Archive for 2026

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Wednesday night in the administration building located at 1409 West Rolla Road. After the call to order, the board approved the agenda and consent agenda. A communication was read by Superintendent Nathan Wills from Amanda Walker. Under the Superintendent’s Report, Wills updated board members regarding the 2026 Senior High and Kindergarten Graduations. A workshop outlining capital improvements, expenditures, and revenues for the 2026-2027 district budget was held, with the budget to be considered for approval at the June meeting. Under new business, the board conducted its yearly review of the building handbooks. The board unanimously approved the following: Proposed MSBA policy updates; An increase in substitute teacher pay for the 2026-2027 school year, increasing from $100 to $110 per day; The 2026-2027 Professional Development Plan; Renewal of the Developmental Preschool Lease Agreement; and the 2026 Salem R-80 District Wellness Plan, a tri-annual agenda item which illustrates a commitment to wellness for students and staff regarding mental health, exercise, and a healthy diet. Renewal of the Healthy Dent County Partnership, a contract in which the district provides $10,000 annually as sponsors, was also approved with a vote of 4-0-1, with board member Andrew Wynn abstaining. Building administrators and directors provided reports to board members. Under personnel changes, those hired included Allison McDonald, Kylie Smith, Heather Franklin, and Donna Smith. Those resigning or retiring included Lynn Mast and Crystal Strange. The board then adjourned and moved to executive session for the purpose of student and personnel issues. During closed session, the following votes were made: Approving qualified attendance appeals; Denying unqualified attendance appeals; and approving a Discovery School’s Contract. Also during closed session, the board approved the hiring of Rebecca Head, 3rd Grade Teacher; Sheradyn Kartchner as 2nd Grade Teacher; and Kristi Nakanishi as Kindergarten Teacher. Additionally, the board approved a stipend for Tiffanie McNamee as Process Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education. The board then adjourned after returning to open session. The next meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is scheduled for June 18th at 5:30 in the administration building and will be open to the public.

For free fun for the family, Missouri Department of Conservation has Free Fishing Days coming up statewide the weekend of June 6th and June 7th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in Missouri without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. This is an annual event which takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. If you’re new to fishing or don’t have fishing gear, consider taking advantage of the Salem Public Library’s Rod & Reel Loaner Program. Through the Rod & Reel Loaner Program, individuals of all ages may check out fishing poles and tackle boxes for free using their library cards. The fishing poles are equipped with standard spin-cast reels. The tackle boxes are supplied with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers for basic fishing opportunities. Individuals need to provide their own live bait or desired lures to bait the hook. Equipment checks out for three days. It’s important to note that fishing rods and tackle boxes need to be returned to the circulation desk, not the book depository, and that items may not be renewed and are subject to overdue fines. For more information on the Rod & Reel Loaner program, contact the Salem Public Library at 573-729-4331. 

Tickets to all Missouri State Fair concerts and events are on sale to the public, while supplies last. This includes all concerts and events in the State Fair Grandstand, presented by CFM Insurance, the Governor Michael L. Parson Arena, the Governor’s Ham Breakfast and $12 advance adult gate admission. These tickets will be available through Etix.com and by phone 1-800-514-ETIX/1-800-514-3849. This year’s fair will take place Aug. 13 through Aug. 23.

In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 26th, many businesses, banks, and government offices will be closed or operating on reduced hours. Be sure to confirm hours for any appointments or errands.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green stated crew members will be grading in the area of County Road 5100. Another crew member is being trained on the grader. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams stated crew members will be out grading and completing ditch work on County Road 2313. Crew members will be hauling rock to county roads 3250 and 3260 for preparation for additional work next week. Both districts have been working to widen roads, which is causing more time to be taken in completing rounds. Williams encouraged the public to have patience. Meanwhile, both districts are preparing chip and seal roads for overlay in June, along with patching chip and seal roads which will not be overlayed. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills are to be paid and election judges are to be lined up for the Aug. 4th Primary Election. Treasurer Denita Williams shared the CART Tax received for the Road and Bridge Department for the month was $95,809.79 – this is up $8,713.60 from last year, a total of 8%. Year-to-date, this is up $30,950.35. Under public comments, Denver Ellis provided commissioners with a draft ordinance for consideration, which seeks to protect the county against potential long-term impacts of high-intensity industrial data infrastructure development. The proposal seeks to protect groundwater aquifers and springs; rivers, streams, and environmentally sensitive watersheds; county roads and bridges; rural residential communities; agricultural and forest lands; public infrastructure capacity; emergency response capabilities; and the long-term rural character and economic stability of Dent County. Ellis elaborated that the ordinance would act as a deterrent to potential construction of data centers within Dent County and not act as a total ban. Commissioners stated they would consider the ordinance and conduct research into other counties which have approved similar. Grant Wilson, representative for Congressman Jason Smith, updated the commissioners on Smith’s recent legislative actions. The House has passed H.R. 7432 out of the Ways and Means Committee, titled the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act. The bill expands states’ permissible uses of federal funds under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) to include supportive housing services. Wilson further shared he is continuing to make contact with SEMA on the status of FEMA reimbursements to the county. A meeting with the Forest Service was held recently, which disclosed that the FY2025 Secure Rural Schools funds are with the state. The next meeting will be 9:00 in the morning next Thursday at the Courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public. The courthouse will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

There will be a collection box at the Salem Public Library for old, damaged, or soiled American flags. Anyone may leave a flag between now and Friday, June 12th. The library will deliver flags in need of retirement to American Legion Post 99. The Legion will properly dispose of them in accordance with the United States Flag Code. 

The Dent County Toy Drive will be holding its 6th annual Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday, July 25th at the Dent County Commons. Royal Oak Enterprises will be catering pulled pork, and K-KID will be broadcasting live. Backwoods Productions DJ will be keeping the music going throughout the event. Attendees will be able to enjoy a free kids carnival, car show, craft show, and poker run. To learn more, visit the Dent County Toy Drive Facebook page at facebook.com/TheDentCountyToyDrive.

The Green Forest 4-H will be holding a Fish Fry Fundraiser today from 11 in the morning until they sell out. The Fundraiser will be held at the Wilson’s Family Center at 400 North Iron Street here in Salem. If you live in town delivery is available upon request. Call 573-280-2036 for more information.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees will be meeting Thursday, May 21st at 5:00 at the Dent County Health Center Annex Building at 1014 E. Scenic Rivers Boulevard in the Conference Room. After the call to order and approval of the minutes of the April meeting, the board will hear the operations reports, administrator’s report, and consider the approval of the financial reports. The board will then vote to close part of the meeting to discuss personnel. The board will then adjourn. The open session portion of the meeting is open to the public.

City of Salem Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield will be hosting a community conversation on building a stronger workforce in Salem at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Rotary Room on Wednesday, May 27th from noon to 1:00 in the afternoon. Business owners, business managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to join in on the conversation. Goals of meeting include boosting your ability to find skilled, reliable hires in our community, and how participating in the ACT Work Ready Community (WRC) program can save time, training costs, and turnover. To RSVP, email ecnomic@salemmo.com or call/text 573-453-8994.

Healthy Dent County is now offering a free to the public HealthBot Kiosk, located in the hallway next to the fitness center entrance by the cardio room. This kiosk offers blood pressure readings, health rate monitoring, weight tracking, and BMI measurements. This is a simple way to check in, stay informed, and track your progress over time. Your information stays private, and the system allows you to monitor your personal progress each visit. Stop by anytime, take a few minutes for yourself, and take control of your health—no membership required. 

If you are planning a holiday weekend of cleaning out the basement or garage, be sure to designate items for the annual special waste collection event in Rolla coming up on June 13th. The annual collection will be from 8:00 in the morning to noon at the Brewer Science, Inc. parking lot located at 2401 Brewer Drive, Rolla. The collection is for residential items only – no materials from businesses will be accepted. Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and other appliances will be collected free of charge. Free electronics also include computer components, laptop computers, keyboards, VCR/DVD players, cell phones, hair dryers, power tools or anything that runs on a cord or battery. Please note the following items will NOT be accepted: transformers, capacitors or ballasts not clearly marked “No PCBs”; smoke detectors; thermostats; medical waste; gas containers such as propane, oxygen, nitrous oxide; anything leaking oil or acid, such as batteries; broken ink or toner cartridges; alkaline batteries; broken CRT TVs or monitors. Fees on certain items will be collected including $25 for CRT TVs over 27 inches and wood console TVs; $20 for CRT TVs under 26 inches; $15 for flat screen TVs; $10 for all computer monitors and refrigerated appliances with Freon; and $5 for printers, scanners or copiers. Fees for tires are $3 each for passenger tires; $7.50 each for semi-truck tires; and $35 each for tractor tires. For more information on items accepted or the fee structure, please contact Jill Hollowell at MRPC at 573-265-2993 Ext. 109 or at jhollowell@meramecregion.org. Counties eligible for the event include Dent, Phelps, Crawford, Gasconade, Maries, Pulaski, and Washington. 

With the approach of warmer temperatures and higher humidity, it’s important to remember that ticks are most active during the warmer months between April and September. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. There are three species of ticks commonly found within Missouri: the lone star tick, often identified by the white dot in the center of the back; American dog tick; and deer tick. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, Bourbon virus, Heartland virus, and other diseases. Alpha-gal syndrome, which can cause a serious allergic reaction to eating red meat, is associated with being bitten by lone star ticks. To help prevent tick bites, wear clothes that make it hard for ticks to get to your skin. Wear pants, even on hot days, and tuck them into your socks. Boots can keep ticks away from your feet, and clothing that fits tightly around your ankles and wrists is helpful. Apply EPA-approved insect repellent to your skin and clothing, including socks and pant legs. After you return from the outdoors, make a habit of inspecting your body and clothing for ticks. Do this as soon as possible. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks. When conducting a full-body check, check these parts: under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs, and around the waist. The sooner you find and remove ticks, the better. Remove ticks with tweezers, grabbing it as near the head as possible. Flush the tick down the toilet and wash the bite site with soap and hot water. For more information, visit cdc.gov/ticks.