Archive for 2026

Three men who have been accused of involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Dent County were arrested Monday, Oct. 5th, according to a press release from the office of the United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Missouri, Thomas C. Albus. Those accused include William Wind, age 59, Thomas Wind, age 60, and David Gray, age 58, who all were indicted in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Sept. 16th with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment alleges the drug conspiracy lasted from Jan. 1st, 2025, to at least February 2026. Each man also faces one count of possession with the intent to distribute meth, and Thomas Wind faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of three pistols and five rifles seized during the investigation. Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. Those who assisted in the case include the FBI; the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement Task Force (RADE), which is comprised of officers from the Rolla Police Department, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office; the Salem Police Department; the Licking Police Department; the Texas County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri’s Operation Relentless Pursuit, a coordinated, intelligence-led law enforcement initiative to locate and apprehend fugitives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mohsen Pasha is prosecuting the case.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be grading on county roads 5610, 2460, and 5070. Crew members will also be stock piling rock, changing grader blades, and cutting brush on County Road 6280. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members are to be grading on County Road 2310 and cutting brush on County Road 3305 and County Road 3295. Grader blades and tires will be changed. Commissioners further reported that the county-wide burn ban enacted Sept. 17th for a 30-day period is still in effect due to current drought conditions. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that commissioners have reviewed September’s collections, abatements, and add-ons. Bills and Payroll are to be approved. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that Fair Ballot Language for the Nov. 3rd General Election has been received and is able to be provided to those who request it. There are four constitutional amendments and one proposition to be voted on. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the Dent County Courthouse. There will be no County Commission meeting on Monday, Oct. 12th in observance of Columbus Day.

This past weekend at Montauk State Park saw the 63rd annual Rose Holland Trout Derby, an American Heart Association (AHA) fundraiser. This year raised a record breaking amount of $16,923 for the AHA. The Current River Cruisers Club held a Cruise-in on Friday night, raising $2,348 for the AHA. For Saturday and Sunday, fishing tags sold included 1,398 adults and 185 youth. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) released 100 tagged fish Friday night with a total of 56 caught over the two-day derby. The men’s heaviest fish was 5 lb. 11 oz. caught by Gavin Steinborn of Hazelwood, Mo. The women’s heaviest fish was 3 lb. 8 oz. caught by Vicky Hagen of Norton, Kansas. Heaviest brown trout was 2 lb. 2 oz. by Christina Potts of Houston, Mo. Next year’s event is planned for Oct. 2nd through Oct. 3rd, 2027. This information is provided by Darlene Griffith, Derby Chairman.

The Salem Public Library has a book club that meets once a month and is open to everyone, whether you have a library card or not. The program is intended for adults. Join the book club on Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 1:00 in the afternoon in the conference room to discuss either “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson or “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James. For more information on how to participate, ask a librarian at the circulation desk or call 573-729-4331.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, Planning Manager Anne Freand, and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Meramec Area Engineer are preparing to travel throughout the region’s counties to discuss transportation needs on the state roadway systems with county officials and concerned citizens. The meeting for Dent County will be conducted on Nov. 2nd at 10:00 in the morning at the Dent County Courthouse within the commissioner’s meeting room. This meeting will be open to the public.

An accident occurred in Dent County Saturday morning at approximately 7:35 on Hwy. 72 four miles west of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2019 Hyundai Sonata, driven by a 54-year-old Salem woman, slowed to make a left turn when a 2015 Nissan Altima, driven by a 16-year-old Salem juvenile, struck the rear of the Hyundai. Both drivers suffered minor injuries and were transported to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated both drivers were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totalled and removed from the scene, the Hyundai by American Automotive and the Nissan by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members would be grading on the following county roads: 5610, 2490, 2450, and – if time allows – 2460. Patching is also to be completed on several chip and seal roads. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members would be working on maintenance for several county vehicles, including replacing a tire on the pup trailer; replacing tires on truck #75; preparing truck #72 for sale; servicing truck #70; and installing a fuel tank in truck #66. Concrete had been poured and a culvert installed on County Road 3200 this week. Green reported that fuel bids for 7,500 gallons of diesel had been received at $5.007 from MFA; $4.99 from Phil-Mart; and $5.10 from County Fuels. The bid was approved for Phil-Mart at $4.99 a gallon. In addition, commissioners approved the yearly renewal for health insurance for county staff. Health insurance increased 1.6%. Commissioners also received a routine quarterly update from representatives of the county’s property and automobile insurance company, Ollis Akers & Arney. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that sample ballots have been received by her office and are able to be given to voters upon request. Fair ballot language will be shipped out to the county clerk’s office at the beginning of this week. Curley stated fair ballot language should be available for Dent County voters by the end of this week. Curley further notified that all voters who use the Northwood R-IV for their polling location will be voting in the newly built FEMA gym rather than the regular gym for this coming election. For more information, visit sos.mo.gov/elections. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be this morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and is open to the public.