Archive for 2026

No excuse absentee voting is officially underway and will continue through Aug. 3. The courthouse will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 8:00 in the morning to noon. To stay up to date on upcoming deadlines and voting information, be sure to follow the Dent County Elections Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Dent County Elections/County Clerk-Angie Curley.” For more information, visit the Missouri Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri.

Salem R-80 High School has given notice that online registration is now open for the 2026-26 school year. Find online registration directions on the district website under the “District” tab at salemr80.org/page/onlineregistration. New families do not have a Parent Portal account, so please use the link located under “Brand New Families to the District” to begin the registration process. Returning families (including those that did Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Freshmen pre-registration), visit your Campus Parent Portal and click “Menu” and then “More” to find your online registration. If you do not have the Campus Parent app, you can find the link on the Salem R-80 website at salemr80.org under the “Parents” tab. If you have a new student to add, you can do so during your registration process. If you have forgotten your username or password, the Campus Parent Portal homepage has the option to send the information to your security email. If you need to change your Campus security email, you may contact kara.constance@salemr80.org.

Join Salem Public Library this evening from 6:00 to 8:00 for an engaging presentation from Mike Snyder of WildWise Botanicals on edible wild mushrooms of the region. Snyder has been hunting and studying Missouri’s fungi for 15 years and is the author of the forthcoming Foraging Mushrooms of the Ozarks. Presenting a slideshow of original photography, Snyder will walk attendees through some mushroom basics and cover how to find delicious mushrooms in our region, along with tips on their utilization in the kitchen. Several of the most common toxic species will be covered as well. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn about the fascinating fungi that grow right outside our doorsteps. There is no cost or library card required to attend, and the event will take place in the Shirley Seay Hospitality Room.

The Dent County Toy Drive will be holding its 6th annual Christmas in July fundraiser this Saturday at the Dent County Commons from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. This is a special year for the toy drive as it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary serving children in Dent County. There will be plenty to enjoy at the event, including pulled pork sandwiches, music throughout the day, and a free kids carnival. Attendees can also look forward to the car show, craft show, and poker run. Of course, there will also be Santa on the beach visiting from 10:00 to noon. The event will be held rain or shine. Attendees are asked to bring a toy to fill the truck, although not required to attend. For updates, visit the Dent County Toy Drive at its page at facebook.com/TheDentCountyToyDrive.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) has released that it has received a 2026 Excellence in Transportation Planning award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO.) The award recognized 22 projects nationwide. The award received by MRPC recognized the Active Transportation Plans completed for the City of Salem. Executive Director Bonnie Prigge and Planning Manager Anne Freand attended the 2026 National Regional Transportation Conference in Atlanta and participated in the awards reception Monday evening where the project was shared with fellow planners. Thanks was given by MRPC to Freand along with Orin Pogue, MRPC community development specialist, for their work on the project, and the City of Salem stakeholders and leadership. Thanks was also given to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services for funding the project. To learn more about the project, visit the City of Salem website at salemmo.com and search “Active Transportation Plan.”

The Dragonfly Wings Foundation’s Flemings Variety on 4th will be holding a holiday event from Nov. 6th through the 8th. There will be pies, cheeseballs, cookies, and candy homemade, frozen, and ready to take home for holiday treats, alongside handmade and retail items to peruse. Raffles for quilts and auction items will also be available. Every penny spent supports teachers and educational programs all throughout Dent County. To learn more about the Dragonfly Wings Foundation, visit their website at dflyw.org. To stay up to date on their upcoming events, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/dragonflywingsfoundation.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees will be holding its regular meeting Thursday evening at 5:00 located at 1014 E. Scenic Rivers Boulevard. This meeting will be open to the public. The board will consider the approval of the June meeting minutes. Under old business, the board will be presented with operations reports, the administrator’s reports, and will consider the approval of the financial reports. Under new business, the board will consider changes to employee benefits. A portion of the meeting will be closed to the public to discuss personnel. Then, the board will adjourn.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting Thursday, June 18th. After the approval of the May minutes, the board reviewed the Operations Report. Under Communicable Disease, there were 13 reports of STI encounters, two reports of STI treatments, 11 reports of influenza, and eight animal bites. Under Maternal-Child Health, there were 343 total WIC visits, two car seats distributed, one crib distributed, three childcare health consultations, and 12 Title X appointments. There were eight total environmental inspections conducted. Under laboratory detail, there were 234 laboratory draws, two rapid tests, five pregnancy tests, four lead tests, four urine drug screens, and 122 phlebotomy appointments. Under immunizations, there were 22 vaccines administered other than COVID or influenza. There were a total of 139 lab appointments conducted, 109 provider appointments, 27 immunization appointments, and 510 appointments conducted other than WIC. There were also 261 CareCab Rides provided. Health Administrator Zach Moser discussed with the board a search for options regarding IT continuity, and he presented a draft of a generalized administrative continuity plan. Moser reported on a Missouri Foundation for Health Grant to improve and expand the Teen Maze and to integrate firearms safety education into the program for $50,000. Moser further reported on staffing shortages and facing difficulty in recruiting. The financial reports were reviewed with a report of current assets at the end of March to be $1.3 million. Revenue for the month was $135,185.84, After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was $12,769.33. A report for May from H&R block was received and reviewed. The board approved financial reports. In closed session, the board approved the continuity planning proposal from Momentum CPAs and Advisors. The next meeting of the Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees will be Thursday, July 23rd, at 5:00 in the afternoon, and will be open to the public.

The Dent-Phelps R-III Board of Education met for its regular meeting Thursday, July 16th. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, including open session minutes of the June 23rd meeting, July financial reports, bills, and the substitute list additions, the board approved a time and date for the Tax Levy Hearing. The board also approved the following as presented: Revisions to the 2025-26 Budget; Art and Library Job Descriptions; and the Parent/Student Handbook for the 2026-27 school year. The board approved raising regular student and adult lunches and breakfasts 10 cents, with milk to remain the same. Extra Duty Assignment Stipends were approved, with amendments. The Driver/Staff training curriculum was tabled, and the board took a walkthrough of the facilities. After a closed session for the purposes of personnel, the board adjourned. The next meeting of the Dent-Phelps R-III Board of Education will be Aug. 20th at 6:00 in the evening to immediately follow the Tax Levy Hearing. 

The North Wood R-IV Board of Education met for its regular meeting Tuesday, July 14th. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board discussed the strategic plan and set dates for meetings in August. The next stakeholders meeting will be Aug. 21st from 8:30 to 11:30 in the morning. Chad Heithold and Davy Gray were present during discussion of facilities and kitchen renovations. Superintendent Jeff Dodson provided an update on the budget, sharing he is working on tax rates for the tax rate hearing in August. An audit will be conducted on Aug. 11th. Dodson informed the board he will be attending the DESE conference and law seminars in the next few weeks. Under old business, Principal Kristina Jackson congratulated teacher Nikki McMullin for getting in the top 20 for the DESE Regional Teacher of the Year Award. For the 2025-26 school year, North Wood had also received the Mary Miller Richter PBIS award. Within closed session, the board accepted a letter of resignation from Aiden Brooks, with board member Aaron Brooks abstaining. The board then adjourned. The next meeting of the North Wood R-IV August board meeting and tax rate hearing will be on Aug. 18th at 6:00.

Lots of events are planned this weekend at Montauk State Park’s campground amphitheater. Beginning on Friday from 9:00 to midnight, visit and learn about owls. Then, Saturday afternoon at 2:00, return to meet Jake the Snake and learn all about snakes. Not only will you meet a snake up close, but you’ll also be able to learn practical information like what to do if you’re ever bitten by one. Build a cute, crafty snake you can take home. Later on Saturday evening at 9:00, return to the campground amphitheater to join Kyle Case from the Missouri Department of Conversation and learn about hatchery operations and how trout are raised, stocked, and maintained. This behind-the-scenes tour offers a look into what’s involved in bringing outstanding fishing to Montauk’s waters!

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Thursday at the Administrative Office. Food Service Director of Opaa!, Chasity Harris, informed the board that the ongoing summer feeding program served 9,415 breakfasts and 9,415 lunches throughout the month of June. With the assistance of Harris, Wills relayed that staff have completed applications to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides the option to offer free meals to all students in eligible high poverty Local Education Agencies (LEA) and schools without the need to collect household applications. Wills shared that the payment for June’s free summer program was $114,000. After payments are made to Opaa!, the anticipated profit is approximately $45,000. Looking at the food service finances, Wills shared he anticipates the Salem High School will be able to provide free breakfast and lunch. Under the superintendent’s report, Wills shared that the FEMA building tiles have been having issues with humidity and needed to be stripped and waxed. Staff will be keeping an eye on the issue. The High School Gym has been repainted with compliments given by the board for a job well done. Renovating the lobby’s men’s bathrooms will be started as soon as the gym is finished. Flooring work is ongoing at the middle school and high school. Wills also noted personnel handbook changes which added policies to the handbook, thereby lessening video training required for personnel. Under new business, the board approved the Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) plan, which provides three days to utilize at staff’s discretion for weather or sickness. The board also approved MSBA 2026 policy updates, and the annual increase of 10 cents for meal prices for the 2026-27 school year. In addition, the board approved an amended contract with Compass Therapy Solutions and Stepping Stones Group. The board adjourned into closed session to discuss personnel. The next regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education will be Thursday, Aug. 20th at 5:30 in the evening, and will include the annual tax rate hearing. This meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson commended organizers and exhibitors for a great 2026 4-H/FFA Expo and Livestock Auction. He also commended the community for its continued support of the annual event. Under road reports, both commissioners urged the community to have patience as the districts work through cutting brush. Commissioners are aware of the overgrowth and are working through it as able. District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members will be completing service on the grader, and a tractor will be undergoing maintenance. Grading will be done around the area of County Road 5600, and cutting brush is planned for County Road 5490 and the Gladden and Jadwin area. Crew members will also be stockpiling rock. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that a culvert will be installed on County Road 3030. Grading is planned for county roads 3050, 5260, and 2090. Cutting brush is planned for 4020 and 4030, and hauling rock is planned for 5260, 3030, and 2090. Crew members will also be hauling broken concrete to line a creek bank on County Road 3030 for washout prevention. County Clerk Angie Curley reported bills are to be approved, and that no excuse absentee voting begins Tuesday and will continue through Aug. 3rd. The courthouse will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, Aug. 1st from 8:00 in the morning to noon. The last day to request an absentee ballot will be Wednesday. So far, approximately 130 ballots have been cast, which Curley shared is on par with previous years. Closed session minutes of last Thursday’s meeting were approved. The next Dent County Commission meeting will be Thursday at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Bunker R-III Board of Education met for its regular meeting on Thursday, July 16th. The board approved its agenda and minutes of the previous meeting. The June and July 2026 expenditures were approved. The Professional Development (PDC) Handbook and Building School Improvement Plan (BSIP) were also approved, as submitted. The board accepted the bid from Honda Jefferson City for a School Van as submitted at a cost of $42,500; further, the board approved for a check to be written prior to the next board meeting to purchase the van. The purchase of a school truck for snow removal died for lack of a motion. The board went into closed session, during which it approved the previous meeting’s closed session minutes, and then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Bunker R-III Board of Education will be Thursday, Aug. 20th at 6:00 in the evening and is open to the public.

Intercounty Electric Cooperative will be holding several Family Movie Nights this summer, including one in Salem this Friday at the Salem City Park. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a free movie showing of Zootopia 2. Popcorn/snacks and water will be provided. Movies will start at dark.