News – Friday, August 21st, 2026

An accident occurred at 7:30 Wednesday morning in Phelps County at the 181.2 mile marker of Interstate 44. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Ford Edge driven by a 57-year-old female from Dixon had crashed when the vehicle lost control on wet pavement traveling eastbound. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health. The report states she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Edge suffered extensive damage and was removed from the scene by D&D Towing & Repair.

An accident occurred Wednesday morning in Phelps County near Highway V, just north of County Road 2080. According to the highway patrol report, the crash occurred when a 2018 International Truck driven by a 29-year-old male from Rolla going northbound crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2020 Kia Rio driven by a 42-year-old female from Rolla going southbound. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries, and the driver of the Kia suffered moderate injuries. Both drivers were transported to Phelps Health. The truck suffered extensive damages and was removed from the scene by Big Boy’s Towing. The Kia suffered total damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under public comments, a resident of County Road 6670 inquired about the progress of widening that road, to which First District Commissioner Keith Green clarified that progress was ongoing with timing yet to be determined for project completion. Requests for easements from property owners will be sought closer to the date of construction. City of Salem Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield shared that the Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) board met Thursday, Aug. 6th with no changes made to the chairman, who remains Dean Jones. Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire proposed an ordinance to make the county an “occupancy county,” which allows a county to assess newly constructed and occupied residential property all 12 months of the year. Without the ordinance, the county is a “non-occupancy” county, which means it can only pick up new constructions and occupied residential properties September through May. Brookshire clarified that the county is omitting the charge for permits. There will be no new taxes, and taxes will not increase as a result, she further clarified. The commissioners approved the ordinance. Under road reports, Green reported that crew members will be grading County Road 5680 and hauling rock to County Road 5490. Brush cutting is planned for county roads 6480 and 6485. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be brush cutting on county roads 4300, 4310, 4040, and 3180. Crew members have also gone to retrieve a load of cold mix from Lebanon. Next week, crew members plan to work on County Road 2250, which includes replacing culverts and pulling ditches. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s report, he shared that he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting, in which members nominated officers and shared updates on Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) programs. Larson further reported on the Meramec Region crash fatalities within Dent County. There have only been two in 2026. He also attended the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) meeting, where a representative from Missouri S&T reported updates on the Missouri Protoplex being built near Interstate 44. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington shared that there are bills to be approved. The next regular Dent County Commission meeting will be Monday, Aug. 24th at 9:00 in the morning and is open to the public.

The Salem Community Blood Drive will be Tuesday, Sept. 1st from noon to 6:00 in the evening. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) and Dickerson Park Zoo are Partnering throughout September and October to help boost the regional blood supply for local patients. Successful donors will receive a voucher for two free general admissions to the Dickerson Park Zoo, along with a limited-edition T-shirt while supplies last. Salem area residents will have the opportunity to donate within the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church located at 201 North MacArthur Street. Photo identification is required. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating. Eligible donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have not donated blood within the past 56 days. Appointments are strongly encouraged to help reduce wait times. To schedule an appointment, visit cbco.org/zoo or call 417-227-5006.