Archive for 2026

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has approved the FY 2027-2031 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP.) The program lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies from July 1st, 2026 – June 30th, 2031. The five-year program is one of the largest to date and includes additional funding from General Revenue, passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Funding is allocated for improvements to Interstates 70 and 44 as well as improvements to airports and roadways. The STIP makes available 13 billion dollars of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $13 billion, the STIP details $9.3 billion in contractor awards for road and bridge construction – averaging approximately $1.8 billion per year. In Dent County, scoping for bridge improvements on Route B over the Meramec River is scheduled for the 2026-27 year, while bridge rehab on Highway 19 over Spring Creek, repairing part of Highway 19 about 3/10ths of a mile south of Dent County Road 4050 caused by the 2024 November flood, and the Highway 32 bridge replacement over Huzzah Creek is all scheduled in the next fiscal year to be done. Other projects to be done in the 2026-27 year are the scour repair and painting of the Route B bridge over Dry Branch from the November 2024 flood, and pavement resurfacing of Route C from Highway 72 to Highway 32. Other Dent County projects in future years are the Route FF bridge improvements over Dry Fork Creek, Route H bridge improvements over Dry Fork Creek and the Barnitz Prong Dry Creek, bridge improvements on Highway 32 over the Dry Fork Creek and Pigeon Creek, pavement resurfacing on Route P from Highway 72 to the end of state maintenance which will also include Route JJ from Route N to the end of state maintenance, and the building of a new bridge on Route TT over Crooked Creek. The STIP details improvements to Missouri’s 33,814 miles of highway and 10,427 bridges and culverts. The draft version of the STIP was released in May for public review, with MoDOT receiving 65 comments.

Interstate 44 in downtown St. Louis, between the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Poplar Street Bridge, has reopened. The work to support the bridge column exposed by the recent water and sewer breaks under I-44 has been completed; however, Broadway near Biddle will remain closed for an extended amount of time as several utilities, including the Metropolitan Sewer District and the city’s water department, must complete work at the scene. The following remains closed: Eastbound I-70 express lanes at Union Boulevard; Broadway exit (292B) from westbound I-44; and Broadway is closed in both directions north of Biddle, which restricts access to the eastbound I-44 on ramp.

The Salem Police Department reminds the public of the ordinance related to the discharge of fireworks, which states fireworks only may be discharged from July 1st through July 6th from 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 in the evening, except for July 4th which allows discharging fireworks until midnight. Only Class 1.4G fireworks in unmodified form are allowed to be discharged during those times. It is against the law for those under the age of 18 to be in possession of fireworks without the direct supervision of a parent, guardian, or person over the age of 18. Do not discharge fireworks on public property, public roadways, or from a motor vehicle.

Everyone is invited to Montauk State Park’s Amphitheater this Friday at 9:00 in the evening for a tour of Montauk from its founding to today. A slide show will be shown highlighting dozens of incredible photos from the archives. Everyone is invited to learn about the vibrant milling community that existed at the location long before it became a park. Tour Montauk through the decades as staff celebrates the park’s 100th anniversary with a centennial summer event. Interested parties can also visit the Montauk Mill this Sunday from 10:30 in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon to learn about its history and what life was like 100 years ago along the Upper Current River.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will be holding a Salem Community Blood Drive at the First Baptist Church of Salem on 201 North MacArthur Avenue on Tuesday, July 7th from noon to 6:00 in the evening. While supplies last, donors can look forward to receiving a free velour beach towel, along with a chance to win a $10,000 dream vacation. For rules and details, visit cbco.org/vacation. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to minimize potential wait times. Call 417-227-5006 to book yours. Donors are asked to take a few steps to ensure donations operate smoothly on the day of the drive: drink plenty of water the night and morning before you donate; eat a well-balanced meal around 2 to 3 hours before giving; and bring your photo ID, as this is required now for all donors.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters to apply online from July 1st through July 31st for a shot at more than 140 managed deer hunts throughout the state. There are hunts for archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at designated conservation areas, parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed deer hunts are offered specifically for youth, beginner hunters, or people with disabilities. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1st at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. In order to register for a hunt, you will need a valid conservation ID.

The Salem Public Library will be holding a local author book signing on Tuesday, July 7th with fantasy author B.D. Welch and her novel “Tiny Dragon: The Chainbreaker Rebellion.”  “Tiny Dragon” is a fantasy adventure full of thieves, dragons, rebels, secrets, and one very unusual tiny dragon named Clive. Meet the author, check out the book, and stay after for an author read-aloud!

The Salem Police Department has released that on Sunday, patrolmen conducted a traffic stop near North Grand Street and Rolla Road for a speeding violation. During the traffic stop, officers conducted a driver’s license check and found the driver, Bradley Land, was operating the vehicle while driving privileges were suspended. Land was subsequently placed under arrest. A records check of the passenger identified as Ginger Land revealed an active warrant in Texas County for the charges of both sodomy in the first degree and sexual contact in the course of duty. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail and held, pending further proceedings. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The City of Salem has released that with the rising summer temperatures, the Salem Police Department lobby and the Old City Hall will be made available as cooling centers if extreme heat conditions occur. If the need arises, contact the Police Department at 573-729-4242 and city staff will open the Old City Hall to provide relief from the heat for anyone needing a safe, air-conditioned place to cool off. Folks can also visit the Salem Public Library for needed cooling. The library is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 10:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening on Thursday; and 10:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. No library card is required. The heat wave previously reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been extended to over the July 4th weekend, into Tuesday, July 7th. Heat indices of 100-110 degrees are possible. Stay safe, hydrated, and frequently check on friends, family, and neighbors.

A list of maintenance and construction work planned for Dent County this week has been released by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Highway DD, FF, and U have pavement repairs planned through today. One lane will remain open. The bridge over Dry Creek on Highway B remains closed with its project scheduled for completion in July. The resurfacing project along Highway 32 through Dent County began yesterday with work to take place during nighttime hours from 7:00 in the evening to 6:00 in the morning. That project is expected to be completed by September. Pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem on Highway 19 and 32, expected to be completed in September. Most routine work zones will stop for the Independence Day holiday, but some long-term work zones and closures will remain in place. If possible, work zones will stop at noon on Thursday, July 2nd, and resume the morning of Monday, July 6th. 

Get outside and discover nature with frogging season! The season will continue through Oct. 31st after beginning just this week. Anyone with a fishing permit or small game hunting permit may go frogging for bullfrogs and green frogs. The daily limit, combined for both species of bullfrogs and green frogs, is eight. With a fishing permit, frogs may be taken by gig, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line. With a hunting permit, frogs may be taken by crossbow, pellet gun, or .22 or smaller caliber rim-fire rifle or pistol. With either permit frogs may be taken by hand, hand net, bow, or atlatl. Frogs may be pursued during the day or at night with an artificial light. Ponds, lakes and river banks, wetlands, and other vegetated waterways are all great places to find frogs. 

This July 4th Independence Day, which is the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there will be numerous events going on in Salem. At 7:30 in the morning, there will be a pickleball tournament at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The Salem Community Choir will be singing at the Salem City Hall Auditorium with the first performance at 2:00 followed by a second performance at 4:00. Near 5:00, food trucks, vendors and boutiques will be opening near the pavilion, and Devon Sutterfield will begin performing. There will be a break in the music just in time to head down to the parade route and pick a spot. The parade starts at 6:00 in the evening from Grand and Franklin, traveling north on MacArthur, then east on 4th Street to the courthouse square. At the conclusion of the parade, the Salem Community Center @ The Armory will be open from 6:30 to 9:00 with free use of their three bounce houses and gymnasium for basketball and pickleball. Children must be supervised by their parents. Also at the Salem City Park, Sutterfield will resume performing and those attending can check out the vendors and food trucks while waiting for the fireworks. At 9:25, the Leathers Family will sing our National Anthem followed by the fireworks show that will begin around 9:30 at the Salem City Park. If you are unable to attend the parade, KSMO Media will stream the parade beginning around 6:15 on ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stream Facebook and the KSMO YouTube Channel.

Dent County Health Center’s community transportation service, CareCab, is here to help you get where you need to go, safely and reliably. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, a local event, a job interview, or a visit with a friend, CareCab makes it easier for you to stay connected and independent. CareCab is a local ride service for Dent County residents without reliable transportation. To book a ride with CareCab, visit dentcountyhealthcenter.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. If you need wheelchair-accessible transportation or assistance with mobility, you are encouraged to contact SMTS for specialized services.

An accident occurred Sunday afternoon around 2:40 in Phelps County in the 21000 Block of Highway J. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2005 Toyota Camry, driven by a 21-year-old male of Rolla, travelled off of the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, then travelled off of the left side of the roadway, overcorrected, and travelled off the right side of the roadway, where it struck a fence and a tree. A 29-year-old female passenger from Rolla was pronounced deceased at the scene at 2:40 by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. The report stated that neither occupant was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members plan to haul rock to County Road 6580 and where needed; grade on county roads 6410, 6435, and 6580; and cut brush on County Road 6580. Patching is planned for the Bunker area, where a few washouts occurred with heavy rains over the weekend. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members plan to haul rock to county roads 3305, 3390, and where needed; grade county roads 5330, 5333, 3110, 3305, 3295, 3253, and 3255; and cut brush along chip-and-seal roads on 3260, 3265, 3270, 3273, and 3275. Resident Katie Ann Gaither asked commissioners for their goals for this year. Commissioners answered their goals are maintaining and repairing infrastructure, which includes tackling the challenge of utilizing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for eligible projects affected by the flooding of November 2024. Meanwhile, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson cautioned that he may be absent in upcoming meetings due to his wife’s health. County Clerk Angie Curley reminds voters and residents that the voter registration deadline for the Aug. 4th Primary Election is July 8th. Excused absentee voting continues through Aug. 3rd, with 20 votes cast so far. No excuse absentee voting begins July 21st. She further notified that the County Clerk’s Office will be open for absentee voting in the morning of Saturday, Aug. 1st from 8:00 to noon. Payroll and bills are to be approved. Curley reminds businesses within Dent County that liquor licenses are due by June 30th. The county commission will also be conducting a closed session this afternoon at 1:00. The next regularly scheduled open session meeting of the Dent County Commission is Thursday, July 2nd at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Bunker R-III Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, the board approved both May and June expenditures with one abstention from board member Allen Ritter. Budget amendments for the 2025-26 school year, to reflect actual receipts, expenditures, and transfers, were approved. Several bids for the 2026-27 school year were also approved, including from Holloway Distributing for bread; Hiland Dairy for milk; Ferrall Gas for propane; and Mike Ragsdale Construction for asphalt. Other items approved by the board included: a Pepsi Contract for the 2026-27 school year; a weight equipment bid from Big Time Results, LLC.; calendar changes for the 2026-27 school year; an early check to Santander; and the AMI Plan for the 2026-27 school year. Finally, the board approved the 2026-27 school year budget and salary schedule, as presented. The board then went into closed session and approved several hires, including Andrea Cromer as Special Education Aide, pending substitute certificate and background check; Eva Hodges as a substitute teacher, cook, and full-time bus driver; and Mike Plank as the bus lease coordinator for the 2026-27 school year. The board also approved resending DJ Goodwin’s bus lease coordinator contract. The board then adjourned. The next meeting of the Bunker R-III Board of Education will be 6:00 in the evening on Thursday, July 16th at Bunker R-III and is open to the public.

This week is supposed to be incredibly hot and incredibly humid, to boot. A heat advisory for the area has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) through Friday this week, with a daily heat index ranging between 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat can strain vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Plan accordingly and limit prolonged heat exposure, and keep an eye on friends, family, and neighbors. The Salem Public Library is a cooling center and is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 10:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening on Thursday; and 10:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. No library card is required.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers beds to children who do not have a bed. If interested in lending a hand or learning more, the SHP Dent County chapter will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 7th, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening. This meeting will take place at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Conference Room. There will be discussions on upcoming events, needs, and more. More updates from the chapter can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/shpdentco.