News – Friday, August 1st 2025

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Citizens Gary and Vivian Fitszinger were in attendance to discuss a low-water crossing on Dent County Road 3040. They said the one culvert pipe that is open is rusted through and water is leaking from the pipe into the gravel and coming out under the concrete, undermining the crossing. The other three pipes are compacted with gravel. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams said they will check it out as soon as they can to see what can be done. In the road report, District One Commissioner Keith Green said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5100, 5103 and 5105. He stated a crew would be changing a tire on a grader in the Bunker area and then continue grading on county road 5670 as well as other roads near Route A. Where needed, gravel will be added to those roads. Green said a truck needed to be taken to the shop and potholes will be patched on chip and seal roads. District Two Commissioner Williams reported that rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2380 and 4280. He said a grader has broken down and John Deere has been contacted for repairs. Williams went on to say a truck that has been repaired would be picked up from Springfield. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported on the local special recycling collection event that will be held on September 13th at 3rd and Grand Streets in Salem for electronics that includes anything with a cord or battery from 9:00 in the morning until noon. There may be a charge from some items like TV’s and monitors. The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District will also be collecting old used tires for a small charge. If you have any questions, please contact the MRPC at 573-265-2993 and ask for Jill Hollowell. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said bills were being approved by the commissioners for payment, and she again wanted to remind all tax entities such as the City of Salem, all school districts, the Salem Memorial Hospital, the Dent County Health Center, the fire districts, etc., that they need to properly publish their tax rate hearing dates as soon as possible. The commissioners set their tax rate hearing for August 18th at 10:00. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported six real estate parcels will be sold on the courthouse steps on August 25th at 10:00. Persons interested in those properties can pick up a list at the collector’s office in the courthouse. She also said the county received and approved 436 applications for the SB190 Homestead Real Estate Tax credits for senior citizens. Those who are 62 years of age and older will have to reapply again next year for the tax credit, but VanKirk set there will be a simpler way to renew if they qualified this year. VanKirk said she will notify all of the tax entities by November 15th and provide them with their expected tax revenues. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday, August 4th at the Dent County Courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

Missouri families looking to save on back-to-school shopping will get a break during the state’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which began today, and continues through midnight on Sunday. During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school-related items will be exempt from both state and local sales taxes. The tax exemption applies to a variety of items essential for the upcoming school year. Clothing items priced at $100 or less per item are eligible, Materials used to make school uniforms or other school clothing are also included. School supplies are also included, provided they do not exceed $50 per item. This category covers classroom essentials such as textbooks, notebooks, writing instruments, crayons, rulers, backpacks, chalk, maps, handheld calculators under $150, and computer software valued at $350 or less. In addition, personal computers and computer peripheral devices priced at $1,500 or less qualify for the tax holiday. For 2025, all cities, counties, and special tax districts in Missouri are participating, meaning that shoppers will receive the full tax exemption across the state. For more information about eligible purchases and reporting requirements is available at the Missouri Department of Revenue’s website, dor.mo.gov.