Archive for 2026

A Salem resident was involved in an accident in Reynolds County Monday evening at approximately 7:45. The accident occurred at Highway KK and Highway J fourteen miles north of Bunker. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2007 Ford F150, operated by a Steelville juvenile, crossed the highway and impacted a ditch due to mechanical failure. A passenger, a 31-year-old Salem female, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Iron County Medical Center. The report stated that the Salem woman was not wearing a safety restraint and neither was the juvenile driver. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing at the county’s request.

The Agricultural Education program at Salem High School of the Salem R-80 School District has been awarded a Horizon and Rising Sun grant from the Missouri FFA Foundation in the amount of $50,000. This award is part of a grant program created to help address critical gaps in agricultural education across Missouri. A Horizon Grant supports expansion or upgrades to existing ag education programs, while a Rising Sun Grant helps launch new programs and certificate offerings. The grant will be utilized to build and equip a 40×80 Animal Science Facility, providing students with hands-on opportunities to learn animal science, livestock production, animal health, nutrition, handling, breeding, and management. Offering a Vet Tech, Pet Grooming, Artificial Insemination and Animal Quality Assurance certification is another goal of the facility. The agriculture education program teachers of SHS, Heather Johnson and Dalton Sanders, shared that the facility would allow students to work with animals, gain real-world skills, explore careers, earn valuable certifications, and see possibilities beyond the classroom. The Missouri FFA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which secures strategic partnerships and the financial resources to enhance, strengthen, and support the educational and leadership opportunities that promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career success for Missourians in agricultural education.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17th. Under student recognitions, William Lynch Elementary Principal Dr. Herman Blau recognized students John White, Mobel Preston, Lillian Light, and Sammie Enloe as September Students of the Month. The students led the board meeting in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The board then approved the agenda and consent agenda before moving on to Superintendent Nathan Will’s report. Wills updated board members on payment options for cafeteria a la carte items, stating that debit cards are now accepted and there are hopes to expand the privilege to other items like parking fees, Chromebook insurance, etc. The High School men’s lobby restroom project is now complete. Staff are working on the Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Upper Elementary parking lot for concrete rather than asphalt. In addition, staff are working on a RFP for the Animal Science Facility for the ag. department. The district may be keeping the suburban for the remainder of the year, so the district has two SUVs on-hand. Wills also shared an update on the bus accident, stating that the district is awaiting a final check from insurance and staff is looking for another bus to replace it. Wills discussed with the board the Missouri A-F school and district grading framework, approved Tuesday, Sept. 15th by the Missouri State Board of Education. The board was also updated that the district will be going out for bid on food service. Enrollment for the district was shared at 1,273, a slight decrease due to kindergarten enrollment. A presentation was provided by Assistant Superintendent Dan Copeland on MAP and EOC scores. Reports were then provided by administrators. Under new business, the board approved the bus routes for the 2026-27 school year; the SCMCAA Headstart MOU and Transition Plan Agreement; and the MOU with Texas County Technical College for nursing students. Under personnel changes, Leah Parker was hired as William Lynch custodian and several resignations and retirements were heard, including Cole Mackley, maintenance; Katlyn Steelman, custodian; and Kim Warden, para. The board then approved moving into executive session for the purpose of personnel issues. After returning to open session, the board adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education will be Oct. 15th at 5:30. 

Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams has reported on the County Aid Road Trust (CART) funds received by the county for the month of September 2026. The county has received $96,335.95.

An accident occurred Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:15 in Texas County on Highway AA 4 miles southeast of Success. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2024 Kawasaki Motorcycle, operated by a 29-year-old Houston, Missouri man, ran off a curve and struck a fence post. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The report stated that the man was wearing a safety device. The motorcycle sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Arrington’s Automotive of Plato at trooper’s request.

An accident occurred Sunday night at approximately 11:58 in Lawrence County on I44 one quarter of a mile east of Halltown. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an 18-year-old man from Licking, skidded off of and back onto the roadway and was struck by an eastbound 2024 Freightliner Cascadia driven by a 36-year-old man from Clovis, California. The Chevrolet driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The report stated that the 18-year-old was not wearing a safety restraint. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Henry’s Towing. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was also removed by Henry’s Towing. The report stated that the driver of the Freightliner was wearing a safety restraint.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold its regular board meeting tonight at 6:00, located in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear public comments. The board will then consider approval of several bids, including for utility poles, an electric service truck, electric department garage doors and openers, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. After, the board will consider approval of an end user licence agreement between the city and OpenGov, Inc. for its ERP software. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider approval of several conditional use requests made during the Sept. 9th public hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission, including the addresses of 809 W. Glendale; 403A & 403B S. Henderson; 400B S. MacArthur; 402A & 402B S. MacArthur; 700 S. Askins; and 603 S. Carty. The board will also consider the subdivision of Lot 4 of the Westwood North Subdivision, alongside the vacating of a 40’ wide strip of an undeveloped street, as requested by the Salem Housing Authority. This is in anticipation of a proposed multifamily 40-unit housing project development at 301 E. Tenth St. Additionally, the board will be considering the rezoning of 301 E. Tenth St. from single family residential (R1) to multifamily residential (R3) and the approval of the Spring Creek Ridge subdivision plat, as presented. The board will also be considering approval of an infrastructure grant agreement, as well as a state block grant agreement, between the city and Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for improvements at Salem Memorial Airport. Reports of city officials will then be presented. After, the board will be taking a vote to enter closed session pertaining to legal actions before adjournment. This meeting is open to the public until closed. To watch this meeting live streamed, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under public comments, resident Cindy Jones noted that Gov. Mike Kehoe’s recent executive order established restrictions on Flock cameras. For road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that since it has rained,   crew members are able to begin grading the following county roads: 6500, 6505, 5630, and 5150. Crew members will also be hauling rock to County Road 6280 and cutting brush on County Road 6350. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be hauling rock to County Road 2590, changing grader blades, and grading on County Roads 4280, 2590, 2600, and 2593. Williams noted  that phone calls have been received from residents of Lenox and Sligo requesting road maintenance. He encouraged patience as crew members will be working their way through the county. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he will be attending a meeting with the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) on Tuesday. Larson also reported that the courthouse, judicial building, and annex building is now seeking applicants for a part-time custodian. In County Clerk Angie Curley’s reports, she stated that payroll and bills are to be approved and noted that absentee ballots will begin to be mailed out Tuesday to anyone who has requested one. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning on Thursday at the courthouse and will be open to the public.

The planned citywide power outage will be Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 in the early hours of the morning. The power will be turned off so crews can safely replace an insulator on the transmission system serving Salem. Residents and businesses are encouraged to charge phones and other important devices before going to bed the night before. Customers should also keep flashlights nearby and turn off or unplug sensitive electronic equipment. Anyone who depends on electrically powered medical equipment should make sure a safe backup power source is available. Security systems, medical alerts, electronic clocks, timers and other devices may also be affected. If your power remains off after the City of Salem announces that service has been restored, call or text 833-703-4811.

An accident occurred in Phelps County in the early hours of Saturday morning at approximately 2:05 on eastbound I-44 at the 194.4-mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 26-year-old woman from Lonedell, Mo. fell asleep while driving a 2016 Toyota Camry and collided with an unknown vehicle. The 26-year-old woman suffered minor injuries and was transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps Health. According to the report, the woman was wearing a safety device. The Toyota Camry was totalled and removed from the scene by Tunes Towing.

An accident occurred in Phelps County on Friday at approximately 10:25 in the evening near County Road 7140. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 17-year-old juvenile travelled off the left side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned while driving a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The juvenile suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. According to the report, the juvenile was wearing a safety device. The 2013 Cadillac SRX was totalled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid-Missouri area through Friday. On Hwy. 32, resurfacing continues east of Salem as the project continues toward Iron County’s Hwy. KK. On Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 32, pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem with minimal traffic impacts expected. Bridge maintenance continues over Dry Fork Creek, northwest of Salem on Hwy. 72. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. In Phelps County, pavement repairs are planned beginning today and continuing through Thursday on I-44 on the eastbound on and off-ramps from Hwy. D to I-44 at Exit 172. Daily periodic closures of each ramp will be required. Bridge rehabilitation continues over I-44 at the Business Loop 44/Hwy. 72/Kingshighway junction, with the bridge remaining closed to all westbound traffic and expected completion of that project in October. On Hwy. 63, bridge rehabilitation continues over Little Piney Creek near Yancy Mills with temporary traffic signals being used to maintain traffic through the single-lane work zone. That project is also scheduled for completion in October. On Hwy. BB, or 10th Street in Rolla, bridge rehabilitation continues over the BNSF Railway with one lane open in each direction and no center turn lane. 

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. Excused absentee voting is set to begin on Tuesday, and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin on Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd.

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

The planned citywide power outage will be this Wednesday, Sept. 23rd from 1:00 to 3:00 in the early hours of the morning. This is so crews can safely replace an insulator on the transmission system serving Salem.  Residents are encouraged to charge phones and other important devices before going to bed the night before. Customers should also keep flashlights nearby and turn off or unplug sensitive electronic equipment. Anyone who depends on electrically powered medical equipment should make sure a safe backup power source is available. Security systems, medical alerts, electronic clocks, timers and other devices may also be affected. Customers do not need to report the loss of power during the scheduled outage period. If your power remains off after the City of Salem announces that service has been restored, call or text 833-703-4811.