Archive for 2026

A municipal election was held Tuesday in Dent County and a total of 901 voters cast ballots for 10.29% of the 8,760 registered voters. The unofficial results of challenged races are from Dent County only and are as follows:

* indicates winners

SALEM R-80 SCHOOL BOARD, 3 YEAR TERM 

(Vote for 3)

Andrew Wynn* 335 votes

Luke Heithold* 352 votes

Drusilla Howard* 310 votes

Kris Bieker 132 votes

SALEM R-80 SCHOOL BOARD, 1 YEAR TERM

Larry Lundy 173 votes

Brady Adams* 314 votes 

SALEM EAST WARD ALDERMAN

Nathan Kinsey* 76 votes

Dylan McGinnis 61 votes

Lana Grove 58 votes

SALEM WEST WARD ALDERMAN

Catherine Dent* 112 votes

Kyle Williams 104 votes

OAK HILL R-I PROPOSITION RAIDERS

Yes 45 votes

No* 100 votes

DENT PHELPS R-III SCHOOL BOARD 

(Vote for 3)

Joshua Summers* 78 votes

Nick Gover 76 votes

Caleb Gidcumb* 78 votes

Bill Manthey* 80 votes

NORTH WOOD R-IV SCHOOL BOARD 

(Vote for 3)

David Massengale* 44 votes 

Jenna Dunn* 41 votes

Aaron Brooks* 48 votes

Noah Sapp 34 votes

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4 IRON COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS 

(Vote for 3)

Fred Bozic* 20 votes

Brian Matt 5 votes

David Major* 21 votes

Adam Asher* 23 votes

QUAD COUNTY FIRE BOARD DIRECTOR 

Robert Hicks 12 votes

Bradly Hubbs 12 votes

The Licking Police Department made the public aware of an incident that occurred Monday. According to the department an assault involving a firearm was reported just outside the city limits of Licking. The suspect subsequently fled the scene and entered the city limits, where he struck a vehicle at the Dollar General store, plus caused damage to an additional vehicle, before continuing to the Licking Police Department. At the department, the suspect drove over the curb and nearly struck the building with his vehicle. He then exited the vehicle, retrieved a floor jack from the vehicle, and used it to destroy two entry doors and severely damage an interior safety window before barricading himself inside the lobby. Two Licking Police Officers quickly secured the scene until additional officers arrived. After a brief negotiation, the suspect exited the building and was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Texas County Jail. The department assured the community that there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. Additional information, including formal charges, will be released once the investigation is complete. Due to the damage sustained during the incident, the department lobby will remain closed until further notice. The department can still be reached by phone at 573-674-2278. Chief Burton noted that the department appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation.

Elevated fire danger is expected today as winds gust in the 25 to 30mph range and afternoon humidity levels drop into the 25 to 35% range, according to the NOAA. Fires can spread rapidly in these conditions. Outside burning is discouraged except by experienced fire personnel.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors has called a special, executive session meeting this afternoon in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital. This meeting will not be open to the public. The minutes will likely be reviewed and approved during the open session of their regularly scheduled board meeting on the evening of April 25th, at 7:00, which is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission held its meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members are planning to grade county roads 5510 and 6500. Crew members will also be maintaining the backhoe. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are planning to grade county roads 4290 and 4437. Crew members will also be hauling rock and grading the conservation area’s County Road 2530. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll will be approved. No excuse absentee voting continues at the courthouse today from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon. Tomorrow, voters will have to go to their individual polling locations, and those locations will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. If unsure of your voting location, call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144. If your polling location is the Green Forest R-II School Gym, it will not be an active polling site for this election. When voting, please remember to bring your photo ID. Curley reported that estimations for voter turnout for the April Municipal Election are between 10 – 13%. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.  

According to a press release from the office of Christopher R. Pieper, a law firm in Missouri, the Salem Bowling Center has filed a Sunshine Law Lawsuit against the City of Salem on April 3rd, in the Circuit Court of Dent County. The petition alleges the city and three of its officials, including City Clerk Tammy Koller, City Administrator Sally Burbridge, and Mayor Greg Parker, knowingly and purposefully violated Missouri’s Sunshine Law by charging unauthorized fees and failing to produce records responsive to six public records requests related to the city’s utility billing practices. The records requests were part of Salem Bowling Center’s efforts to investigate alleged improper utility billing practices by the city, the subject of which has a pending investigation by the Missouri State Auditor. The petition further alleges the city’s Sunshine Law violations were deliberate in order to prevent the Salem Bowling Center from prosecuting its utility billing appeal by unlawfully preventing access to public records, and that the city responded to each records request with delay, incomplete production, and procedural non-compliance — repeatedly failing to provide the detailed explanations for delay required by law, refusing to produce records in the requested format, and assessing fees the Sunshine Law does not permit. Furthermore, the petition alleges the city sat on its own internal technical reports for months before disclosing them to the Bowling Center on the same day it denied the utility billing appeals, a move the petition characterizes as a deliberate effort to deny the Bowling Center any meaningful opportunity to respond. The seven-count petition seeks civil penalties of up to $5,000 per Sunshine Law violation, injunctive relief requiring the city to produce withheld records and refund unauthorized fees, and an award of attorneys’ fees and costs as authorized by Section 610.027, RSMo. The petition names the city, city clerk, city administrator, and mayor jointly and severally liable for the alleged violations. At the time of this publication, the City of Salem has not responded to a request for comment.

MoDOT has released the following road work planned for the week of today through Sunday within Dent County: On Highway 19, culvert replacement is planned from today through Thursday from Route TT to Route VV in Crawford County. On Route W, pothole patching is planned from today through Wednesday. On Route EE, pothole patching is planned Wednesday and Thursday. Route B at the bridge over Dry Creek remains closed, due to deterioration near one of the supporting structures. Keep in mind that weather conditions may postpone scheduled work. Many projects will include lane closures which could cause delays. Other moving operations such as pothole patching, brush cutting, and pavement repairs continue in various locations. Motorists should travel with care and be alert for slow-moving equipment. 

The Sleep in Heavenly Peace, or SHP, Dent County Chapter will be holding its community meeting today from 5:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon at the Salem Armory Walden Conference Room, with discussions including events, needs, and more. Updates from the local chapter can be found on its Facebook page at facebook.com/shpdentco. SHP is an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers new beds to children in need who do not have a bed. Anyone can apply for their child on the SHP website at shpbeds.org. At the top of the page, click “Apply for a Bed.” Volunteers are welcomed from all ages. Contact the Dent County SHP chapter at 1-844-432-2337 for more information.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bear and/or elk in the state this fall that they need to apply for a limited number of hunting permits for each in May. MDC will offer 2,000 permits to harvest up to a maximum of 60 black bears across three MDC black-bear management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2026 Missouri black-bear hunting season, Oct. 17th  through Oct. 30th. MDC increased the number of available permits from 600 to 2,000 and increased the harvest quota limit from 40 to 60 bears to expand hunting opportunities. Missouri has an estimated population of about 1,100 bears.  Get more information on black-bears and bear hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/bear. MDC will again also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents. MDC has designated the 2026 elk archery portion to run Oct. 17th through Oct. 25th, and the elk firearms portion to run Dec. 12th through Dec. 20th. Get more information on elk and elk hunting at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.  

The Salem Community Garden will host a presentation on Pest Control Thursday night at 6:00 behind the Salem United Methodist at 801 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. Everyone is welcome to attend the presentation event, and you do not have to have a plot to participate. Plots are still available and your first plot is free. Accessible garden beds are also available. For more information, contact the Dent County Extension at 573-729-3196 or Thom Haines at 573-247-7952.

The Dent County Commission held its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. With District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams absent and crew members out in observance of Good Friday and Easter weekend, road reports from District One Commissioner Keith Green were minimal. Green reported that crew members have been busy grading this week in the conservation area and installing a culvert pipe, around County Road 5150. Meanwhile, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he attended the Meramec Regional Community Foundation meeting in St. James, in which several scholarships were disseminated to students. The foundation requested names of businesses in Salem, along with businesses across the region, and will be reaching out to see if the businesses would be willing to donate toward trade scholarships. Bills have been reviewed by commissioners and approved. Curley has balanced with Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams on all monthly accounts for the month of March. The Dent County Clerk’s office will be open on Saturday from 8:00 in the morning to noon for voting. On April 6th, Monday, the courthouse will be open for voting from 8:00  in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon. On April 7th, Tuesday, voters will have to go to their individual polling locations, and those locations will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. If unsure of where your voting location is, call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144. When voting, please remember to bring your photo ID. Health Department Administrator Zach Moser discussed with commissioners the health fair, which will be from 7:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon May 1st at the Dent County Health Center. He also shared that there will be an upcoming Awards Gala April 24th, in which awards will be presented and money raised for services at the Dent County Health Center. Moser shared that currently there are three cases of Legionnaires Disease within the county. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley and Sheriff Bob Wells presented to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams a check in the amount of $469.85 for the sale of firearms in the cases of State v. Michael Munson, State v. Stephen Mock, and State v. Jessica Carnell. These firearms were seized in connection with the arrest and prosecution of each criminal case. The proceeds are to be used for the benefit of Dent County. In addition to the criminal conviction, the seizure and sale of the firearms is authorized by Missouri law as a punishment and deterrent to persons that illegally own/possess/use firearms.

Several community Easter celebrations are planned for this weekend. The Grace Community Church located at 600 Water Street will be hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 1:00 in the afternoon to 4:00 in the field behind the church. This event is for ages 2 through sixth grade. The First Baptist Church of Salem will be holding its community-wide Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 11:00 in the morning, for ages up to third grade. Custard by C-Sue located at 500 East 4th Street will also be holding a free Easter Egg Hunt at 2:00 in the afternoon this Saturday. From 2:00 to 3:00, you can get photos with the Easter Bunny courtesy of William Lynch Parents As Teachers. From 2:00 to 7:00, the custard shop will be open.