Archive for 2026

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors has called a special, executive session meeting for this morning in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital at 9:15. This meeting will not be open to the public. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda, the board will be going into executive session to discuss personnel and interview candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer. The minutes will likely be reviewed and approved during the open session of their regularly scheduled board meeting on the evening of May 26th, at 7:00, which is open to the public.

The City of Salem’s Airport Board will hold a meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. After the call to order will be the approval of the agenda and minutes. The board will review a draft of the budget followed by airport and new hangar updates. The board will consider a land lease option and other business. Public comments may be presented prior to adjournment. The meeting was called by Airport Board President Tyler Naramore.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday at 6:00 in the evening at the fire station. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the minutes, the board will hear the financial report, consider approval of bills, plus review the budget. In old business, the board will discuss the CTI Tower issues followed by new business. Officers will be elected and the By Laws are to be reviewed. Chief Thomas will present his report, which will include the monthly reimbursement reports. The date for the next meeting will be set followed by closed session if necessary. The meeting will then be adjourned. The open portion of the meeting of the DCFPD Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or “STIP,” lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies and reflects the transportation needs of communities across the state, from high-volume interstate construction projects to low-volume routes in rural areas. The draft FY 2027-2031 STIP was recently presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) at an open meeting, kicking off the 30-day public review and comment period on the proposal. This draft STIP makes available $13 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years and details $9.3 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $1.9 billion per year. In Dent County specifically, proposed highway and bridge construction projects include bridge rehabilitation over Spring Creek; repair slide 0.3 mile south of County Road 4050; bridge replacement over Huzzah Creek; bridge improvement over Dry Creek; scour repair and bridge painting at Dry Branch; bridge improvement over Crooked Creek; bridge improvements over Dry Fork Creek and Barnitz Prong Dry Creek and on Hwy. 32 over Dry Fork Creek and Pigeon Creek. There are also a few pavement resurfacing projects proposed, including from Hwy. 72 to Hwy. 32. Scoping for bridge improvements over Dry Fork of Meramec River is also among the proposed projects for Dent County. Comment at the website modot.org/DRAFTSTIP. Those interested in seeing the program or offering comments can also contact MoDOT by email at STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov; by calling customer service at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636.) The formal comment period ends June 5th. The proposal will be considered for approval at the July 1st MHTC meeting.

The Dent County Commission met for its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members have fixed the backhoe but are off today. They will be back to grading next week. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members have been preparing County Road 6150 for chip and seal in June and have been working on maintaining culvert pipes. Crew members graded County Road 3223, along with Wagner Cemetery’s County Road 3225 in preparation for Memorial Day holiday. Potholes have been filled on several chip and seal roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that there is a State Cyber Crime Grant Program available through the Missouri Department of Public Safety. The funds will be awarded to reduce internet crime against children and improve public safety through investigations, forensics, and prevention. Any unit of state or local government within Missouri may apply for these grants. Learn more by visiting mo.dps.gov and searching “State Cyber Crime Grant.” Under public comments, a representative from Cintas, a janitorial equipment supplier company out of Springfield, discussed the county potentially switching suppliers. Commissioners informed the representative they would compare prices and products and get back to the representative at a later date. Sherman Odom presented and discussed with commissioners specifications of a road being laid for a newly built subdivision consisting of 11 lots. Commissioners recommended a wide enough area at the end of the road for county vehicles to turn around in. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills are to be approved, and that the County Clerk’s office will be reviewing and verifying any petition signatures out of the county that may come in from the state office. Currently, it is unknown if there will be any signatures to verify or which petitions may come in. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax receipts received for May. General Revenue and Law Enforcement received $107,188.39. Compared to last year, this is an increase of $18,662.72 and an increase YTD of $24,632.27 or 6%. The Road and Bridge fund received $53,594.25, which is an increase from last May of $9,331.58 and an increase YTD of $19,053.32 or 8.6%. Lastly, both Jail funds received $107,517.61, which is an increase of $18,576.69 for the year and an increase YTD of $38,006.58 or 8.5%. The Dent County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, May 8th, in observation of Truman Day. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Dent County Fire Protection District was contacted and arrived on site to the Middle School due to an alarm sound emanating from the intercom system. No fire was found, nor were any alarms pulled. The prompt response of the local fire department was immensely appreciated. 

The Ozark Riverways Foundation will be holding its annual fundraising event Rendezvous on the Ridge from 9:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening this Saturday at Big Rock Candy Mountain in Jadwin. Attend the annual fundraiser to support the National Park in the Missouri Ozarks. As well as food, vendors, arts, music, workshops, and fun, this year’s celebration will also host 14 local authors including Sarah K. Mason, Titus James Benton, Dr. Mark Morgan, and Matt Ankney. And don’t forget the mule jump which is to take place at 1:00 in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the concert to be held at 6:00 in the evening is free to attend, with Dennis Stroughmatt and band L’Esprit Creole taking the stage. Be sure to bring a lawn chair and dress weather appropriate. For more information, visit ozarkriverwaysfoundation.org/events.

Chairman of the Utility Committee Alderman Nathan Kinsey has called for a utility committee meeting to be held tonight at 6:15 at the City of Salem Auditorium. The committee will hear reports from the chairman, review a draft budget with capital improvement projects being noted, discuss water tower maintenance contracts, testing of meters through a contract service with Advanced Meter Services, LLC, replenishing the reserve fund as well as discuss rates for water and wastewater. Also at the meeting, the committee will discuss two code amendments dealing with backflow prevention device installation and inspections as well as the royalty and marketing agreement with the service line warranty program. In reports, the committee will review financial updates in the budget and the impact on each fund from the rate discussion, as well as discuss billing updates. The committee will review the MMMPEP and MPUA meeting notes and get work reports from the utility crews. They will also hear information about and discuss the current utilities construction in progress as well as planned capital improvements before the meeting is adjourned. The meeting of the utility committee tonight is open to the public.

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation Board met for its meeting Wednesday at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the minutes of last Wednesday’s meeting, the board reviewed and discussed the proposed budget. Finance Director Stacey Houston made adjustments to the proposed budget, including an increased sales tax projection of 2% based off of the current fiscal year. The increase put an additional $15,523 toward revenue; however, a $14,406 deficit remains, which will need to be reconciled by either cutting expenses or through the use of the prior year’s fund balance. Board member Luke Heithold sought clarification on the budget, including line item “Building Maintenance,” which has a proposed increase for heaters in the maintenance building, and line item “Pool Maintenance,” which has a proposed increase in order to fix a leak and pay for de-winterization. Heithold additionally sought clarification for the increase to line item “Special Services,” which in previous years had an average of approximately $1,400 but has a projected year-end of $7,500 and is budgeted at $5,500 within the draft budget for 2026-2027. City Administrator Sally Burbridge clarified that the item increase for the year-end is due to the recent parking lot resurfacing requiring an engineer to provide a no-rise certificate due to the parking lot location on the floodplain. With the plan to resurface the pool parking lot for 2026-2027, similar permitting may be required. Following discussion, the board approved the budget for the 2026-2027 FY, with the $14,406 to come out of Parks and Recreation Prior Year’s Funds. The vote was 4-0-2, with Heithold and board member James Taylor abstaining. The board then adjourned.

Kids’ Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park is sure to be a great outing for young anglers and will be Saturday, May 16th, hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in cooperation with The James Foundation, for children 15 years of age and younger. The Kids’ Fishing Day event will be held from 6:30 in the morning to 8:15 in the evening. The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for kids 15 years of age and younger. Free daily fishing tags for children will be available to pick up Friday, May 15th, at the James Foundation Store and on Saturday, May 16th, at the Mill Pavilion by the big tent. Any car that has a child 15 and under gets into the park for free as well. A limited number of loaner fishing poles will be available, but children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles and equipment. The World Bird Sanctuary will be on hand featuring live birds of prey to meet and greet. Everyone can enjoy free hot dogs and soda, along with attractions like archery. Maramec Spring Park, owned and operated by The James Foundation, is located on Highway 8 about six miles east of St. James.

A Salem Community Blood Drive is right around the corner on Tuesday, May 12th, to be held at the First Baptist Church of Salem at 201 North MacArthur Avenue. The event will be hosted by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks with appointments encouraged to minimize wait times but walk-ins welcome. To make an appointment, call 417-227-5006. Donor rewards include a free t-shirt and voucher for several nearby attractions.