News – Friday, September 25th, 2026
Four Texas County Juveniles were involved in an accident late Wednesday afternoon at approximately 5:30 on Reed Road three miles south of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2024 Polaris Ranger 1000 was being driven by a 15-year-old Duke female when she lost control and the Polaris overturned. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. A 15-year-old male from Licking suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to TCMH. A 16-year-old female of Licking and a 16-year-old male of Edgar Springs also suffered minor injuries, but they both refused medical treatment at the scene. The Polaris sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.
The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors revoked the entity licenses of James & Gahr Mortuary, located in Rolla and St. James, and Dent County Memorial Chapel, located in Salem, according to a press release provided by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. The revocation of the entity licenses includes both the funeral establishment licenses and preneed licenses. The individual funeral profession licenses held by Donn and Connie James have also been revoked. This includes the funeral director, embalmer and preneed agent license for Donn James and the funeral director and preneed agent license for Connie James. This action was taken due to violations of Missouri laws related to the management of preneed contracts and funds, failure to maintain a business registration with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, and failure to adhere to the terms of a probationary agreement with the State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. The board’s discipline order requires James & Gahr Mortuary to transfer existing preneed funeral contracts and funds to another Missouri-licensed preneed seller within 30 days of the order. The revocation of these licenses means James & Gahr Mortuary, Dent County Memorial Chapel, Donn James and Connie James may no longer operate a funeral establishment, sell preneed contracts, including holding preneed funds, or represent themselves as licensed funeral professionals in Missouri. The State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors is the state agency that regulates the funeral profession in Missouri. In addition, the board issues individual and entity licenses within the funeral profession, sets policy regarding the practice within the profession, investigates complaints concerning individuals and entities, and takes disciplinary action against funeral profession licensees when appropriate.
The Salem Area Arts Council, alongside the Salem Area Community Betterment Association (SACBA), will be holding its annual “Art in the Parking Lot” event within downtown Salem this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. This event, now called “Art Walk,” will be set up along 4th Street, offering local music, performances, and plenty of vendors with locally made arts and crafts, alongside free kids activities and demonstrations. Those with classic cars are also invited to cruise in and park at the courthouse square to help support the event. For more information or updates, visit the Facebook page at Facebook.com/artsinSalemMO.
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. The Dent County chapter will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 28th, beginning at 5:30 in the evening. This meeting will take place at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Conference Room.