Archive for 2026

This is a Notice of Public Hearing. The Dent County Fire Protection District Board will be holding a public tax levy hearing at the Dent County Fire Protection District Firehouse located at #2 South Main on Tuesday, Aug. 11th at 6:30 in the evening. The meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission has given notice that its regular meeting scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6th has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Dent County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning Monday, Aug. 10th at the courthouse.

An accident occurred early Sunday morning around 3:35 in Pulaski County on Highway O at the intersection of Concord Road. According to the highway patrol report a 2017 GMC Canyon driven by a 45-year-old female from Dixon travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by Dixon Ambulance District to Phelps Health Rolla. The report states she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by TC Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 12:18 in Phelps County at 16226 Highway O. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by a 34-year-old female from St. James was travelling northbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Heath by Phelps Health EMS. The report states she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was towed by Tunes Towing.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library.  A presentation was given by the auditing firm Wipfli for the 2025 Fiscal Year audit, led by Paul Traczek and David Goodman. A clean opinion on the financial statements for 2025 was issued. Key highlights included a noted operating margin of 1.4%, net days inpatient accounts receivable at 62 days, an average financial age of 19 years or fixed assets, and a debt service coverage ratio of 4.08. Several internal control issues were flagged in need of improvement, including segregation of duties due to limited staff, and 29 audit adjustments causing a $3 million decrease to the bottom line, credited to late reconciliations from 2024 and the 2024 audit. Despite this decrease, Goodman noted that there was still a positive bottom line with income from operations over $500,000 in comparison to a loss in 2024 of $2.5 million. Traczek wrapped up the presentation by noting that the landscape of rural healthcare is changing rapidly, due to Medicaid and Medicare funding changes, incoming impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), and the Rural Health Transformation fund allocating $50 billion over the next five years, split into two $25 billion tranches. The first $25 billion will be distributed through the states. In Missouri, $216 million has been allocated for the state to disburse, with anticipation of $200 million being allocated to the state annually over the next four years. The next tranche of $25 billion will be distributed directly by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through competitive applications with a requirement of “innovation” for proposals. All $50 billion must be expended or have a congressionally approved plan by the end of the 5‑year program period. Traczek encouraged board members and staff to stay updated on these upcoming changes and challenges and continue looking for grant opportunities as they come available. The board approved the audit, as presented. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be held on Aug. 25th at 6:45 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public. At that time, a tax hearing will precede regular business.

The Salem R-80 High School will be holding another walk-in registration day this Thursday, Aug. 6th for anyone needing a device or internet connection to complete their online registration for the upcoming school year. This will be held from 8:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon.  Please enter through the High School library’s doors. If you have already completed your registration, or plan to register on your own device, you do not need to attend.

A traveling exhibit on loan from the State Historical Society of Missouri Springfield Research Center has landed at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, titled “Broadcasting the Ozarks: A History of RadiOzark Enterprises.” The exhibit showcases the history of Springfield’s RadiOzark Enterprises, the company behind nationally-known syndicated radio programs such as The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, The Red Foley Show, and Shorty Thompson’s Dalle Rockin’ Rhythm. At the exhibit, learn about Springfield’s legacy as the “Crossroads of Country Music” and the RadiOzark Record Collection housed at the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Springfield Research Center.

In the July 30th edition of Your World Today, there was a reported accident that occurred on July 28th involving two juveniles in a 2011 Ford Focus at 13900 Highway E. We need to issue a correction to this story: the 16 year old female juvenile that was driving is from Vienna, Missouri. The 16 year old female juvenile passenger is from Rolla, Missouri. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

An accident occurred around 10:35 in Dent County on Friday evening on Hwy. 32 about 500 feet west of County Road 2405. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Ford F150 driven by a 59-year-old male from Salem was travelling westbound and struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian from Cook Station walking in the roadway. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was flown by Mercy Life Line to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Ford sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 6:30 in Phelps County on Hwy. 68 near County Road 4470. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Dodge Dart driven by a 30-year-old female from Salem was travelling southbound and hydroplaned off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence and overturned. The female suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health. The report goes on to state she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 12:18 in Phelps County at 16226 Hwy O. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by a 34-year-old female from St. James was travelling northbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Heath by Phelps Health EMS. The report states she was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was towed by Tunes Towing.

According to a post on the City of Salem Facebook page, there have been reports of businesses and entities receiving emails with Secure Documents and a potential title of, “Annual Special Report – City of Salem 2026” allegedly sent on behalf of the mayor. This IS NOT communication from the City of Salem. The city strongly urges residents to not click any links in such an email. This email does not originate from an actual city email address. For more information, you can contact the city administration office at (573) 729-4811.

The Dent County Commission has cancelled its meeting for this morning at the courthouse, as commissioners have been invited to attend Congressman Jason Smith’s annual farm tour. The next County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning Thursday and will be open to the public.

The Missouri’s 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins on August 7th at 12:01 in the morning and continues through Sunday, August 9th until midnight. Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by statute, are exempt from all state and local sales or use taxes for this time period only. The sales tax exemption is limited to clothing with any article having a taxable value of $100 or less; school supplies that do not exceed $50 per purchase; computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less; personal computers that do not exceed $1,500; computer peripheral devices that do not to exceed $1,500; and graphing calculators that do not exceed $150. In the “clothing” category, this includes any article of wearing apparel intended to be worn on or about the human body including, but not limited to, disposable diapers for infants or adults and footwear. The term shall include but not be limited to, cloth and other material used to make school uniforms or other school clothing. Items normally sold in pairs shall not be separated to qualify for the exemption. The term shall not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, or belt buckles. In the “personal computers” category, this would include laptop, desktop, or tower computer systems which consists of a central processing unit, random access memory, a storage drive, a display monitor, a keyboard, and devices designed for use in conjunction with a personal computer, such as a disk drive, memory module, compact disk drive, daughterboard, digitalizer, microphone, modem, motherboard, mouse, multimedia speaker, printer, scanner, single-user hardware, single-user operating system, soundcard, or video card. In the “school supplies” category, this would include items normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes, including but not limited to, textbooks, notebooks, paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, handheld calculators, graphing calculators, chalk, maps, and globes. The term shall not include watches, radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop telephones, copiers or other office equipment, furniture, or fixtures. School supplies shall also include graphing calculators valued at $150 or less and computer software having a taxable value of $350 or less.

Healthy Dent County and Titan Paving & Yard Drainage invites the community to an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and audience participation at its Dueling Pianos Fundraiser this Friday at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The event will feature The Flying Ivories, an exciting dueling-piano act that combines live music, comedy, sing-alongs, and audience requests. Gather your friends and prepare for a lively evening. Line Dancing and Karaoke will also be part of this fun evening. Doors are to open at 5:30 in the evening and the show will be from 6:30 to 9:30 in the evening. A VIP table for six is $250, and individual tickets are $25. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. There will be concessions and a cash bar at the event. For more information about The Flying Ivories, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/flyingivories. For event questions, call 573-729-8163 or email Jackie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at approximately 5:00 on Highway 32 at County Road 5020. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 1998 Ford Contour, driven by an 18-year-old Salem man, experienced a mechanical failure, traveled off the right side of the roadway, and struck a fence.  A 19-year-old male passenger suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. The driver suffered minor injuries and was also transported by Salem Ambulance to SMH. The report stated that neither driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:50 on Highway 32 about 10 miles west of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2001 Chevrolet 2500, driven by a 54-year-old Salem man, was exiting a private driveway. A westbound 2006 Harley Davidson, driven by a 63-year-old Salem man, crested a hill and struck the side of the Chevrolet. The Harley Davidson operator suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that neither operator was wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Harley was totaled and secured at a nearby residence. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. 

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. A group of about 12 residents were in attendance for the public comment portion of the meeting. Resident Cheri Low presented commissioners with a petition with more than 1,500 signatures, provided by both residents of and those with ties to Dent County. The petition is to express opposition to data centers being built within the county. Commissioners received the petition and agreed that they also do not want data centers within Dent County, and that they would continue looking into options. In discussions with Phelps County commissioners, local realtors, and Intercounty Electric Cooperative (IECA), Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared that it has been noted the infrastructure of Dent County is not equipped to handle a data center, nor have the commissioners been approached by anyone wanting to construct a data center within the county. When seeking legal advice, commissioners were previously informed that with no existing zoning ordinances within the county, options are limited for preventing data center construction. Commissioners further shared they do not wish to infringe on property rights of residents or put in state any such zoning ordinances. Residents also expressed opposition to Flock cameras, to which commissioners stated the Flock cameras were outside of their jurisdiction and encouraged the residents to reach out to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Moving on to road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be cutting brush on County Road 6300; grading on county roads 5600 and 6633; and then hauling rock to County Road 6640. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are continuing work on County Road 3200, which includes hauling rock, pulling ditches, widening the road, and replacing culverts. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 4055 and County Road 3334, alongside hauling rock to and installing a culvert on County Road 3250. Ditches are being cleaned out on County Road 3233 in preparation for a chip and seal recoat. In his report, Larson shared that he attended a meeting with the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) where trade scholarships were discussed and finalized. Grants were also discussed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting is to continue through next Monday, Aug. 3rd. The County Clerk’s Office will be open for no excuse absentee voting on Saturday, Aug. 1st from 8:00 to noon. Next Tuesday, Aug. 4th, the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. If any voters need to update their information, call the County Clerk’s Office at (573) 729-4144 to do so. Sample ballots are available upon request, as well as fair ballot language for the amendments. There will be a public testing of voting equipment Friday morning at 10:00 within the commissioner’s office at the courthouse. Curley also reported that there have been zero claims for workman’s comp for the county this year, and thanked office holders and employees for continuing to practice safety. The County Assessor has turned over new assessed values totaling $221,081,231. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Animal Shelter located at 1401 Mullnack Drive is open from Monday through Friday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon. For more information on the Salem Animal Shelter, visit its Facebook page run by a group of dedicated volunteers by searching “Friends of Salem Animal Shelter, MO.”

An accident happened Tuesday morning at 11:37 in Phelps County at 13900 Highway E. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Ford Focus driven northbound by a 16-year-old female from Vienna, traveled off the right side of the roadway. The driver overcorrected causing the vehicle to go off the left side of the roadway and overturn. The driver and a 16-year-old female passenger from Rolla, each suffered moderate injuries in the accident and were transported to Phelps Health. Neither girl was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Tune’s Towing.

On Tuesday, two policemen from the Salem Police Department assisted the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office with an interagency investigation to locate a wanted probation absconder who was the subject of a full United States extradition warrant. After checking multiple residences, the Salem Policemen located the subject, identified as David Stull Jr., at a residence in the 1300 block of East Third Street in Salem. Stull was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Dent County Jail, where he was booked and held on the Reynolds County warrant. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

You still have time to cast your absentee vote at the Dent County Courthouse in the clerk’s office for the Aug. 4th Primary Election. Both excused and unexcused absentee voting will continue through Monday, Aug. 3rd at the courthouse during regular business hours from 8:00 until 4:30, except for Monday when they will be open until 5:00. Don’t forget that during the Primary, you may only vote for one party and everyone will vote on the four constitutional amendments. For more information, contact the Dent County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved the extension of the lead service line inventory grant from Jan. 14th to Dec. 31st, 2026. The project will need to be wrapped up by that time. This is an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant of $100,000, previously awarded to the city in 2024 to meet EPA’s mandate for an inventory of lead service lines within Salem. For bids, the board approved a bid for two new patrol cars for the Salem Police Department (SPD) at a total cost of $89,364 from Behlman Dodge of Troy, Missouri. This is for the ongoing fleet management program. The board also approved new firearms and trade in of current duty weapons at a total cost of $10,680 for the SPD. Under reports of city officials, Mayor Greg Parker commended electric and water department crew members for their continued efforts in pole replacements and water main repairs. He further commended the SPD for increased patrols. City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that a pump failed at the sewer treatment plant – this pump is still under warranty. An emergency purchase was made in order to lease an interim unit until the pump can be officially replaced by the company. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that the wastewater treatment plant is healthy. The oxidation ditch is now operational with new rotors installed. The wastewater treatment plant lead has put in his notice, so the search is on to fill that role as well as the Superintendent position at the plant. Water service line repairs have been conducted, and new sewer and water lines have been installed. The hydrant contractors will be painting 25 hydrants this week. The new water tower has been filled, chlorinated, drained, refilled, and tested, with test results to be received soon to officially put the new water tower online. The well has been shocked with 10,000 gallons of chlorinated water and is currently being flushed to be tested. Meanwhile, the water tower in the Industrial Park is being sand blasted and will be painted via roll-on, not sprayed. Once the new water tower is up and running, the Industrial Park tower will be drained and interior worked on. The electric department has replaced 60 poles since January. The construction department has replaced sidewalks near the Four Rivers facility and continues repairs throughout the city. Alderwoman Catherine Dent reported that the Salem Community Choir has partnered with pastors and ministers in the area to provide a community Thanksgiving service in November to be held at the Old City Hall Auditorium. The board then adjourned into closed session for discussion of real estate. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, Aug. 11th and is open to the public.

To keep your trips to Missouri’s State Parks safe and fun, be sure to check the weather forecast before you go and keep an eye on upstream conditions. Visit the Park and Site Status Map located at the Missouri State Parks website at mostateparks.com and click the “Park/Site Status” button at the very top of the page. This useful tool can help keep your future visits safe.