Archive for 2026

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13th at 6:00 in the evening at 2 South Main Street, Salem. After the call to order and roll call, the board will consider approval of the night’s consent agenda, containing minutes of the previous meeting, financial report and bills and a budget review. Under Old Business, the board will consider the CTI Tower lease. Under Fire Chief Derek Thomas’ reports, the monthly reimbursements will be presented. The board will then set the date for the next meeting and move into closed session, if necessary, before adjournment. These meetings are open to the public until closed.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be holding its next regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13th at 6:00 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the board approves the agenda and consent agenda, any scheduled public comments will be heard. The board will then consider approval of a patrol vehicle upfit bid and a Well No. 6 soft start invoice. The board will also consider the rejection of a cold mix asphalt bid. After, the board will hear a proposal from Virginia Lamb regarding a little free library. Community support applications will then be considered from organizations including Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Salem Mo. Fireworks, Dent Co. Extension, and the Salem Area Betterment Association. The board will then hold a discussion of City Attorney service needs and the selection process. Reports of city officials will then be heard before a vote to adjourn is made. These meetings are open to the public.

The annual Trunk or Treat on 4th Street in Salem is just around the corner. Businesses are invited to attend and make a safe and fun event for the kids of Dent County. The event will run Oct. 31st from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening on West 4th Street between MacArthur and Hwy. 19. The event will be co-hosted by Derrick Marfitt and Chris Robbins. If interested in participating and handing out candy, contact either Marfitt or Robbins by email at derrickmarfitt@gmail.com or crobbins1264@gmail.com. Information needed includes the name of your group; number of spots requested; and the point of contact for your group. Businesses will set up after the road closure and distribute candy.

The Dent County Commission held its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse, during which Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that the Dent County Sheriff’s Office has given commissioner’s notice that it is suspending Flock cameras. Larson specified that the reason why was not provided. A press release is forthcoming from the Sheriff’s Office for more information, and that press release will be disseminated with the public as soon as it is received. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that stockpiling of rock is to be done, and grading is planned for County Road 5615 and County Road 5070. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 6280. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are planning to service graders and then grade on county roads 2360, 2350, and 4380. Williams also elaborated that, with it being incredibly dry, crew members will be pushing gravel off of road ways to fix the washboard effect afflicting several county roads. The gravel will not be put back until it rains, as they will not compact properly until there is moisture. Meanwhile, County Clerk Angie Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting is to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 20th. The deadline to have an absentee ballot mailed is Oct. 21st. For more information on the upcoming election, search Facebook for the Dent County Elections/County Clerk-Angie Curley Facebook page, contact the county clerk’s office at 573-729-4144, or email dent@sos.mo.gov. There will be no Dent County Commission meeting held on Monday morning, as the courthouse will be closed in observance of Columbus Day, Oct. 12th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, Oct. 15th beginning at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse. These meetings are open to the public.

Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams has reported on the sales tax received for the month of September. For General Revenue, the county has received $98,252.19; this is up year-to-date $17,240.80. For the Road and Bridge department, the county has received $49,121.64; this is up year-to-date $15,380.91. Finally, for the county jails, the county has received $98,664.69; this is up year-to-date $29,968.18.

The Salem Police Department is introducing a bicycle registration program, CycleSafe, to help increase the likelihood of lost or stolen bicycles being returned to their owners beginning on Thursday, Oct. 15th. To register, bring your bicycle to the Salem Police Department located on 500 North Jackson Street. An officer will record your bicycle’s identifying information in the registration log and issue a registration number to be placed on your bike. The registration form will require the owner’s name, phone number, and address so the police department can make contact if your bicycle is recovered. For questions or to receive a registration form ahead of time, email Detective Stephenson at tstephenson@salemmo.com or contact 573-729-4242.

Not only is being a poll worker an excellent way to participate in our democracy, but it’s also a paid position. Poll workers are paid for their service on Election Day and often for attending training sessions prior to Election Day. Your local election authority determines how much you will be paid. Poll workers and election judges staff polling places on Election Day and help ensure the voting process goes smoothly. Poll workers check in registered voters, answer questions and make sure everyone who is eligible is given the opportunity to vote. You will need to attend at least one training session conducted by your local election authority prior to Election Day. These training sessions usually take place about four to six weeks prior to Election Day and provide you with everything you need to know about the voting equipment used in your jurisdiction, legal processes and procedures, along with information for answering voter questions. The amount of time required for training will vary based on your election jurisdiction, but usually lasts from two to eight hours. Poll workers must open the polls at 6:00 in the morning on Election Day and keep them open until 7:00 in the evening. Qualifications sought in a potential poll worker include being a registered voter; being able to speak, read, and write English; not appearing on the current ballot or have a close relative appear on the current ballot; and not holding an elective office at the time of service as a poll worker. If you’re interested in signing up to be a poll worker, visit the Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/pollworker for more information, such as frequently asked questions and to sign-up. If more information is desired, contact Dent County Clerk Angie Curley’s office at 573-729-4144 or email dent@sos.mo.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission will be presenting 16 individual awards and two organizational awards at its Annual Dinner on October 29th at the Bear River Ranch in Phelps County. Each year, the MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time and talents and give support to their communities. Two individuals being recognized by the MRPC for their Outstanding Contributions to a Community in the immediate area are Ed Carmack of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; and Stevie Kearse of Rolla, nominated by MRPC Board Member Aimee Campbell. Two organizations are also being recognized for Outstanding Contributions to the community, and they are the Dent County Historical Society, nominated by MRPC Board Member John Smith; and the “Love Thy Neighbor” program in Dent County, nominated by MRPC Board Member Shawn Bolerjack. The public is invited to attend the event in Phelps County. The deadline for reservations is October 16th. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993. A reception, featuring a silent auction, will begin at 5:30 the evening on October 29th. Dinner, catered by Bear River Ranch, will be served buffet-style starting at 6:30 with a program and awards presentation following. Dinner will be smoked ribs, barbeque grilled chicken, house salad, baked potato bar, grilled corn on the cob, rolls, peach cobbler and German chocolate cake. The 2026 Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient remains a secret until announced at the Annual Dinner. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993.

Find out how to skin and process the deer you harvest this year at a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Deer Processing Workshop at the Rolla MDC Office at 12655 State Route Y, Rolla. This workshop will be instructed by Dwight Warnke on Saturday, Oct. 10th beginning at 1:00 and ending at 4:00 in the afternoon. Registrants must be 11 years old by the day of the workshop. MDC staff will process a deer and take you from skinning, to deboning, to packaging the venison for your freezer. Staff will discuss equipment and tools used and provide answers to any questions you may have about the do-it-yourself processing. All attendees must be registered for the workshop. Registration is limited to 50 participants ages 11 and older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult attendee. To register, visit mdc.mo.gov/events and put “Rolla” in the “Location” tab to find the event called “Deer Hunting: Field to Freezer.”

The City of Salem will begin a planned street improvement project on Pershing Avenue on Wednesday. The project will include the entire length of Pershing Avenue, from the intersection with Scenic Rivers Boulevard and continuing north to where Pershing Avenue ends at 10th Street. Crews will first remove the top layer of the existing pavement. The street will then be repaved with a 2-inch asphalt overlay. The city has a $306,797 contract with Pierce Asphalt, LLC. to complete the project. This was a planned and budgeted street improvement and will be paid for with Motor Fuel Tax funds. These are funds the city receives from the tax paid on gasoline and other motor fuel, designated for local street improvements. Drivers and residents along Pershing Avenue should expect construction equipment, temporary traffic delays, and possible lane restrictions while work is underway. Please use caution, follow posted signs and directions from crews, and give workers plenty of room.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors has released a notice of vacancy for the director of election district four. The vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment by the remaining board of directors. The appointee will hold office until the municipal election to be held in April 2027. Candidates for director of the hospital district shall be a citizen of the United States, voter of election district four, have resided for one year in that district for one year preceding the election, and be at least 30 years of age. Those interested in being considered can complete and file a Request for Appointment obtained in person at the administrative office of the hospital between 8:00 in the morning and 4:30 in the afternoon Monday through Friday. Applicants are expected to appear at the regular board meeting on Oct. 27th for a brief interview. District boundary information can be obtained at the administrative office. For more information, contact Salem Memorial Hospital at 573-729-6626.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will be holding two open-house style informational meetings to provide the public an update on improvements along Interstate-44 in and near the communities of Rolla and St. James. Both meetings will be held next Tuesday, Oct. 13th with no formal presentation, allowing attendees to come and go at the designated hours. The materials presented at both locations will be the same, so interested parties can choose the time and location that is most convenient for them. In Rolla located at the Rolla City Hall, 901 North Elm Street, the meeting will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon. In St. James located at the St. James Council Chambers, 1320 Nelson Hart Drive, the meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening. MoDOT is committed to providing equal access to these events for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation or translation service, please contact MoDOT by calling 573-522-5178 or by emailing CDCR@modot.mo.gov so arrangements can be made.

The Dent County Fire Protection District reminds county residents that a Burn Ban remains in effect until its expiration on Oct. 17th. The Dent County Commission has not reversed the Burn Ban. Although parts of Dent County have received rain, the entirety of the southern portion of the county remains dry, as well as other areas throughout the county. Outdoor burning and open burning are prohibited, including the burning of trees, logs, brush, stumps, leaves, grass clippings and other vegetative material, as well as burn barrels and agricultural burning. Anyone maintaining an outdoor fire may be held responsible for fire suppression costs and damages caused by the fire. Violations of the ordinance may constitute a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 365 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. Limited exceptions are provided within the ordinance, including cooking or grilling with charcoal, wood, propane, or natural gas in appropriate cooking/grilling appliances, as well as certain heating,