News – Tuesday, August 26th 2025

An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 4:22 on Highway 19 about 14 miles north of Eminence that left two Salem girls with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 12-year-old girl was driving a Polaris Ranger UTV northbound when it went out of control after she made an abrupt turn causing the UTV to overturn onto its left side. The 12-year-old Salem girl sought her own treatment while the 13-year-old girl was transported by the Mercy EMS to Mercy St. Francis Hospital in Mountain View. None of the girls were wearing safety equipment. The Polaris was removed from the scene by a private party. The highway patrol was assisted by the Shannon County Sheriff’s Department and Timber First Responders.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5040, 5045, 5050 and 5060, while grading will be done on county road 2460. He indicated crews would be replacing crossover pipes in District 1 as well as installing a new driveway pipe off of Route P. He stated rock would be added to county road 5510 where a soft spot is being patched. Green went on to say that work will be done on Dent County Road 6665 Wednesday morning to repair or check on a buried pipeline in that road. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Roads 4050 and 4055, while only grading will be done on county roads 5330 and 5333. Williams said brush will be cut on county road 2080 and a crew will be opening culvert pipes on Dent County Road 3180. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the Missouri Department of Economic Development will hold an update on the Missouri Broadband Initiative this Friday to update the public on the current status of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind tax entities that their board approved tax rates are due in her office by the close of day this Friday. She also will be attending the annual County Clerk Conference in Kansas City in September and is asking Dent County businesses to donate an item to be part of a large gift basket that will be auctioned off at that conference. This is a way that she can showcase what Dent County local businesses have to offer to other county representatives around the state. Contact her office at 573-729-4144 for more information. The Commission then agreed to seek bids for lawncare and snow removal at the Courthouse, Judicial Building and Annex beginning October 1st through September 30th, 2026. Bids will be due and opened at 10:00 in the morning on September 11th. The Commission also agreed to seek bids to provide the courthouse with propane. Bids will be due and opened at 10:15 in the morning on September 11th. The duration of the bid contract will be from October 1st through September 30th, 2026. Further, the commission agreed to seek bids for the county Property/Auto/Liability/Error & Emissions insurance. Bids are due by Thursday, October 23rd and will be opened at 10:00 in the morning. Please contact the County Clerk’s office if you would like any information on the following bid request.  573-729-4144. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

General highway maintenance and construction work is planned in the area through the 31st. Weather conditions may postpone scheduled work. Many projects will include lane closures which could cause delays. Moving operations such as pothole patching, mowing, and pavement repairs continue in various locations. Motorists should travel with care and be alert for slow-moving equipment. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. Many projects will include lane closures which could cause delays.  In Dent County on Route DD, pavement repairs are planned for until the 28th. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. In Crawford County on Route 19, culvert replacement is ongoing through the 28th from Route 8 to Seven Cedars Road. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone.

In Monday’s Your World Today stories about the Salem R-80 and Library Board’s meetings and tax rate hearings, the tax rates did not include the “per $100 assessed valuation” clarification. The Salem R-80 Board tax is $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation for the operating levy, plus there is a 45-cent debt service per $100 assessed valuation for a total of $3.20 per $100 assessed valuation. The Library Board tax rate valuation is 30 cents per $100 assessed valuation. We apologize for the omission.