Archive for 2026

A Salem man suffered serious injuries in an accident that occurred Tuesday morning at approximately 6:15 on Highway 68 one-half mile north of the Salem City Limits. According to the Highway Patrol report the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, operated by the 38-year-old driver, ran off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, went off the left side of the roadway striking a culvert, then struck a building. The man was transported by Air Evac to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that he was not wearing a safety restraint. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant in Bunker on February 20th leading to the arrest of a wanted fugitive. According to the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Wilkinson applied for and obtained the warrant after investigators developed information that the subject was likely located at a residence in Bunker. Sheriff McCoy, Deputy Wilkinson, Deputy Brumble, Bunker Police Chief Martin, and a member of the ORP Task Force carried out the warrant. During the search, officers located Amanda McGruder, who was wanted on a felony no-bond warrant out of Crawford County. The warrant charges listed include three counts of possession of controlled substances, a class D felony, and once charge for unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony. McGruder was taken into custody without incident. McGruder was transported and booked on the outstanding warrant. The Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation to the Bunker Police Department and the ORP Task Force for their assistance in the operation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday at 5:30 in the administration building located at 1409 West Rolla Road.  After the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the agenda and consent agenda. Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills shared correspondence from Wes and Dana Connell. Twenty-one students, from the Senior High School, in the Career and Technical Education Apprenticeship and two students in the Family and Consumer Sciences programs were recognized at the meeting. During his report, Dr. Wills updated board members regarding legislative fiscal notes, ongoing and future repairs to the high school gymnasium floor, and wall repainting plans, the next school year’s calendar, and the staff survey results. After the Administration Board Reports the board approved the contract for policy services from the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA), as well as the MSBA Policy Updates. The motion to approve the updated principal’s contract, the 2026-2027 School Calendar, and the Wagner Photo contract was also approved. The meeting then moved into Executive session to discuss personnel matters before adjourning. The next meeting of the Salem R-80 School Board of Education is scheduled for March 12, in the Administration Building and will be open to the public. 

In recognition and celebration of Drinking Water Week, May 3rd through the 9th, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Section American Water Works Association are holding a poster contest for students in the fifth grade. The department is now accepting entries, which must be postmarked by end of the month this Saturday. This year’s poster theme is “Save It, Don’t Waste It!” Posters should show ways to save and conserve our drinking water. Entries should be no larger than 11 x 17 inches, and artists may draw with any color or physical media, such as crayon, marker or pencil to create their posters. Digital media submissions will not be accepted. Entries will be judged on three criteria: How original the entry is, how well the concept is executed and how well the poster relates to public water supplies. Judges will choose a first, second and third place winner. Prizes include $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. The American Water Works Association provides the prize money. The department will feature winning entries on its social media platforms and website. Posters will not be returned after the contest. All posters should be submitted to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Public Drinking Water Branch, Attention: Tena Hale, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. For more information or for questions about the contest, contact Tena Hale of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 573-526-2180.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 5:30 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 and consider multiple street closure requests, including one from Rob Benowitz for the 100 Acre Wood Rally, a request related to The Local on March 14, 2026, and a request from Skip Dahms. New and miscellaneous business will include discussion of an engineering firm recommendation, followed by reports from city officials. The meeting will conclude with a closed session, to discuss personnel matters, before adjourning. The regular portion of tonight’s meeting is open to the public. 

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the CART Tax receipts for the month of February. Dent County received $92,158.32 which is $3,884.49 more than last February. Year-to-date, the CART funds are up $6,557.00 which is about a 3.8% increase. Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt reported the FEMA reimbursement for Dent County Road 4210 is waiting on the report from Great Rivers Engineering. The county is still waiting on funding approval from FEMA for all the obligated projects the road department has already completed. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said brush will be cut on Dent County Road 5620 and possibly on county road 5630. Workers will be servicing one truck, and another crew will be replacing missing road signs on county roads. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams stated brush will be cut on county road 2370. Williams indicated both tractors are being worked on and signs will be replaced on county road 3140. Williams did say that grading may begin on county road 2210. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported he attended a meeting in St. James Friday at the MRPC building on the elimination of solid waste management districts. Larson said there were numerous reps in person and on zoom discussing their opposition to the idea that is being pushed by the governor to reassign funding to the Department of Natural Resources. Larson will keep the county posted on any further information he receives on future developments. Larson said the commissioners would not be meeting Thursday, February 26th, due to their annual training. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said excused absentee voting for the Municipal Election starts today at the courthouse. Today will also be the first day for those who want to file for county or state offices for the Primary election in August. Interested candidates for the county offices can begin filing at the courthouse at 8:00 this morning at the county clerk’s office and that is on a first come, first serve basis. Those wanting to run for state office will need to file at the James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center located at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City, starting at 8:00 this morning. Curley also stated that 27 counties in Missouri will benefit from the federal reimbursement for timber impacted counties and Dent County is one of them. She said Dent County will receive $150,403.00 for fiscal year 2025 and 2026. Dent County is a member of NACO who was the advocate in winning this major victory to pass the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act. The commission accepted the bid from Blevins Asphalt from Mount Vernon for 10 miles of chip and seal work for $205,920. The Commissioners agreed to seek bids for a used light duty dump truck between the years 2019 and 2024. For bids specs on the truck, call Keith at 573-247-6658. Bids will be due on March 5th at 10:30 in the morning. The commission will have the right to accept or reject all bids. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

At its February Board of Directors meeting, the Dent County Fire Protection District approved two initiatives aimed at strengthening volunteer firefighter recruitment: the first is the reintroduction of the Junior Firefighter Program and the second is an update to the district’s residency requirement.  The Junior Firefighter Program is designed to introduce young adults to the fire service while building foundational skills that support personal and professional development. Junior Firefighters will be allowed to participate on incident scenes in a support role, train in a controlled environment, and represent the department at public relation events. Eligible applicants must be between 16 and 18 years of age, maintain a minimum “C” grade average, and obtain parental or guardian consent. Assistant Chief Derrick Marfitt emphasized this program allows young adults to experience the fire service while learning valuable skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and discipline. The Board also approved changes to the department’s residency requirement. Previously, volunteer firefighters were required to reside within district boundaries. Under the updated policy, applicants residing anywhere in Dent County may now be considered, provided they have not been affiliated with another Dent County fire department within the previous year. This restriction ensures the Dent County Fire Protection District does not recruit active members from neighboring departments. The revised policy also allows the Board of Directors flexibility to consider applicants with unique circumstances. Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter is encouraged to apply online at www.dentcountyfire.org or visit the fire station at #2 South Main Street in Salem during regular training nights held on the first and third Thursday nights of each month from 7:00–10:00. The Dent County Fire Protection District is comprised of more than 20 volunteer firefighters who respond to emergencies across approximately 127 square miles of Dent County, including the City of Salem. The district responds to an average of 240 emergency calls each year. 

Come out and support the Salem FFA Chapter at their upcoming Community & Supporter Fish Fry on Wednesday, February 25th from 11:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon at the Salem FFA Metal Shop at the Ag Building. The cost is by donation only! Give What You Can! Enjoy a delicious fish fry meal while supporting the hard-working members of the Salem FFA chapter. All the proceeds help fund student leadership opportunities, competitions, and agricultural education activities throughout the year. Bring your family, invite your friends, and come hungry! We appreciate the continued support from our amazing community.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters that Missouri youth, archery, and firearms turkey hunters can apply online for 2026 spring turkey managed hunts during February at mdc.mo.gov/springturkeyhunts. Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 15th. Spring turkey hunting opens with the spring youth portion April 11th and 12th followed by the regular spring turkey season from April 20th through May 10th. Detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in MDC’s “2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet, available where permits are sold beginning in February. Learn more about turkey hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov.

There will be a Polymer Clay Sculpting Class this afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00, with Jan Craig at the Creative Arts Center. To sign up, visit the SACBA website at sacba.org.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Victoria Luby was in attendance to talk with the commission about issues she is having on Private Lane 601 and that she has not been able to get the sheriff’s department to respond. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson contacted Major Lenny Pabin who then met with the woman to hear her concerns. Deloris Gray Wood was in attendance to request permission to use the courthouse steps and lawn on July 4th and September 4th for special events and the commissioners approved. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said one grader is down as a Caterpillar service person is doing repair work on it. He stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6080 and 6083, while a driveway crossover pipe will be installed and rock added on county road 2460. Green went on to say brush will be cut on county road 5620 and rock will be stockpiled at the Road and Bridge Department. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers will be grading Dent County Roads 3140 and 3180, while brush will be cut on county road 2210. Williams indicated trees will be trimmed on county roads 2210 and 3260, and a sign will be installed on county road 3250. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated last Wednesday he attended the TAC meeting and regular MRPC meeting in St. James. Larson said he was informed that funding has been found to build a new bridge on Route TT near Sligo and it will be added to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to be built in 2028 or 2029. Larson went on to report he attended a tourism tax committee meeting and one request was submitted and approved by Flat Nasty, and there were no requests for reimbursement. Larson also said he would be attending a meeting at the MRPC offices today concerning the future of solid waste management districts as there is legislation that would eliminate the districts. Larson then talked with both Commissioner Green and Williams about a request from Joanie Prenger from MoDOT for an updated inventory of the county roads being maintained or that have been abandoned. Larson also asked the commissioners about a request he received from Jeff Dotson from Northwood R-4 to use two of the county hours they receive from the MRPC for paying their annual fees for grant preparation and the commission approved his request. Deputy Clerk Melissa Piatt said bills would be paid and she was checking poll pads for the upcoming excused absentee voting for the Municipal Election that will begin on February 24th at the courthouse. At 10:00, the commission opened bids for chip and seal. They received two bids: one from Blevins Asphalt from Mount Vernon for 10 miles of chip and seal work for $205,920, and the other was from West Brothers out of Pacific for $249,588.24 for 10 miles of chip and seal work. The commission will review the bids before making a final decision. The commissioners also signed the letter saying the commission supports holding the “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood” in Dent County put on by the American Rally Association. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk gave her report on the January turnover which came to $364,693.60. VanKirk also asked the commission to outlaw the 2023 unknown real estate and 2020 personal property taxes totaling $7,608.08 and they approved. She also stated that Dent County will no longer be accepting E-checks online to pay taxes due to too many errors being made by customers typing in misinformation on their accounts causing red flags. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public. 

The University of Missouri Extension invites you to join them at 3:00 Sunday afternoon as Carey Portell launches the International Year of the Woman Farmer with an inspiring keynote webinar for Pearls of Production. Portell is a resilient force in the agricultural world who has overcome the physical limitations she suffered in a serious car crash to become a successful cattle farmer, author and speaker as she discovered a “new normal” with the support of the Missouri AgrAbility program. Portell adapted her cattle production by implementing innovative tools and strategies that ensure both the sustainability of her operation and her long-term success. Her incredible journey underscores the importance of adaptive agriculture and resilient leadership by encourage producers to transform their challenges into opportunities for growth. You can register for the webinar by going to the University of Missouri Extension Website. If you have questions, contact Heather Conrow at hconrow@missouri.edu or 660-248-2272.