Archive for 2026

The County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members plan to grade and haul rock where needed on county roads 6570, 6255, 5525, and 4215. Green commented that County Road 6570 will be receiving the bulk of the work and requires reconstruction. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 6100 and 6110. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that grading and hauling rock is planned for county roads 5320 and 5325. Cutting brush, meanwhile, is planned for county roads 2380 and 2300. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) has given notice that grants for 2027 are open until noon Aug. 21st, 2026.  Eligible projects encourage solid waste reduction within the seven-county region of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Pulaski, Phelps, and Washington. There will be a grant writing workshop from 10:00 to noon Wednesday, July 22nd at MRPC’s 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Anyone interested may attend. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she has balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of June. She has balanced with both the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of June. Absentee voting for the Aug. 4th Primary Election will continue through Aug. 3rd, with no excuse absentee voting to begin July 21st. If any voters have questions, need to update voting information, or need a sample ballot, contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 573-729-4144. You can also contact the office through email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax received. For the General Revenue fund, the county has received $99,569.78. This is an increase from last July of $21,856.60 and an increase year-to-date of $48,130.06, or 7.6%. The Jail funds have received $99,991.43, an increase from last July of $21,858.98 and an increase year-to-date of $61,505.81, or 9.8%. The Road and Bridge fund has received $49,784.74, an increase from last July of $10,929.42 and year-to-date of $30,803.29, or 9.9%. Collector Shannon Vankirk turned over $121,746.96 for the month of June. Further, Denita and Vankirk discussed surplus property, and commissioners agreed 3-0 for the treasurer to turn funds over to the Circuit Clerk to complete the process. Sherman Odom, citizen, discussed with commissioners his new subdivision off of County Road 418. Commissioners accepted the new road, under the condition that Odom will provide two more loads of rock. Odom will be preparing the deed for the county. Rural Addressing will provide a new road number and assign addresses for the lots. Meanwhile, in the Friday, July 3rd edition of Your World Today, Treasurer Denita Williams was erroneously referred to as the “collector” We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. The County Collector is Shannon VanKirk. The next meeting of the county commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse.

The Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol is reaching out to teachers, home school coordinators, and other educators working with K-12 students to participate in its Aerospace Education Member aerospace and STEM education in classrooms, homeschools, museums, libraries, or other youth organizations. Participants receive STEM kits that do not have to be returned, curriculum materials for K-12 aerospace education, and Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flight aboard CAP aircraft at local airports. The cost is $35 for the first year with no charge in following years if the educator wants to remain active in the program. For more information or to join, visit the Civil Air Patrol website at gocivilairpatrol.com and search “Educators: Join as a CAP AE Member.” Persons wanting additional information may contact Major Jason Unwin at (918) 616-0578 or by email at jason.unwin@mowgcap.org. There is no military service commitment with being an AEM or member of Civil Air Patrol.

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) of University of Missouri St. Louis is now accepting scholarship applications and registrations for fall 2026. Through a project-based curriculum, participants gain practical skills in community building, leadership, project planning, and organizational management while connecting with changemakers from across Missouri. Whether you’re a neighborhood volunteer, community leader, nonprofit professional, business owner or local elected official, NLA provides the tools and network to help turn your vision into action. During the NLA, participants share and work on a community improvement project for their neighborhood. Choose from online evening or online daytime. The deadline to apply for scholarships is noon on Friday, July 24th. Learn more and apply through the University of Missouri – St. Louis website at umsl.edu and search “Neighborhood Leadership Academy.”

On Saturday, July 18th at 9:00 in the evening at Montauk State Park, join the Ozark Fly Fishers Club and the park naturalist in the campground between Loops 2 and 3 at the accessible fishing access to discover a hidden world of incredible insects. Moths (and other creatures) will be attracted for an up-close look at their amazing colors, patterns, and adaptations. This is a family-friendly program.

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo kicks off Tuesday, July 14th at The Commons with the setting up of the Exhibit Entries from 4:00 to 6:30. Those entries will be judged starting Wednesday morning, July 15th at 10:00. That same evening at 6:00 will be the Dessert Auction. Entry forms are available at the Dent County Extension Office or call them at 573-729-3196 and they can e-mail you an entry form. Dessert items must be brought in between 3:00 and 5:00 to the multi-purpose building at The Commons that Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, July 16th, livestock registration will be from 9:30 until 11:30 and all livestock MUST be in place by 11:00. Weigh-ins are scheduled to start at 12:30 with the Small Animal Show beginning at 2:00. The “Pig Pals” practice will be at 5:00 with the show to follow at 5:30. The exhibitor and family supper will be held at 6:00. On Friday, July 17th, the shows will kick off at 7:00 in the morning with the hog show, followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. The Beef and Dairy Show will start at 1:00 Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, July 18th, at 8:00, there will be a breakfast that will be followed at 9:00 with the highlight of the Expo, the 4-H and FFA Market Sale. The auction will be carried live on KSMO Radio (AM 1340 and FM 95.7) and also live streamed on KSMO Media (ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stream Facebook and the KSMO YouTube Channel.) For additional information contact the Dent County Extension office at (573) 729-3196.

Following the severe weather that impacted communities across Missouri over the holiday weekend, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) reminds Missourians who have questions or concerns about their insurance coverage to contact the department’s Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit insurance.mo.gov/consumers. DCI encourages consumers to remember three important steps as they begin to recover and start the insurance claims process: Inspect and document damage by taking photos or video evidence of damage to homes, vehicles, or personal belongings. Take steps to prevent further damage after a loss, such as covering a damaged roof with a tarp or boarding broken windows, and keep all receipts for emergency repairs as they may be reimbursable. File your claim as soon as possible by contacting your insurance company or agent promptly to report damage and be prepared to provide details and documentation. Filing early can help avoid delays.

The Dent County Clerk’s office has available a sample ballot and fair ballot language for the amendments for voters for the Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 Primary Election. Voters must choose one party to vote on: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or non-partisan. All ballots will feature the four constitutional amendments, but non-partisan ballots will ONLY have the four constitutional amendments. For Amendment No. 1, a “yes” vote will continue for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites. This will be resubmitted to the voters for approval in 10 years. A “no” vote will not continue this sales/use tax. If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes. For Amendment No. 2, A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require that all charter counties, including Jackson County, elect a county assessor and that such assessors comply with training requirements established by state law. A “no” vote will not change the current constitutional provisions, which exempt Jackson County from the requirement to elect its assessor and do not require charter county assessors to follow training requirements under general law. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. For Amendment No. 4, a “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to: modify current requirements of Article III and Article XII that a simple statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; require a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution; and make available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to require majority approval in each congressional district for initiative petitions to amend the constitution or make available the full text of initiative petitions with the ballot. If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes. For Amendment No. 5, a “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to require legislative phase-out and elimination of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth, and authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes; curtail constitutional limits on taxing goods and services; and require local tax rate cuts without reducing school funding if local sales tax revenue increases. A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to require legislative phase-out and elimination of the individual state income tax based on revenue growth; and will not authorize the expansion of sales and use taxes. At this time, the impact on taxes is unknown. Absentee voting at the Dent County Clerk’s Office continues through Aug. 3rd. No excuse absentee voting will begin July 21st. 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 voting or election information, visit the Missouri Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reminds drivers to stay alert while driving in areas known to flood. It doesn’t take much water to sweep a vehicle off the roadway. Turn around, don’t drown. Do not drive around barriers. Drivers are reminded to slow down at night.

A fatal accident occurred Monday morning at approximately 10:25 in Texas County on Highway VV two miles southeast of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol report a 64-year-old Licking woman was eastbound in a 2003 Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep traveled off the left side of the roadway, stuck a tree, and overturned. The woman was pronounced deceased by Dr. Schafer of Texas County Memorial Hospital at 10:46. The report stated that the woman was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive at Trooper’s request. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Licking Police Department and the Licking Fire Department.

The City of Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has released that the July 4th parade this past Saturday had fantastic floats come out for America’s 250th anniversary. Judges had a hard decision to make but ultimately decided on two winners for the commercial and non-commercial categories. The commercial winner was JeT Tires & Auto, and the non-commercial winner was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Congratulations!

There will be a fundraiser for Scenic Rivers Industries, Inc. (SRI) at Pizza Hut today from 5:00 to 9:00 in the evening, in which 20% of the net amount of all sales will be paid to SRI. SRI is a Sheltered Workshop in Salem, providing dignified employment for people with disabilities since 1977. Visit the SRI website at scenicriversind.org for more information.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters to apply online through July 31st for a shot at more than 140 managed deer hunts throughout the state. There are hunts for archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at designated conservation areas, parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed deer hunts are offered specifically for youth, beginner hunters, or people with disabilities. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1st at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. In order to register for a hunt, you will need a valid conservation ID number for yourself and those in your party.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is asking the public to help it monitor the state’s wild turkey population this summer by reporting wild turkey sightings. This survey used to be conducted using postcards but has switched to electronic for accessibility and streamlining purposes. MDC has conducted an annual Wild Turkey Brood Survey every year since 1959 to determine the success of the annual hatch. Observations of all wild turkeys MDC staff and volunteers observe during June, July, and August are recorded at the county level and summarized by region and statewide. While anyone can contribute observations to the brood survey, registering to become an official brood survey cooperator has additional benefits. Cooperators will receive a reminder email that the survey is about to begin and a summary report at the end of each survey. To learn more and to sign up to report wild turkey sightings, visit mdc.mo.gov and search “wild turkey brood survey.”

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist with energy costs. LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repair. LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer through programs that reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling situations and practices. This summer, LIHEAP might be able to help you by helping to pay your cooling bills; providing assistance to service, repair, or replace an air conditioner; helping with the purchase of an air conditioner; distributing or loaning air conditioning units or air source heat pumps; or establishing or providing transportation to a cooling center. If you or someone you know needs help with cooling bills, LIHEAP may be able to help. For more information, visit energyhelp.us, email energyassistance@ncat.org, or call 866-674-6327, weekdays from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. 

The Scenic Rivers Performing Arts, the community theater of Salem, will be performing “The Sound of Music” this July. The cast and crew will feature a talented cast from Salem and the surrounding areas. Showtimes will be July 16th through July 18th at 7:00 in the evening. There will be two matinees on July 18th and July 19th at 2:00 in the afternoon. Tickets will be available at the door, or you can search Facebook for “Scenic Rivers Performing Arts” to purchase your tickets online and in advance. Come out and support the arts!

Throughout the month of July, Missouri State Parks is offering visitors to state parks and historic sites the opportunity to honor the men and women who have served our country through the Veterans Roundup Program. Visitors will have the chance to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the funds raised going to programs that recognize and benefit veterans. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps support events, such as the popular Hero Deer Hunt and Veteran Deer Hunt. Normally, the money raised from the round up program is used at the park where the purchase is made. However, in July all funds raised will go toward helping fund special events and programs for veterans.