News – Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

The Salem Police Department released that on May 7th, a detective responded to a business in the 100 block of South Main and discovered a male had shattered the glass of the business while entering. An investigation was conducted and as a result, Christopher Turner, was located on May 13th and arrested. Turner was transported to the Dent County Jail. A probable cause statement was submitted to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant Prosecutor Weber filed a felony complaint in the circuit court of Dent County. A $5,000 Cash/Surety bond warrant was issued by the Honorable Judge Kelsaw for Property Damage in the 1st Degree. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

In a separate incident, on May 13th, a sergeant with the Salem Police Department conducted an investigation into the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive and responded to the 100 block of North Pershing where the subject was located. The subject, Buck Prater, was placed under arrest and transported to the Dent County Jail, where he was held on probation and parole with a NO BOND warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be out grading county roads 6320, 5150, and 2460, along with stockpiling rock. Crew members will also be performing maintenance on the brush hog in preparation for use in the coming weeks. A gentleman attended to discuss County Road 5170 with Green, as the road has been utilized as a detour during the closure of the bridge on Route B over Dry Creek. With further usage, the road is in need of more maintenance and monitoring. Green stated crew members will visit the road this week to review what needs done. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members would be grading and hauling rock on County Road 3180, along with replacing a crossover pipe on the same road. Crew members will also be cutting brush on County Road 2340. A culvert will be cleaned out on County Road 6150. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s report, he attended a Tourism Commission meeting Monday night. Last week, he attended several meetings at MRPC where attendees discussed details for the annual banquet. Larson received an update on the bridge on Route B over Dry Creek. At its May 6th meeting, the Missouri Highway Transportation Commission awarded a $996,609.65 contract for work to Joe’s Bridge & Grading, Inc. The start date will be shared on the project as soon as it is known. Further, Larson reported that there is a grant cycle starting soon for ServMO’s America 250 Missouri Mini Grant opportunity. Organizations are invited to submit applications in support of meaningful, community-driven service projects in the month of September 2026. The application cycle is June 1st through June 19th. Mini-grants of up to $3,000 will be available to fund projects taking place on or around the 9/11 Day of Service and/or Missouri Good Neighbor Week, September 28th through October 4th. To learn more about this grant, visit serv.mo.gov/grant-opportunities. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills and payroll is to be approved, and that District 8 did not have enough signatures for statewide petitions to be checked for certification. Gina White with Salem Memorial Hospital visited, and the commissioners signed its application for a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant (SS4A.) The next meeting will be 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the Courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

The North Wood R-IV Board of Education held its regular meeting Thursday, May 14th. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board went into closed session to discuss personnel. Letters of Resignation were approved from the following during the closed session: Principal JC Flores, Kyesha Flores, Lauren Prugh, and Katie Sapp. In open session, the board discussed the strategic plan; the stakeholders meeting in August; facilities, the FEMA building, kitchen renovations, and summer projects; budget updates; and summer transition camp. Enrollment for April was 162 for Kindergarten through 8th grade, along with 15 for pre-Kindergarten. Attendance was 95.6%. Lunch prices were discussed with the board approving to change student lunch prices to $2.95, adult lunch prices to $4.35, and breakfast prices to $1.95. The board also approved the Title Program evaluation as presented, along with the Title I Reading evaluation as presented. A bid was opened from Lexington Diesel for the surplus buses and approved as presented. Superintendent Jeff Dodson informed the board there will be a second Kindergarten screening in August. The board then adjourned. The next meeting of the board will be June 11th at 6:30 in the evening at the North Wood R-IV school and is open to the public.

The Green Forest 4-H will be holding a Fish Fry Fundraiser this Friday from 11 in the morning until they sell out. The Fundraiser will be held at the Wilson’s Family Center at 400 North Iron Street here in Salem. If you live in town delivery available upon request. Call 573-280-2036 for more information.

There will be a Cemetery Workday at the Mount Olive Cemetery at 3477 Highway VV in Licking, hosted by the Dent County Historical Society, in remembrance of Decoration Day and in celebration of America’s 250th. The cemetery workday will be held the morning of Saturday, May 30th at 10:00. The cemetery will be mowed, so leave the tools at home, they won’t be needed. Join fellow attendees and help clean headstones by bringing rubber gloves and insect repellent, if desired. A spray to clean the green and gray mold from the headstones will be provided for attendees. At noon, there will be a lunch at the Mount Olive Baptist Church. Bring a covered dish to join in the event. For more information, contact Deloris Gray Wood, President of the Dent County Historical Society, at 573-729-2545. To stay up to date on future events, visit the Dent County Historical Society Facebook page at facebook.com/DentCountyHistoricalSociety.