Archive for 2026

The Bunker R-III School District will be having a Fish Fry for graduating seniors this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning to 2:00 in the afternoon at the Old Conway Feed Store. Join the district for a delicious meal to help support its graduating seniors. The menu includes a catfish plate with a choice of two sides from the following options: hush puppies, coleslaw, potato salad, or baked beans. Drinks and dessert may also be purchased separately. The cost is $10 with all proceeds going toward the senior trip and graduation. Carryout or local delivery is also available within the Bunker area, just call or text 573-851-9858 or 573-604-4241. Help spread the word and bring a friend to the event. 

Students in Mr. Wofford’s creative writing class at the Salem High School competed for spots in the Unsolved issue of Young Writers, an organization which runs national writing contests for schools, helping to turn students’ imagination and creative talent into confidence and writing skills. The contest’s prompt asked students to create mystery-themed mini-sagas (100 word stories.) According to a representative from Young Writers, there were many entries and only the best entries submitted were placed in the issue. Those included in the Unsolved issue were local students Lilly Standley, Phoebe Taylor, Marshall White, and Ivan Brooks! Congratulations!

The City of Salem Parks & Recreation registration for ball season, including baseball, t-ball, and softball, is open now through April 9th for $35, with late registration available from April 10th through April 16th at $45. Practice is to start at the beginning of May with coaches to contact with more information. For more information on how to sign up, contact Parks Director Melissa DuBois by calling 573-729-6290 or emailing salemparks@salemmo.com. 

The “Non”-Newlywed Game Show will be held in the evening of Friday, April 3rd at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Doors open at 5:30, and the game starts at 6:30. This event is sure to be a night of laughter as local couples compete to see how well they really know each other in the “Non”-Newlywed Game Show. This year’s couples are Brian & Candi Mink, Wes & Kendra Mobray, Jake & Marissa Conway, andShane & Leanna Paine. Tickets are $25 and available at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. For more information or questions, call 573-729-8163.

The Salem Area Arts Council “Creative Arts Center” will be hosting a Kids’ Art Camp from June 22nd through June 26th, called “Libby’s Art Adventure Camp.” Ticket sales start April 1st and close on June 18th. The camp will be hosted by Tana Kettner, Danielle Norris, Hannah Heithold, Nicole Curtis, and other teachers at the Creative Arts Center. The target age range will be those aged 6 to 16. The art camp will be 8:00 in the morning to noon with light snacks provided. All proceeds gathered will go toward Arts Center renovation projects. For more information or to sign up, visit sacba.org and click on “Salem Creative Arts Center.” Then, click on “browse and register for events.” 

The Salem Memorial District Hospital is offering a 20% tax season discount between now and May 31st. The discount is offered to all patient accounts, regardless of insurance status; the account must be paid in full during the discount period; and patients must call patient account services to have the discount applied. Contact patient account services at 573-729-6626 to learn more or make a payment. 

The Sleep in Heavenly Peace, or SHP, Dent County Chapter will be holding its community meeting in the afternoon of April 6th from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Salem Armory Walden Conference Room, with discussions including events, needs, and more. Updates from the local chapter can be found on its Facebook page at facebook.com/shpdentco. Volunteers are welcomed from all ages. Contact the Dent County SHP chapter at 1-844-432-2337 for more information or visit the chapter’s website at shpbeds.org/chapter/mo-dent-co.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear any scheduled public comments. The board will be hearing a request for street closure from Tim Dotson and will also be considering the recommendation of James Taylor to fill a vacancy on the Parks Board. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the approval of a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an aquatic care pool opening and winterizing agreement with Landmark Aquatic, as well as a budget adjustment to fund the replacement fencing around Billy’s Playground. There will be several first and second readings of bills, including: an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for engineering services between the city and Toth and Associates, INC.; an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an aviation project consultant agreement with H.W. Lochner, Inc. for professional services at the airport; and an ordinance authorizing the submission of requests for reimbursement for the hangar project. Then there will be the first reading of one bill, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept and execute an access easement from HMH Properties, LLC for permanent access and utility purposes. Finally, there will be reports from city officials, followed by adjournment. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met for its meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members are planning to haul rock and grade to county roads 5440, 5400, 5450, 6575, and 4160. The backhoe will be brought to county roads 6175 and 6633. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members are planning to grade county roads 3020, 2080, 2070, cut brush on County Road 2570, and haul rock to county roads 3125 and 2070. The backhoe will be brought to County Road 4380 to work on a low water crossing project. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll is to be approved. Meanwhile, no excuse absentee voting begins Tuesday and ends April 6th. The last day to apply and mail out an absentee ballot will be Wednesday. The R-2 School District has nothing to vote on. Remember to bring your photo ID when voting. 

In Rolla, construction will be starting and is to continue through August to rehabilitate the Business U.S. 44/Missouri Route 72/Kingshighway bridge. One eastbound lane will remain open throughout construction, but all westbound lanes on the bridge will be closed. A signed detour will direct motorists along I-44 to Exit 186, then back onto I-44 to Exit 184. While the supporting structures of these bridges are in good condition, the bridge decks have deteriorated and require rehabilitation work to extend their useful life. For more information about MoDOT projects, please visit the Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org or call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

Route 106 in Shannon County is closed for bridge inspection. This section of roadway is located from Route D to County Road 423 in Alley Springs. Weather permitting, work will take place April 9th from 6:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.

The Salem Police Department has released these reports for the middle of March. On Saturday, March 14th, Patrolmen #114 and #115 located a vehicle in the 1100 block of East Scenic Rivers Boulevard after multiple reports of an erratic driver. Officers found the vehicle to be occupied by the driver and two children. An investigation was conducted and the driver, Deseray Deshurley was arrested for DWI, with a person less than 17 in the vehicle. On Wednesday, March 18th, Patrolman #114, Sergeant #105, and Lieutenant #103 conducted an investigation into the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive. Officers responded to the 400 block of West Ninth. The subject was located concealed in a shed on the property. Deseray Fish was taken into custody. Another male subject was arrested for hindering prosecution and resisting arrest and was later released pending formal charges. Thursday, March 19th, Patrolman #113, #106, #104, and #103 responded to the area of the Ranch Motel for a domestic in progress. Officers conducted an investigation and observed injuries on a victim and her property to be damaged. As a result, Logan Walker, was arrested for domestic assault4th and property damage. From March 13th to March 20th, officers of the Salem Police Department responded to 187 calls for service, completed six additional city ordinance arrests and took 23 reports for various offenses.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office released that on Tuesday, March 17th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 13,000 block of South Highway 19 for several equipment violations. K9 Mid was called to the scene and alerted to the scent of narcotics coming from the inside of the vehicle. A vehicle search was conducted and a substantial amount of methamphetamine, as well as items of paraphernalia were located. Logan Walker, age 21, of Salem was arrested. Walker was booked into the Dent County Jail on a 24-hour hold. Honorable Judge Kelsaw issued a warrant for Walker’s arrest, charging him with trafficking drugs in the second degree, along with several other traffic offenses. Walker’s bond was set at $25,000 cash or professional surety. The methamphetamine seized totaled 87.31 grams, or 3.08 ounces. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to eradicating these poisonous substances from Dent County. The above listed charges are merely accusations and do not constitute evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Also according to a press release from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, on March 21st, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Salem City Limits for a traffic violation. K9 Mid was deployed and alerted to the scent of illegal substances from inside the vehicle. A vehicle search was conducted. Deputies located approximately 1.46 grams of suspected methamphetamine along with a loaded firearm, which had been reported stolen. Arrested was Terry Hutchison, age 60, of Edgar Springs. Hutchison was booked into the Dent County Jail on a 24-hour hold. Honorable Judge Kelsaw issued a warrant for Hutchison’s arrest, charging him with possession of a controlled substance, felony stealing, and unlawful use of a possessed weapon, and felony controlled substance. Hutchison’s bond was set at $25,000 cash or professional surety. At the time of this post, Hutchison remains incarcerated. The above listed charges are merely accusations and do not constitute evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the Dent County area now through March 29th, according to a press release from MoDOT. On Route 19, culvert replacement is planned now through March 26th from Route TT to Route VV. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. On Routes EE, FF, and W, pothole patching is planned from March 25th through March 26th. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. On Route B, the bridge over Dry Creek remains closed, due to inspectors finding a sinkhole developing near one of the supporting structures. Motorists may use Missouri Routes 19, 32 and 72 as detoured routes around the closure. A project to replace the bridge is scheduled to be completed this year. Weather conditions may postpone scheduled work. Many projects will include lane closures which could cause delays. In addition to the work listed, other moving operations such as pothole patching, brush cutting, and pavement repairs continue.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members would be grading county roads 5220, 5130, 6575, and 6460. Crew members would also be hauling rock to County Road 6575. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members would be grading county roads 3160, 3050, 3020, 3060, 3070, and 3080. They would also be hauling rock to county roads 3020, 3050, and 3090, and cutting brush on County Road 2510. A resident requested maintenance on County Road 4340, with Williams affirming crew members would be out to take care of it. Williams also reported commissioners will be putting bids out for a lease and purchase agreement for two dump trucks. Those bids are planned to be opened April 6th at 10:00 in the morning. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared the Tourism Commission heard one request and approved three reimbursements Tuesday. At the Ozarks Solid Waste Management District, members went over finances and approved a grant request. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills have been approved. For the April municipal election, March 25th is the last day to mail out absentee ballots. No excuse absentee voting begins March 24th 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, voting will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Sargent Lenny Pabin with the Sheriff’s Office requested approval in applying for a DSSSF grant, which would allot approximately $2,000 a year per deputy. With 13 deputies, this would be $26,000. The commissioners approved submitting the application for the grant. Meanwhile, under public comments, Missouri State Representative of the 124th District, Don Mayhew, stopped by to discuss legislative issues, including how the state owed counties roughly $43 million in jail per diem. Mayhew, along with three other representatives, were put on a subcommittee to seek solutions to the issue. According to Mayhew, approximately 62% of the $43 million lies in pre-trial confinement. In 2025 alone, 856 people had spent more than a year in county jails, with 82 spending more than three years, with many being arrested on a charge that wouldn’t have drawn a three year sentence, Mayhew shared with the commissioners. With that being the case, the cost is mainly tied to waiting on mental-health evaluations or treatment for mental health conditions. Mayhew proposed to legislators utilizing a state prison located in Cameron, Missouri as a dedicated mental-health facility, which would allow for the transportation of detainees with mental illness there, rather than holding the detainees indefinitely in county jails. Despite support expressed from county sheriffs and commissioners for the idea, Mayhew shared that a study must be done first, which requires funding. In addition, Mayhew is working on a bill which would mandate consent from inmates for mental health treatment, modeled after bills within Texas and Florida. 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 Nurses Honor Guard was first established in 2003 by the Kansas State Nurses Association. There are now more than 250 professional local chapters nationwide, including the South-Central Missouri Nurse Honor Guard LLC., a volunteer organization of active and retired nurses who come together to honor their nursing colleagues that have passed away. The organization currently has 12 members and cover services held in five counties including Phelps, Dent, Crawford, Texas, and Pulaski County. The 5-10 minute tribute during the funeral or memorial service recognizes the lifelong commitment of the nurse who dedicated their life to caring for others. The volunteers wear traditional white uniforms, white caps, and nursing capes. The honor guard provides this service free of charge to families and includes a special reading of the Nightingale Pledge, a personal tribute to the deceased, and a final call to duty. A white rose is then placed on the casket or with the urn, and a Nightingale lamp is given to the family. Families or funeral directors can request a ceremony by contacting Bev Martin at 573-626-4699 or Carol Lacy at 573-453-4977. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at the Community Center at the Salem Armory at 4:00 in the afternoon. Nurses interested in joining the South-Central Missouri Nurse Honor Guard may also contact Bev or Carol. Any individual, family, or business interested in helping cover the cost of the lamps, brochures, and other items needed for ceremonies can donate by mailing a check payable to the South-Central Missouri Nurse Honor Guard c/o Carol Lacy, 1108 South Louise Street, Salem, Missouri 65560.