Archive for 2026

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for its regular meeting. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be out grading and hauling rock where needed on county roads 6190, 6230, and 2400. County Road 4110 will be prepared for resurfacing. The Mantis brushcutter will be receiving maintenance. Under public comments, commissioners heard from a resident of County Road 6190, who requested work done due to recent washouts. Additionally, the resident notified Green that there is a culvert in need of replacement on that road, alongside a speed limit sign. Green shared that crew members are aware of the issue but are attempting to catch up on the detour routes traffic are taking due to the closure of the bridge on Hwy. B and Yancy Mills on Hwy. 63. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be out grading on county roads 4290, 2590, 2513, 2600, and 2160. Crew members will be cutting brush on County Road 2330 and hauling rock on county roads 2590 and 2160. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he will be attending a Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation (MCEC) meeting in St. James on Wednesday. Larson further shared he will be stepping down from his position as chairman on that board but remain as a regular member. Finally, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills and payroll are to be approved. She further reported she attended the Missouri Election spring conference last week where officials heard legislative updates. Additionally, Curley participated in the Show-Me Certification program, a training for Missouri local election officials provided through the Missouri Association of County Clerks. Absentee voting for the Aug. 4th Primary Election will begin on June 23rd. Bids were opened on culverts, with the following received: Consolidated Pipe and Supply, Co. for $31,764.60; Metal Culverts for $39,582.05; Viebrock Sales and Service for $32,442.60; and Roberts Judson Lumber Co. for $36,329.88. Commissioners accepted the bid from Consolidated Pipe and Supply Co. for $31,764.60. Great Rivers Engineering (GRE) called later during the meeting and reported that one bid was submitted on the TAP project for the sidewalks of the courthouse. GRE will be rejecting the bid and will be rebidding the project due to the amount being double the budgeted amount. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place at 9:00 in the morning Thursday, June 4th at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on May 21st. The minutes of the April meeting were presented and approved. Within the Administrator’s Report, Health Center Administrator Zach Moser reported that the Inaugural Gala revenue was $10,333 and expenses were $5,433.94, and that the Spring Health Fair had 54 participants. Moser further discussed with the board options to improve continuity in the event of his absence. The board received the operations report. In communicable disease, there have been seven CD cases, 49 STI tests, eight influenza cases, and four animal bites. There were 59 active lead cases and eight total inspections. Under immunizations, there was one influenza vaccine, 40 other vaccines, and 19 total appointments. For community-specific services, all laboratory appointments totalled 157; all appointments other than WIC was 562; all provider appointments was 133; all immunization appointments was 19; and CareCab rides totalled 347. Meanwhile, the financial reports for March were reviewed and approved. In closed session, the board approved a workplace accommodation for an employee. The next meeting will be held June 18th at 5:00 at the DCHC.

After applying and receiving grant funds from CoBank and Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative, Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association (IECA) chose two groups to donate the funds to: local sheltered workshops and local CASA chapters. Local CASA chapters that assist children in the service territory of Intercounty include CASA of South Central Missouri, Mid-Ozark CASA, and 37th CASA. Each CASA chapter received $7,000 to assist in their efforts to support local kids. Local sheltered workshops include Scenic Rivers Industries, Inc.; Opportunity Sheltered Industries, Inc.; Unique Services, Inc.; Phelps County Industrial Solutions; and Choices for People. Each of the workshops received a check for $3,500.

With school out for the summer, a free summer feeding program through Opaa! Food Management Inc. will be available to keep the community’s kids stay fueled, healthy, and happy. If you have children aged 18 or younger living in Dent County or the surrounding area, you can pre-order a bag packed with five days worth of nutritious breakfast and lunch options. You can pick-up at the Salem R-80 High School on Mondays starting June 8th through July 31st from 4:00 to 6:00 in the evening. For more information, please call Chasity at 573-201-1516.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will be offering a virtual program on squirrel hunting basics from 6:00 to 9:00 in the evening Tuesday, June 9th. This virtual program will provide participants with a basic understanding of squirrel biology and behavior, an overview of squirrel hunting regulations and seasons, information on how to locate places to squirrel hunt, a breakdown of required equipment and hunting strategies, instruction on how to clean and prepare harvested squirrels, and next steps for new hunters who want to further their knowledge or explore hunting opportunities. To register, visit mdc.gov/events and search “Squirrel hunting.”

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will be holding its monthly Community Meeting today from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Room. SHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers new, free beds to children in need in our community, ages 3-17. The Dent County Chapter is looking for additional volunteers to assist with bed deliveries across Dent County. If you are interested in more information, please contact Dent County Chapter President Patti McKeown through email at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org or call the Dent County SHP Chapter at 1-(844)-432-2337.

The Dent-Phelps R-3 Board of Education met Thursday, May 21st in the conference room. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, containing bills, open session minutes, and the May financial report, the board discussed bids received for HVAC preventative maintenance for the 2026-27 school year, approving the bid from Brown Heating & Cooling, Inc. at the cost of $925. The board also approved soliciting bids for milk and propane for the 2026-27 school year. On the petty cash account, the board approved removing Victoria Brooker and Denny Melvin as authorized signers and approving Superintendent Karla Tiefenthaler. The board approved the Dent-Phelps R-3 Literacy Plan Revision and Comprehensive Needs Assessment as presented. After moving into closed session, the board approved the hiring of two teachers, Ashley Patterson and Audrey Ray, and one bus driver, Kermit Lonning. The board returned to open session and then adjourned. The next board meeting will take place at 6:00 in the evening Tuesday, June 23rd.

The Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of $1.455 million to 108 fire departments across the state to bolster the firefighting capabilities of small volunteer departments that provide critical protection to their rural communities. The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to small volunteer departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less, where resources for essential firefighting equipment can be strained. The most requested items were firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and interoperable radios and repeaters for communication. There was also strong demand for basic supplies like hoses, nozzles, power tools and saws. DPS announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant in October 2025. There was a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000. The performance period of the grant ended May 15, 2026. Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant Recipients in our area included the Ironton Fire Department, Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department, Licking Rural Fire Department, Montauk Rural Fire Department, and the Timber Community Fire Protection District. 

The removal of a crashed vehicle from the roadside of Missouri Route 32 east of Salem will require a 12-hour roadway closure on June 8th and June 9th. To minimize impacts to traffic using this route as a detour for the closure of Dent County Route B and the narrowing of U.S. Route 63 south of Rolla, the closure is planned during the overnight hours June 8th through June 9th. Beginning as early as 7:00 in the evening on June 8th, the towing company, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will close Route 32 between Route 72 south and County Road 4350. A signed detour will not be in place, but motorists should use Routes 72, A and 19 to navigate around the closure. The roadway is expected to reopen by 7:00 in the morning on June 9th.  Due to the amount of equipment and effort involved in removing this oversized, heavy vehicle from the roadside, that timing may change. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. 

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department announced that Water Aerobics will begin today. This is a low-impact, high-energy exercise that welcomes all to build strength, boost cardio, and improve flexibility without stressing joints. This exercise is great for all ages and fitness levels. Water Aerobics will take place weekdays at the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool from 10:30 to 11:30 in the morning. From June 8th through June 19th and July 6th through July 17th, the hours will be 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning. Costs are $5 per class or a $60 monthly pass can be purchased. Contact the pool for any questions or more information at 573-729-6228. Open pool hours are Monday through Saturday noon to 6:00 and Sunday from 1:00 to 6:00.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for its regular meeting. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be out grading county roads 5090 and 5220. A pipe will be installed on County Road 4110. Crew members will also be preparing chipseal roads for most of the coming week for resurfacing. Green also stressed for residents to have patience, as County Road 5220 is receiving higher usage due to the bridge closure on Route B and trucks utilizing it as a detour. Crew members are aware of the issue and will keep an eye on the road and provide maintenance when able. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be out hauling rock and grading county roads 2120, 2150, 2155, 4260, and 4270. In addition, crew members have performed maintenance around the area of Anutt. Williams further reported that both district commissioners visited MoDOT recently to request maintenance on the approaches on county roads. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that the County Clerk’s office is preparing for the August 4th Primary Election. Meanwhile, Danny Brown and Rob Pulliam visited the commission on possible grant opportunities for low-water crossings around Dent County. Pulliam, a representative for a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called The Nature Conservancy (TNC), encouraged the commissioners to send a list of high priority crossings which have caused issues in the past for the county. According to Pulliam, TNC can assist with funding for low-water crossings and some culvert bridges which pose significant barriers to the movement of fish and other wildlife, have high maintenance costs, and are hazards for folks during high-water events. One example Pulliam provided was a project on Willhite Road in Crawford County, which now allows fish and other species to pass through freely. In order to be eligible, low-water crossings need to be over moving water and open miles of river. To learn more about TNC and its efforts in Missouri, visit its website at nature.org and search “Protecting and Restoring Missouri’s Rivers.” Commissioners will be in contact with Pulliam in the future and send him a priority list of possibly eligible crossings. The next meeting will be 9:00 in the morning next Monday at the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night for its regular meeting. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved an auction seller agreement with J.J. Kane Associates, Inc. and J.J. Kane Exchange, LLC. for the sale of city property by public auction, a switch from Purple Wave with a hope of better returns. The board also approved the annual renewal of health insurance through United Healthcare for city employees. The board approved the final request for reimbursement for the six unit T-Hangars project, which will be reimbursed at a total of $3,409 from MoDOT. The board approved the purchase of aviation fuel for the airport, not to exceed a total expense of $9,775. The board discussed joining a consortium alongside Dent County Health Center (DCHC) and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), in order to apply for the Delta Health Care Service Program Grant for Workforce Development. The program is for funding for those entering the healthcare field. DCHC will be the administrator for the grant, with management of the program to be completed by either Salem Memorial Hospital or DCHC. It was explained by the grant writer the city would inhabit an advisory role to include offering feedback on program development, assisting in choosing scholarship applicants, and providing workforce statistics. The board approved joining the consortium. Under bids, the board approved the purchase of 15 total transformers at a cost of $14,475, to come out of the electric department’s line replacement fund. A second reading was heard of two ordinances amending the City of Salem codes related to backflow prevention devices and their annual inspections. The board approved both ordinances. Meanwhile, a first reading was heard amending water rates for Fiscal Year 2027 from $8.00 to $10.00 base rate and $7.50 to $9.28 per 1,000 gallons of use. No vote was held. Mayor Greg Parker reported that the annual spring clean-up is complete with 171 tons collected. Financial Director Stacey Houston stated that the total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2026, through April, was $4,074,748; this is up 2.7% from prior year. Fund balances for FY 2026 through April was a total of $17,099,822. The city has brought in 69% of the budgeted amount and has spent 62% of the budgeted amount. Both are less than anticipated 10 months into the budget year, due to grant revenues and expenses coming in lower than anticipated. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that as the wastewater treatment plant moves into Phase 2A, remediation concrete work and new rotors will be completed within the next 30 days. This work will provide better oxidation; however, there will be a stronger scent to the treatment plant during the work. The electric department is out of street lights until the next order arrives. The department removed and restored the Salem Heritage sign, which needed lighting and frame repair. Construction crew members poured a new pad for the Salem Heritage sign. Alderwoman Catherine Dent reported that the Community Involvement Committee met at the fountain area at the junction of Hwy. 32/72 to complete yard work and prepare for planting. The board then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be June 9th and will be open to the public.

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will be holding its monthly Community Meeting Monday, June 1st, 5:30 – 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Room. SHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers free beds to children in need in our community.