News – Friday, January 9th 2026

The City of Salem reports that due to a system error, customers who normally receive their utility bills by e-mail will NOT receive an e-mailed bill this month. For this billing cycle only, utility bills will be sent by regular U.S. mail. The city apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your understanding.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said materials would be added where needed and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4080 and 5490. He also indicated brush is still being cut on county road 5615 and crews should finish that up this week. Green went on to say that rock will also be stockpiled at the county road and bridge department. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock, brush cutting and grading on Dent County Road 2313, while only grading will be done on county roads 4437, 6140 and 6160. Williams said he received a petition to have 20 MPH speed limit signs installed on Dent County Road 2155 which the commission approved. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson attended the Public Housing Authority meeting, External Relations Committee meeting and the regular MRPC board meeting Thursday evening ion St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office continues to work on the county 2026 budget. She again reported that all political subdivisions will need to get their election or non-election certification submitted to her office by 5:00 on January 27th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation set turkey and deer hunting dates for the 2026-2027 seasons. The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the dates at its December 12 meeting at MDC headquarters in Jefferson City. The Commission also gave final approval to reduce the nonresident spring turkey harvest limit from two bearded turkeys to one bearded bird. Nonresident landowners will maintain a harvest limit of two bearded birds with only one allowed during the first seven days of the season. Spring turkey season dates include the youth portion April 11-12 and regular season April 20 through May 10. Fall archery turkey portion runs September 15 through November 13 and November 25 through January 15, 2027. Fall firearms turkey portion is October 1-31 in open counties. Archery deer season runs September 15 through November 13 and November 25 through January 15, 2027. Firearms deer dates include the early antlerless portion October 9-11 in open counties, early youth portion October 24-25, November portion November 14-24, late youth portion November 27-29, late antlerless portion December 5-13 in open counties, and alternative methods portion December 26, 2026 through January 5, 2027. The Commission approved changes to move the early youth portion one week earlier in years when it overlaps with Halloween. Detailed information will be included in the MDC 2026 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the MDC 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available closer to the seasons. The booklets will be available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Cardinal Caravan will return to Rolla to the Rolla High School Gymnasium on Saturday, January 17th around 5:30. This year’s players lineup will include Victor Scott II, J.J. Wetherholt, Jose Fermin and Kyle Leahy. The emcees will be Ricky Horton and Mike Claiborne while Cardinal alumni Kerry Robinson will also be in attendance. New this year, fans 16-years of age and older will receive two tickets to a 2026 Cardinal game, while kids 15-years of age and under through the door on the day of the event can get one autograph from each current and former player. Autographs will only be available for the fans who are 15 years of age and under.