Archive for 2026

Dent County Clerk Angie Curley has been working for Dent County as the election authority since 1988. She was surprised recently at the annual fall conference of the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities (MACCEA) with the Rosemary Plitt Award for Excellence in Election Administration. This prestigious award is given by the Missouri Secretary of State’s office to honor Rosemary Plitt, an election authority of St. Louis who excelled in her community and her election administration. Out of all the county clerks within Missouri, one is chosen to receive the award, nominated and voted on by their peers. Curley was surprised at the conference with not just the award, but her family was hidden at the conference to come out and celebrate the achievement when it was announced. Congratulations, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley, and thank you for your dedication to the community!

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Not in attendance was District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported on behalf of both districts: for district one, pipes are being installed by crew members on County Road 4215 and 4080, alongside ditch work and hauling rock on County Road 4080. A truck is down for maintenance. For district two, crew members are upgrading pipes on County Road 4283, and a grader is being serviced. Green notified the public that Blevin’s Asphalt will be in the county on Friday to begin chip and seal topcoating on various roads. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s report, he shared congratulations to County Clerk Angie Curley for receiving the Rosemary Plitt Award at the fall conference of the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities (MACCEA.) Larson commented that the award was well-deserved. Larson also reported he will attend several meetings with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Friday evening. Curley reported that bills are to be approved and that commissioners have reviewed and approved the August monthly reports. Under public comments, resident Tammy Hulsey requested clarification from commissioners on County Road 5280 and if there were records to reflect that it was decommissioned by the county. After discussion, Hulsey was instructed to speak with the Recorder of Deeds and the Assessor, and that Green would look into the issue further. The next regular meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday, Sept. 14th at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Dent County Clerk’s Office has given notice that a public test of the automatic absentee voting equipment is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21st at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Dent County Courthouse. This test is open for public viewing.

The Missouri Rural Health Conference was held on Sept. 10th. During this annual event, 2026 Rural Health Excellence Awards for the categories of Innovation, Advocacy, and Leadership are given. Zachary Moser of Dent County was awarded the 2026 Rural Health Excellence Award for Leadership. His wife, Mary Moser, was there to accept the award on his behalf.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After approval of the agenda, the board approved the consent agenda, containing Aug. 25th public hearing and regular meeting minutes, municipal court monthly report, and the police department monthly report. Following, the board heard a public comment from Dave Davison, representing a group against data centers advocating for a ban for the city. Another public comment was heard from Lana Grove, who spoke as a representative of citizens concerned about non-disclosure agreements. Grove encouraged board members not to sign NDAs, warning that it would be a conflict of interest and could interfere with the Sunshine Law. Next, the board approved the appointment of the assistant city clerk, who was then sworn into office led by City Clerk Tammy Koller. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved the renewal of the annual Laserfiche cloud subscription agreement with Sumner One, enabling staff to scan, store, and preserve documents electronically. Also approved was a contract for uniform rental services from Cintas Corporation No. 2. This is a contract term of 5 years. Cintas provides uniforms which are then routinely laundered, repaired, and replaced, as needed. For bids, the board approved a bid from Flynn Drilling at an anticipated, budgeted cost of $120,000 for Well No. 6, which requires repairs and equipment replacement due to age and conditions of pump, starter, and associated wiring. Finally, the board approved, after a thorough discussion, a change order to the contract with Midstate Pipeline Maintenance LLC. for the wastewater treatment facility phase 2A improvements. In city reports, City Administrator Sally Burbridge introduced to the board several new employees of the city, including Kyle Wofford, water and wastewater superintendent, and Matt Hutzel, wastewater lead man. Mayor Greg Parker presented a proclamation recognizing Missouri Good Neighbor Week, observing Sept. 28th through Oct. 4th. Parker encouraged everyone to connect with their neighbors through a small act of kindness. Alderwoman Catherine Dent reported on the movements of Advocates for Animals, who are continuing to fundraise and complete TNR with Dr. Gabby Moore. The board then adjourned. The next regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, Sept. 22nd and is open to the public. To watch past meetings, visit the City of Salem Youtube page at youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

Healthy Dent County will host their 15th Annual “Girls Night Out” today starting at 4:30 and lasting until 7:30. This event is for women and girls age 12 and older ONLY, and there is a $5.00 charge to attend. Ladies will find a variety of vendors as they browse the many aisles enjoying the numerous product selections. Healthy Dent County is also hosting a food drive during this event! Bring in any non perishable canned food for a chance to win a gift card. One ticket per item. The more you donate, the more your chances increase to win the gift card. The food donations will be given to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Grace Harbor. Enjoy an evening out with friends, do some shopping, have a little fun, and take time to treat yourself to an evening with the girls!

The Salem Public Library will be hosting an event on Sept. 15th at 10:00 in the morning with author Sivani Ishaya who will be reading her new book “The Golden Hum” in the children’s section of the library. After the reading, an activity is planned for children to participate in. A copy of the book will be available for check-out. This program is intended for children ages 3 to 8 and is free to attend with no library card required.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial Hospital will hold a special meeting Thursday evening, Sept. 10th, at 6:00 in the evening. After approval of the agenda, the board will enter executive session for the discussion of personnel.

The City of Salem Planning & Zoning Board of Commissioners will be meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium on 202 N. Washington Street. After the call to order, anyone that wishes to speak will be recognized for a public hearing. Conditional use for vacation properties will be considered, including on 809 W. Glendale; 400 and 402 S. MacArthur and 403 S. Henderson; 601 S. Carty; and 700 S. Askins. Another will be considered for conditional use for esthetician services located at 603 S. Carty St, while another will be considered for subdivision plat correction for the Westwood N. Subdivision located in the 1000-1200 block on the northside of W. Roosevelt. Finally, approval or recommendation of a planned community development with 40 units on the property located at 301 E. Tenth St., owned by the City of Salem, will be considered. The public hearing will then be closed and the meeting will begin, with the board to consider each property accordingly. The board will then adjourn. To watch meetings live, visit the City of Salem Youtube page at youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Labor Day holiday. Eight people died and 82 were injured in 213 traffic crashes during the 2026 Labor Day holiday counting period, which began at 6 pm. Friday, September 4, 2026, and continued through 11:59 pm. Monday, September 7, 2026. The Patrol also made 123 arrests for DWI. Additionally, there were 9 boating crashes resulting in 1 injury. There were no fatalities or drownings, and 5 people were arrested for BWI. During the 2025 Labor Day holiday counting period the Patrol investigated 252 traffic crashes involving four fatalities and 123 injuries. Statewide, six people died and 423 were injured in 931 vehicle crashes in 2025. Nine boating crashes were investigated throughout Missouri in 2025. Further details related to the traffic crashes and arrests can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website. The fatality statistics could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media.

A press release received Sept. 4th from the Office of the United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Missouri, Thomas C. Albus, states that a caregiver of Dent County, Loretta Pyeatt, pleaded guilty in the US District Court in St. Louis to one count of fraud in connection with access devices. Pyeatt admitted that she worked for a victim from roughly July 2023 to September 2025. At the time she started, the victim had at least $232,026 and was receiving Social Security Administration retirement benefits and Veteran’s Affairs benefits monthly. He gave Pyeatt his debit cards so she could buy groceries for him. Pyeatt, however, used the card to make cash withdrawals and additional unauthorized purchases. Before Pyeatt started working for the victim, he had 20 to 30 debit transactions per month. That ballooned to as many as 330 transactions per month. By July 2025, the victim’s account balance had declined to less than $5,600. Pyeatt is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9th. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both prison and a fine. The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolene Taaffe is prosecuting.