Archive for 2026

Chairman of the Utility Committee Alderman Nathan Kinsey has called for a utility committee meeting to be held tonight at 6:15 at the City of Salem Auditorium. The committee will hear reports from the chairman, review a draft budget with capital improvement projects being noted, discuss water tower maintenance contracts, testing of meters through a contract service with Advanced Meter Services, LLC, replenishing the reserve fund as well as discuss rates for water and wastewater. Also at the meeting, the committee will discuss two code amendments dealing with backflow prevention device installation and inspections as well as the royalty and marketing agreement with the service line warranty program. In reports, the committee will review financial updates in the budget and the impact on each fund from the rate discussion, as well as discuss billing updates. The committee will review the MMMPEP and MPUA meeting notes and get work reports from the utility crews. They will also hear information about and discuss the current utilities construction in progress as well as planned capital improvements before the meeting is adjourned. The meeting of the utility committee tonight is open to the public.

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation Board met for its meeting Wednesday at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the minutes of last Wednesday’s meeting, the board reviewed and discussed the proposed budget. Finance Director Stacey Houston made adjustments to the proposed budget, including an increased sales tax projection of 2% based off of the current fiscal year. The increase put an additional $15,523 toward revenue; however, a $14,406 deficit remains, which will need to be reconciled by either cutting expenses or through the use of the prior year’s fund balance. Board member Luke Heithold sought clarification on the budget, including line item “Building Maintenance,” which has a proposed increase for heaters in the maintenance building, and line item “Pool Maintenance,” which has a proposed increase in order to fix a leak and pay for de-winterization. Heithold additionally sought clarification for the increase to line item “Special Services,” which in previous years had an average of approximately $1,400 but has a projected year-end of $7,500 and is budgeted at $5,500 within the draft budget for 2026-2027. City Administrator Sally Burbridge clarified that the item increase for the year-end is due to the recent parking lot resurfacing requiring an engineer to provide a no-rise certificate due to the parking lot location on the floodplain. With the plan to resurface the pool parking lot for 2026-2027, similar permitting may be required. Following discussion, the board approved the budget for the 2026-2027 FY, with the $14,406 to come out of Parks and Recreation Prior Year’s Funds. The vote was 4-0-2, with Heithold and board member James Taylor abstaining. The board then adjourned.

Kids’ Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park is sure to be a great outing for young anglers and will be Saturday, May 16th, hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in cooperation with The James Foundation, for children 15 years of age and younger. The Kids’ Fishing Day event will be held from 6:30 in the morning to 8:15 in the evening. The entire upper half of the spring branch will be reserved for kids 15 years of age and younger. Free daily fishing tags for children will be available to pick up Friday, May 15th, at the James Foundation Store and on Saturday, May 16th, at the Mill Pavilion by the big tent. Any car that has a child 15 and under gets into the park for free as well. A limited number of loaner fishing poles will be available, but children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles and equipment. The World Bird Sanctuary will be on hand featuring live birds of prey to meet and greet. Everyone can enjoy free hot dogs and soda, along with attractions like archery. Maramec Spring Park, owned and operated by The James Foundation, is located on Highway 8 about six miles east of St. James.

A Salem Community Blood Drive is right around the corner on Tuesday, May 12th, to be held at the First Baptist Church of Salem at 201 North MacArthur Avenue. The event will be hosted by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks with appointments encouraged to minimize wait times but walk-ins welcome. To make an appointment, call 417-227-5006. Donor rewards include a free t-shirt and voucher for several nearby attractions.

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation Board will meet this afternoon at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the minutes, the board will review and approve the budget, which will be followed by adjournment. The meeting was called by Parks and Recreation Board President Carlos Lopez.

Due to weather, the starting date for the project to replace the driving surface of the Little Piney Creek Bridge on Route 63 at Yancy Mills has been postponed. Originally scheduled to begin Tuesday, contractors working with the Missouri Department of Transportation now plan to narrow Route 63 to one lane at the bridge today. In order to leave one lane open during construction, temporary traffic signals will be in place to direct vehicles safely through the work zone. All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change.

There will be a work day to help clean up Craig Plaza this Saturday, May 9th, at noon and volunteers are welcome. Chris Price and Jimmy Robbers will be leading the Craig Plaza team. Give whatever amount of time you have and don’t forget to bring some gloves! There will be weeds to pull as well as mulch to be spread. All help will be greatly appreciated! There will be more work days announced in the future to help keep the plaza looking great! If you have any questions, call or text Chris Price at 573-205-1671.

Dent County Health Center has released that it received two awards from the opioid settlement funds this year. One of those awards focused on establishing three 24/7 Community Overdose Response Boxes in high-visibility, accessible locations. The boxes will provide free, anonymous access to naloxone, overdose response instructions, and harm reduction supplies, with the goal of preventing opioid-related overdose deaths and increasing community readiness to respond to overdose emergencies. The Overdose Response Strategy team of the Department of Health & Senior Services shared that a total number of 34 fatal drug overdoses occurred between the five year period of 2020-2024. The 15 to 34 age group made up 21% of fatal drug overdoses over the five year period, while the 35 to 54 age group made up 50%. The 55+ age group made up 26%. The less than 15 age group made up about 3%. The report shows that Dent County continues to experience the impacts of the opioid epidemic. Signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose include small, constricted “pinpoint pupils,” falling asleep or loss of consciousness; slow, shallow breathing; choking or gurgling sounds; limp body; discolored skin (especially in lips and nails.) Narcan, also referred to as Naloxone, is a proven, life-saving intervention. It works to block the effects from opioids like fentanyl, heroin and prescription painkillers. By reducing barriers and increasing community readiness, the 24/7 Naloxone Boxes strengthen community safety and will help prevent opioid-related overdose deaths. Three boxes were made on April 17th and delivered by April 22nd. The boxes feature instructions on how to respond to an opioid overdose emergency, and a QR code to show how to use naloxone. To date, the Health Center has placed two of the three boxes at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and the Salem Public Library.

The City of Salem Animal Shelter located at 1401 Mullnack Drive is accepting donations and could always use a little help from the community. The open office hours of the animal shelter is from Monday through Friday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the evening. Donations can be dropped off directly at the animal shelter during open hours. Donations sought include clumping kitty litter, dry kitty food, or dry dog food. If you’re able to donate, even a small bag makes a big difference. Your kindness helps staff and volunteers keep every pet fed, healthy, and comfortable while they wait for their forever homes. 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.” 

MoDOT reminds the public to take shelter during a tornado. Do not seek refuge in a vehicle, outside, or under an overpass. A highway overpass does not provide safety from a tornado. Do not seek shelter under an overpass or a tree. This puts you at greater risk of being killed or seriously injured by flying debris from the powerful tornadic winds. If in a vehicle, drive to a designated shelter, basement, or safe room. The next best option is a small, windowless room or hallway on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. It is not safe to be in a higher level room, rooms with windows, doors or exterior walls. It’s better to be in an interior room in the lowest level without windows, including bathrooms or a mattress for added protection. The best option is to be in an interior room in the basement, without windows. Visit stormaware.mo.gov for more information.

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:05 on Highway VV three miles east of Highway 119. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2010 Harley Davidson Super Glide, driven by a 64-year-old Hartville man, traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a tree and ejecting the driver. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Cox South in Springfield. The report stated that he was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Harley Davidson sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by a private party.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members are hauling rock to County Road 5070 and stockpiling. Crew members will be grading county roads 6220, 5070, 6370, and, if there’s time and manpower, 6410. Cutting brush will be done on County Road 5690. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members will be hauling rock to County Road 4380. Grading is to be done on county roads 4380, 2330, and 2320. Crew members will also be out maintaining culverts as time allows. Meanwhile, County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills and payroll is to be approved. Curley will be attending a Missouri Association of Counties board meeting in Jefferson City on Thursday. Curley also reported that the Dent County Courthouse will be closed in observance of Truman Day on Friday, May 8th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.  

Montauk was formally established as a state park in 1926, 100 years ago. To celebrate Montauk’s 100th birthday, the park will be hosting several special events throughout the 2026 on-season. The celebration will begin with Old Mill Days this Friday and Saturday from 9:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon, both days. This annual event features guided and self-guided history tours, as well as games and other activities. Presenters will demonstrate historical skills such as blacksmithing, archery, Dutch oven cooking, weaving, rope making, wood carving, and more. There will also be an arts and craft fair showcasing the finest products that local artisans have to offer, including homemade pottery, jewelry and clothing. All activities will take place around the old Montauk Mill. Admission is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Stop by to learn a new skill, immerse yourself in local history, and support small businesses. For more information, call the park office at 573-548-2201 or visit the Montauk State Park Facebook page at facebook.com/montaukstateparkofficial.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bear and/or elk in the state this fall that they need to apply for a limited number of hunting permits for each in May. MDC will offer 2,000 permits to harvest up to a maximum of 60 black bears across three MDC black-bear management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2026 Missouri black-bear hunting season, Oct. 17-30. MDC increased the number of available permits from 600 to 2,000 and increased the harvest quota limit from 40 to 60 bears to expand hunting opportunities. Missouri has an estimated population of about 1,100 bears.  Get more information on black-bears and bear hunting in Missouri and apply during May at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/bear. MDC will again also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents. MDC has designated the 2026 elk archery portion to run Oct. 17-25, and the elk firearms portion to run Dec. 12-20. Missouri has an estimated 325 free-ranging elk under MDC’s elk restoration and management program. Get more information on elk and elk hunting at the website mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.