News – Thursday, July 17th 2025

The Dent County 4-H & FFA Expo livestock registration is this morning from 9:30 until 11:30 and all livestock MUST be in place by 11:00. Weigh-ins will start at 12:00 with the Small Animal Show to begin at 3:00. The “Pig Pals” practice is scheduled for 4:00 with the show to follow at 5:00. The exhibitor and family supper will be at 6:00. Friday the shows kick off at 7:00 in the morning with the Hog show, followed by the Sheep and Goat show. The Beef and Dairy shows will start at 2:00 Friday afternoon, followed by the Buyer’s Supper at 6:30. Saturday morning the highlight of the Expo will be the 4-H and FFA Market Sale, which will begin at 9:00. The auction will be carried live on KSMO (AM 1340 and FM 95.7) and also live streamed on KSMO Media (ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stram Facebook, and the KSMO YouTube & Twitch Channels.) For additional information contact the Dent County Extension office at (573) 729-3196.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the Fiscal year 2026 through 2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, better known as STIP. The program lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies starting July 1st, 2026, continuing through June 30th, 2030. The five-year program is one of the largest to date and includes additional funding from General Revenue, passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe. Funding is allocated for improvements to interstates 70 and 44, the fixing of low-volume minor roads, and improvements to bridges, airports and rail crossings. The STIP makes available $13.3 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $13.3 billion, the STIP details $9.5 billion in contractor awards for road and bridge construction – averaging approximately $1.9 billion per year. In Dent County, the bridge replacement over Dry Creek on Route B and ADA improvements to sidewalks on Highway 19 are scheduled to be done this year. Also included were bridge improvements over Spring Creek on Highway 19 and bridge improvement over Huzzah Creek on Highway 32 that are scheduled to start next year. The plan also includes the future scoping to replace or improve the bridge on Route FF over Crooked Creek. Also scheduled for next year are the pavement improvement on Route P from Highway 72 to the end of state maintenance. The repavement will also include Routes JJ and N to end of state maintenance. Bridge improvements on Route H over Dry Fork Creek and Barnett Prong Dry Creek, and on Highway 32 over Dry Fork Creek and Pigeon Creek are scheduled for the third year of the plan. The STIP details improvements to Missouri’s 33,814 miles of highway and 10,427 bridges and culverts. The draft version of the STIP was released in May for public review, with MoDOT receiving 73 comments.

Electrical service in Montauk State Park Campground Loop 4 affected by flooding last November was restored earlier this month. These sites are now operational and ready for reservations. Electrical service has been restored to 27 campsites that now offer 50-amp, 30-amp, and 20-amp service. Camping in Loop 4 with no electrical service has been available on a first-come, first-served basis since March 2025. Reservations can be made by contacting the Reservation Call Center at 877-422-6766 from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening or by visiting icampmo.com.

The Dent County Toy Drive is looking for vendors for this year’s Craft Fair as well as Food Truck vendors! The Craft Fair will be held July 26th at the Dent County Commons from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Join them for a day of fun that includes a FREE old-fashioned carnival, a poker run hosted by ABATE, The Current River Cruisers Cruise-In cars, craft show, food trucks, and music! Call 573-247-2216 for more information. 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways plans to host two managed deer hunts at Big Spring this fall, providing special opportunities for youth and mobility-impaired veterans. The application period for both hunts is July 1st through July 31st. Ten hunters will be randomly selected for each event. The Youth Hunt is scheduled for December 6th & 7th. Applicants must apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. The Exceptional Warrior Mobility-Impaired Hunt will take place October 25th and 26th. Applications and details for this hunt are available at go.nps.gov/BigSpringHunt2025. For additional information, visit the park’s Facebook page, park website, or call (573) 323-4236.

The Ozark Fly Fishers 15th Annual Missouri Stream Outing will be held July 18th through the 20th! The public is invited to attend educational sessions promoting the conservation of Missouri’s beautiful streams. Attendees are encouraged to participate in various activities and science-based presentations involving on stream water quality monitoring, fly casting, and fly-tying instruction. If interested in this free event at Montauk State Park, visit the Searcy Building during the outing to attain details or call 314-560-1335.