Archive for 2026

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday evening at approximately 6:30 that left an 18-year-old Rolla resident with serious injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report, the man was operating a Kawasaki Dirt Bike on County Road 2038 one mile north of Rolla when it traveled off the roadway. The driver over corrected causing the westbound bike to overturn in the roadway. The report stated that he suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. It went on to report that he was not wearing a safety device. The Kawasaki sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by the owner. 

An accident occurred in Phelps County early Saturday morning at approximately 2:10, resulting in the fatality of a 23-year-old Rolla resident. According to the Highway Patrol report, the driver was eastbound on County Road 1000, one quarter of a mile east of Highway B of St. James. The accident occurred when the driver travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a culvert before returning to the roadway. The driver then overcorrected, causing the vehicle to travel back off the roadway and overturn, ejecting the driver before striking a mail box and a tree. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. Assistance was provided by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, St James Police Department, St James Fire Department and St James Ambulance District. 

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold a special meeting this morning at 11:00, or at the conclusion of the Medical Staff Meeting, in the hospital’s library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda, the board will discuss the 340B policy. The meeting will then adjourn. The meeting of the Salem Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005.

Intercounty Electric Cooperative recently announced their annual Washington, DC Youth Tour winners and Jefferson City CYCLE Tour participants following their interviews. The Youth Tour is an all-expenses paid trip to our nation’s capitol and selected this year from Licking was Lillian Godi; Emma Purcell was chosen from Salem; Gabriel Adams was chosen from St. James; and Ashton Stoney was chosen from Rolla. Congratulations to these winners! The students not selected for the Washington, DC Youth Tour are eligible to go on an all-expenses paid trip to participate in the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) in Jefferson City, Missouri. These students include Avery Stephens and Elisabeth Bonine from Licking; Ivan Brooks and Jhonine Maralit from Salem; Autumn French and Preston Hash from St. James; and Monay Lafatshe and Wyatt Stough from Rolla. Alternates were also selected this year, including Alivia Peterson from Licking; Carlnez Head from Salem; and Madison Bobbitt-Harris from St. James. Congratulations to all of these students as well as the Youth Tour winners and CYCLE winners in Mountain Grove, Houston, Plato, Summersville, and Cabool. If you’d like to learn more about the Youth Essay Contest held annually in February for high school juniors only, you can contact Intercounty Electric at 866-621-3679 or visit moyouthtour.com.

​The Love Thy Neighbor workweek will take place the week of June 7th through June 11th. LTN is a collaboration of local churches, coming together to meet the needs of the community—including the elderly, veterans, disabled individuals, and those facing financial hardship. The organization provides essential outdoor home improvements such as deck repairs, roofing, painting, and yard work, all at no cost to homeowners. Consider applying to be a volunteer by visiting ltndent.com/volunteer and filling out the online form by April 1st. There is something for everyone, such as being part of a work crew, kitchen crew, encouragers, prayer warriors, organizers, runners, etc. Most of the work will be done on Monday and Tuesday of the workweek. The “Community Fun Day” will be Wednesday, in which the community will visit the city park for food and fun. Crew bosses will be processing homeowner applications for this year’s workweek throughout this month and into April. For more information, visit the Love Thy Neighbor Facebook page at facebook.com/LTNdent or its website at ltndent.com.

The Dent County Commission met for its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members have installed a pipe on Dent County Road 5150 and are planning to do ditch work on that same road. Crew members are hauling rock and grading on County Roads 6600 and 5150. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members are planning on hauling rock and grading on Dent County Roads 2050 and 5110. Dump truck #122 has a hydraulic leak and requires maintenance. Crew members are planning on opening up culverts on County Road 4290. On County Road 4283, crew members will be retrieving washed off gravel with the backhoe and returning it to the roadway. Two pipes were replaced yesterday on County Road 5300. Williams emphasized many culverts have been filled with gravel due to the recent washouts from rainstorms, and crew members have been stretched thin due to the recovery efforts. He urged residents to grant them patience and grace as they work to restore the roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that MRPC’s Executive Director Bonnie Prigge reached out to presiding commissioners within the eight county region and urged them to contact their representatives regarding Senate Bill 1586, an act modifying and creating new provisions relating to solid waste management. Larson said the bill would eliminate solid waste management plans and create five new solid waste management regions; however, nothing in the legislation determines operations, leadership, or financial plans for the new regions. Larson shared that due to correspondence from the presiding commissioners, Senator Ben Brown of District 26, the sponsor of the bill, has placed the bill on an informal calendar to allow more time for public review and comment. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting continues through April 6th. From 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon Saturday, April 4th, the courthouse will be open for absentee voting in the county clerk’s office. On April 7th, polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Curley urged residents to make sure their addresses are correct in order to avoid confusion at the polls. Addresses may be changed up until the day of voting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported $84,166.81 in CART funds for the month. This is up year-to-date from last year 6.4%. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public. 

The Salem Police Department works to keep the community safe, and invites residents to help make a difference. If you have any information, big or small, don’t hesitate to reach out and help keep Salem safe by submitting tips to email SPDTips@salemmo.com or 573-729-4242. Information related to the following investigations is accepted: narcotics activity, stolen property, murder investigations, or burglary incidents.

An accident happened at 12:03 Wednesday morning on Route P at Forest Service Road 1516 in Phelps County that left two people with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Nissan Frontier driven westbound by a 20-year-old man from Vichy, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to the University Hospital in Columbia. The passenger, a 20-year-old man from Steelville, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance. The passenger was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved the request for street closure from Tim Dotson for the purposes of a bike show from 9:00 in the morning to 2:00 in the afternoon August 29th around the courthouse. The board also approved the recommendation of James Taylor to fill a vacancy on the Parks Board. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved an annual contract with Landmark Aquatics for opening and winterizing the city pool, along with a budget adjustment to fund the replacement of fencing around Billy’s Playground. Several first and second readings of bills were approved, including an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for engineering services with Toth and Associates, INC.; an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an aviation project consultant agreement with H.W. Lochner, Inc. for the city airport; and an ordinance authorizing submission of requests for reimbursement for the six t-hangar project. Finally, there was a first reading for an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept and execute an access easement from HMH Properties, LLC. for permanent access and utility purposes. During reports from city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported she attended an MPUA board meeting. Mayor Greg Parker shared that Spring Cleanup is scheduled for May 4th through May 8th, along with May 11th through May 15th, following the annual citywide yard sale. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported construction crew members continue making progress on the t-ball parking lot. Parks Director Melissa DuBois commended the construction crew members for their work on the t-ball parking lot. The concession stand deep freeze is in need of repair. Summer ball registrations have begun and the parks department is in need of coaches. Alderman Nathan Kinsey commended the community for the recent 100 Acre Wood Rally and its success. With no further reports, the board adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held April 14th and will be open to the public. 

The Salem Area Arts Council’s “Art Across the Ages,” a Community Art Show is coming to an end Friday at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. Now is your last chance to recognize the amazing talent and creativity that exists in our schools and community. This is a family friendly art show. The exhibit has visiting hours from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. Don’t miss it before it is gone! Come out and support the arts.