News – Friday, June 5th, 2026

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for its regular meeting. Not in attendance was Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams as Acting Presiding Commissioner. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members are hauling rock to and grading county roads 6220 and 6240. Ditchwork is being completed on county roads 4110 and 4120 to prepare for chipseal resurfacing. Pothole patching is also to be done today. In the second district, Williams reported that crew members are spreading asphalt and patching chipseal roads to prepare for resurfacing, including county roads 2250, 3233, 3230, 3220, and 3290. Hauling and spreading rock will be done on county roads 5260 and 5325. A tree will be removed from County Road 3355. Meanwhile, Curley reported that she has balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of May. Bills are to be approved. Businesses are reminded that if they have a liquor license, those are due by June 30th. The first day to start absentee voting is June 23rd for the Aug. 4th Primary Election. Under public comments, commissioners heard from several residents advocating against Flock cameras and its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems currently in use by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Resident Denver Ellis provided commissioners a proposal for a privacy and surveillance ordinance, modeled off an ordinance adopted by Camden County Commission, alongside a proposal for a ballot question to discontinue the county’s participation in the ALPR system. Sargent Lenny Pabbin with the Sheriff’s Office discussed the system with the residents, clarifying that the cameras document passing vehicles but lose the information after 30 days; the cameras do not track speed; and it does not have facial recognition software. Pabbin further clarified the system has only been in use for three weeks. Residents disagreed with the continued use of the system, citing privacy concerns. Ellis also asked commissioners if the proposed ordinance against data centers has been considered, to which commissioners claimed it cannot be enforced if put in place due to a lack of zoning laws. A resident asked regarding the progress being made on the slab crossing on County Road 4210. This is a FEMA bridge awaiting engineering plans. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place at 9:00 in the morning Monday, June 8th at the courthouse and is open to the public.

For free fun for the family, Missouri Department of Conservation has Free Fishing Days coming up statewide the weekend of June 6th and June 7th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in Missouri without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. This is an annual event which takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. If you’re new to fishing or don’t have fishing gear, consider taking advantage of the Salem Public Library’s Rod & Reel Loaner Program. Through the Rod & Reel Loaner Program, individuals of all ages may check out fishing poles and tackle boxes for free using their library cards. The fishing poles are equipped with standard spin-cast reels. The tackle boxes are supplied with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers for basic fishing opportunities. Individuals need to provide their own live bait or desired lures to bait the hook. Equipment checks out for three days. It’s important to note that fishing rods and tackle boxes need to be returned to the circulation desk, not the book depository, and that items may not be renewed and are subject to overdue fines. For more information on the Rod & Reel Loaner program, contact the Salem Public Library at 573-729-4331.

Join Salem Public Library this Saturday from 10:30 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon for a meet the author and book signing event with local author Sarah Mason of “Riding the Line,” “Hell of a Ride,” and “Caught in the Crossfire.” This program is intended for adults. No fee or library card is required to attend.

The Salem Community Center @ the Armory will be hosting the Dueling Pianos on Aug. 7th. Dueling Pianos is a musical showdown where two pianists take audience requests and turn them into a live performance. These musicians are based out of areas all across the United States, including New York, Kansas City, St. Louis, and more. Doors will be opening early evening at 5:30 with the performance to begin at 6:30 and going until 9:30. Concessions and a cash bar will be available. Individual tickets will be $25 and a VIP table of six will be $250. Tickets are available @ the Armory. Visit flyingivories.com or facebook.com/flyingivories to learn more about the performers. For questions on the event, please contact 573-729-8163 or Jackie@SalemCommunityCenter.org.