residence, they observed a male subject standing outside. Upon seeing law enforcement, the male ran inside the residence and shut the doors and windows to the residence. The male then began yelling he had explosives and that he would kill law enforcement officers. Shortly thereafter, the male pointed a rifle at a deputy. The deputy fired twice, striking the subject. Emergency Medical Services were immediately requested, and medical aid was rendered at the scene. The subject was later transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. During a subsequent search of the residence, officers located four children and an adult female inside. Investigators also determined the male subject had an active felony warrant from Tennessee for Aggravated Assault. The adult female was found to have an active felony warrant from Tennessee for Aggravated Burglary. Members of the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Department of Social Services (DSS) and requested them to respond to the scene. DSS representatives took the children into protective custody. A Shannon County Sheriff’s Office Chaplin was also contacted and responded to the scene to provide support. There is no known threat to the community. The officer-involved shooting is being investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. This is an active investigation, and further details can’t be released at this time.

The Dent County Health Center, in cooperation with the Dent County Extension and Salem Community Garden, will provide handwashing education at the Community Garden behind the Salem Methodist Church this evening at 6:00. They will share important public health information concerning lead dust awareness in the soil, safe gardening practices, and the importance of handwashing. The session will focus on the importance of removing any possibility of having lead dust being ingested by citizens by washing hands and fresh produce after gardening or working in their own soil. This education is free and open to everyone. For more information on why this is so important, listen to the KSMO Interview from May 15th with Master Gardener Thom Haines and Emily Marshall, Dent County Health Center’s Grants and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, which is available on the KSMO Facebook Page and the KSMO YouTube Page.  The Dent County Health Center, in cooperation with the Dent County Extension and Salem Community Garden, will provide handwashing education at the Community Garden behind the Salem Methodist Church this evening at 6:00. They will share important public health information concerning lead dust awareness in the soil, safe gardening practices, and the importance of handwashing. The session will focus on the importance of removing any possibility of having lead dust being ingested by citizens by washing hands and fresh produce after gardening or working in their own soil. This education is free and open to everyone. For more information on why this is so important, listen to the KSMO Interview from May 15th with Master Gardener Thom Haines and Emily Marshall, Dent County Health Center’s Grants and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, which is available on the KSMO Facebook Page and the KSMO YouTube Page.