Archive for 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met last night for its first meeting of June. Two public comments were heard from residents: one resident urged the board to vote against the proposed water rate increase, citing concerns of affordability. Another resident expressed concerns of unprofessional behavior observed from city leadership, proposing the city attorney draft a code of conduct and social media policy for all elected officials to follow. The Fireworks Committee’s request to close the city park to traffic for the purposes of setting off fireworks for the Fourth of July was approved. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved the surplus of two mowers due to their unusable condition. The board approved the renewal of software subscriptions and services with Omnigo Software LLC. for the police department in order to keep the department current with state databases. The annual contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for the Missouri Wastewater Surveillance Program was approved for renewal. This program monitors wastewater for disease outbreaks and is reimbursed $100 per sample each week. A bid from Pierce Asphalt at a total of $426,797 for a two-inch overlay on several streets was also approved, with the first amount of $120,000 to come out in the 2026 Fiscal Year budget and the remaining $306,797 to come out in the proposed 2027 Fiscal Year budget. Moving along, the board heard the first reading of several ordinances, including two task orders with Toth & Associates, Inc., one for engineering services for the Hickory Street sanitary sewer improvements project and another for professional land surveying services related to the Roosevelt Street sidewalk survey project. An addendum to a task order with CM Archer Group, P.C. for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project was also read. A change order for the Water System Improvement Project was read, which is only a contract extension to accommodate a delay in equipment delivery. Several amendments to the Code of Ordinances were read, relating to the Director of Engineering or a qualified engineering firm and its appointment, tenure, qualifications, compensation, and duties. These amendments allow for the city to contract out engineering services. Finally, the board approved the ordinance amending water rates, with both Alderman John Whelan and Alderman Rick Letchworth voting yes and Alderwoman Catherine Dent voting no. Under reports of city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge shared with board members the UFS electric utility rate study. Finance Director Stacey Houston shared that the total sales tax revenues collected for FY 2026 were $4.5 million, which is an increase of approximately 2.6% from the prior year. The city has collected 76% of the budgeted revenues, while expenditures total 68% of the budgeted expenditures; both are trending behind primarily due to grant-related revenues and expenditures coming in later than originally anticipated. Public Works Director Steve Paine notified that the transfer of liquids from the retention basin for the repair on the oxidation ditch is ongoing with smells increasing in the area, but crew members are making great progress. Paine reminded residents that the yard waste lot is not for tires, trash, or construction debris. Lastly, in his report, Letchworth issued a formal censure of Dent over her public rebuke of Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield during the board meeting of May 26th. The board then adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be June 23rd and will be open to the public.

Our community has always shown up when people need it most, and now it’s time to rally around Zach Moser and his family. “We’ve Got Your Back, Zach” will be held Friday, June 19th from 5:00 to 9:00 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and will include an auction, dessert auction, concessions, T-shirts, and community support for a family facing an incredibly difficult battle with Stage 4 Sarcoma. Organizers are currently seeking auction item donations, dessert donations, monetary sponsorships for food and t-shirts, and businesses or individuals willing to support the event in any way. No donation is too small. If you would like to donate or help support this fundraiser, please contact Susie Cahill at susie@salemcommunitycenter.org. Items can be dropped off at the community center Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon with desserts being dropped off Friday, June 19th. In addition to auctions, organizers will also be holding a pickleball tournament on Saturday, June 20th beginning at 10:30 in the morning. Registration will be $25 per player. A competitive 3v3 basketball tournament will be held Saturday, June 27th, with registration at $60 per team. All proceeds from the fundraisers will help Zach and his family with treatment expenses, travel, and daily living costs as he continues his fight against cancer. For more information about these fundraisers, please call 573-739-1127 or email Susie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the upcoming Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 4th at 6:00 in the evening. Line up for entrants begins at 5:00 on Grand Street, in front of Southwest Baptist University. The parade will depart east on Franklin, North on MacArthur, East on Fourth Street, and end at the Dent County Courthouse. The theme of this year’s parade will be America’s 250th: Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future. To sign up or for more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 573-729-6900.

The Salem Public Library is a cooling center and is available and accessible to everyone, whether you have a library card or not. Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday are 10:00 – 5:00 in the afternoon. On Thursday, hours are 10:00 – 7:00 in the evening. On Saturday,  hours are 10:00 -1:00 in the afternoon.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be finishing up maintenance on the Mantis brushcutter, alongside the CAT backhoe. Crew members also plan to work on repairing road signs. In the absence of Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported for district two. Crew members are planning to grade county roads 3250 and 2130. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 2330 and 2300. Maintenance is planned for tractor #6, alongside truck #124. Patching potholes will continue throughout both districts on chipseal roads. Larson reported that he attended a Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation (MCEC) meeting last Wednesday. He will remain as president of MCEC for the remainder of the year. The election of officers was approved, alongside the annual lease agreement with Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC.) Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and the first day to begin excused absentee voting is June 23rd. After June 23rd, sample ballots should be available in the County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse. In this year’s primary, voters have a few ballot choices: Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian. There is also a nonpartisan ballot with only amendments, if desired. If voters have any address changes or updates, contact the County Clerk’s Office as soon as possible at 573-729-4144. Businesses are reminded that if they have a liquor license, those are due by June 30th. County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax, sharing that for the General Revenue fund the county has received $104,622.56, an increase from last year of $1,641.19 and an increase year-to-date of $26,273.46. This is a 5% increase. The Road and Bridge fund has received $52,311.37, an increase from last year of $820.55 and an increase year-to-date of $19,873.87. This is a 7.3% increase. Jails received $105,044.22, an increase from last year of $1,640.25 and an increase year-to-date of $39,646.83 or a percentage increase of 7.2%. County Collector Shannon VanKirk reminds 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. Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt attended with an update on the SEMA funds. According to the county’s SEMA representative, the kickoff meetings which commissioners and Marfitt attended had provided incorrect information and an internal review is ongoing to remedy the situation. Meeting representatives had informed several county officials that an advanced payment for larger projects over the $1.6 million dollar threshold would be provided rather than reimbursed, up to 75%. SEMA representatives had informed counties not to pursue funding through loans due to this 75% advanced payment. This is not the case, however, and the county will need to perform the work and provide documentation before reimbursement is provided through SEMA. Under public comments, resident Thomas Haines asked if there had been any contact made by a data center representative to Dent County, to which commissioners answered no and further clarified that the wide loads coming through the county are rerouted traffic due to ongoing roadwork on Hwy. 63 and Rte. B. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place at 9:00 in the morning Thursday, June 11th at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. After approval of the agenda and the consent agenda, the board will hear any public comments. Following which, the board will consider the approval of the Fireworks Committee’s request to set off fireworks for the Fourth of July. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the sale of surplus equipment, alongside renewal of software subscriptions and services with Omnigo Software, LLC. for the police department. The board will also consider the renewal of a contract with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the city’s participation in the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS.) Under bids, the purchase of asphalt will be considered. Several bills will receive a first reading tonight. Two task orders will be read with Toth & Associates, Inc., including for engineering services for the Hickory Street sanitary sewer improvements project and for professional land surveying services related to the Roosevelt Street Sidewalk Survey Project. A task order with CM Archer Group, P.C. for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project will also be read. Two change orders for the Salem Water System Improvements project will be read. Several amendments to the Code of Ordinances will be read, relating to the Director of Engineering or a qualified engineering firm and its appointment, tenure, qualifications, compensation, and duties. Finally, an ordinance to amend water rates will be receiving its second reading and will be considered for approval by the board. City officials will then present reports, followed by adjournment. This meeting is open to the public. To watch city meetings live, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri. To view the city agendas and meeting packets, go to salemmo.com and click “City,” mouse over the “Government” tab, and click “Agendas & Minutes.”

More rounds of rain and thunderstorms are expected across Missouri through this morning, increasing the risk of flooding across much of the state’s central and southern regions. Remember to turn around, don’t drown. It doesn’t take much water to sweep a vehicle off the roadway. Do not drive around barriers. Flash flooding is unpredictable. Drivers are reminded to slow down at night or in poor visibility. Additionally, within Dent County, above normal temperatures and humidity this week will lead to Heat Index values in the mid-90s to lower 100s. With this being the first heat of the season, paired with warm nighttime temperatures, heat-related impacts may be slightly heightened. A heat advisory is in effect from noon Tuesday to 7:00 in the morning Wednesday. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be holding its monthly meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 at 2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, the board will consider the approval of the consent agenda, to contain the previous meeting’s minutes, financial report, bills, and budget review. Under old business, the board will discuss the CTI Tower Lease and revised bylaws. Under new business, the board will discuss insurance as proposed by representative Mary Martin of American Midwest Insurance. The board will then be presented the monthly reimbursement reports by Fire Chief Derek Thomas. The next meeting date will then be set, and the board will enter a closed session if necessary before adjournment. This meeting will be open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned the week of June 8th to June 14th. Motorists should travel with care and be alert for slow-moving equipment. For Dent County, the bridge over Dry Creek at Hwy. B remains closed with project completion scheduled for the end of July. Pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem on Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 32. The project is expected to be completed in September. A resurfacing project spanning from Hwy. 63 in Texas County to Hwy. KK in Iron County is scheduled to begin today. Work will begin with signal work in the city of Salem with resurfacing scheduled to begin June 15. Paving work in Licking and Salem will take place at night, with all other work scheduled during daytime hours. A 10-foot width restriction is in place around-the-clock for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by mid-September. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zones.

MRPC and the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee are holding an abbreviated friends and family CPR class this Saturday at the MRPC office, #4 Industrial Drive, St. James. This class provides hands-on CPR training, practice with AEDs, an introduction to first aid and is meant to be an informative and relaxed environment for basic understanding of life-saving measures. The course does not offer certification and is approximately 60-90 minutes long. While registration is required, the class is offered free of charge. Samantha Sherman, senior community development specialist with MRPC, said that this is the perfect opportunity for individuals who may be watching children over the summer or community members who have a desire to assist when needed to get basic hands-on knowledge without going through a lengthy certification course. The hope is that this course provides enough knowledge to be beneficial to participants who find themselves in emergency situations that require immediate action. The course is being taught by Scott Proffitt, a certified instructor with Rolla Fire and Rescue. To register for the class, email or call Samatha Sherman with MRPC at ssherman@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993, ext. 101. This training opportunity is funded through a grant provided by Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) has released that it has completed its 2026 annual school bus inspection. Over 11,000 school buses were successfully inspected in accordance to Missouri revised state statues. A total of 287 Missouri school districts earned the Patrol’s Total Fleet Excellence Award for 2026. Missouri’s 2026 school bus inspection results are as follows: School buses rated as “approved” upon initial inspection were 10,239; buses rated as “defective” were 849; and buses rated as “out-of-service” were 283. Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed out-of-service require correction of the component(s), reinspection, and a return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers. According to the individual school district results for 2026, the Salem R-80 School District’s fleet of 10 buses received 90% approval from Highway Patrol Troop I, with only one bus receiving a defective rating; Oak-Hill R-I received a rating of 60% on their fleet of five buses; Green Forest R-II received a rating of 75% on their fleet of eight buses; Dent-Phelps R-III received an approval rating of 100% on their fleet of nine buses; and North Wood R-IV received an approval rating of 57.1% of their fleet of seven buses.

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is in need of more volunteers to assist with bed deliveries on the outskirts of Dent County. If you are someone willing and able to lend a hand, join SHP, an international non-profit that builds, assembles, and delivers new beds to children in need to ensure no child sleeps on the floor of our town. No experience is needed and training is provided. Just recently, over 40 people from Oak Grove Baptist Church, Gladden Baptist Church, and New Home Baptist Church joined together to build beds for children in need. For more information, contact Patti McKeown at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org or call the Dent County chapter at 1-844-432-2337. Updates can also be found at facebook.com/shpdentco. 

The Salem Heritage Sign has officially returned to its original placement after being removed for restoration work from both the City of Salem Electric Department and Construction Department. Department crew members have worked hard to restore the sign’s lighting, concrete slab, and painted lettering. The sign was originally placed in the City of Salem Roadside Park in 1957 by the State Historical Society of Missouri and State Highway Commission, telling a brief history of Salem.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for its regular meeting. Not in attendance was Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams as Acting Presiding Commissioner. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members are hauling rock to and grading county roads 6220 and 6240. Ditchwork is being completed on county roads 4110 and 4120 to prepare for chipseal resurfacing. Pothole patching is also to be done today. In the second district, Williams reported that crew members are spreading asphalt and patching chipseal roads to prepare for resurfacing, including county roads 2250, 3233, 3230, 3220, and 3290. Hauling and spreading rock will be done on county roads 5260 and 5325. A tree will be removed from County Road 3355. Meanwhile, Curley reported that she has balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of May. Bills are to be approved. Businesses are reminded that if they have a liquor license, those are due by June 30th. The first day to start absentee voting is June 23rd for the Aug. 4th Primary Election. Under public comments, commissioners heard from several residents advocating against Flock cameras and its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems currently in use by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Resident Denver Ellis provided commissioners a proposal for a privacy and surveillance ordinance, modeled off an ordinance adopted by Camden County Commission, alongside a proposal for a ballot question to discontinue the county’s participation in the ALPR system. Sargent Lenny Pabbin with the Sheriff’s Office discussed the system with the residents, clarifying that the cameras document passing vehicles but lose the information after 30 days; the cameras do not track speed; and it does not have facial recognition software. Pabbin further clarified the system has only been in use for three weeks. Residents disagreed with the continued use of the system, citing privacy concerns. Ellis also asked commissioners if the proposed ordinance against data centers has been considered, to which commissioners claimed it cannot be enforced if put in place due to a lack of zoning laws. A resident asked regarding the progress being made on the slab crossing on County Road 4210. This is a FEMA bridge awaiting engineering plans. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place at 9:00 in the morning Monday, June 8th at the courthouse and is 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.

Join Salem Public Library this Saturday from 10:30 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon for a meet the author and book signing event with local author Sarah Mason of “Riding the Line,” “Hell of a Ride,” and “Caught in the Crossfire.” This program is intended for adults. No fee or library card is required to attend.

The Salem Community Center @ the Armory will be hosting the Dueling Pianos on Aug. 7th. Dueling Pianos is a musical showdown where two pianists take audience requests and turn them into a live performance. These musicians are based out of areas all across the United States, including New York, Kansas City, St. Louis, and more. Doors will be opening early evening at 5:30 with the performance to begin at 6:30 and going until 9:30. Concessions and a cash bar will be available. Individual tickets will be $25 and a VIP table of six will be $250. Tickets are available @ the Armory. Visit flyingivories.com or facebook.com/flyingivories to learn more about the performers. For questions on the event, please contact 573-729-8163 or Jackie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.