News – Monday, October 6th 2025

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said work crews would be finishing up their grading work in the Montauk area as asphalt patch work is being done on Dent County 4110. Green said brush cutting is being done on county road 5520. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers will be adding rock and grading Dent County Road 3300 and 4280, while only grading would be done on county roads 3310 and 4270. Williams indicated that his crew will be finishing up their chip and seal patching by early next week. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he did not attend the Solid Waste Advisory Board meeting Wednesday as another officer filled in for him. He will be attending the Solid Waste Executive Committee Board meeting in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would be doing a voter registration drive at the Salem High School Cafeteria Foyer on Tuesday, October 21st from 11:00 in the morning until 1:30 in the afternoon. She then reported that she received permission from the Salem R-80 Art Department to hold another “I Voted” sticker contest that allows students to design a new sticker that will be used in the county clerk’s office and at all voting locations in Dent County for the 2026 and 2027 elections. This is a contest between students that began Wednesday and will continue through December 1st. All submissions by the students will be due on December 1st and the five finalists will be determined by December 5th. Their artwork will then be posted in the courthouse on the walls from December 8th through the 19th for registered voters to come and view, then cast their vote on their favorite design. The winner and runners-up will be notified on December 20th. This contest was done back in 2022 and the winner of that “I Voted” sticker contest was Olivia Wisdom. The commissioners agreed to list on Purple Wave two dump trucks and a groomer to be sold. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk and Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the Sale of Surplus Property funds in the amount of $15,125.19 which is for Betty Brown’s property. The funds needed to be turned over to the Department of Social Services, Missouri Healthnet Division to release the lien placed on the property. The commission approved turning over the funds. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00. The meeting is open to the public. 

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, October 6th, starting at 5:30 and lasting until 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in the Rotary Room! Upcoming events, needs, and more will be discussed. The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501c3 non-profit that provides a new, free bed to children in need in our community who do not have a bed between the ages of 3 and 17. Mark your calendars and please join them, and new volunteers are welcome!! If you are not able to help physically, donations of new bedding are always welcome to help provide a good night’s sleep to the area children. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please make checks payable to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and designate the MO-DENT County Chapter. If you have questions, please contact Patti McKeown at 703-964-6495 or e-mail her at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

A beginners stained glass workshop will be held at the Creative Arts Saturday starting tomorrow and be held every Tuesday through October 28th from 4:00 in the afternoon until 7:00 in the evening. Jennifer Curry will be the instructor. You will learn the fundamentals of the stained glass foiling technique during this workshop. In this class you will create your very own glass project using the foiling technique, while learning to score, break, grind, foil, and solder. You will be introduced to the vocabulary, materials, and the tools used, while creating a beautifully designed piece for your very own. You will select a pattern from one provided, upon arrival during your first workshop. The only thing you need to bring is the desire and enthusiasm to learn the beautiful craft of creating art with glass. At least two people need to sign up for the class to be held and walk-ins are welcome up until the end of the first session on Tuesday night. The class will be limited to five people. The cost is $130 for the four week workshop which includes all the supplies and safety equipment are included. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

Maggie Hogan was crowned the 2025 Football Homecoming Queen by the 2024 Homecoming Queen, Kenzie Owens. The other senior Queen Candidates were Addison Fulton and Lizabeth Hendrix. The other members of the Homecoming Court were Freshman Brinkley Tripp, Sophomore Aubree Grauf and Junior Rylee Parker.