Archive for 2026

At the Dent County Commission meeting Monday, March 2nd, County Clerk Angie Curley reported the updated filings for the primary election August 6th. Candidates in order of filing are Nathan T. Kelsaw, Associate Circuit Judge; AJ Seay, Presiding Commissioner; James K. Weber, Prosecuting Attorney; Jessica Dooley, Recorder of Deeds; Kristi Morton Craig, Circuit Clerk; Shannon VanKirk, Collector; Denita Williams, Treasurer; and Melissa Piatt, Recorder of Deeds. The last day to file is Tuesday, March 31st. For more information, contact the Dent County Courthouse by calling 573-729-4144 or visiting 400 North Main. 

The City of Salem provided information yesterday, March 3rd to the public on how city staff address turbidity. Turbidity, referring to water that appears cloudy due to tiny suspended particles, can occur in any water system and can be caused by equipment, lightning strikes, earthquakes or seismic activity, or changes in direction or amount of water flow. As Salem relies on well water, turbidity is more likely when underground conditions shift. In particular, one of the city’s wells draws from an aquifer influenced by the New Madrid Fault Line, which means even minor tremors can disturb sediment. Once sediment enters the system, the only way to remove it is by flushing the water mains. This is done by opening fire hydrants and allowing sediment-laden water to exit the system. Hydrant flushing also exercises hydrant valves, confirms hydrants open and close properly, and ensures readiness for fire and emergency use. Customers can review Salem’s official water quality reports, including annual Consumer Confidence Reports, by visiting the city’s public works webpage at salemmo.com/city/government/departments/public_works.

According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, this week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week for 2026. Last year was the deadliest year for Missouri tornadoes in 14 years. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports 16 Missourians died because of tornadoes in 2025, making it the deadliest since 158 people were killed in the 2011 Joplin EF-5 tornado. There will be a statewide tornado drill at 11:00 this morning however, according to the Salem Police Department, there will not be a tornado drill within the City of Salem, as it has recently updated its storm system, which automatically tests itself each morning. For more information on staying safe in severe weather, the NWS provides several safety tips and educational information on its Severe Weather Preparedness Week page at weather.gov/lsx/severeweek. 

In Dent County, culvert replacement on Route 19 is planned from now to March 6th north of Salem from County Road 4122 to County Road 4126. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. In addition, other moving operations such as pothole patching, brush cutting, and pavement repairs continue in various locations. Motorists should travel with care and be alert for slow-moving equipment. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the American Legion, is now accepting applications for the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy. The joint program between the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the American Legion is looking for young men and women ages from 16 to 18 to join the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy for the 2026 class. The week-long class begins June 7th and gives students an opportunity to gain hands on experience and an understanding of law enforcement. Additionally, students can explore different career paths within the Patrol. The Cadets will spend the week mirroring the work recruits do during the Patrol academy. A graduation ceremony will be held for participants on Friday, June 12th. Students who apply must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher, be of good moral character, have a valid driver’s license or permit, turn 16 prior to April 1st, and have an interest in pursuing a career in the Criminal Justice System. Those interested may obtain an application from their local American Legion Post. Questions regarding the Cadet Patrol Academy can be directed to Corporal Michael Halim at 573-522-7650.

Opening Day of the Missouri Trout Season occurred Sunday at Montauk State Park and as usual, a great crowd was on hand. According to Kyle Case, the Hatchery Manager at Montauk State Park, there were 1,920 adult trout tags and 336 children’s tags sold for a total of 2,256 tags for opening day. Jean and James Morton fired the starter pistol to start the trout season Sunday morning. The largest lunker caught on Sunday was a 4-pound, 13-ounce rainbow by Andy Gerringer of St. Charles, followed by a 3-pound, 12-ounce rainbow by Gabe Lenox of Rolla. The Missouri Department of Conservation staff spent the days leading up to March 1st stocking about 7,500 rainbow trout in the surrounding pools from Montauk Fish Hatchery. The catch-and-keep season will be in effect until October 31st.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Tom Essex from Dent County Road 5130 was in to talk about cut phone lines that occurred twice in a three-week span last year when county employees installed or replaced culverts. District 1 Commissioner Keith Green told him he was aware of one of the incidents but not Commissioner Williams wanted to remind anyone interested in county surplus property that those sealed bids must be turned in to the county clerk’s office by 10:00 in the morning on Thursday, March 5th at 400 North Main Street in Salem. On the outside of the envelope of your sealed bid, please indicate which piece of equipment you are submitting a bid on. A person can submit bids on all the equipment or just one of the pieces of equipment. Persons interested in seeing the equipment before they bid are welcome to come to the road and bridge department shed on Highway 32-72 West. You may want to call 573-729-7770 to make sure someone is there before stopping by. The commission will have the right to accept or reject all bids. Courtney Wageman with LJ Hart & Company came in and went over the Lease Certificates of Participation Series 2027 and a financial analysis. She talked about two different options on how the county could afford a new handicapped accessible courtroom built next to the jail. In her discussion, she went over how much money the county has left in the jail account, which currently is about $2 million dollars, and sales tax inflation over a projected 2% per year annual increase. The first option is a one that does not require a vote of the people. The project would be about a $2.5 to $3.5 million dollar project which would be about a $1 million-dollar, 11-year payment period over the existing sales tax already in place. The second option would require an election by the people that would continue the half cent tax for a $6.5 to $7.5 million dollar project, and it would take over 20 years to pay off the debt. The commission does not want to do the second option but will explore options of going with option 1. Gary will make some phone calls to get some information from Shive-Hattery Engineering who was the engineer for the new jail. Major Lenny Pabin from the Sheriff’s Department was also present to discuss this subject. His concerns were that if it could be built, there would be limited funding in the jail trust fund for the upkeep, repairs, insurance of a new building. No decision was made by commission as they are exploring options. Jack Todd came in to discuss with Commissioner Green the installation of his new culvert. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met, February 19th at 5:00. The Board held a public hearing on the Food Code Fee Schedule. It was reviewed by the Board and approved. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Operational reports for the month of January. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were 3 cases of COVID-19 reported, while the active lead cases were reported at 69, plus 13 communicable disease cases. There were 72 Influenza cases, 3 animal bites were reported, and there were 22 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 82 total tests and 9 treatments. The January environmental report showed there where 17 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 9 car seats distributed, there was one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment and 331 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 516 total appointments other than WIC, 144 total provider appointments, 178 treatment court visits, 162 lab appointments, 36 immunization appointments, 47 CareCab Rides. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 11 family plannings, one well-child visit, one other well-woman exam, 8 other physicals, 14 SEMO physicals, plus 49 other visits, and 59 acute illness appointments for a total of 144 visits. Laboratory details showed 163 Lab Draws, 16 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests, 10 lead tests were reported, plus 12 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy appointments totaled 122, while all Lab appointments totaling 152. Immunizations for January showed 8 for COVID-19 and 16 for Influenza, plus 31 other vaccines given during 36 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported several dates for DCHC events in 2026. Moser reported on the progress of the annual financial audit, plus he noted that the CD approved at the last meeting had been purchased and the tentative acceptance of the Cybersecurity Improvement Grant and the goal of switching to a contracted IT service pending approval of the granters. He said a CareCab driver had been hired. Moser presented two opioid grants that were award to the Health Center and asked for budget modification to accommodate the grants. The request received Board approval. Moser discussed the DCHC Care Fund, he requested permission to make it an official fund and allow payroll deduction for purchases from the fund. The Board approved the request. The financial reports for January were reviewed. Current assets at the end of January were $1,338,496.12. Total assets were $2,175,200.47, total liabilities were $364,172.88, and equity was $1,811,027.59. Revenue for January was $195,688.48. Cost of services were $50,384.84 for a gross revenue of $145,303.64. Expenses were $74,105.26 for a net operating revenue of $71,198.38. After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was $76,774.63. No report from H&R Block was received. During new business Zach presented details on a new position request for a Grant & Strategic Initiatives Coordinator funded between 3 or more grants with compensation ranging from $20-$28 per hour depending on experience. The Board approved the position request. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 5:00.

On February 24, 2026, the Board of Aldermen met in Closed Session in accordance with RSMo. 610.021(3) to discuss personnel matters. Following a roll call vote of 4-0 (Kinsey – yes, Whelan – yes, Dent – yes, Letchworth – yes), the board approved a pay adjustment for Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield to $60,000 annually effective immediately. Since Sutterfield’s appointment in July 2025 and successfully completing her probationary period, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to her job responsibilities and consistently serves the community with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. 

Every March 1st, hundreds of die-hard anglers line the banks at one of Missouri’s trout parks for opening day of catch-and-keep trout season. This year, Sunday morning, March 1st, at 6:30 marks the opening of the season that runs through October 31st. To participate, Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 and nonresidents 16 and older are required to purchase a fishing permit. In addition to a fishing permit, trout anglers must also purchase a daily trout tag. Tags can be purchased at the trout parks: Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon and Montauk State Park near Salem. A daily trout tag at the three state parks costs $5 for adults and $3 for youth 15 years and younger. Daily fishing permits are $9. The daily limit is four trout, and the possession limit is eight. For more information on fishing at trout parks visit mdc.mo.gov. In Dent County Montauk State Park store hours for Friday, February 27th are 8:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. The restaurant will be open from 8:00 until 6:00. Then on Saturday, February 28th, the store hours are from 8:00 in the morning until 11:00 at night and that time is new this year. The restaurant will be opening up at 8:00 and remain open until 8:30 in the evening. Finally on Sunday, March 1st the store hours will be from 5:00 am until 9:00 pm, while the restaurant will be open from 7:00 am. until 8:30 pm. For more information on trout season opening, visit mostateparks.com or call Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201, Roaring River State Park at 417-847-2539, or Bennett Spring State Park at 417-532-4338.

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, March 2nd starting at 5:30 and lasting until 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. If you have questions, please contact Patti McKeown at 703-964-6495 or e-mail her at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.