Archive for 2026

The Missouri Rural Health Association announced the recipients of the 2026 Rural Health Excellence Awards on September 10th at the Missouri Rural Health Conference, recognizing three individuals whose leadership, advocacy and innovation are making a meaningful difference in rural communities across Missouri. One of those awards presented was the 2026 Rural Health Excellence in Leadership Award that was awarded posthumously to Zachary Moser as the Administrator of the Dent County Health Center in recognition of his exceptional leadership and lasting impact on rural public health. Moser, who passed away on August 29th at the age 36 following a courageous battle with a rare and aggressive sarcoma, had served as administrator of the Dent County Health Center since 2021. During his tenure, he helped expand services, strengthen community partnerships, develop the public health workforce, launch new population health initiatives, and improve access to care and transportation for residents of Dent County. Zach’s wife, Mary Moser, accepted the award on his behalf during the Rural Health Excellence Awards ceremony. The award serves as both a recognition of Moser’s professional accomplishments and a tribute to a life of service whose impact on rural Missouri will continue well beyond his passing. These awards honor those who go above and beyond in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities. 

The Dent County Tourism Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 5:00 in the afternoon. Members meet to determine disbursement of tourism funds for community marketing purposes. These meetings are open to the public. Current board members of the Tourism Commission are Daniel Salyer, Chairman; Blythe Kelly of Flat Nasty Off-Road Park; Troy Bemis of Reeds Cabins; and Ed Pratt of Pratt, Mitchelle, & Co. The non-voting member is Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson. There are currently two vacancies for the Tourism Commission. A tourism tax was passed by Dent County voters in 2006. This tax is 2% on bills paid by temporary guests of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, RV parks and campgrounds. Money is paid to the county collector and then turned over to the county treasurer for disbursement. The money received is deposited into a special fund used solely to promote tourism within Dent County. Any unused funds left over at the end of the year stay in the special fund and are carried over to the next year. The Tourism Commission has expended $16,754.58 so far this year, as of September 2026. Also so far this year, the tax has accumulated $65,342.31 and approximately $3,000 in interest. Currently, the Tourism Tax fund sits at a total balance of $227,166.49. This year, the Tourism Tax fund has been utilized for things like the Honoring Our Heroes Marathon, Dancing with the Salem Stars, and various advertising opportunities for Salem and Dent County. Applications for funding requests are available for download at salemmo.com/dent/board/tourism_commission.php. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Tourism Commission is Monday, Oct. 19th at 5:00 in the evening at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office.

The 63rd Annual Rose Holland Trout Derby will be held Friday through Sunday at Montauk State Park. Derby fishing hours on both Saturday and Sunday will begin at 7:30 in the morning. Fishing will end at 6:30 Saturday evening and at 11:30 Sunday morning. Several activities will take place in conjunction with the derby including a cruise-in car show Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 at the Searcy Building Parking Lot across the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge sponsored by the Current River Car Cruisers. On Saturday, there will be the Rose Holland History Walk from 10:00 to 11:30, Face Painting from 11:00 until 3:00, and Waxed Hands from 11:00 until 3:00. From 11:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon, families can enjoy pony rides, bounce houses, games and walks throughout the grounds. The 2nd Annual Corn-hole Tournament will begin at 1:00 with prizes awarded, and there will also be live entertainment starting at 5:00 in the afternoon and lasting until about 8:00 Saturday evening featuring James Van Kirk from Licking and others. There will also be a Know the Dark Night hike of three quarters of a mile at 8:00. On Sunday, prizes will be awarded in front of the lodge starting at noon, including attendance prizes, men’s and women’s heaviest stringer, kids’ heaviest stringer, heaviest brown trout as well as any tagged fish that were caught and registered. All the proceeds raised from the derby will benefit the American Heart Association. For more information on the derby, contact 573-548-2201.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:48 on Highway 63 at County Road 6033. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an 18-year-old male from Salem, crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1999 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 34-year-old male from Houston. The 2004 Chevrolet then traveled off the left side of the roadway, while the 1999 Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The Salem man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by personal conveyance. The Houston man suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. The report stated that both men were wearing safety restraints. Both pickups were totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

City of Salem Mayor Greg Parker has called for a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen for this afternoon at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 N. Washington. After the call to order and roll call the board will discuss and vote to rescind the bid approval for Well #6 Pump Replacement/Repairs Bid Approval granted September 8, 2026. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be out grading on county roads 6350, 6303, and 5610. Hauling rock is planned for County Road 5610 in Bunker, with the assistance of district two crew members. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that grading is planned for County Road 4340 and County Road 2510. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 3290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared enthusiasm for this past weekend’s Art Walk, organized by the Salem Creative Arts Center and Salem Area Community Betterment Association. Larson observed that the event was successful and shared hopes for it to continue for many years to bring more tourism to Salem and Dent County. In County Clerk Angie Curley’s reports, she stated bills were to be approved. Curley also reminds residents that the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd General Election is next Wednesday, Oct. 7th. Excused absentee voting has begun and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Also, during the commissioner’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24th, it was reported after media departed that the commission is seeking bids on Purple Wave for the following surplus property of the road department: a 2011 Ford F150, 1996 Ford F250, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, Cat Backhoe 430E, and 2001 Suburban. If anyone has any questions, call Road Department Supervisor Jason Akins at 573-729-7770. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, Oct. 1st at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public. 

The Dent County Health Center has given Spring Creek Cafe a closing notice, as of Sept. 28th, 2026. Due to extensive pest infestation and unsanitary conditions observed by inspectors, the facility was closed as advised by Natasha Sullivan of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Per Dent County Health Center’s Consumer Food and Safety Regulation, the restaurant constitutes an imminent and substantial hazard to public health. Its permit to operate has been revoked. Within the sanitation observation provided to the business, inspections revealed an extensive cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen, including live cockroaches, cockroach egg cases, and cockroach debris observed inside cabinets, shelves, sink area, and among wiping cloths. According to the sanitation observation, the facility was closed last year due to the same reason, and pest control efforts throughout the past year have been ineffective. For more information or to view the recent inspection and closing notice, please visit the Dent County Health Center website at dentcountyhealthcenter.org/news.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) will be selling Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts this month to help support breast cancer screening and early detection in our community. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to Salem Memorial Hospital to assist in providing mammograms. The cost of these t-shirts are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. To order a shirt, contact a DCFPD firefighter. Orders can be made up until Oct. 2nd.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday night at approximately 11:37 on County Road 7220 near Highway W. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 1999 BMW 323I, driven by a 20-year-old Rolla man, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver suffered minor injuries. Another Rolla man, a 19-year-old, suffered moderate injuries, while a third occupant, an 18-year-old Newburg man, suffered minor injuries. All three men were transported by Phelps Health Ambulances to Phelps Health. The report stated that both Rolla men were wearing safety restraints, while the Newburg man was not. The BMW was totaled and removed from the scene by D and D Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that with the recent rain crew members have a long list to grade, including county roads 5610, 5140, 4230, 4235, 4247, and 6505. Rock will be hauled, with the assistance of district two crew members, to County Road 5610 and 6280. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members would be grading County Road 2510 and 4290. Cutting brush will also be done on County Road 4290. Green further reported that bids have been received for fuel, with MFA bidding $3.73 and County Fuel bidding $3.98 per gallon of gas. The bid from MFA was chosen. On Monday, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he attended a Tourism Commission meeting with one application tabled, two applications approved, and two reimbursements approved. On Wednesday, Larson attended a meeting with the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation (MCEC) where board members discussed finances. Larson also shared that the courthouse is looking for applicants for a full-time custodian position. Those applications can be picked up from the Dent County Clerk’s office. For the FEMA crossing on county roads 3210 and 5150, the bid was awarded to the lowest bidder of Build Tec Construction, LLC. at $66,950. Commissioners signed off on the award letter which will then be returned to Great Rivers Engineering. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd General Election is Oct. 7th. Excused absentee voting has begun and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Under public comments, a representative of VFW Post 6280 of Salem stated that the organization has been commissioned by the State Commander to build a little free library. The organization has discussed possible locations and requested permission to construct one at the Dent County Courthouse before April 2027. The commission recommended seeking elsewhere, such as the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, Craig Plaza, or Forum Plaza, due to the ongoing courthouse sidewalk project and the complications it could cause. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday, Sept. 28th at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

Friday night before the Salem Tiger Football game, senior Abby Terrill was crowned the 2026 Salem Tiger Football Homecoming Queen by the 2025 Homecoming Queen, Maggie Hogan. Her court was comprised of freshman Ella Bass, sophomore Alayah Norris, junior Emma Schlag, and seniors Emma Purcell, Morgan Hollis and Trista Dooley. Congratulations Abby!

Four Texas County Juveniles were involved in an accident late Wednesday afternoon at approximately 5:30 on Reed Road three miles south of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2024 Polaris Ranger 1000 was being driven by a 15-year-old Duke female when she lost control and the Polaris overturned. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. A 15-year-old male from Licking suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to TCMH. A 16-year-old female of Licking and a 16-year-old male of Edgar Springs also suffered minor injuries, but they both refused medical treatment at the scene. The Polaris sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.

The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors revoked the entity licenses of James & Gahr Mortuary, located in Rolla and St. James, and Dent County Memorial Chapel, located in Salem, according to a press release provided by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. The revocation of the entity licenses includes both the funeral establishment licenses and preneed licenses. The individual funeral profession licenses held by Donn and Connie James have also been revoked. This includes the funeral director, embalmer and preneed agent license for Donn James and the funeral director and preneed agent license for Connie James. This action was taken due to violations of Missouri laws related to the management of preneed contracts and funds, failure to maintain a business registration with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, and failure to adhere to the terms of a probationary agreement with the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. The board’s discipline order requires James & Gahr Mortuary to transfer existing preneed funeral contracts and funds to another Missouri-licensed preneed seller within 30 days of the order. The revocation of these licenses means James & Gahr Mortuary, Dent County Memorial Chapel, Donn James and Connie James may no longer operate a funeral establishment, sell preneed contracts, including holding preneed funds, or represent themselves as licensed funeral professionals in Missouri. The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors is the state agency that regulates the funeral profession in Missouri. In addition, the board issues individual and entity licenses within the funeral profession, sets policy regarding the practice within the profession, investigates complaints concerning individuals and entities, and takes disciplinary action against funeral profession licensees when appropriate.

The Salem Area Arts Council, alongside the Salem Area Community Betterment Association (SACBA), will be holding its annual “Art in the Parking Lot” event within downtown Salem this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. This event, now called “Art Walk,” will be set up along 4th Street, offering local music, performances, and plenty of vendors with locally made arts and crafts, alongside free kids activities and demonstrations. Those with classic cars are also invited to cruise in and park at the courthouse square to help support the event. For more information or updates, visit the Facebook page at Facebook.com/artsinSalemMO.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers beds to children who do not have a bed. The Dent County chapter will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 28th, beginning at 5:30 in the evening. This meeting will take place at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Conference Room.