News – Tuesday, June 30th, 2026

An accident occurred Sunday afternoon around 2:40 in Phelps County in the 21000 Block of Highway J. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2005 Toyota Camry, driven by a 21-year-old male of Rolla, travelled off of the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, then travelled off of the left side of the roadway, overcorrected, and travelled off the right side of the roadway, where it struck a fence and a tree. A 29-year-old female passenger from Rolla was pronounced deceased at the scene at 2:40 by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. The report stated that neither occupant was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members plan to haul rock to County Road 6580 and where needed; grade on county roads 6410, 6435, and 6580; and cut brush on County Road 6580. Patching is planned for the Bunker area, where a few washouts occurred with heavy rains over the weekend. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members plan to haul rock to county roads 3305, 3390, and where needed; grade county roads 5330, 5333, 3110, 3305, 3295, 3253, and 3255; and cut brush along chip-and-seal roads on 3260, 3265, 3270, 3273, and 3275. Resident Katie Ann Gaither asked commissioners for their goals for this year. Commissioners answered their goals are maintaining and repairing infrastructure, which includes tackling the challenge of utilizing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for eligible projects affected by the flooding of November 2024. Meanwhile, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson cautioned that he may be absent in upcoming meetings due to his wife’s health. County Clerk Angie Curley reminds voters and residents that the voter registration deadline for the Aug. 4th Primary Election is July 8th. Excused absentee voting continues through Aug. 3rd, with 20 votes cast so far. No excuse absentee voting begins July 21st. She further notified that the County Clerk’s Office will be open for absentee voting in the morning of Saturday, Aug. 1st from 8:00 to noon. Payroll and bills are to be approved. Curley reminds businesses within Dent County that liquor licenses are due by June 30th. The county commission will also be conducting a closed session this afternoon at 1:00. The next regularly scheduled open session meeting of the Dent County Commission is Thursday, July 2nd at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Bunker R-III Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, the board approved both May and June expenditures with one abstention from board member Allen Ritter. Budget amendments for the 2025-26 school year, to reflect actual receipts, expenditures, and transfers, were approved. Several bids for the 2026-27 school year were also approved, including from Holloway Distributing for bread; Hiland Dairy for milk; Ferrall Gas for propane; and Mike Ragsdale Construction for asphalt. Other items approved by the board included: a Pepsi Contract for the 2026-27 school year; a weight equipment bid from Big Time Results, LLC.; calendar changes for the 2026-27 school year; an early check to Santander; and the AMI Plan for the 2026-27 school year. Finally, the board approved the 2026-27 school year budget and salary schedule, as presented. The board then went into closed session and approved several hires, including Andrea Cromer as Special Education Aide, pending substitute certificate and background check; Eva Hodges as a substitute teacher, cook, and full-time bus driver; and Mike Plank as the bus lease coordinator for the 2026-27 school year. The board also approved resending DJ Goodwin’s bus lease coordinator contract. The board then adjourned. The next meeting of the Bunker R-III Board of Education will be 6:00 in the evening on Thursday, July 16th at Bunker R-III and is open to the public.

This week is supposed to be incredibly hot and incredibly humid, to boot. A heat advisory for the area has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) through Friday this week, with a daily heat index ranging between 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat can strain vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Plan accordingly and limit prolonged heat exposure, and keep an eye on friends, family, and neighbors. The Salem Public Library is a cooling center and is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 10:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening on Thursday; and 10:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. No library card is required.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers beds to children who do not have a bed. If interested in lending a hand or learning more, the SHP Dent County chapter will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 7th, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening. This meeting will take place at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Conference Room. There will be discussions on upcoming events, needs, and more. More updates from the chapter can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/shpdentco.