Archive for 2026

City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board President Carlos Lopez has called for a meeting of the board today at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order and roll call will be the Directors Report, followed by approval of minutes. The board will then review and approve the budget. The board will consider approval of the Fourth of July Committee use of the park and a time capsule request, followed by adjournment.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday evening. During the public hearing for property annexation, no comments were made, so the regular meeting of the board commenced. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved an electric department budget adjustment. Public Works Director Steve Paine shared that this adjustment was due to the progress of the new electric superintendent. The request was to move $80,000 from line replacements to other line items, including equipment maintenance, tools, special services, safety gear, and wearing apparel. Burbridge clarified this is not an increase in the budget but a transfer within the budget. A first reading was heard for three bills: an ordinance annexing property owned by Christopher and Joslyn Heavin; an ordinance annexing property owned by Terry and Shirley Perkins; and amendments to the city code to allow subcommittees to be established within the Community Involvement Committee. A first and second reading was heard for a task order authorizing Toth & Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the Philmart/Marathon stormwater culvert replacement project. Portions of the concrete pads in the Phil-mart drive through show signs of sinking, and the culvert under the drive pads is collapsing. This is not a budgeted project but necessary due to the sinking concrete pads. Estimates for the engineering on the project is approximately $70,000. Discussion was held by the board for which funding sources to pursue for construction, which has a yet to be determined cost. The board approved the task order. Meanwhile, another task order was approved for Toth & Associates, Inc. engineering services, related to the city park no-rise certificate and permit project. The permit and no-rise certificate will be filed with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA.) City reports were then provided. Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield shared an economic snapshot of Salem and Dent County, based off of census data. The full slideshow is viewable within the meeting packet. Both Paine and Mayor Greg Parker reminded the community that spring clean-up is coming up, on your regular trash day between May 4th through the 15th. Finally, the board adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be May 12th and will be open to the public. 

Join America250 in celebrating our heritage at “Let Freedom Ring” in Salem with SuzanneRayfield Chilton McKenzie as the presenter this Saturday at 2:00 at the James Family Center at 103 West Center Street, across the street from the James and Gahr Mortuary. The event is sponsored by the Dent County Historical Society. For more information, call Deloris Gray Wood, President of the Dent County Historical Society, at 573-729-2545 or email Suzanne at Suzanne.McKenzie.Author@gmail.com.

Salem Public Library has a special Saturday storytime and meet-the-author opportunity coming up! This Saturday morning, Rachel Johnson will read her children’s book “Mrs. Johnson and the Chocolate Conundrum” at 10:30. For more information, please call the library at (573) 729-4331. 

Join the Salem Future Farmers of America Chapter at Pizza Hut from 4:00 to 8:00 in the evening Thursday next week and enjoy a meal while helping students succeed. FFA members will be on-site serving guests food and taking orders, with a portion of the evening’s proceeds to go directly toward supporting FFA activities and agricultural education opportunities. Come out to support a great cause.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be having its regular meeting tonight at 6:00 within the City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington Street. Before the regular meeting will be a public hearing for Christopher and Joslyn Heavin, owners of property being considered for annexation into the city. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear any scheduled public comments. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the approval of an electric department budget adjustment, in order to improve its capacity for routine maintenance and ensure adequate inventory and tools for line repairs. There will be a first reading of three ordinances: an ordinance annexing property owned by Christopher and Joslyn Heavin; an ordinance annexing property owned by Terry and Shirley Perkins; and amendments to the city code to allow subcommittees to be established within the Community Involvement Committee. A first and second reading will be heard for two ordinances, including one authorizing Toth and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the Philmart/Marathon stormwater culvert replacement project, and another authorizing Toth and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the city park no-rise certificate and permit project. Any reports by city officials will then be presented before the board adjourns. The open session meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission held its meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members are planning to grade county roads 2400, 2430, and 6220. Graders will be present on those roads but may be limited in what can be done due to weather impacts. Crew members are preparing County Road 4110 for overlay later this year, with expectations of project completion in June. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be grading on county roads 3180 and 4300, with hauling rock to be done on County Road 3180, along with culvert installation. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 2500 and 2550. Preparations are underway for overlay on County Road 6150 later this year. The two 2026 Mach Trucks arrived Thursday afternoon, with crew members preparing the vehicles for use this week. Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and that her attendance at the annual meeting with the US Election Assistance Commission’s Standards Board went well. Meanwhile, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported that CART tax is up from last April $6,291.69. This is up year-to-date $22,236.75 and up 6.9%. The commission signed the Water Tower Use Agreement on the Public Water Supply District #1. The commission will be putting a repeat on the tower in order for the road department radios to receive better service. An emergency closed session was then held with all approving 3-0. Sheriff Bob Wells presented a quote on fixing the parking lot of the sheriff’s department for $11,980 from Levi Reeves Construction. The commission will patch the parking lot for now. 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.

Join MoDOT on Wednesday any time from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening at Rolla’s City Hall located at 901 North Elm Street for a public meeting to learn about planned improvements along I-44 in Phelps County, specifically to both westbound lanes from US Route 63 to Sugar Tree Road and eastbound lanes within Rolla, along with Route V and Route 68/6 interchanges to enhance safety and capacity. More details on the project, including the timeline, will be shared at the meeting. Project staff, info, and displays will be available for any questions or comments from the public. There will be no formal presentation. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the 2026 Missouri Birding Challenge (MBC) May 1st through 22nd. Registration is open until this Thursday. The Missouri Birding Challenge participants will compete alone or on teams in five categories based on age, birding location, or experience. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their list of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. There is a fee of $15 per person, or $10 per team in the youth Fledgling category. Fees are collected by MBC partner MCHF and contribute to migratory bird conservation efforts and projects. Registration fees were reduced from last year based on participant feedback. A new Big Day category will challenge registrants to record as many bird species as possible in the 24 hours of World Migratory Bird Day on May 9th. Once participants complete a category and submit their team’s mandatory eBird report, they will be entered into a drawing for prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. Learn more about the 2026 MBC and register by Thursday at mdc.mo.gov.

Salem’s Community-Wide Yard Sale is set to begin this Saturday. If you need space to hold your yard sale, spaces are available for rent in the parking lot behind the City Administrative Offices at 400 North Iron Street. Spaces are $8 for two parking spaces. You reserve spaces by coming into the office at 400 North Iron Street or by calling 573-729-4117. After the Community-Wide Yard Sale is the semi-annual Residential Cleanup for Salem residents. This will be the weeks of May 4th through May 8th, and May 11th through the 15th, on your regularly scheduled trash day. Have all items for pickup sitting curbside the night before your trash day. EPA law will not allow collection of the following material: yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals or solvents, paint, appliances, or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, construction debris, etc. All mattresses must be wrapped in plastic and loose items must be bagged to be picked up. For questions on the residential cleanup, call 1-800-926-3953 or 417-741-7714.

MoDOT has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid–Missouri area going on now through Sunday. Keep in mind that weather conditions may postpone scheduled work. In Dent County, pedestrian facility upgrades on Highway 19 continue in the city limits of Salem. Minimal traffic impacts are expected during the project, expected to be completed by September 2026. The bridge over Dry Creek remains closed with a project to replace the bridge scheduled to be completed this year. In Phelps County, pothole patching is planned on I-44 between Route V and Hwy. 72 in both directions, now through Thursday. One lane will be closed nightly from 6:30 in the evening until 6:00 in the morning. Meanwhile, pedestrian facility upgrades continue in Rolla on Highway 72, with project completion expected this June. Work will require intermittent single-lane closures. Route J is closed for bridge rehabilitation over I-44. The on- and off- ramps at the overpass at Exit 169 will remain open and a signed detour will be in place. Project completion is expected this June. The bridge rehabilitation project over I-44 continues at the Business Loop 44/Hwy. 72/Kingshighway exit. The bridge is closed to all westbound traffic. A signed detour is in place, and project completion is expected this July. 

At the Dent County Health Center Inaugural Gala and Awards Banquet held Friday night at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory, Health Center Administrator Zach Moser served as the emcee and presented numerous health related awards to community members and organizations, voted on by the public online. The awards handed out at the well attended event were: the Fay Schafer Achievement Award that went to Joan Fleener; the Physician of the Year Award presented to Brady Floyd; the Nurse of the Year Award went to Brittany Shepherd; the Nurse Practitioner Award was given to Sandra Headrick; the Pharmacist Award was presented to Hershel Moser; the Allied Health Professional Award was given to Teresa Wisdom; the Emergency Excellence Award was won by Logan Pogue; the Preventative Care Award went to the SMDH Mammography; the Rural Health Impact Award was presented to Phelps Health; the Emerging Clinical Leader Award was given to Brady Floyd; the Clinical Team of the Year was won by Sandra Headrick and her Phelps Health team; the Health System of the Year was awarded to Phelps Health; the Community Health Partner of the Year was given to Aging Best; the Friend of Public Health was presented to Kala Sisco; the Social Services Impact Award was taken by Sara Arnett; the Community Charity and Outreach Award was won by Love Thy Neighbor; the Community Health Initiative Excellence Award was presented to the SMDH ToRCH Program; and the Humanitarian Excellence Award was given to Thom Haines. Congratulations to all!

Due to a printing error, page two of yesterday’s Your World Today had a story and obituary from a previously published issue. We apologize for the confusion and will republish the intended stories in an upcoming edition. 

The Dent County Commission had its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be grading county roads 5380, 5110, and 6080 and rock will be hauled where needed to those same roads. Crew members will also be putting in a culvert on County Road 4110 and preparing that road for resurfacing. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared crew members will be removing a tree on County Road 3300 and spreading rock and grading on County Road 2360. Crew members will also be attempting to fix the low water crossing on County Road 4290. In public comments, resident Cindy Jones shared that the Honoring Our Heroes Marathon Gala, where funds raised during the annual event is to be distributed to several local veteran’s organizations, was held Thursday. Also during public comments, general contractor Levi Reeves of Levi Reeves Construction requested the commissioners solicit bids for repaving the Dent County Sheriff’s Office parking lot. Commissioners informed Reeves he would need to speak with the sheriff’s office, and that the item would need to be budgeted for within the fiscal year and may not be possible until next fiscal year’s budget approval. 

The Missouri University Extension will be hosting a class on water bath canning at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory the evening of  June 18th from 6:00 to 8:30. The hands-on class will cover the water bath canning of salsa, which does not require a pressure canner. The process can be used for canning other high acid foods like fruits, jams, jellies, fruit butters, pickles, salsas, relishes, and acidified tomatoes. Pre-registration will begin on June 10th, and the cost of $25 will cover the supplies of the class. For more information, contact the Dent County Extension Office located at 407 East 4th Street or phone number 573-729-3196, and/or contact Thom Haines at phone number 573-247-7952. 

Salem’s Community-Wide Yard Sale is set to begin next Saturday, May 2nd. If you need space to hold your yard sale, spaces are available for rent in the parking lot behind the City Administrative Offices at 400 North Iron Street. Spaces are $8 for two parking spaces. You reserve spaces by coming into the office at 400 North Iron Street or by calling 573-729-4117. After the Community-Wide Yard Sale is Spring Residential Cleanup to follow for the two weeks immediately after the sale on your regular trash pickup day. 

Apply now through May 1st, 2026 to receive the Missouri Century Farm recognition. Families who have owned a farm for 100 consecutive years or more are eligible to become a Missouri Century Farm through the MU Extension Program. If your farm has been in the family for 100+ years as of  Dec. 31, 2026, apply for the Century Farm designation and receive a certificate, sign and booklet to commemorate your heritage. The program honors the long‑standing contributions of Missouri farmers and ranchers and the legacy they continue to build. So far, more than 8,000 farms have received this recognition. For more information, visit extension.missouri.edu, click “Programs”, and search “Century Farms.” Or contact the local MU Extension office by calling 573-729-3196 or visiting the office at 112 East 5th Street Suite 4, Salem. 

The Ozarks Riverways Foundation will be holding its annual Rendezvous on the Ridge from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon on May 9th at Big Rock Candy Mountain in Jadwin. As well as food, vendors, arts, music, workshops, and fun, this year’s celebration will also host 14 local authors including Sarah K. Mason, Titus James Benton, Dr. Mark Morgan, and Matt Ankney. This year, the concert to be held at 6:00 in the evening is free to attend, with Dennis Stroughmatt and band L’Esprit Creole taking the stage. Be sure to bring a lawn chair and dress weather appropriate. For more information, visit ozarkriverwaysfoundation.org/events.