News – Friday, May 15th, 2026

A 49-year-old Salem resident was involved in an accident in Shannon County Wednesday morning at 12:30 on Highway 19 eight miles north of Eminence. According to the Highway Patrol a 2007 Honda VT1100 was northbound when a deer entered the roadway. The Honda swerved to avoid the deer and ran off the left side of the roadway. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Mercy Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The report stated that the man was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Honda sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker Towing at the owner’s request. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Us Forest Service and the Timber Fire District.

The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. The following report is based on the unapproved minutes. After the call to order and roll call a motion was made and carried to approve the consent agenda, which included the review and approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, review of the financial reports, review and approval of bills, payments, and statements, and review and approval of the budget and reconciliations. In old business, it was reported that the CTI Tower issues have been resolved, and the board is awaiting lease information. In new business, the annual election of officers was conducted. Mike Godi was elected President, Dave Wells was elected Secretary/Treasurer, Dave Wells was appointed Custodian of Records, and Jeff Stokes was appointed Budget Officer. The By Laws were reviewed and the “or owns property within” is to be struck from Article IV, Section I. The By Laws are to be revised and presented with changes at the next meeting. Chief Thomas presented the monthly reimbursement report with a total of 14 calls for the month of April and 98 total calls for the year. The date for the next meeting was set for the evening of June 9th at 6:00 at the DCFPD. The board went in to closed session at 7:09 and returned to open session at 8:30. In closed session Michael Price was interviewed and approved to become a firefighter.

The Salem Police Department recently released their report for the month of April. The department responded to six accidents during the month as well as seven alarms sounding, four abandoned vehicle reports, addressed 23 animal calls, investigated five assaults or fights, received four reports of a burglary, performed 24 well-being checks and 26 area checks in April. Police investigated 16 domestic disputes, responded to eight verbal and two physical disturbances, conducted 74 follow-up investigations and provided 18 escorts. They investigated eight harassment reports, two parking complaint calls, one intoxicated driver report, two intoxicated pedestrian calls, checked out six charges of fraud, five trespassing calls and six property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote ten stealing reports, responded to eight traffic complaints and assisted four motorists. Officers responded to three reports of a suicidal person, 19 suspicious circumstance calls, seven suspicious person calls and six suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in April investigated a report of a prowler, six reports of juvenile problems, two reports of shoplifting, two reports of a prowler, two peace disturbances and 22 nuisance violations. Officers attempted to serve 12 warrants, and conducted 119 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 561 incidents in April with the average response time being one minutes and 19 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 12 minutes and 51 seconds. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non-emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.

The Dent County Toy Drive will be holding its 6th annual Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday, July 25th at the Dent County Commons. Vendors are wanted with outdoor spots still available. Indoor spots are full. This is a special year for the toy drive as it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary serving children in Dent County. Royal Oak Enterprises will be catering delicious pulled pork, and K-KID will be broadcasting live from 11:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon. Backwoods Productions DJ will be keeping the music going throughout the event. As always, attendees will be able to enjoy a free kids carnival, car show, craft show, and poker run. To learn more or apply to be a vendor, visit the Dent County Toy Drive Facebook page at facebook.com/TheDentCountyToyDrive. 

If you need financial assistance in having your pet fixed, Carol House Quick Fix-It Clinic located in Rolla at 13651 South Hwy. 63 offers two subsidized, low-income programs. Contact Carol House for eligibility details or to make your appointment at 573-465-3099 or email reception.rolla@quickfixpetclinic.com.