Archive for 2026

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.

Congratulations to the players and coaches of the Bunker Eagles Boys Basketball team as Saturday they captured the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1 State Championship for the first time in school history with a 61 to 54 win over Brunswick at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia at the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown. Read the entire story under Sports!

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, the board approved the agenda and consent agenda. The board recognize several Pre-Kindergarten students from William Lynch Elementary, who lead the meeting through the Pledge of Allegiance. Under communications, Superintendent Nathan Wills shared communication from Heather Whitlock and announced Lion King Jr. was in production at the Upper Elementary. He further shared a letter from District 120 Representative John Hewkin thanking the board for its service, in light of School Board Appreciation Week. The Upper Elementary roof is complete, reported Wills in his Superintendent’s Report, aside from holes revealed during the recent heavy rains that contractors will be returning to fix, along with another leak within the awning connecting the Upper Elementary and the FEMA building. Wills updated the board on the Safe Room Operations Plan for the FEMA building, which he will be discussing with the Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt in order to finalize procedures by next week. Mailers will be sent out to those within a half-mile radius of the building. Wills is working on the budget for 2026-27. He provided legislative updates, including a bill that may impact open enrollment, among other items that may impact school funding. An executive order was signed by Governor Mike Kehoe requiring school districts to have an A through F report card, which will not be tied to the APR score, Wills further updated. Parent surveys were conducted with results presented to the board, with several parents seeking better communication on academics and attendance from staff. Student surveys are currently being conducted and will close next Friday. Laura Hurt has accepted the Mosis/Core Data and Food Service Director position offered, which she will begin in June. During Administration Reports, High School Principal Jodi Heavin reported that staff are working on an automated service coming this Monday which would notify parents when students miss assignments. Under New Business, the board approved the MOU with Missouri S&T, which enables the placement of student teachers within the district, along with an authorization for the administration to approve and process payment of all district bills, due to moving the board meeting’s date. The board also approved summer school dates for May 18th through June 5th, the annual career ladder plan, and the annual Apptegy contract. Finally, the board approved the Show-Me Technology Service Contract, which provides more bandwidth to the district, and extending the special education director’s salary schedule to 205 days. The board held a discussion on vaping policies, agreeing that School Resource Officer Lawrence Rictor should be able to write a probable cause statement and refer to juvenile for a student’s second offense. The board then entered  executive session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The next meeting of the Salem R-80 School Board of Education is scheduled for April 16th in the Administration Building and will be open to the public.

Explore the newly launched interactive city project map provided by the City of Salem found on salemmo.com, clicking “City,” and searching “Plans and Projects Page.” Through the interactive map, residents are able to see where infrastructure projects like water system upgrades and street improvements are happening across town.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be out checking roads and assisting the second district with its workload. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members would be out grading and hauling rock to County Road 2540. Hauling rock is also planned for county roads 3190 and 3140. Patching is planned for County Road 3200. Crew members will also be checking a low water crossing installed by a resident, which is causing washouts. Meanwhile, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were approved. Curley further reported 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. On April 7th, voting will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he would be attending an MRPC meeting in St. James this evening, and that the commissioners and Curley would be attending a South Central County Commissioner Association meeting in Texas County on Friday. The Cooperative Feral Hog Outreach Educator of Dent County’s MU Extension provided a feral hog report for 2026, sharing that there has been an 83% decrease in watershed occupancy by feral hogs since 2016. In 2025, there were 242 feral hogs removed from Dent County, ranking fifth in the state. Crider reported that feral hogs are more often observed in the south and eastern portions of the county. Further, the USDA is condensing the program and its positions due to its success. Funding remains for the program through 2031. Curt Faigle, representative of 100 Acre Wood Rally, visited the commission about the event this weekend. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk reported February totals, of which was $651,033.10. 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 City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held a meeting Wednesday evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. After roll call and approving the agenda, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois presented bids for replacing the ence surrounding Billy’s Playground, due to the damages resulting from a flood event. Two bids from fence contractors were received, including DNK Fencing and J&M Construction and Fencing LLC. DuBois recommended moving forward with DNK Fencing at $10,500. Funds would come out of the prior year fund balances, currently at $636,948. Funds expended for the fencing would be sent to FEMA for consideration for mitigation reimbursement. After discussion, the board approved the budget adjustment and fencing bed from DNK Fencing. In addition, the board approved recommending to the Board of Aldermen the placement of James Taylor to the Parks and Recreation board. The board then adjourned. 

The City of Salem is seeking dedicated volunteers to serve on advisory committees. Serving on advisory committees presents opportunities to make an impact and help guide decisions that shape the city. The mayor is currently looking for individuals to fill committee seats. The city is specifically in need of individuals interested in serving on the Utility Advisory Committee and the Planning & Zoning Commission. To apply, visit salemmo.com, click on “City”, and search “Committees” to find the committee sign-up form.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved the recommendation of Sue Hubbs to the Salem Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to fill a four-year unexpired term, ending July 24th, 2026. In new and miscellaneous business, the board approved filing the grant application to MoDOT for construction of one to three box hangars for the Salem Memorial Airport, approved by the Airport Board as part of its Capital Improvement Plan back in October. The total project cost would be $1.4 million with a city match of 10% or $140,000. The federal funding provided would be $1.2 million, or 90% of the project costs. As for bids, the board approved a bid from Midstate Pipeline for $159,700 for elevating the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s electric control panels six feet above the November 2024 flood levels. The amount is an unplanned expense with expectations of FEMA covering 75%. The city portion would then come to $39,925, which would come out of prior year fund balances. Other bids approved included several utility poles from Huxford Pole and Timber at a total of $17,400, to come out of the electric department pole fund, along with a bid of $10,044.17 from Agri-Enterprises to repair the valve of the tree trimming truck, to come out of the electric department equipment fund. During reports from city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that staff have received proposals from seven companies for updating the city’s Incode software. In addition, the engineering contract is expected to be presented at the next board meeting, while the water tower maintenance contract will be reviewed by Burbridge and City Attorney James Weber and the utility committee before also being presented to the board at a future meeting. Burbridge further reported that a request for bids will be resubmitted for plaster work within city hall. Mayor Greg Parker congratulated and thanked the water department team for being awarded the “2025 Water System of the Year” from the Missouri Rural Water Association and provided the team with a mayoral proclamation. Water Superintendent Chris McGuirt further commended not only his team on their hard work in earning the recognition, but the city staff and administration who were part of the process forreceiving the award. Meanwhile, the board received the financial report from Finance Director Stacey Houston, who reported that the total sales tax revenues collected for fiscal year 2026 is approximately $3.3 million, including the general fund, parks and recreation fund, and capital improvement fund; this is an increase of approximately 2.7%. Houston further reported on utility usage and revenue. The ending total of all funds is approximately $17 million, with the city having brought in 58% of its budgeted amount and having spent 50% of its budgeted amount. Both amounts were noted by Houston as being less than anticipated, credited to grant revenues and expenses coming in lower than anticipated. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that construction has begun on the t-ball parking lot. With no further reports, the board entered executive session for attorney client privilege. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held March 24th and will be open to the public. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday, March 10th at the firehouse for its regular monthly meeting. After previous board meeting minutes were approved, the financial reports as well as the bills, payments, statements, budget and reconciliation were also reviewed and approved. Under old business, the board discussed the Fidelity Tower, of which is experiencing interference that Assistant Chief Derrick Marfitt was asked by the board to investigate. After final reading, the proposed purchasing, disposal, and spending policy was accepted as presented. Fire Chief Derek Thomas presented the monthly reimbursement report that showed the fire district responded to 28 calls in February and a total of 61 calls for the year. Chief Thomas further reported that 8020 is back in service with a new alternator. Meanwhile, bids for new structural gear were presented from Sentinel, Banner, and Hoff Comp. The bids were not comparable as one company was dual compliance and one was not. After discussion, it was approved to buy five complete sets of gear, with an additional 18 helmets and three sets of boots, from Banner for a total cost of $31,674.00, in order to comply with safety codes and be in compliance with NFPA. The next board meeting was then set for April 14th at 6:00 in the evening at the Dent County Fire Protection District firehouse. Following the closed session, the meeting was adjourned.

The Salem Community Center @ the Armory will be holding an Alpha-Gal Syndrome Awareness Program in the evening of April 2nd from 5:30 to 6:30, presented by MU Extension’s Nutrition & Health Specialist Maria Calvert. Alpha-gal syndrome is on the rise in Missouri, and many people don’t realize they may be at risk or have it. Attend an informative session to learn what alpha-gal syndrome is, common symptoms, how screening works, and how to prevent tick bites that can lead to this condition. The cost to attend is $5. Call 573-729-8163 to register.