News – Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

The City of Salem’s Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades are ongoing, with the city notifying residents on the west side of town they may notice a stronger than normal odor over the next month as work continues. As part of construction, the contractor will be temporarily transferring liquids from the oxidation basin to the temporary storm overflow area while improvements are made to the oxidation ditch. During this process, treatment plant staff and on-site contractors will do everything possible to help reduce odors; however, odors may remain above normal levels until work on the oxidation ditch is completed, materials are transferred back, and the new upgrades are fully operational. The odors may be unpleasant, but the city encourages and appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as the important infrastructure improvement project moves forward.

Our community has always shown up when people need it most, and now it’s time to rally around Zach Moser and his family. “We’ve Got Your Back, Zach” will be held Friday, June 19th from 5:00 to 9:00 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and will include an auction, dessert auction, concessions, T-shirts, and community support for a family facing an incredibly difficult battle with Stage 4 Sarcoma. Organizers are currently seeking auction item donations, dessert donations, monetary sponsorships for food and t-shirts, and businesses or individuals willing to support the event in any way. No donation is too small. If you would like to donate or help support this fundraiser, please contact Susie Cahill at susie@salemcommunitycenter.org. Items can be dropped off at the community center Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon with desserts being dropped off Friday, June 19th. In addition to auctions, organizers will also be holding a pickleball tournament on Saturday, June 20th beginning at 10:30 in the morning. Registration will be $25 per player. A competitive 3v3 basketball tournament will be held Saturday, June 27th, with registration at $60 per team. All proceeds from the fundraisers will help Zach and his family with treatment expenses, travel, and daily living costs as he continues his fight against cancer. For more information about these fundraisers, please call 573-739-1127 or email Susie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.

The August 4th Primary Election is just around the corner, so it’s important to keep in mind some key facts and upcoming deadlines. Not only will the primary election allow each political party to determine its nominee for the general election in November, but it will also contain four constitutional amendments. The last day to register to vote for the Primary Election is July 8th. Absentee voting at the Dent County Clerk’s Office will begin June 23rd and continue through August 3rd. No excuse absentee voting will begin July 21st. To stay up to date on upcoming deadlines and voting information, be sure to follow the Dent County Elections Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Dent County Elections/County Clerk-Angie Curley.” For more information, visit the Missouri Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri.

Four constitutional amendments will be seen on the August 4th Primary Election ballot following signed proclamations from Governor Mike Kehoe. All ballot measures, if certified, will be on the November general election ballot. Amendment 1 – If approved by the voters, continues for 10 years the one-tenth of one percent sales/use tax that is used for soil and water conservation and for state parks and historic sites. Amendment 2 – if approved by voters, requires that all charter counties, including Jackson County, elect a county assessor and that such assessors comply with training requirements established by state law. Amendment 4 – if approved by voters, modifies current requirements that a simple statewide majority of voters may approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution, requires a majority of voters in each congressional district to approve initiative petitions to amend the constitution, and makes available to each voter the full text of initiative petitions with their ballot. Amendment 5 – if approved by voters, requires the phase out and elimination of the individual income tax based on revenue growth, requires the reduction of property taxes and other local taxes to offset any local sales tax revenue increases, while preserving local funding for public schools.

ServMO, a nonpartisan State Commission approved by AmeriCorps and consisting of 15-25 members appointed by the governor, will soon be accepting applications for the America 250 Missouri Mini-Grant opportunity in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary. Organizations are invited to submit applications in support of meaningful, community-driven service projects in the month of September 2026. Mini-grants of up to $3,000 will be available to fund projects taking place on or around 9/11 Day of Service and/or Missouri Good Neighbor Week, September 28th through October 4th, 2026. The application cycle for the grant opportunity is now through June 19th, 2026. More information, including the application form and guidelines for all interested parties, are now available at serv.mo.gov/grant-opportunities.