Archive for 2026

CORRECTION: The “Let Freedom Ring” event with presenter Suzanne Rayfield Chilton McKenzie to be held at James Family Center, across from the James & Gahr Mortuary, located at 103 W. Center Street will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00. YWT incorrectly reported the event would be Saturday in its previous edition.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held its meeting Wednesday night. After the call to order and roll call, the board heard a report from Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois. DuBois shared that soccer is finishing up with 250 athletes, while summer ball just wrapped up registrations with 370 athletes, an increase from last year’s registrations. FEMA projects are finishing up: crew members are working on the riprap for the creek, while fencing at Billy’s Playground is being built. Both projects are estimated to be complete at the beginning of July. The Alice Lou Craig Swimming Pool is being de-winterized on May 5th, to be completed by Landmark Aquatics, and the pool opening is scheduled for May 23rd, weather permitting. DuBois also announced that the Salem MO Spectacular has had its date set for Oct. 24th this year, with Chamber Director Catherine Wynn to assist. The board then approved meeting minutes from March 11th and March 16th. The board discussed the FY 2027 draft budget for the Parks and Recreation department. Proposed within the capital improvement plan for 2027 were repaving for the pool parking lot at $83,400; a cooling station for the pool entrance at $20,000; a pool mural at $17,900; security cameras at $15,000; and a portable storage unit for the purposes of keeping ball equipment at $3,600. Another item for consideration is pool zipline improvements, with an estimate of $2,200. Within the draft budget is a $60,206 deficit, of which the board will need to review and either cut expenses or utilize prior year fund balances. Board member Luke Heithold requested more time to review the budget packet. No vote was made. Moving forward, DuBois shared that the Fireworks Committee is requesting use of the park for the Fourth of July, for the purposes of vendor usage and a fireworks display. The committee is also wanting to do a 35-year time capsule to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. The board approved the committee’s usage of the park and the time capsule and then adjourned. Another meeting is to be held by the board for a vote on the budget and will be announced at a later date.  

Beginning next Monday, May 4th, the City of Salem street department will be providing free curbside yard waste pickup in conjunction with the semi-annual spring residential cleanup. Crews will begin picking up yard waste on May 4th and will continue until it has covered the entire city. Yard waste to be picked up includes leaves bagged in clear, recyclable leaf bags, along with limbs and branches bundled with a maximum diameter of 4 inches, weighing a maximum of 75 pounds. Leaf bags may be picked up at the Utility Office for $2.50. Place all yard waste at the curb or back of sidewalk, not in the street, and do not block sidewalks. What will not be picked up during yard waste pickup are appliances, electronics, furniture, or household trash; lumber, building materials, recyclables, or tires; or entire trees or large limbs. 

The Dent County Health Center will be hosting its annual Spring Health Fair on May 1st from 7:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon, located at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. Available at the health fair will be free basic screenings for blood pressure, height/weight, and BMI calculation. Also available is a Rapid Heart Healthy Screening at $34.50, which includes the basic screening plus Lipid (Cholesterol) and A1C. Available as add-ons to Heart Healthy Screening include a Blood Chemistry at $3.80; Vitamin D at $13.75; Basic Thyroid at $3.00; and Blood Counts at $3.00. Other services include a Rapid Blood Lead Screening at $10.00; free Narcan; and free and low cost STD testing. No appointment is necessary. Call 573-729-3106 for more information and scheduling for additional services.

This Saturday, May 2nd, from 6:30 in the morning to 8:15 in the evening, Montauk State Park will be holding a Kids’ Free Fishing Day. Kids age 15 and under are eligible to participate in the event. There will be a mobile aquarium, door prizes, archery range, and free hotdogs and soda from 11:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon. The spring branch from the CCC Spillway to the Social Hole will be reserved for youth anglers. The registration booth will be open from 2:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 on May 1st and all day on May 2nd. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. For more information about the event, contact the Montauk Hatchery at 573-548-2585.

City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board President Carlos Lopez has called for a meeting of the board today at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order and roll call will be the Directors Report, followed by approval of minutes. The board will then review and approve the budget. The board will consider approval of the Fourth of July Committee use of the park and a time capsule request, followed by adjournment.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday evening. During the public hearing for property annexation, no comments were made, so the regular meeting of the board commenced. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved an electric department budget adjustment. Public Works Director Steve Paine shared that this adjustment was due to the progress of the new electric superintendent. The request was to move $80,000 from line replacements to other line items, including equipment maintenance, tools, special services, safety gear, and wearing apparel. Burbridge clarified this is not an increase in the budget but a transfer within the budget. A first reading was heard for three bills: an ordinance annexing property owned by Christopher and Joslyn Heavin; an ordinance annexing property owned by Terry and Shirley Perkins; and amendments to the city code to allow subcommittees to be established within the Community Involvement Committee. A first and second reading was heard for a task order authorizing Toth & Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the Philmart/Marathon stormwater culvert replacement project. Portions of the concrete pads in the Phil-mart drive through show signs of sinking, and the culvert under the drive pads is collapsing. This is not a budgeted project but necessary due to the sinking concrete pads. Estimates for the engineering on the project is approximately $70,000. Discussion was held by the board for which funding sources to pursue for construction, which has a yet to be determined cost. The board approved the task order. Meanwhile, another task order was approved for Toth & Associates, Inc. engineering services, related to the city park no-rise certificate and permit project. The permit and no-rise certificate will be filed with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA.) City reports were then provided. Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield shared an economic snapshot of Salem and Dent County, based off of census data. The full slideshow is viewable within the meeting packet. Both Paine and Mayor Greg Parker reminded the community that spring clean-up is coming up, on your regular trash day between May 4th through the 15th. Finally, the board adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be May 12th and will be open to the public. 

Join America250 in celebrating our heritage at “Let Freedom Ring” in Salem with SuzanneRayfield Chilton McKenzie as the presenter this Saturday at 2:00 at the James Family Center at 103 West Center Street, across the street from the James and Gahr Mortuary. The event is sponsored by the Dent County Historical Society. For more information, call Deloris Gray Wood, President of the Dent County Historical Society, at 573-729-2545 or email Suzanne at Suzanne.McKenzie.Author@gmail.com.

Salem Public Library has a special Saturday storytime and meet-the-author opportunity coming up! This Saturday morning, Rachel Johnson will read her children’s book “Mrs. Johnson and the Chocolate Conundrum” at 10:30. For more information, please call the library at (573) 729-4331. 

Join the Salem Future Farmers of America Chapter at Pizza Hut from 4:00 to 8:00 in the evening Thursday next week and enjoy a meal while helping students succeed. FFA members will be on-site serving guests food and taking orders, with a portion of the evening’s proceeds to go directly toward supporting FFA activities and agricultural education opportunities. Come out to support a great cause.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be having its regular meeting tonight at 6:00 within the City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington Street. Before the regular meeting will be a public hearing for Christopher and Joslyn Heavin, owners of property being considered for annexation into the city. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear any scheduled public comments. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the approval of an electric department budget adjustment, in order to improve its capacity for routine maintenance and ensure adequate inventory and tools for line repairs. There will be a first reading of three ordinances: an ordinance annexing property owned by Christopher and Joslyn Heavin; an ordinance annexing property owned by Terry and Shirley Perkins; and amendments to the city code to allow subcommittees to be established within the Community Involvement Committee. A first and second reading will be heard for two ordinances, including one authorizing Toth and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the Philmart/Marathon stormwater culvert replacement project, and another authorizing Toth and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the city park no-rise certificate and permit project. Any reports by city officials will then be presented before the board adjourns. The open session meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission held its meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members are planning to grade county roads 2400, 2430, and 6220. Graders will be present on those roads but may be limited in what can be done due to weather impacts. Crew members are preparing County Road 4110 for overlay later this year, with expectations of project completion in June. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be grading on county roads 3180 and 4300, with hauling rock to be done on County Road 3180, along with culvert installation. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 2500 and 2550. Preparations are underway for overlay on County Road 6150 later this year. The two 2026 Mach Trucks arrived Thursday afternoon, with crew members preparing the vehicles for use this week. Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and that her attendance at the annual meeting with the US Election Assistance Commission’s Standards Board went well. Meanwhile, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported that CART tax is up from last April $6,291.69. This is up year-to-date $22,236.75 and up 6.9%. The commission signed the Water Tower Use Agreement on the Public Water Supply District #1. The commission will be putting a repeat on the tower in order for the road department radios to receive better service. An emergency closed session was then held with all approving 3-0. Sheriff Bob Wells presented a quote on fixing the parking lot of the sheriff’s department for $11,980 from Levi Reeves Construction. The commission will patch the parking lot for now. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

Join MoDOT on Wednesday any time from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening at Rolla’s City Hall located at 901 North Elm Street for a public meeting to learn about planned improvements along I-44 in Phelps County, specifically to both westbound lanes from US Route 63 to Sugar Tree Road and eastbound lanes within Rolla, along with Route V and Route 68/6 interchanges to enhance safety and capacity. More details on the project, including the timeline, will be shared at the meeting. Project staff, info, and displays will be available for any questions or comments from the public. There will be no formal presentation. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the 2026 Missouri Birding Challenge (MBC) May 1st through 22nd. Registration is open until this Thursday. The Missouri Birding Challenge participants will compete alone or on teams in five categories based on age, birding location, or experience. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their list of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. There is a fee of $15 per person, or $10 per team in the youth Fledgling category. Fees are collected by MBC partner MCHF and contribute to migratory bird conservation efforts and projects. Registration fees were reduced from last year based on participant feedback. A new Big Day category will challenge registrants to record as many bird species as possible in the 24 hours of World Migratory Bird Day on May 9th. Once participants complete a category and submit their team’s mandatory eBird report, they will be entered into a drawing for prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. Learn more about the 2026 MBC and register by Thursday at mdc.mo.gov.