Archive for 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a workshop prior to its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street to discuss codes related to renting and leasing City Hall space. Topics included implementing a refundable damage and cleaning deposit, charging a flat rental fee regardless of in-town or out-of-town residency, and updating the event cancellation policy. City Administrator Sally Burbridge stated she will prepare a draft  policy and ordinance for review at the next workshop. Following the workshop, the Board of Aldermen called its regular meeting to order. After prayer and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, there were no public comments. Additionally, the representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration was not in attendance to deliver a scheduled presentation, and the meeting moved on to new and miscellaneous business. The board approved a request to have three effluent pumps rebuilt at a cost of $6,750 each, for a total of $20,250. This unplanned expense will be paid using prior-year funds. City officials noted that failure to rebuild the pumps could result in equipment failure, potentially shutting down the UV system and causing an overflow or sewage release. The pumps will be rebuilt while being serviced at the vendor’s facility and are expected to be back in service by April. A request to approve $12,563 for the repair and rebuild of the Wastewater Treatment Plant sewer jetting and clearing trailer was also approved. This repair was planned, with $15,000 previously set aside in the Water Department’s Equipment Maintenance account. The aldermen approved Resolution 1-2026, an agreement between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Salem Wastewater Treatment Facility to enter into a voluntary one-year Memorandum of Understanding for participation in wastewater surveillance for public health monitoring. Under the agreement, DHSS will coordinate sample collection and conduct approved testing for specific pathogens, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The midyear budget adjustment for fiscal year 2025–2026 was approved. These adjustments are primarily related to damages incurred during the November 2024 flood. The budget reflects a total increase in revenues of $590,672.98 and an increase in expenditures of $388,829.60, resulting in an overall fund balance increase of $117,564.78. During reports from city officials, Mayor Greg Parker highlighted upcoming community events, and Alderwoman Catherine Dent discussed an upcoming beautification project expected to be completed by spring. City Administrator Burbridge also reported that she has contacted Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills about the possibility of students in the high school metallurgy class using their new plasma cutter to create trash receptacles for the downtown area. Alderwoman Dent expressed concern about the potential for hot metal trash cans to cause burns during the summer months. With no further official reports, the board adjourned to executive session to discuss legal matters. The next regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be held January 27 in the auditorium and is open to the public.

Today is the last day to share your favorites in the 2026 Best of Rural Missouri Reader’s Choice Contest! From hometown diners to hidden hiking spots, Rural Missouri Magazine want to know the places and people that make Missouri shine. Your nominations decide who earns the title of “Best of Rural Missouri.” Simply enter the name and location of your nomination at ruralmissouri.org. Example: “Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton” Some past favorites have earned their spot in the Best of Rural Missouri Hall of Fame — meaning they’ve won five or more times since 2012 and now get to rest on their well-earned laurels. The current Hall of Famers are Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que in Cuba, Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, St. James Winery in St. James, Silver Dollar City in Branson. The cities of Branson and Lake of the Ozarks. To keep things uniquely Missouri, please exclude national or out-of-state chains.

The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Dent County will meet tonight at 6:00 in the Salem Public Library Meeting Room. After the call to order will be the approval of the agenda followed by the approval of the minutes. The IDA will consider the status of member appointments of Dean Jones, Camron Erway and Lori Plank, which will be followed by the review of financial statements for the period ending December 31st, 2025. The board will approve payment of bills including the City of Salem Economic Development for $1,500 for October, November, and December 2025, plus $1,500 for January, February, and March of 2026. The IDA Board will hear a report from Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield, plus consider other business that may come before the board. Prior to adjournment the IDA may vote to go into closed session to discuss real estate.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tomorrow at 5:00 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. Salem High School students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, Maintenance, and Transportation. In new business, the Board is to approve a conflict-of-interest ordinance. No Transfers, Hires, or Resignations/Retirements are scheduled to be considered. The Board will enter executive session, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Missouri affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on March 30th, 2025. These taxpayers now have until March 30th, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Following the disaster declaration issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), individuals and households that reside or have a business in these counties in our area qualify for the tax relief. They are Iron, Maries, Reynolds, Shannon and Texas counties. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until March 30th, 2026, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. The March 30th, 2026, deadline applies to individual income tax returns and payments normally due on or after March 30th, 2025, and before March 30th, 2026; and 2025 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers. This relief also applies to the estimated tax payments normally due on or after March 30th, 2025, and before March 30th, 2026. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after March 30th, 2025, and before April 14th, 2025, will be abated as long as the tax deposits were made by April 14th, 2025. In addition, quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on July 31th, 2025, October 31st, 2025, and January 31st, 2026, are postponed until March 30th, 2026, for affected businesses. If an affected taxpayer receives a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS that has an original filing, payment or deposit due date that falls within the postponement period, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate the penalty. The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. But affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area should call the IRS Special Services toll-free number at 866-562-5227 to request this tax relief. Tax practitioners in the covered disaster area, who maintain records necessary to meet a filing or payment deadline for taxpayers located outside the disaster area, may contact the IRS Special Services; if the practitioner maintains the necessary records of ten or more clients, please refer to Bulk requests from practitioners for disaster relief for additional guidance. Again, this tax relief is only for those in Iron, Maries, Reynolds, Shannon and Texas counties.

The Department of Revenue announced recently that vehicles produced in or after 2016 are exempt from required safety inspections, however the department highlighted that the vehicles must have less than 150,000 miles. Newer vehicles still require the ID/OD Check (VIN & odometer verification) when applicable. The Department also sent a notice stating that the vehicle registration and safety requirements remain unaltered, and drivers should continue following existing inspection laws. For more information and to learn about other exemptions visit the Department of Revenue’s website at dor.mo.gov.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet this evening, 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. In Old Business the Board will address the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease.  In New Business the Board will consider FF 1&2 Program, Candidates for FF Training School, Chief Spending Limit, and Training Equipment Quotes. Chief Thomas will give his report, which will include the Monthly Reimbursement Report, followed by the setting of the date for the next meeting and closed session, if necessary, before adjournment. The regular meeting of the DCFPD Board of Directors is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 5:30 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. The meeting will open with a workshop to discuss the Old City Hall’s auditorium, basement, and kitchen, then proceed with the regularly scheduled meeting. Following approval of the agenda, and consent agenda, the board will hear any public comments, followed by a presentation from the U.S. Small Business Administration. After the presentation the board will hear the project discussion for rebuilding the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s effluent pumps, as well as a request to approve a sewer trailer repair/rebuild presented by Public Works Director Steve Paine. Resolution 1-2026, an agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will also be voted on. The board will hear the first reading of Bill NO. 3695 regarding the Mid-Year budget adjustments, from Finance Director Stacy Houston. After the reports of city officials the Board of Aldermen will enter executive session to discuss legal matters. The meeting tonight of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said grading will be done on Dent County Roads 4090 and 5450 with rock being added on those roads where needed. Grading will also begin on county road 2400 with brush being cut on county road 5680. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4030 while only grading would be done on county roads 4480, 5330 and 5333. Williams stated brush would be cut on county road 2313 and maintenance work is being done on tractor #9. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated Thursday he attended Phelps County Public Housing Authority meeting where they went over their financial reports as well as their audit. At the MRPC External Relations Committee meeting, they discussed state and legislative priorities for the upcoming year; and finally, at the MRPC meeting Thursday, a number of state and federal office representatives were in attendance to hear about concerns in the region. Larson reported the IDA Board would be meeting Wednesday at 6:00 at the Salem Public Library. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the collector and assessor for the month of December on all collections, abatements, and add-ons; and her office balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the 2025 fiscal year. Curley also stated the tentative preliminary budget will be ready for the public to pick up after 10:00 today at the clerk’s office or call them at 573-729-4144 and have the budget e-mailed to you. At the last meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the January tax money received from the state. The General Revenue and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Funds each received $96,745.48, which was up from funds received in December of 2025. The Road and Bridge Fund received $48,372.69, and that’s up from December 2025 totals. Williams reported both Jail Funds received $97,096.82, which was also up from December 2025 totals. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zach Moser gave its monthly report, and Deputy Derrick Marfitt told the commission he had created the Mid-Missouri Emergency Solutions, LLC that could perform emergency management duties for the county. The commission is waiting on legal counsel to review the contract. 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.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking the public for help and Operation Game Thief is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the poacher or poachers who illegally shot and left an adult bull elk as waste at Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southern Missouri on Tuesday, November 25th. Visitors driving through the area on Wednesday, November 26th, first reported the animal’s location to the conservation department. Conservation agents immediately responded and began investigating the scene for evidence. Agents noted the animal was lying in an open field about 40 yards off of Trail 1 and had a bullet hole in its left shoulder. Tire tracks were also visible entering the field toward the elk, then circling back to the gravel trail and aggressively spinning away from the scene. A December 1st social-media post on the incident by MDC generated photographs of the elk from two sources. The first individual had photographed the elk peacefully grazing in the field at 5:15 the afternoon of November 25th. The second had photographed the elk dead in the field at 8:05 in the morning on November 26th. Conservation agents noted that this was not a case of someone hunting legally and somehow mistaking the elk for a deer. Missouri’s Operation Game Thief hotline is (800) 392-1111 and they are asking anyone with any information related to this investigation to call. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has officially approved the financing package for Spring Creek Ridge, a new 40-unit affordable senior housing development in Salem designed for residents aged 55 and older. The Commission voted on December 9th to award the project a combination of federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and an MHDC HOME loan, securing the resources needed to proceed to closing and construction. Spring Creek Ridge is being developed through a partnership between the Salem Housing Authority, RCH Development, South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, and a highly experienced group of project partners. The development team is led by Chad Hartle, a veteran affordable housing developer with over three decades of experience delivering LIHTC communities throughout Missouri. The housing development commission funding round was highly competitive, with 86 applications submitted from communities across Missouri and only 29 developments approved statewide. Securing an award required exceptional coordination, local commitment, and broad-based support. The approval of Spring Creek Ridge reflects years of preparation and a unified effort by the Salem Housing Authority, Salem Mayor Greg Parker, City Administrator Sally Burbridge, the Salem City Council, State Representative John Hewkin, and State Senator Justin Brown as well as private partners working together toward a shared goal of expanding affordable senior housing. Carrie Sutterfield, Salem’s Economic Development Director, and Melissa Shaw, Executive Director of the Salem Housing Authority, played key roles in advancing the proposal. According to the housing development commission reservation letter, Spring Creek Ridge has been awarded$1,080,000 in Federal 9% Housing Tax Credits, $756,000 in State 9% Housing Tax Credits and $650,000 in MHDC HOME funding. These resources will finance a modern senior housing community featuring 32 affordable units and 8 market-rate units. Affordable two-bedroom units are projected at $690 per month, while market-rate units are set at $775. The City of Salem has demonstrated exceptional support for the project, including donating the development site and passing resolutions committing to rezoning. Spring Creek Ridge will also fund $400,000 in critical sewer upgrades—improvements long needed by the City. Spring Creek Ridge will consist of ten residential buildings and a community building, offering 40 spacious two-bedroom apartments, on-site social services and resident support, energy-efficient construction and modern amenities, high-speed broadband infrastructure and a community-focused design that fosters safety and independence. The commission will now proceed with the Conditional Reservation Agreement and environmental review processes, with closing anticipated late in 2026.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day taking place on Sunday, January 11th. With employees working on the state’s roads every day, the Missouri Department of Transportation is on the front lines of our state’s fight against human trafficking. This January, MoDOT asks everyone to help prevent human trafficking by learning the signs and what to do if you suspect human trafficking is occurring. Places such as rest stops, gas stations, convenience stores, fast-food establishments and hotels are common locations for the practice of human trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2024 there were 272 cases of human trafficking identified in Missouri involving 539 victims, up from 247 cases a year earlier. Nationally, these numbers jump to nearly 12,000 cases identified in 2024 alone, with nearly 22,000 victims. MoDOT provides specialized training to employees on how to identify the common indicators of human trafficking and what to do when trafficking is suspected in Missouri. Some of the warning signs of a potential trafficking situation include signs of physical abuse, wearing clothing inappropriate for the weather or location, not being in possession of their own money or identification, body language indicating discomfort, lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker or not being allowed to speak for themselves. If you suspect someone is being forced to engage in any activity from which they can’t leave, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). Information is available online at humantraffickinghotline.org. Please save the National Human Trafficking Hotline number and if someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.