Archive for 2026

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding its regular monthly meeting 5:30 in the afternoon today in the board room located at the Administration Office on J Highway. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance, the board will approve the agenda and consent agenda. The board will hear communications from Heather Whitlock. The William Lynch Elementary’s Pre-Kindergarten program will be receiving recognition. Under the Superintendent’s Report, CSIP Goals will be addressed. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School administration. Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, Maintenance, and Transportation reports will be received by the board in writing. Under new business, the board will be: approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Missouri S&T, holding a discussion regarding vaping products, approving summer school dates of May 18th through June 5th, approving a career ladder plan, approving Apptegy contract, and approving a Show-Me Technologies service contract. Also under new business will be the authorization for the administration to approve and process payment of all district bills that are received or become due after the meeting and before the next regularly scheduled board meeting. All such payments will be included in the list of bills presented to the board for ratification at the next meeting. A hire of Angel Hunter, ECSE personal aide, is scheduled for consideration. The board will enter closed session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board will meet this evening at 5:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium located on 202 N. Washington. The board is meeting to vote on approving the budget adjustment for the Fence Bid, and voting on recommending James Taylor to be appointed to the Parks Board. This meeting is open to the public.

Salem R-80 High School had several students place as finalists for the Youth Tour, sponsored by Missouri electric cooperatives including Intercounty Electric. The student finalists who submitted a 250-500 word essay with the essay topic of, “The hardest lesson I’ve learned so far,” were Carlnez Head, Ivan Brooks, Jhonine Maralit, and Emma Purcell. On March 25th, these students will interview before a panel of volunteer judges to hopefully earn a trip to Washington, D.C. this summer. Two runners up from each school will earn a spot on the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) trip to Jefferson City, and one student from each school will be named as the alternate-ready to jump in, should any student be unable to attend their trip.

Officials urge Missourians to remain alert as another surge in phishing texts has been reported. These texts are often threatening and falsely claim to be from a trusted source, such as the Missouri Department of Revenue, MoDOT, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or the DMV. These text messages may include a warning regarding unpaid traffic violations, outstanding toll charges, or other fines owed. If you receive texts posing as the aforementioned entities threatening you to pay now, it’s a scam. Other common tactics include: asking you to verify purchases, claiming issues with your payment information, offering prizes or gift cards, sending fake package delivery notifications, and warning you of suspicious activity on one of your accounts. If you receive one of these phishing texts, take the following action: Do not click on links or scan QR codes; Do not provide personal information such as passwords; Do not respond to the text; Delete the text. If you have been scammed or think you may have been contacted by a scammer, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For more information on how to protect yourself and your neighbors, visit consumer.ftc.gov.

MoDOT is hosting a virtual public meeting now through April 3rd to gather public feedback on updates to the draft versions of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and State Freight and Rail Plan (SFRP). These plans will help determine the state’s 25-year transportation vision. Participants may review the draft plans and provide comments by visiting modot.org and searching “Long-Range Transportation Plan and State Freight and Rail Plan Updates.” Both plans have been shaped over the last year by extensive outreach and input with stakeholders and the public, according to a MoDOT press release. These plans serve as roadmaps for the state’s transportation network, addressing the evolving infrastructure needs and setting funding priorities. Draft documents for both plans are available for public comment as part of the virtual public meeting through April 3rd. Those without internet access are encouraged to call 573-751-6550 between the hours of 8 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday, to access information and ask questions during the development process. The final plans will be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for review and consideration later in 2026. More information about LRTP and SFRP plan updates can be found on MoDOT’s website at modot.org.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington 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 considering a committee appointment of Sue Hubbs to the Salem Housing Authority to fill an unexpired term. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will hear a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Missouri Department of Transportation Aviation Section for airport improvements at the Salem Memorial Airport (K33.) The board will be hearing and approving bids for control panel improvements, utility poles, and a tree trimming truck repair. City officials will then report followed by a closed session. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met in regular session Monday morning at the courthouse. Both First District Commissioner Keith Green and Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that road crew members are out patching what they can on the washouts, with Williams sharing that his district crew members will also be attempting to unstop several pipes and culverts. Both encouraged patience within residents as the heavy rains have impacted roads with more forecasted Tuesday, delaying their ability to lay down more rock. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll was approved. Curley further reported the voting registration deadline for the April 7th Municipal Election is Wednesday and encouraged those needing to make address changes to do so as soon as possible. Excused absentee voting continues, and 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. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax receipts received for March, stating that General Revenue and Law Enforcement received $94,228.39. Year-to-date those funds are $15,505.73 over the total collected through March 2025, a 6.6% increase. The Road and Bridge Fund received $47,114.16, and year-to-date those funds are $15,505.73 over the total collected through March 2025. That is about an 11.9% increase. Williams reported both Jail Funds received $94,648.80, and year-to-date those funds are each up $30,958.42, an increase of 11.8%. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse, and the meeting will be open to the public.

According to a petition filed March 5th in the Circuit Court for Shannon County, plaintiffs including Thomas Appell; Seamus James Fuller; Jack Norris, Lonnie Norris, James Norris, and Lisa Norris; and other unknown persons living or owning property along State Route YY have brought a lawsuit against Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC. The petition alleges that since approximately 2022, dangerous and toxic material from the charcoal plant have interfered with not only the plaintiffs’ use and possession of their property, but also the enjoyment of their property. The charcoal plant affected machinery and plant life as well as the personal health and wellness of the plaintiffs, it was further alleged. Plaintiffs made claims for negligence, trespass, and private & public nuisance against Royal Oak. The plaintiffs seek damages greater than $25,000. As of Monday, March 9th, a summons has been issued to Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC, according to a newly filed docket entry on file on courts.mo.gov/casenet.

The 100 Acre Wood Rally is returning to Dent, Crawford, and Washington counties at the end of this week. In Dent County, look forward to the 4th Street Parc Expose’ and Welcome this Saturday from 9 to 11 in the morning. Throughout the day, find locations to spectate through the Spectator Guide found online at rally.100aw.org/spectating. Most spectator locations are free of charge and no tickets are needed. If you would like to meet this year’s drivers while they’re in Salem and view the high performance machines they’ll be driving, you can do so Saturday morning on 4th Street. Drivers and their vehicles will line 4th Street until their departure to the first stage. This is a rare opportunity to meet world class, regional, and local rally sport drivers in one of the Ozark’s premiere motorsport events. In the evening Saturday, come down to the Dent County Commons for both the regional and national award ceremony from 8:15 to 10.

Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) is now seeking submissions for the 35th Annual Earth Day Trash Art, Poster and Graphic Art contest. The competition is open to all students in grades kindergarten through 12th in Dent, Crawford, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Homeschool students meeting these criteria are eligible and encouraged to participate. The graphic art portion of the contest is also open to post-secondary students. The theme for this year’s art contest is “Be a Food Waste Warrior” to increase awareness of food waste. Students have the opportunity to participate in multiple contest categories, including posters (hand-drawn and graphic arts), and re-purposing recyclables and trash into three-dimensional pieces of trash art. Posters should echo the theme of reducing food waste, a top priority in the district. The trash art contest may follow the underlying solid waste management theme to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. Entries for all categories will be accepted from now through March 19th and may be dropped off at the county clerk offices at the nearest courthouse. For more information, visit ozarkrivers.org/programs-and-services/earth-day.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. With the onset of rain throughout the county, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members have been out fixing damages to county roads caused by the excessive rain Wednesday night. Green encouraged the public to be patient. With the second district being hit harder, District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams was not in attendance until later that morning, as he was out assisting crew members. Meanwhile, Green reported on phone bids for 2,500 gallons of unleaded fuel for the road department, commenting that the bids received had more variation than usual. Bids were as follows: $2.38 from MFA Oil; $2.60 from County Fuels; and Phil-Mart did not bid. The bid was given to MFA Oil. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that an estimate for repairs to the Annex Roof for leaks was received, submitted by Hope Construction in the amount of $1,250, and it was approved. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that March 11th is the deadline to register to vote for the April 7th Municipal Election. Excused absentee voting continues, and 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. Curley further reported that she has balanced with the collector and assessor for all monthly collections, add-ons, and abatements for February. Bills were approved. In addition, commissioners opened bids for surplus property for the road department with the following receiving the bids: Travis Turner bid $409.98 for two chainsaws; Larry Lundy bid $200 for two chainsaws; and Danny Wethy, Jr. bid $76.50 for the HYD Engine Hoist. The commissioners rejected all bids for the Pup Trailer. The commission also opened bids for a used truck and received the following quotes: $52,203 for a 2022 International CV; $84,500 for a 2023 Ford Flatbed Truck F750; $75,500 for 2019 Ford Dump Truck F750; $89,995 for a 2023 Ford Dump Truck Flatbed F650; and $55,600 for a 2022 International Dump Truck CV. After a discussion of comparisons, the commission unanimously agreed to accept the 2022 International D/T CV at $55,600. Assessor Alisa Brookshire and Joel Zitterich of VanGuard attended to discuss the software appraisal system. Brookshire is currently utilizing Clearbasin software, of which she reported issues. The software system would have to be bid out but after five years, if awarded to VanGuard, the Assessor’s Office would own it. The commission requested Brookshire to receive prices on the separate map maintenance software, as well as to look into what Clearbasin will charge on turning over the files. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00. The meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Route B is now closed at the Dry Creek Bridge after inspectors found a sinkhole developing near one of the supporting structures of the 86-year-old bridge, which is scheduled to be replaced this year. Route B will remain closed over Dry Creek until that project is completed, as it is no longer safe for vehicular traffic. Concrete barriers have been placed at either end of the bridge to prevent motorists from utilizing the damaged roadway. During the closure and bridge replacement project, motorists may use Missouri Routes 19, 32 and 72 as a detour route. To learn more about the planned bridge replacement project, visit modot.org and search “Route B Bridge Replacement over Dry Creek in Dent County.”

The National Weather Service of Springfield issued a hazardous weather outlook, indicating that thunderstorms are expected to form Friday afternoon and continue through overnight hours. The severe storms will be capable of producing hazards including large hail, damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, and possble tornadoes. There are two rounds of storms expected Friday afternoon and evening. Early indications suggest supercell thunderstorms in the afternoon into evening, before merging into a squall line by Friday night. The greatest large hail and tornado risk will be west of Highway 65 with the supercells Friday afternoon/evening. Damaging winds then become the primary risk with an embedded tornado risk with the squall line across the entire area late Friday evening and night. The probability of severe hail is 15-29% within Dent County; severe wind, 15-29%; and tornados, 2-4%. Remember that if a forecast calls for severe weather: Start preparing now by ensuring you have emergency supplies, knowing a safe place to hunker down, and having a family communication plan. Remember to have plenty of gas in your vehicle and extra batteries, matches, propane, charcoal and firewood. Other tips include having a portable, battery-powered radio and alarm clock, a non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted, and coordinating with neighbors for care of the elderly and disabled living alone. For more information on staying safe in severe weather, visit intercountyenergy.net/safety-education. Also remember that to report power outages within the City of Salem, save the phone number 833-703-4811 to your phone as “Salem Power Outage.” Text or call the number when an outage occurs. When outages are reported, they will populate the map found on website hometowngrid.com/salem. 

The Bunker Police Department has released its activity report for the month of February. Officers conducted 47 traffic stops during the month and assisted the county on five calls. Police responded to five 911 hang-up calls. The department handled three dog-related calls, one investigation, and five general calls for service. Officers responded to four domestic-related calls and made one arrest during the month. The department also executed one search warrant. The Bunker Police Department encourages residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and working alongside officers to maintain a safe community.

Join the Dent County Historical Society for a special Fireside Chat with longtime Dent County resident Jim Glenn on Saturday, March 7th at 10:00 in the morning at the James Family Center at 103 W. Center Street in Salem. Jim will share stories of growing up in the New Hope Community to the early bluegrass roots of the Dillard family. Learn about the historic Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the old rural schools, and the close-knit families who shaped this musical community. For more information, contact Deloris Gray Wood at 573-729-2545. Come experience local history brought to life! 

Preschool Registration will be held Wednesday, March 12th, from 8:30 until 5:00 and Thursday, from 8:30 until 2:30 at William Lynch Elementary. Preschool students must be 4 years of age by July 31st. Appointments are to be made by calling 573-729-6611 and are not a guarantee of placement. Proof of residence, shot records, and birth certificate is required.