News – Monday, June 1st, 2026

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will be holding its monthly Community Meeting today from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Room. SHP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers new, free beds to children in need in our community, ages 3-17. The Dent County Chapter is looking for additional volunteers to assist with bed deliveries across Dent County. If you are interested in more information, please contact Dent County Chapter President Patti McKeown through email at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org or call the Dent County SHP Chapter at 1-(844)-432-2337.

The Dent-Phelps R-3 Board of Education met Thursday, May 21st in the conference room. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, containing bills, open session minutes, and the May financial report, the board discussed bids received for HVAC preventative maintenance for the 2026-27 school year, approving the bid from Brown Heating & Cooling, Inc. at the cost of $925. The board also approved soliciting bids for milk and propane for the 2026-27 school year. On the petty cash account, the board approved removing Victoria Brooker and Denny Melvin as authorized signers and approving Superintendent Karla Tiefenthaler. The board approved the Dent-Phelps R-3 Literacy Plan Revision and Comprehensive Needs Assessment as presented. After moving into closed session, the board approved the hiring of two teachers, Ashley Patterson and Audrey Ray, and one bus driver, Kermit Lonning. The board returned to open session and then adjourned. The next board meeting will take place at 6:00 in the evening Tuesday, June 23rd.

The Department of Public Safety has awarded a total of $1.455 million to 108 fire departments across the state to bolster the firefighting capabilities of small volunteer departments that provide critical protection to their rural communities. The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to small volunteer departments with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less, where resources for essential firefighting equipment can be strained. The most requested items were firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and interoperable radios and repeaters for communication. There was also strong demand for basic supplies like hoses, nozzles, power tools and saws. DPS announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant in October 2025. There was a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000. The performance period of the grant ended May 15, 2026. Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant Recipients in our area included the Ironton Fire Department, Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department, Licking Rural Fire Department, Montauk Rural Fire Department, and the Timber Community Fire Protection District. 

The removal of a crashed vehicle from the roadside of Missouri Route 32 east of Salem will require a 12-hour roadway closure on June 8th and June 9th. To minimize impacts to traffic using this route as a detour for the closure of Dent County Route B and the narrowing of U.S. Route 63 south of Rolla, the closure is planned during the overnight hours June 8th through June 9th. Beginning as early as 7:00 in the evening on June 8th, the towing company, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will close Route 32 between Route 72 south and County Road 4350. A signed detour will not be in place, but motorists should use Routes 72, A and 19 to navigate around the closure. The roadway is expected to reopen by 7:00 in the morning on June 9th.  Due to the amount of equipment and effort involved in removing this oversized, heavy vehicle from the roadside, that timing may change. All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. 

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department announced that Water Aerobics will begin today. This is a low-impact, high-energy exercise that welcomes all to build strength, boost cardio, and improve flexibility without stressing joints. This exercise is great for all ages and fitness levels. Water Aerobics will take place weekdays at the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool from 10:30 to 11:30 in the morning. From June 8th through June 19th and July 6th through July 17th, the hours will be 9:30 to 10:30 in the morning. Costs are $5 per class or a $60 monthly pass can be purchased. Contact the pool for any questions or more information at 573-729-6228. Open pool hours are Monday through Saturday noon to 6:00 and Sunday from 1:00 to 6:00.