Archive for 2026

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday midday at approximately 11:38 on County Road 5280 five miles south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2021 Honda Rebel 300 motorcycle, operated by a 22-year-old Rolla man, traveled off the right side of the roadway before returning to the roadway, and overturning. The man suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that the man was wearing a safety device. The Honda sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by R & R Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, Phelps Health Ambulance, and the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The Office of Governor Mike Kehoe has released that President Donald J. Trump has approved on Wednesday, Sept. 2nd Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration for nine counties heavily impacted by the historic flash flooding and severe storms of July 9th through July 11th. The request for the disaster declaration was made on July 29th by Gov. Kehoe after joint Preliminary Damage Assessments confirmed more than $26.5 million in emergency response expenses and damage to public infrastructure. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program is now available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and qualifying nonprofits for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in Bollinger, Crawford, Iron, Madison, Morgan, Reynolds, Ripley, Washington and Wayne counties. This is Missouri’s third federal disaster declaration of the year. Missourians with unmet needs are encouraged to contact United Way at 2-1-1 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. For additional resources and information on disaster recovery in Missouri, including general cleanup information, housing assistance, and mental health services, please visit recovery.mo.gov.

The Salem Area Arts Council, alongside Salem Area Community Betterment Association (SACBA), invites the community to attend the “Art Walk” that will take place on 4th Street on Saturday, Sept. 26th from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. For the past three years, the annual “Art in the Parking Lot” has grown with over 600 attending in 2025. With hopes to bring more business downtown, the new “Art Walk” on 4th Street, from the Bank of Salem to The Local, will involve art vendors, live music, demonstrations, food, free crafts for kids, a bucket raffle, cake and craft walks, and much more. Consider volunteering, promoting the event, or donating items to the “Cake and Craft Walk” by reaching out to Naomi Niemann at 919-534-5299. Learn more about the upcoming Art Walk, alongside other fun events and programs hosted by the Salem Area Arts Council, at sacba.org/salem-creative-arts-center-events.

The Nov. 3rd General Election is coming up, with voters encouraged to reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Absentee voting is set to begin on Sept. 22nd and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin on Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The last day to register to vote will be Oct. 7th. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. For more information on this upcoming election, visit the Missouri Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/elections. To check your voter registration, visit the website provided by the Secretary of State at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov. Stay up to date on voting deadlines by following the Dent County Elections Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Dent County Elections/County Clerk-Angie Curley.” 

The 12th Annual Salem Area Chamber of Commerce pro rodeo, sanctioned by IPRA/ACRA/MRCA and produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions will be held this Labor Day weekend on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 7:30 each night at The Commons on Hwy. 72 North with the gates opening at 5:30 for family activities. There will be a number of events held including team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping and breakaway roping with a boot toss and Pony rides for kids ages 10 and under. Kids can also sign up for Mutton Bustin’ by 5:45 each afternoon by the announcers stand. Vendors will be available selling food and beverages as well as other merchandise both evenings. As a special treat on Sunday night, the Greers will be singing at the stage starting at 5:30. Advanced tickets are available at both Bank of Salem locations, both locations of Town and Country Bank, Progressive Ozark Bank, Riverways Federal Credit Union and the Salem Chamber of Commerce office at 1136 South Main in the Crossroads Shopping Center. Ticket prices in advance are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-11, while at the gate, ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children. If you have any questions, call the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 573-729-6900.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon at approximately 3:30 on westbound I44 at the 179.8-mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia, driven by a 69-year-old man from Cleveland, Texas, failed to yield to a 2019 International MoDot Truck that was stationary with active placards in a construction zone and struck the MoDot Truck in the rear. The driver of the Freightliner suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The occupants of the MoDot Truck, a 66-year-old man and 72-year-old man, were both from Rolla. They also suffered minor injuries and were transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Rolla Phelps Health. According to the report the driver of the Freightliner was wearing a safety restraint, while the two MoDot workers were exempt. The Freightliner was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing. The MoDot Truck sustained moderate damage and was removed by Ron Dishman’s Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Doolittle Fire District and the Phelps County Ambulance District.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Tuesday evening at approximately 8:13 in the 1500 Block of Highway 72 in Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol report a 20-year-old man from Edgar Springs on an eastbound 2022 Honda Dirt Bike left a parking lot at a high rate of speed, lost control, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a mailbox, and some bushes. The man suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that the man was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

The City of Salem has released that the planned citywide power outage has now been moved forward to Wednesday, Sept. 23rd from the previously released date of Friday, Sept. 18th. The power outage will take place Sept. 23rd from 1:00 to 3:00 in the early hours of the morning.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2026 Labor Day weekend. The 2026 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 Friday evening, and will last through 11:59 Monday night, September 7th. The Labor Day holiday is a busy boating weekend. Before you take your boat on the water, inspect fuel lines and hose connections for leaks, and test the battery to confirm it is charged. When refueling, turn off any electrical devices which could create a spark. After refueling, open the engine compartment to visually inspect and smell for fuel leaks. Activate the blower system for at least four minutes before restarting the vessel. In 2025, there were nine boating crashes which included six injuries and no fatalities. One person drowned during last year’s Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested nine people for boating while intoxicated during last year’s counting period. If you’ll be on the road this Labor Day holiday, make sure your vehicle is in good working condition before you depart as it will be extremely hot. Drive courteously and obey all of Missouri’s laws. Remember to buckle up and pay attention as you travel. In Missouri, six people died and 423 were injured in 931 traffic crashes over the 2025 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 104 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cell phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency on the water or on the road. 

If you’re hanging out with family over at Montauk State Park this Labor Day weekend, stop by on Saturday or Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening between the rearing pools and the Montauk Mill for an archery lesson provided by certified instructors. Instructors will guide you through safe archery practices and techniques. Or, on Saturday at 2:00 in the afternoon, meet at the Montauk Spring parking lot and head over to Pigeon Creek to catch crawdads, stream bugs, and learn about the aquatic life at the headwaters of the Current Rivers. This is a fun, all-ages event! Attendees are encouraged to wear water shoes and bring bug spray. On Sunday evening at 8:00, meet at the campground amphitheater to learn about the aquatic insects anglers mimic with their fishing flies. The Montauk Mill will also be open for historical tours on Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, along with a special candlelit tour beginning at 8:00. Tours will also be available Sunday morning from 10:30 to 12:30.

Arts Rolla invites all to come out to see the September exhibit at The Centre, Rolla’s Health & Recreation Complex at 1200 N. Holloway, Rolla. This month’s exhibit features 79 original works of art by 10 Missouri artists and features the work of artists associated with the Current River Artists of the Texas County Museum of Art and the Ozarks Heritage Artists of Salem. Make plans to attend the opening of the exhibit this coming Friday between 5:00 and 7:00 in the evening.

Dove season began this week and will continue through Nov. 29th. Daily limits for mourning doves and white-winged doves combined are 15 birds with a possession limit of 45. Before you go dove hunting, know that residents of Missouri require a small game hunting permit, for those aged 16 to 64. A migratory bird hunting permit is also required for dove hunters aged 16 and older. Non-residents require a non-resident small game hunting permit if ages 16 or older. A non-resident migratory bird hunting Non-toxic shot is required on many conservation areas — check area regulations before hunting. Shooting hours for doves are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Safety and courtesy are critical. For more information on dove season, hunting regulations, and public hunting areas near you, visit mdc.mo.gov, click on “Hunting and Trapping,” and then scroll down to click on “Dove” in the sidebar. You may also contact the Ozark Regional Office by phone at 417-256-7161 or email OzarkRegion@mdc.mo.gov