Archive for 2026

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew M. Curley has reported that Felton Metcalf, charged on Oct. 26th, 2024, has plead guilty on April 22nd, 2026. Metcalf was charged with aggravated fleeing, trafficking drugs in the second degree and felony driving while revoked, based on a probable cause statement submitted by Sergeant Michael Loveday of the Salem Police Department. Metcalf was sentenced to 12 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. According to the probable cause statement, Metcalf had fled a traffic stop with a Missouri State Trooper at Hwy. 32. In the ensuing chase, Metcalf’s vehicle reached estimated speeds in excess of 100 mph and ultimately collided with another vehicle, whose occupant was taken to a hospital for potential serious injuries. Following a search, a large amount of methamphetamine, approximately 74.5 grams, was located in Metcalf’s vehicle. Both vehicles were totaled in the crash. 

The Salem Police Department have charged four individuals following a robbery and assault this past Saturday. Officers responded to a local hospital on Saturday regarding a male subject who sustained physical injuries related to a reported robbery. Two officers initiated an investigation that led to a coordinated operation with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. As part of this joint effort, law enforcement officers secured a residence in the 300 block of East Second Street in Salem to preserve potential evidence. Occupants of the residence were detained during the operation and a search warrant executed. Officers located evidence consistent with an assault and robbery, as well as quantities of illegal narcotics and related paraphernalia. Four individuals were subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail. Following interviews with witnesses, victims, and suspects, the following individuals have been charged: Cheri Sturdivant, Steven McCarter, Larry Breeding, and James Dixon. McCarter, Breeding, and Dixon were all charged with robbery in the second degree and assault in the third degree. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

MoDOT has released that a project to replace the driving surface of the Little Piney Creek Bridge on Hwy. 63 at Yancy Mills is set to begin on Tuesday, May 5th. Contractors will narrow Hwy. 63 to one lane at the bridge, with a 10-foot width restriction. In order to leave one lane of 

Hwy. 63 open during construction, temporary traffic signals will be in place to direct vehicles safely through the work zone. Motorists are urged to slow down and use extreme caution as they approach the work zone and the stopped traffic at the signals. Significant delays are expected and drivers may want to plan alternate routes during construction, which is expected to continue through early October 2026. Meanwhile, pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem on Hwy. 19 and 32, with minimal traffic impacts expected during the project, which is expected to be completed by September 2026.

The Dent County Fire Protection District announced it has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF.) This grant will be utilized to support a limited-time free smoke alarm program, prioritizing households within the district which: have at least one household member age 65 or older; have a household member with a disability; or have children under the age of 18. In addition to providing smoke alarms, the district will assist with installation when needed. Residents who wish to apply for a free smoke alarm may call the fire station at 573-729-3250 or online at dentcountyfire.org.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members would be hauling rock where needed and are planning to grade county roads 6400, 5070, and 5075. Crew members will also be cutting brush on County Road 5690. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Wiliams reported that crew members are planning to haul rock and grade county roads 2380, 2340, and 2330. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 2550 and 2560. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills are to be approved. Collector Shannon VanKirk reminded those that are 62 and over and own their own home to pick up an application for SB190 from the collector’s office. Applications are available until June 30th. Office hours for the collector are Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. Contact her office at 573-729-3911 if you have any questions. VanKirk further reported that the SB190 software through FOXPRO has been purchased at $5,000. Meanwhile, the commissioners were invited to the latest exhibit at the ONCRC. There will be a historical exhibit featuring Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) artifacts now through the end of May at the ONCRC, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. Visit the ONCRC to learn more. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital. Prior to approving the agenda, Board Member Mike Swyers made a motion to add an agenda item to swear in Karen Brown for another term on the Board of Directors. The motion was approved. Following approval of the updated agenda and the previous open session meeting minutes, the board heard a presentation from Elizabeth Lawrence, a representative of the Helping Hands Auxiliary. After extensive discussion, three motions were made and approved: to acknowledge and approve the reorganization of the auxiliary; to accept the bylaws, which will be amended to remove the 501(c)(3) designation; and to grant the CEO/acting CEO, as well as one additional administrative staff member, signatory authorization on the auxiliary’s bank account. Karen Brown was then sworn in for another term as a board member. During her report, CEO Brook Bollman highlighted ongoing conversations with Missouri’s independent hospital network: the Show-Me High Value Network; recruitment updates; the completion of the HRSA 340B Audit; and the application for a $5 million DOT grant that, if awarded, would be utilized for emergency services over the course of two years. Bollman noted that Hospital Week will take place May 10–16, and that the hospital’s spring cleanup has been postponed. Inpatient admissions for the month of March totaled 62, with 108 swing bed days. There were 1,026 outpatient registrations, 1,580 cardiopulmonary procedures, and 14 residents in Long-Term Care (LTC). The Emergency Department saw 675 visits in March, along with 175 ambulance runs. Total operating revenue for March was approximately $1.8 million, down slightly from the previous month. Total operating expenses were approximately $2.6 million. This resulted in an overall operating loss of approximately $683,000 and a year-to-date loss of approximately $586,000. Bollman noted that staff are working diligently to close the fiscal year on a positive note. The hospital currently has 24 days of cash on hand. 340B revenue was $55,929, while expenses increased to $99,687, for a net loss of $43,758. Following approval of the financial report, Amber Hogan delivered the Chief Nursing Officer Report. Hogan highlighted updates to LTC’s electronic Medication Administration Record implementation, a luncheon with Texas County Technical College’s RN Program, the update and renewal of the hospital’s Nursing Assistant Site Training Program, ongoing continuing education efforts, and the upcoming Nurses’ Week, May 6–12. The hospital currently has nursing vacancies in several departments. Four new full-time employees were hired in March, while two employees departed. Open positions currently being recruited for include a CEO, paramedic, clinical receptionist, and Infection Control/Employee Health and Education Director. With no Unfinished or New Business items, the meeting adjourned to executive session for legal and personnel matters. The next regular meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital and is open to the public.

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will be holding its monthly Community Meeting Monday, May 4th, 5:30 – 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Room.  SHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers new, free beds to children in need in our community, ages 3-17, who do not have a bed.

CORRECTION: The “Let Freedom Ring” event with presenter Suzanne Rayfield Chilton McKenzie to be held at James Family Center, across from the James & Gahr Mortuary, located at 103 W. Center Street will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00. YWT incorrectly reported the event would be Saturday in its previous edition.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held its meeting Wednesday night. After the call to order and roll call, the board heard a report from Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois. DuBois shared that soccer is finishing up with 250 athletes, while summer ball just wrapped up registrations with 370 athletes, an increase from last year’s registrations. FEMA projects are finishing up: crew members are working on the riprap for the creek, while fencing at Billy’s Playground is being built. Both projects are estimated to be complete at the beginning of July. The Alice Lou Craig Swimming Pool is being de-winterized on May 5th, to be completed by Landmark Aquatics, and the pool opening is scheduled for May 23rd, weather permitting. DuBois also announced that the Salem MO Spectacular has had its date set for Oct. 24th this year, with Chamber Director Catherine Wynn to assist. The board then approved meeting minutes from March 11th and March 16th. The board discussed the FY 2027 draft budget for the Parks and Recreation department. Proposed within the capital improvement plan for 2027 were repaving for the pool parking lot at $83,400; a cooling station for the pool entrance at $20,000; a pool mural at $17,900; security cameras at $15,000; and a portable storage unit for the purposes of keeping ball equipment at $3,600. Another item for consideration is pool zipline improvements, with an estimate of $2,200. Within the draft budget is a $60,206 deficit, of which the board will need to review and either cut expenses or utilize prior year fund balances. Board member Luke Heithold requested more time to review the budget packet. No vote was made. Moving forward, DuBois shared that the Fireworks Committee is requesting use of the park for the Fourth of July, for the purposes of vendor usage and a fireworks display. The committee is also wanting to do a 35-year time capsule to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. The board approved the committee’s usage of the park and the time capsule and then adjourned. Another meeting is to be held by the board for a vote on the budget and will be announced at a later date.  

Beginning next Monday, May 4th, the City of Salem street department will be providing free curbside yard waste pickup in conjunction with the semi-annual spring residential cleanup. Crews will begin picking up yard waste on May 4th and will continue until it has covered the entire city. Yard waste to be picked up includes leaves bagged in clear, recyclable leaf bags, along with limbs and branches bundled with a maximum diameter of 4 inches, weighing a maximum of 75 pounds. Leaf bags may be picked up at the Utility Office for $2.50. Place all yard waste at the curb or back of sidewalk, not in the street, and do not block sidewalks. What will not be picked up during yard waste pickup are appliances, electronics, furniture, or household trash; lumber, building materials, recyclables, or tires; or entire trees or large limbs. 

The Dent County Health Center will be hosting its annual Spring Health Fair on May 1st from 7:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon, located at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. Available at the health fair will be free basic screenings for blood pressure, height/weight, and BMI calculation. Also available is a Rapid Heart Healthy Screening at $34.50, which includes the basic screening plus Lipid (Cholesterol) and A1C. Available as add-ons to Heart Healthy Screening include a Blood Chemistry at $3.80; Vitamin D at $13.75; Basic Thyroid at $3.00; and Blood Counts at $3.00. Other services include a Rapid Blood Lead Screening at $10.00; free Narcan; and free and low cost STD testing. No appointment is necessary. Call 573-729-3106 for more information and scheduling for additional services.

This Saturday, May 2nd, from 6:30 in the morning to 8:15 in the evening, Montauk State Park will be holding a Kids’ Free Fishing Day. Kids age 15 and under are eligible to participate in the event. There will be a mobile aquarium, door prizes, archery range, and free hotdogs and soda from 11:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon. The spring branch from the CCC Spillway to the Social Hole will be reserved for youth anglers. The registration booth will be open from 2:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 on May 1st and all day on May 2nd. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. For more information about the event, contact the Montauk Hatchery at 573-548-2585.