News – Friday, March 27th 2026

The Dent County Commission met for its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members have installed a pipe on Dent County Road 5150 and are planning to do ditch work on that same road. Crew members are hauling rock and grading on County Roads 6600 and 5150. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members are planning on hauling rock and grading on Dent County Roads 2050 and 5110. Dump truck #122 has a hydraulic leak and requires maintenance. Crew members are planning on opening up culverts on County Road 4290. On County Road 4283, crew members will be retrieving washed off gravel with the backhoe and returning it to the roadway. Two pipes were replaced yesterday on County Road 5300. Williams emphasized many culverts have been filled with gravel due to the recent washouts from rainstorms, and crew members have been stretched thin due to the recovery efforts. He urged residents to grant them patience and grace as they work to restore the roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that MRPC’s Executive Director Bonnie Prigge reached out to presiding commissioners within the eight county region and urged them to contact their representatives regarding Senate Bill 1586, an act modifying and creating new provisions relating to solid waste management. Larson said the bill would eliminate solid waste management plans and create five new solid waste management regions; however, nothing in the legislation determines operations, leadership, or financial plans for the new regions. Larson shared that due to correspondence from the presiding commissioners, Senator Ben Brown of District 26, the sponsor of the bill, has placed the bill on an informal calendar to allow more time for public review and comment. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting continues through April 6th. From 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon Saturday, April 4th, the courthouse will be open for absentee voting in the county clerk’s office. On April 7th, polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Curley urged residents to make sure their addresses are correct in order to avoid confusion at the polls. Addresses may be changed up until the day of voting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported $84,166.81 in CART funds for the month. This is up year-to-date from last year 6.4%. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public. 

The Salem Police Department works to keep the community safe, and invites residents to help make a difference. If you have any information, big or small, don’t hesitate to reach out and help keep Salem safe by submitting tips to email SPDTips@salemmo.com or 573-729-4242. Information related to the following investigations is accepted: narcotics activity, stolen property, murder investigations, or burglary incidents.