Archive for 2026

The Salem Police Department released that on May 7th, a detective responded to a business in the 100 block of South Main and discovered a male had shattered the glass of the business while entering. An investigation was conducted and as a result, Christopher Turner, was located on May 13th and arrested. Turner was transported to the Dent County Jail. A probable cause statement was submitted to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant Prosecutor Weber filed a felony complaint in the circuit court of Dent County. A $5,000 Cash/Surety bond warrant was issued by the Honorable Judge Kelsaw for Property Damage in the 1st Degree. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

In a separate incident, on May 13th, a sergeant with the Salem Police Department conducted an investigation into the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive and responded to the 100 block of North Pershing where the subject was located. The subject, Buck Prater, was placed under arrest and transported to the Dent County Jail, where he was held on probation and parole with a NO BOND warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be out grading county roads 6320, 5150, and 2460, along with stockpiling rock. Crew members will also be performing maintenance on the brush hog in preparation for use in the coming weeks. A gentleman attended to discuss County Road 5170 with Green, as the road has been utilized as a detour during the closure of the bridge on Route B over Dry Creek. With further usage, the road is in need of more maintenance and monitoring. Green stated crew members will visit the road this week to review what needs done. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members would be grading and hauling rock on County Road 3180, along with replacing a crossover pipe on the same road. Crew members will also be cutting brush on County Road 2340. A culvert will be cleaned out on County Road 6150. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s report, he attended a Tourism Commission meeting Monday night. Last week, he attended several meetings at MRPC where attendees discussed details for the annual banquet. Larson received an update on the bridge on Route B over Dry Creek. At its May 6th meeting, the Missouri Highway Transportation Commission awarded a $996,609.65 contract for work to Joe’s Bridge & Grading, Inc. The start date will be shared on the project as soon as it is known. Further, Larson reported that there is a grant cycle starting soon for ServMO’s America 250 Missouri Mini Grant opportunity. Organizations are invited to submit applications in support of meaningful, community-driven service projects in the month of September 2026. The application cycle is June 1st through June 19th. Mini-grants of up to $3,000 will be available to fund projects taking place on or around the 9/11 Day of Service and/or Missouri Good Neighbor Week, September 28th through October 4th. To learn more about this grant, visit serv.mo.gov/grant-opportunities. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills and payroll is to be approved, and that District 8 did not have enough signatures for statewide petitions to be checked for certification. Gina White with Salem Memorial Hospital visited, and the commissioners signed its application for a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant (SS4A.) The next meeting will be 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the Courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

The North Wood R-IV Board of Education held its regular meeting Thursday, May 14th. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board went into closed session to discuss personnel. Letters of Resignation were approved from the following during the closed session: Principal JC Flores, Kyesha Flores, Lauren Prugh, and Katie Sapp. In open session, the board discussed the strategic plan; the stakeholders meeting in August; facilities, the FEMA building, kitchen renovations, and summer projects; budget updates; and summer transition camp. Enrollment for April was 162 for Kindergarten through 8th grade, along with 15 for pre-Kindergarten. Attendance was 95.6%. Lunch prices were discussed with the board approving to change student lunch prices to $2.95, adult lunch prices to $4.35, and breakfast prices to $1.95. The board also approved the Title Program evaluation as presented, along with the Title I Reading evaluation as presented. A bid was opened from Lexington Diesel for the surplus buses and approved as presented. Superintendent Jeff Dodson informed the board there will be a second Kindergarten screening in August. The board then adjourned. The next meeting of the board will be June 11th at 6:30 in the evening at the North Wood R-IV school and is open to the public.

The Green Forest 4-H will be holding a Fish Fry Fundraiser this Friday from 11 in the morning until they sell out. The Fundraiser will be held at the Wilson’s Family Center at 400 North Iron Street here in Salem. If you live in town delivery available upon request. Call 573-280-2036 for more information.

There will be a Cemetery Workday at the Mount Olive Cemetery at 3477 Highway VV in Licking, hosted by the Dent County Historical Society, in remembrance of Decoration Day and in celebration of America’s 250th. The cemetery workday will be held the morning of Saturday, May 30th at 10:00. The cemetery will be mowed, so leave the tools at home, they won’t be needed. Join fellow attendees and help clean headstones by bringing rubber gloves and insect repellent, if desired. A spray to clean the green and gray mold from the headstones will be provided for attendees. At noon, there will be a lunch at the Mount Olive Baptist Church. Bring a covered dish to join in the event. For more information, contact Deloris Gray Wood, President of the Dent County Historical Society, at 573-729-2545. To stay up to date on future events, visit the Dent County Historical Society Facebook page at facebook.com/DentCountyHistoricalSociety.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting Wednesday, May 20th, at 5:30 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. The board will hear communications from Amanda Walker. Salem Upper 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, and Maintenance. In new business, the board will approve MSBA policy updates, review building handbooks, approve sub pay for 2026-2027, approve Healthy Dent County Partnership, consider out-of-state trip by FFA to the National Convention, consider out-of-state trip for Chamber Choir, approve the PDC plan, and approve the Wellness Plan. Transfers, hires, or resignations/retirements are scheduled to be considered. The board will enter closed session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Rapid Response Grant Program is an opportunity available to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks entire service area, which includes Dent County, and provides one-time support to agencies with urgent, unanticipated needs such as: loss of federal and/or state funding, natural or man-made disasters, time-sensitive opportunities for collaboration or innovation, etc. Before applying, it’s important to consider that 501(c)(3) organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving the CFO’s service area are eligible to apply. This is a one-time grant. Agencies may not submit multiple requests in the same fiscal year. The maximum request amount is $3,000. Final reports will be due six months after funding is awarded. Completed and submitted applications will be sent to the committee for review the first Tuesday of each month.

For free fun for the family, Missouri Department of Conservation has Free Fishing Days coming up statewide the weekend of June 6th and June 7th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in Missouri without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. This is an annual event which takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. If you’re new to fishing or don’t have fishing gear, consider taking advantage of the Salem Public Library’s Rod & Reel Loaner Program. Through the Rod & Reel Loaner Program, individuals of all ages may check out fishing poles and tackle boxes for free using their library cards. The fishing poles are equipped with standard spin-cast reels. The tackle boxes are supplied with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers for basic fishing opportunities. Individuals need to provide their own live bait or desired lures to bait the hook. Equipment checks out for three days. It’s important to note that fishing rods and tackle boxes need to be returned to the circulation desk, not the book depository, and that items may not be renewed and are subject to overdue fines. For more information on the Rod & Reel Loaner program, contact the Salem Public Library at 573-729-4331.

Interested in learning how to safely preserve your favorite food at home? Join a hands-on Water Bath Canning Workshop on Thursday, June 18th from 6:00 to 9:00 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Whether you’re brand new to canning or want a refresher on safe water bath canning techniques, this workshop will guide you step-by-step through the process. The cost is $25 per participant, and registration is required. Feel empowered and prepared as you learn techniques for safely canning high-acid foods, using equipment correctly, and following tested recipes. Build skills that protect your health, reduce food waste, and help you preserve nutritious foods for your family year-round. To register, visit MU Extension’s website at extension.missouri.edu and search “Water Bath Canning Workshop.” A registration link will be available at the first result.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will be holding its 2026 Youth Academy Program in Piedmont at Eagle Sky at 1 Eagle Sky Drive from Aug. 3rd through Aug. 7th, with a deadline to apply by June 19th. There is no cost to attend the program. This program is for those interested in a career in law enforcement and must be high school students or recent graduates between the ages of 16 to 18. Cadets must be capable of enduring aerobic and endurance activities requiring a reasonable fitness level. Cadets must reside at the camp facility for the duration of the program. For more information or an application, contact Cpl. Logan Bolton at 314-348-4428 or email logan.bolton@mshp.dps.mo.gov.

A 49-year-old Salem resident was involved in an accident in Shannon County Wednesday morning at 12:30 on Highway 19 eight miles north of Eminence. According to the Highway Patrol a 2007 Honda VT1100 was northbound when a deer entered the roadway. The Honda swerved to avoid the deer and ran off the left side of the roadway. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Mercy Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The report stated that the man was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Honda sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker Towing at the owner’s request. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Us Forest Service and the Timber Fire District.

The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. The following report is based on the unapproved minutes. After the call to order and roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda, which included the review and approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, review of the financial reports, review and approval of bills, payments, and statements, and review and approval of the budget and reconciliations. In old business, it was reported that the CTI Tower issues have been resolved, and the board is awaiting lease information. In new business, the annual election of officers was conducted. Mike Godi was elected President, Dave Wells was elected Secretary/Treasurer, Dave Wells was appointed Custodian of Records, and Jeff Stokes was appointed Budget Officer. The By Laws were reviewed and the “or owns property within” is to be struck from Article IV, Section I. The By Laws are to be revised and presented with changes at the next meeting. Chief Thomas presented the monthly reimbursement report with a total of 14 calls for the month of April and 98 total calls for the year. The date for the next meeting was set for the evening of June 9th at 6:00 at the DCFPD. The board went in to closed session at 7:09 and returned to open session at 8:30. In closed session Michael Price was interviewed and approved to become a firefighter.

The Salem Police Department recently released their report for the month of April. The department responded to six accidents during the month as well as seven alarms sounding, four abandoned vehicle reports, addressed 23 animal calls, investigated five assaults or fights, received four reports of a burglary, performed 24 well-being checks and 26 area checks in April. Police investigated 16 domestic disputes, responded to eight verbal and two physical disturbances, conducted 74 follow-up investigations and provided 18 escorts. They investigated eight harassment reports, two parking complaint calls, one intoxicated driver report, two intoxicated pedestrian calls, checked out six charges of fraud, five trespassing calls and six property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote ten stealing reports, responded to eight traffic complaints and assisted four motorists. Officers responded to three reports of a suicidal person, 19 suspicious circumstance calls, seven suspicious person calls and six suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in April investigated a report of a prowler, six reports of juvenile problems, two reports of shoplifting, two reports of a prowler, two peace disturbances and 22 nuisance violations. Officers attempted to serve 12 warrants, and conducted 119 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 561 incidents in April with the average response time being one minutes and 19 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 12 minutes and 51 seconds. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non-emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.

The Dent County Toy Drive will be holding its 6th annual Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday, July 25th at the Dent County Commons. Vendors are wanted with outdoor spots still available. Indoor spots are full. This is a special year for the toy drive as it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary serving children in Dent County. Royal Oak Enterprises will be catering delicious pulled pork, and K-KID will be broadcasting live from 11:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon. Backwoods Productions DJ will be keeping the music going throughout the event. As always, attendees will be able to enjoy a free kids carnival, car show, craft show, and poker run. To learn more or apply to be a vendor, visit the Dent County Toy Drive Facebook page at facebook.com/TheDentCountyToyDrive. 

If you need financial assistance in having your pet fixed, Carol House Quick Fix-It Clinic located in Rolla at 13651 South Hwy. 63 offers two subsidized, low-income programs. Contact Carol House for eligibility details or to make your appointment at 573-465-3099 or email reception.rolla@quickfixpetclinic.com.

The City of Salem Finance and Capital Improvements Committees will hold a joint meeting at the old City Hall Auditorium tonight starting at 6:00. At the meeting, the committees will discuss the draft Capital Improvement Plan for the fiscal year 2026-27 and then discuss the draft city budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. The meeting was called by Mayor Greg Parker, and it is open to the public. 

The 141st Graduation Ceremonies of the Salem R-80 High School is scheduled to be held Friday evening at 7:00 at the Bill Schuchardt Football Stadium. After the procession of 133 graduating students, the National Anthem will be performed by the Salem High School Chamber Choir Singers. Administrator Clay Moody will present the Senior Class Citizenship Awards, while Administrator Jim Moore will present the Best Overall Excellence Awards to one girl and one boy. Senior High School Principal Jody Heavin will introduce the A-Plus students, students who are entering the military, the career and technical certified students as well as those students’ entering the workforce. Senior Class President Ave Wofford will give her speech before Senior Class-Vice President Alexis White gives her speech. Diplomas will then be awarded to the Class of 2026 students by Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills and President of the R-80 Board of Education, Drusilla Howard, followed by the tossing of the caps. The graduation exercises will be streamed live on KSMO Media. Those wanting to stream the graduation exercises can go to the Salem R-80 website which is www.salemr80.org, go to their activities menu and you will find a link to the KSMO Stream which is our Twitch account. People can also go directly to the KSMO Radio website at ksmoradio.com and from the homepage, they can click on the stream of their choice including the KSMO Stream Facebook page, KSMO Twitch page and on KSMO’s YouTube page. There is NO charge to watch the services. Should the exercises be rained out, they will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

There will be a collection box at the Salem Public Library for old, damaged, or soiled American flags. Anyone may leave a flag between now and Friday, June 12th. The library will deliver flags in need of retirement to American Legion Post 99. The Legion will properly dispose of them in accordance with the United States Flag Code.

Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire has announced the 2026 Dent County Plat Books will be available for purchase in her office starting Monday, May 18th. For purchase information, contact the Dent County Assessor’s Office at 573-729-6010.

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages motorists to brake if turtles are seen crossing the road. Spring rains and warmer weather encourage turtles, like three-toed box turtles, ornate box turtles, and common snapping turtles, to cross the roads in search of food, new territory, nesting sites, or mates. This can put turtles at risk of being struck by motor vehicles. MDC encourages motorists to slow down when they see a turtle in the road and check to be sure they can safely steer around it. If helping a turtle cross a road, keep human safety as the number-one concern. Check for traffic and move the turtle across the road in the direction it is traveling. Leave wild turtles wild. Keeping a wild turtle as a pet usually ends in a slow death for the captive turtle.