Archive for 2026

Travis Pastrana along with co-driver Rhianon Gelsomino in their Subaru won the 2026 ARA 100-Acre Wood Rally this past weekend with a time of 1:27:35.5 with an average speed of 74.48 MPH, easily beating the team of Patrick Gruszka and Florian Barral in their Hyundai who won the battle for second place coming in just 4/10ths of a second in front of the team of Tom Williams and Ross Whitlock who captured third place driving a 2024 Skoda Fabia. Finishing in fourth place just three seconds behind the team of Williams and Whitlock was the team of Lia Block and Alessandro Gelsomino who were driving a 2023 Hyundai. The 100 Acre Wood Rally is the second round of the 2026 ARA National Championship and comes on the heals of the Sno Drift Rally. As the season’s first gravel rally, it traditionally rewards those who are fearless in their commitment to driving fast relying on their lightning-fast reflexes to navigate some of the quickest roads in North American rallying. This year’s rally did not disappoint and was well attended at both Parc Exposes in Potosi and Salem as well as the spectator locations.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announced formal charges against Jerry S. Barnett, age 38, of Norwood, Missouri, Justin L. Emery, age 42, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, and Jared D. Mings, age 44, of Mountain Grove, Missouri. The three men were arrested following an investigation conducted by the Rural Crimes Investigation Unit (RCIU) of the patrol. Investigators were made aware of a possible livestock theft in rural Texas County in September. The owner of the cattle resided out of state and reported the cattle were stolen. Three suspects were identified and the patrol followed up on additional leads and obtained evidence connecting Barnett to the theft of the livestock. Investigators later discovered Barnett obtained assistance from Emery and Mings, who sold the cattle under their respective names. The above charges are a mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. DDCC is committed to serving those in its rural communities and encourages anyone with information regarding livestock theft to report it to the Missouri Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force at 888-484-8477.

The City of Salem will resume tree trimming and clearing around electric distribution lines beginning this week through the next several months. This work is part of the city’s ongoing effort to maintain a safe and reliable electric system and is required by Missouri state statute. Trimming and clearing will take place in the area roughly south of 2nd Street and east of Hickory Street and north of Scenic Rivers Boulevard. Aproject map outlining the specific locations is available on the city’s website by searching “city projects,” or you may ask for a printout at the City Administration Office located at 400 North Iron Street. Crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to limit any inconvenience to residents. Note that the crew may drop limbs and branches on your property. Crew members will return to clean up the limbs within 2-3 days. Please give the crew this grace period before calling to ask for a cleanup to occur. For more information, contact the City of Salem Utility Office at 573-729-4811.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding its first annual charity gala and awards dinner dedicated to celebrating community members and organizations who embody the mission of public health, while raising funds to support disease prevention and community wellness initiatives across Dent County. Scheduled for April 24th at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory, the gala will bring together local leaders, businesses, healthcare partners, and residents for an evening focused on connection, recognition, and impact. Proceeds from the gala will directly support Dent County Health Center programs. Based on community input, a final list of nominees has been compiled for the awards, representing the very best in healthcare, public health and community service. To vote, visit dentcountyhealthcenter.org and search “final voting.” Winners will be honored and announced at the gala and awards banquet April 24th.

With warming weather and the many wonders of nature awakening in spring, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people to be BearWise. Missouri’s estimated 1,000+ black bears are waking up and are focused on fattening up after a long winter’s sleep. Unsecured food sources around homes and outbuildings could attract the attention of a hungry bear. It is important that people remove or secure bear attractants from their property, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste. Intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous because it makes them comfortable around people and can lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for food. Most Missouri bears live just south of Interstate 44, but as the population continues to grow, bears have started to inhabit new areas of the state. For more information on how to be BearWise and to report a bear sighting, visit mdc.mo.gov/bearwise.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held a meeting Monday evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. Only one item was on the agenda, and that was to amend the previously adopted motion on March 11th calling for a budget adjustment for Billy’s Playground fence replacement and repair in the amount of $10,500. The amount was increased to reflect the actual amount needed of $10,750. The amount was previously incorrect due to a typing error, explained Parks Director Melissa DuBois. The budget adjustment was approved to be amended.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding its monthly board meeting at 5:00 in the evening Thursday at the Dent County Health Center Annex Building, at 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard, in the Conference Room. Tentative agenda topics include a call to order; approval of February minutes; old business, including operations reports, administrator’s report, and financial reports; new business, including a position request, audit draft approval, and leasing part of 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. This meeting is open to the public. 

Healthy Dent County announced a new addition to its roster of fitness classes with a Bungee Fitness class, a low-impact workout that combines cardio, strength training, and high-energy movement using a supportive bungee harness system. Classes are designed to help participants build strength, improve cardiovascular fitness, and enjoy a new style of exercise in a safe and engaging environment. Whether individuals are looking to change up their fitness routine or simply try something new, Bungee Fitness provides a dynamic workout experience suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. Classes are $10 for Fitness Center members and $15 for non-members. For the class schedule or more information, visit the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center Facebook page or call 573-729-8163.

Dent County Historical Society will be holding a “Fireside Chat” at 10:00 in the morning this Saturday at the James Family Center, located across the street from James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Terry Cunningham will be discussing the history of the timber industry in Carter, Dent, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, and Texas Counties, and how the wood products of the Ozarks shaped those communities. Cunningham spent his career in the forest after serving as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. He studied at the University of Missouri-ROTC, in which he earned a B.S. Degree in Forestry in 1971. He was hired by Leo A. Dry, owner of Pioneer Forest, in 1972. Cunningham retired after 41 years. For more information, call Deloris Gray Wood, Dent County Historical Society President, at 573-729-1496.

Receive a free native tree through a program offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation and its partners. Participants are invited to cut down one or more Callery pear trees on their properties and receive one free, native tree at the event. The replacement trees will be potted in three-gallon containers and will be between 2 and 4 feet tall. One free native tree will be provided to each registered participant at the selected location on the day of the event. Register for the 2026 Callery Pear Buyback from now through April 16th. Then pick up native trees in more than 20 communities around the state on April 21st: Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Doniphan, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lebanon, Liberty, Moberly, Park Hills, Parkville, Pineville, Riverside, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Warrensburg, and West Plains. For more information, visit moinvasives.org and click on “Pear Buyback.”

Warmer weather usually means an increase in outside projects that may require digging or excavation work. If you are building a deck, planting a tree, or completing a large project, Missouri law requires anyone digging underground to notify Missouri 811. Always remember to place your locate requests at least three working days before you dig. State and federal holidays are not considered a working day. Call 811 or place a locate request online at www.missouri-811.org before any excavation begins. The call will be taken by the Missouri 811 Call Center, which then notifies all relevant utilities in the project area. Once Missouri 811 is notified, utility companies will mark the approximate location of their underground lines, request additional information or advise you that they do not have facilities at the excavation site. Hitting an underground line can cause serious injury, it could disrupt service to you and other customers, and it could potentially result in fines and repair costs. Contact Missouri 811 at 811; or go online at www.missouri-811.org to place a locate request before starting to dig, so underground utility lines can be marked. For more information, please go to Missouri 811 at www.missouri-811.org.

Dent County Health Center’s community transportation service, CareCab, is here to help you get where you need to go. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, a local event, a job interview, or a visit with a friend, CareCab is a local ride service for Dent County residents who need dependable transportation, designed for residents without reliable transportation; older adults and caregivers; students, job seekers, and community members; and anyone in Dent County who needs a convenient way to get around. To book a ride with CareCab, visit dentcounthealthcenter.org/services/carecab or call 573-729-3106. Riders must be able to get in and out of the vehicle independently or with minimal assistance (such as using a cane or walker.) You are encouraged to contact SMTS for specialized services.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Both First District Commissioner Keith Green and Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members would be out checking for storm damages. Williams also reported crew members would be out checking the roads used for the 100 Acre Wood Rally. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared that he attended several meetings last week, including for the Phelps County Housing Authority; External Relations; and the South Central County Commissioner Association. Larson will be attending a meeting with the Dent County Tourism Commission tonight and a meeting for the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District tomorrow. At the South Central County Commissioner Association meeting held on Friday, commissioners reported it was a constructive meeting with plenty of legislative updates. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk has finished the annual settlement and sent it into the state. The total distribution to the districts was reported at $10,805,635.30. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills are to be approved and that absentee voting continues. March 24th is the first day for “no excuse absentee” voting which will continue 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. The commissioners also held a closed session meeting from 9:30 to 10:00. No action was taken. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

The following is a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid–Missouri area March 16th through the 22nd. Weather conditions may postpone scheduled work. Many projects will include lane closures which could cause delays. For all counties, in addition to the work listed below, 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. For Dent County, the following road work is planned: Route B is closed over Dry Creek bridge due to inspectors finding a sinkhole developing near one of the supporting structures. Motorists during the bridge closure can use Missouri Routes 19, 32 and 72 as detoured routes around the closure. Culvert replacement is planned on Route 19 from March 17th through March 19th at 7th street in the city limits of Salem. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. For Route EE, pothole patching is planned March 17th through March 19th. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. For Route F, culvert replacement is planned March 17th through March 19th from Missouri Route 32 to County Road 6400. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. 

The Salem Public Library Board of Trustees held its regular meeting Thursday evening at 5:00 in the library’s conference room. After approving the minutes from the previous meeting, Library Director Kate McBride presented her reports, highlighting a decrease in paperback trades and internet usage during the month of February, along with an increase in passive programs and in e-book and e-audio circulation. Circulation of books and periodicals, as well as items received from and provided to the Missouri Evergreen Consortium, remained consistent. The board also discussed books members had recently read and ongoing maintenance work in the library’s south basement. Board President Angie Hamons read correspondence from two patrons. In new business, the board discussed the Trustee Handbook and reviewed several upcoming library events. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Public Library Board of Trustees will be held April 9 at 5:00 in the library’s conference room and is open to the public.

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) will re-open its wait list and begin accepting applications for housing assistance on April 6th, after having been closed since November of 2024. The closure of the waitlist came as a recommendation from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, the federal agency that provides the rental assistance funding, to head off a projected funding shortfall in 2025. Applications are accepted online at phelpsco.housingmanager.com or in-person Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 at the Phelps County PHA office. Applicants must provide social security numbers and birth dates for every household member and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals with a drug arrest in the last three years may be ineligible for assistance. The Phelps County PHA provides HUD Section 8 rental assistance to about 609 families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city of Rolla) and Washington counties at a cost of $2.3 million annually. Persons needing more information should contact Tammy Rigsby at 573-265-4200 or via email at trigsby@meramecregion.org. The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) provides staffing to the Phelps County PHA.