Archive for 2026

It was released Tuesday night that the Salem Police Department, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) St. Louis Field Office, will be conducting a joint search operation on Wednesday, Aug. 12th along the walking trail between Rolla Road and the Salem Care Center. The walking trail will be closed to public access from 8:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. This operation is part of an ongoing investigative effort related to a 2015 homicide case. Community members are asked to avoid the area during the operation and provide investigators with the space necessary to conduct their work. The Salem Police Department appreciates the community’s understanding, cooperation, and continued support as it remains committed to seeking answers and pursuing justice for the community.

The City of Salem’s Utility Committee will be holding a meeting tonight at 6:15 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium on 202. North Washington Street. This meeting is open to the public. After approval of the agenda and any scheduled public comments, the committee will consider the approval of the previous meeting minutes and then hear reports from the chairman. The board will then discuss utility meter testing, solid waste pickup and disposal bids, and the Nexgrid customer portal. Under reports, the committee will hear a financial and billing update, discuss notes from the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) and Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool (MMMPEP) meetings, and hear work reports from utility crew members. The committee will then adjourn.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a meeting Tuesday evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium. With no public comments, the board moved along to approving a street closure for the annual “Trunk-or-Treat” from Macarthur to 4th Street on Halloween, Oct. 31st. The appointment of Derrick Marfitt to the Utility Committee was then approved. The East Roosevelt Project was discussed, which is planned to replace aging waterlines, sewerlines, pavement, and potentially sidewalks from Hwy. 19 to Mildred Street. The preliminary opinion of Toth & Associates’ indicates a total project cost of approximately $2.5 million. The board approved several motions to submit an application to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) grant for the East Roosevelt Project for $1 million, the maximum amount for the grant; if awarded, the grant will be utilized for the sewer line portion of the project. The remaining $1.5 million is planned to come from the Special Streets, Capital Improvements, and Water funds. If the city is not awarded a minimum of $500,000 in grant funding, the project will not proceed until other grant or outside funding is found. Under bids, the board approved an emergency purchase of an additional $3,150 to inspect and reinstall the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s RAS pump. The board approved two ordinances between the city and Archer-Elgin for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements, recommended by Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR.) One of these ordinances will allow for additional hard and electronic copies of plans and specifications to be made, while the other will allow for additional engineering scope for the disposal of existing biosolids at a cost of $128,834, funded through the MDNR Clean Water SRF Emerging Contaminants grant. In reports of city officials, Mayor Greg Parker recognized and thanked Water Superintendent Chris McGuirt, who has served the city for 30 years and will be retiring. McGuirt expressed his appreciation of the current City of Salem’s administration. City Administrator Sally Burbridge shared that the Roosevelt Project is one of several key areas where infrastructure improvements are planned in the future. Grants and outside funding is constantly being sought by staff to ensure the least amount of impact on rates for residents. Burbridge further shared a report on recent meetings with the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) and its power pool, Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool (MMMPEP.) Burbridge shared that MMMPEP has awarded a bid to Tesla for an 8 megawatt battery pack capable of deploying 2 megawatts for up to 4 hours, in order to shave peak demand during  peak alerts for the entire power pool. Site selection is underway by MPUA for that pilot project. Finance Director Stacey Houston shared a financial update, stating that July Fiscal Year 2026-27 sales tax revenues have seen a 30% increase over prior year at $429,961. For electric, revenues billed totalled $621,472; for water, revenues billed were $123,301; and for sewer, revenues billed were $138,618. The city has paid MPUA $544,867. Houston shared that overall expenditures, a total of $2.1 million, exceeded overall revenues, a total of $1.5 million, primarily due to significant grant-related expenses being paid before reimbursements were posted. The combined fund balance of all city funds is approximately $16.9 million. Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois shared that flag football and cheerleading season is ongoing with registration open; work is ongoing for the Salem MO Spectacular planned for Oct. 24th; and a mural is being painted by Hannah Heithold behind the splash pad. The board then voted to enter closed session for the purposes of discussing real estate and attorney-client privileges. To watch this meeting recorded, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, Aug. 25th at 6:00 in the evening.

The City of Salem Parks & Recreation reminds that registration is open for Flag Football and Cheerleading with a $10 late fee until Aug. 18th. This is for those within 1st to 6th Grade, with practice to start the week of Aug. 31st and games to start Sept. 26th. The cost is $35 for Flag Football and $45 for Cheerleading. For more information, contact salemparks@salemmo.com or visit the City of Salem Parks & Recreation Facebook page at facebook.com/SalemMoParks.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be holding its regular meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium on 202 North Washington Street. After the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, any public comments will be heard. After, there will be two street closures to be considered, including one for the annual “Trunk-or-Treat” and another from Randy League for the Current Rivers’ Car Club. The board will also consider a board appointment to the Utility Committee. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider submitting an application to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) grant for the East Roosevelt Project. Meanwhile, under bids, the board will be asked to approve an emergency purchase of an additional $3,150 to inspect and reinstall the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s RAS pump. There will be two bills to be considered for approval by the board, both of which add addendums between the city and Archer-Elgin for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements. One of these addendums will allow for additional hard and electronic copies of plans and specifications to be made, while the other will allow for additional engineering scope for the disposal of existing biosolids at a cost of $128,834, funded through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Clean Water SRF Emerging Contaminants grant. There will then be reports heard from city officials, if any. The board will then take a vote to hold a closed session for the purposes of discussing real estate and litigation. The board will then adjourn. This meeting is open to the public until closed. To watch this meeting streamed live or recorded, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that Dent County Hwy. B, south of Salem, is now open at Dry Creek Bridge. Construction crew members completed the new bridge over Dry Creek and were able to reopen to all traffic Monday. Crews from Joe’s Bridge & Grading, Inc., working with MoDOT, closed Hwy. B over Dry Creek on March 6th after inspectors found a sinkhole developing near one of the supporting structures of the 86-year-old bridge.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be hauling rock on county roads 6610 and 6660, and while grading is planned for county roads 5170, 5600, 5610, 6420, and 6540. Crew members are also planning on servicing a couple of the county vehicles. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members are planning on hauling rock to County Road 3200. Grading will also be done on County Road 3200, alongside County Road 6160. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 3330, 3333, and 3337. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared that he will be attending a Solid Waste Management District meeting over Zoom on Tuesday, in which board member discussion is planned alongside discussion of the annual dinner. Further, Larson reported that a tax rate hearing is scheduled for 10:00 in the morning, during the regular Dent County Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 24th. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she has balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of July. Ben Johnson, a resident of Dent County, sought to issue a public comment regarding Flock cameras. At first, Larson attempted to stop Johnson, stating the commission had heard enough on the topic, but Johnson pressed the issue, asking Larson if he had the right to voice his opinion as a citizen of the county, to which Larson relented and allowed Johnson to continue. Johnson asked commissioners how a lawsuit would be paid if a resident is wrongfully accused through the usage of Flock technology within Dent County. The commissioners did not have an answer. Johnson further criticized the commissioners for stating they had no choice in the matter of instituting Flock technology, commenting they appoint the board members of the Dent County Opioid Fund Disbursement Board, the source of the funding for Flock cameras. On that topic, Johnson criticized how board members of the disbursement board are not publicly available. Lastly, Johnson criticized the commissioners for having a policy requiring disclosure of recording devices, stating the policy is in violation of the First Amendment. Johnson thanked the commissioners for hearing his comments. With no further business, commissioners stated that was all they had for the day unless something else walked in the door. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The University of Missouri will be holding a Fall Producers Program on Thursday, Sept. 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening at Swedeborg First Baptist Church located on 26894 Apple Street in Richland, Missouri. The program is free of charge and refreshments are to be provided. University of Missouri Field Specialists will be sharing their knowledge to help you plan for successful fall and winter cattle and pasture management. Registration is greatly appreciated. To register, call (573) 774-4766 or visit the MU Extension website at extension.missouri.edu and search “Pulaski County Fall Producers Program.”

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) will be holding its next community meeting on Monday, Aug. 17th, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening in the Walden Room at the Armory. SHP is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers new, free beds to children in need in our community, ages 3-17, who do not have a bed.  All volunteers are welcome, and the chapter is in need of additional volunteers to help with events, deliver beds, and more. Can’t make it to the meeting but interested in learning more? Please contact Patti McKeown at (703) 964-6495 or patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

An accident involving four Dent County residents occurred in Texas County Thursday afternoon at approximately 12:32 on Highway 32 three miles east of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol report, an eastbound 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 21-year-old female from Lenox, was attempting a left-hand turn when it was struck by a westbound 1996 Dodge Neon, driven by a 47-year-old Salem male. The driver of the Dodge suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. The driver of the Chevrolet, along with an infant female and a 2-year-old male, passengers both from Lenox, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to TCMH. The report stated that all four occupants of the vehicles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and towed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive at officer’s request. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Licking Police and Fire Departments.

An accident occurred Saturday evening around 11:20 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about 4 miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by a 42-year-old male from St. Louis was traveling northbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway. Then the Chevrolet struck a rock bluff and overturned. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by St. Lames ambulance to Phelps Health. The report states he was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) Board of Directors will be holding its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11th beginning at 6:00 in the evening at 2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, a tax hearing will be held. Following the tax hearing, the board will consider approval of the consent agenda, to include previous meeting minutes, financial reports, bills, and review of the budget. The board will then hear reports from Fire Chief Derek Thomas, including the monthly reimbursement report. The board will then set the date for the next meeting and then enter a closed session, if necessary. The board will then adjourn. This meeting is open to the public.

If you’ve noticed some new signage on Salem’s 4th Street, painted by Hannah Heithold of Hometown Murals, a new place to grab some breakfast fare will be opening its doors soon. Known as “Hey Honey Brunch,” the location will be having its soft opening this Tuesday from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. Come enjoy great food at “Hey Honey Brunch” located at 204 West 4th Street. For more information, contact 573-453-2882 or email heyhoneysalem@gmail.com. Follow the business on Facebook at facebook.com/HeyHoneyBrunch.

To mark this summer’s biggest meteor shower, the Perseids, Elephant Rocks State Park will be open to the public for a rare after-dark event on Friday, Aug. 14th from 8:00 to midnight. If you like stargazing or light shows and are able to brave the August bugs and heat, visit the park to create a lifelong memory. Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21, Belleview. This viewing event is free and open to the public; there is no need to register. Park staff will be available to direct you to the best and safest areas to view the shower. You do not need to use any viewing devices to see the shower, but you are welcome to bring your own devices if you want. Attendees are expected to be respectful of others and should avoid excessive noise and use of artificial light. No tents or other invasive camping equipment such as lanterns or propane heaters will be allowed, but you can bring portable chairs for seating and blankets to keep warm. Absolutely no campfires will be allowed. If there is bad weather, the event will be moved to Saturday, Aug. 15th, 8:00 to midnight.

Progressive Ozark Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), has announced that six nonprofit organizations serving south-central Missouri have been awarded grants through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund. Through the program, FHLB Des Moines and Progressive Ozark Bank provided a $10,000 investment for each organization, resulting in a total of $60,000 invested across six communities. The recipient organizations include the Dent County Public Schools Foundation (DCPSF), which plans to utilize funds for literacy and math resources, supplies for science and technology programs, and expenses for performing arts programs and field trips. Other recipients include the Texas County Food Pantry in Licking, Bright Futures in Houston, Pregnancy Resource Center in Mountain Grove, Community Center in Mansfield, and Davis Field in Hartville. Each organization will use the funding to advance programs that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

The Salem R-80 School District reminds all parents and guardians that all new and returning students must register before the first day of school. Office staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon to assist with registration. Students cannot begin classes until they are fully registered. To ensure your student is ready for the first day of school, please complete registration beforehand.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that crew members are working on the final pieces of the rehabilitation work on Phelps County Hwy. J over Interstate 44 (Exit 169). Deterioration of the bridge deck required rehabilitation to extend its useful life. Barring weather delays, contractors working with MoDOT expect to wrap up work next week and could reopen the bridge as early as Friday, Aug. 14th. Meanwhile, Hwy. 72 (Kingshighway) over I-44 in Rolla (Exit 184) remains under construction. Crews rehabilitating the bridge deck uncovered more extensive deterioration than expected, which added additional time to the first phase of work. They are completing that work now and preparing to move to the next phase. Westbound Kingshighway will remain closed during the second half of the project, while eastbound lanes are expected to remain open.