Archive for 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After approval of the agenda, the board approved the consent agenda, containing Aug. 25th public hearing and regular meeting minutes, municipal court monthly report, and the police department monthly report. Following, the board heard a public comment from Dave Davison, representing a group against data centers advocating for a ban for the city. Another public comment was heard from Lana Grove, who spoke as a representative of citizens concerned about non-disclosure agreements. Grove encouraged board members not to sign NDAs, warning that it would be a conflict of interest and could interfere with the Sunshine Law. Next, the board approved the appointment of the assistant city clerk, who was then sworn into office led by City Clerk Tammy Koller. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved the renewal of the annual Laserfiche cloud subscription agreement with Sumner One, enabling staff to scan, store, and preserve documents electronically. Also approved was a contract for uniform rental services from Cintas Corporation No. 2. This is a contract term of 5 years. Cintas provides uniforms which are then routinely laundered, repaired, and replaced, as needed. For bids, the board approved a bid from Flynn Drilling at an anticipated, budgeted cost of $120,000 for Well No. 6, which requires repairs and equipment replacement due to age and conditions of pump, starter, and associated wiring. Finally, the board approved, after a thorough discussion, a change order to the contract with Midstate Pipeline Maintenance LLC. for the wastewater treatment facility phase 2A improvements. In city reports, City Administrator Sally Burbridge introduced to the board several new employees of the city, including Kyle Wofford, water and wastewater superintendent, and Matt Hutzel, wastewater lead man. Mayor Greg Parker presented a proclamation recognizing Missouri Good Neighbor Week, observing Sept. 28th through Oct. 4th. Parker encouraged everyone to connect with their neighbors through a small act of kindness. Alderwoman Catherine Dent reported on the movements of Advocates for Animals, who are continuing to fundraise and complete TNR with Dr. Gabby Moore. The board then adjourned. The next regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, Sept. 22nd and is open to the public. To watch past meetings, visit the City of Salem Youtube page at youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

Healthy Dent County will host their 15th Annual “Girls Night Out” today starting at 4:30 and lasting until 7:30. This event is for women and girls age 12 and older ONLY, and there is a $5.00 charge to attend. Ladies will find a variety of vendors as they browse the many aisles enjoying the numerous product selections. Healthy Dent County is also hosting a food drive during this event! Bring in any non perishable canned food for a chance to win a gift card. One ticket per item. The more you donate, the more your chances increase to win the gift card. The food donations will be given to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Grace Harbor. Enjoy an evening out with friends, do some shopping, have a little fun, and take time to treat yourself to an evening with the girls!

The Salem Public Library will be hosting an event on Sept. 15th at 10:00 in the morning with author Sivani Ishaya who will be reading her new book “The Golden Hum” in the children’s section of the library. After the reading, an activity is planned for children to participate in. A copy of the book will be available for check-out. This program is intended for children ages 3 to 8 and is free to attend with no library card required.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial Hospital will hold a special meeting Thursday evening, Sept. 10th, at 6:00 in the evening. After approval of the agenda, the board will enter executive session for the discussion of personnel.

The City of Salem Planning & Zoning Board of Commissioners will be meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium on 202 N. Washington Street. After the call to order, anyone that wishes to speak will be recognized for a public hearing. Conditional use for vacation properties will be considered, including on 809 W. Glendale; 400 and 402 S. MacArthur and 403 S. Henderson; 601 S. Carty; and 700 S. Askins. Another will be considered for conditional use for esthetician services located at 603 S. Carty St, while another will be considered for subdivision plat correction for the Westwood N. Subdivision located in the 1000-1200 block on the northside of W. Roosevelt. Finally, approval or recommendation of a planned community development with 40 units on the property located at 301 E. Tenth St., owned by the City of Salem, will be considered. The public hearing will then be closed and the meeting will begin, with the board to consider each property accordingly. The board will then adjourn. To watch meetings live, visit the City of Salem Youtube page at youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Labor Day holiday. Eight people died and 82 were injured in 213 traffic crashes during the 2026 Labor Day holiday counting period, which began at 6 pm. Friday, September 4, 2026, and continued through 11:59 pm. Monday, September 7, 2026. The Patrol also made 123 arrests for DWI. Additionally, there were 9 boating crashes resulting in 1 injury. There were no fatalities or drownings, and 5 people were arrested for BWI. During the 2025 Labor Day holiday counting period the Patrol investigated 252 traffic crashes involving four fatalities and 123 injuries. Statewide, six people died and 423 were injured in 931 vehicle crashes in 2025. Nine boating crashes were investigated throughout Missouri in 2025. Further details related to the traffic crashes and arrests can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website. The fatality statistics could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

A press release received Sept. 4th from the Office of the United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Missouri, Thomas C. Albus, states that a caregiver of Dent County, Loretta Pyeatt, pleaded guilty in the US District Court in St. Louis to one count of fraud in connection with access devices. Pyeatt admitted that she worked for a victim from roughly July 2023 to September 2025. At the time she started, the victim had at least $232,026 and was receiving Social Security Administration retirement benefits and Veteran’s Affairs benefits monthly. He gave Pyeatt his debit cards so she could buy groceries for him. Pyeatt, however, used the card to make cash withdrawals and additional unauthorized purchases. Before Pyeatt started working for the victim, he had 20 to 30 debit transactions per month. That ballooned to as many as 330 transactions per month. By July 2025, the victim’s account balance had declined to less than $5,600. Pyeatt is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9th. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both prison and a fine. The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolene Taaffe is prosecuting.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday midday at approximately 11:38 on County Road 5280 five miles south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2021 Honda Rebel 300 motorcycle, operated by a 22-year-old Rolla man, traveled off the right side of the roadway before returning to the roadway, and overturning. The man suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that the man was wearing a safety device. The Honda sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by R & R Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, Phelps Health Ambulance, and the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The Office of Governor Mike Kehoe has released that President Donald J. Trump has approved on Wednesday, Sept. 2nd Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration for nine counties heavily impacted by the historic flash flooding and severe storms of July 9th through July 11th. The request for the disaster declaration was made on July 29th by Gov. Kehoe after joint Preliminary Damage Assessments confirmed more than $26.5 million in emergency response expenses and damage to public infrastructure. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program is now available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and qualifying nonprofits for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in Bollinger, Crawford, Iron, Madison, Morgan, Reynolds, Ripley, Washington and Wayne counties. This is Missouri’s third federal disaster declaration of the year. Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way at 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information on disaster recovery in Missouri, including general cleanup information, housing assistance, and mental health services, please visit recovery.mo.gov.

The Salem Area Arts Council, alongside Salem Area Community Betterment Association (SACBA), invites the community to attend the “Art Walk” that will take place on 4th Street on Saturday, Sept. 26th from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. For the past three years, the annual “Art in the Parking Lot” has grown with over 600 attending in 2025. With hopes to bring more business downtown, the new “Art Walk” on 4th Street, from the Bank of Salem to The Local, will involve art vendors, live music, demonstrations, food, free crafts for kids, a bucket raffle, cake and craft walks, and much more. Consider volunteering, promoting the event, or donating items to the “Cake and Craft Walk” by reaching out to Naomi Niemann at 919-534-5299. Learn more about the upcoming Art Walk, alongside other fun events and programs hosted by the Salem Area Arts Council, at sacba.org/salem-creative-arts-center-events.

The Nov. 3rd General Election is coming up, with voters encouraged to 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. Absentee voting is set to begin on Sept. 22nd and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin on Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The last day to register to vote will be Oct. 7th. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. For more information on this upcoming election, visit the Missouri Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/elections. To check your voter registration, visit the website provided by the Secretary of State at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov. Stay up to date on voting deadlines by following the Dent County Elections Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Dent County Elections/County Clerk-Angie Curley.”