News – Wednesday, October 7th, 2026
The City of Salem will begin a planned street improvement project on Pershing Avenue on Wednesday. The project will include the entire length of Pershing Avenue, from the intersection with Scenic Rivers Boulevard and continuing north to where Pershing Avenue ends at 10th Street. Crews will first remove the top layer of the existing pavement. The street will then be repaved with a 2-inch asphalt overlay. The city has a $306,797 contract with Pierce Asphalt, LLC. to complete the project. This was a planned and budgeted street improvement and will be paid for with Motor Fuel Tax funds. These are funds the city receives from the tax paid on gasoline and other motor fuel, designated for local street improvements. Drivers and residents along Pershing Avenue should expect construction equipment, temporary traffic delays, and possible lane restrictions while work is underway. Please use caution, follow posted signs and directions from crews, and give workers plenty of room.
The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors has released a notice of vacancy for the director of election district four. The vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment by the remaining board of directors. The appointee will hold office until the municipal election to be held in April 2027. Candidates for director of the hospital district shall be a citizen of the United States, voter of election district four, have resided for one year in that district for one year preceding the election, and be at least 30 years of age. Those interested in being considered can complete and file a Request for Appointment obtained in person at the administrative office of the hospital between 8:00 in the morning and 4:30 in the afternoon Monday through Friday. Applicants are expected to appear at the regular board meeting on Oct. 27th for a brief interview. District boundary information can be obtained at the administrative office. For more information, contact Salem Memorial Hospital at 573-729-6626.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will be holding two open-house style informational meetings to provide the public an update on improvements along Interstate-44 in and near the communities of Rolla and St. James. Both meetings will be held next Tuesday, Oct. 13th with no formal presentation, allowing attendees to come and go at the designated hours. The materials presented at both locations will be the same, so interested parties can choose the time and location that is most convenient for them. In Rolla located at the Rolla City Hall, 901 North Elm Street, the meeting will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon. In St. James located at the St. James Council Chambers, 1320 Nelson Hart Drive, the meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening. MoDOT is committed to providing equal access to these events for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation or translation service, please contact MoDOT by calling 573-522-5178 or by emailing CDCR@modot.mo.gov so arrangements can be made.
The Dent County Fire Protection District reminds county residents that a Burn Ban remains in effect until its expiration on Oct. 17th. The Dent County Commission has not reversed the Burn Ban. Although parts of Dent County have received rain, the entirety of the southern portion of the county remains dry, as well as other areas throughout the county. Outdoor burning and open burning are prohibited, including the burning of trees, logs, brush, stumps, leaves, grass clippings and other vegetative material, as well as burn barrels and agricultural burning. Anyone maintaining an outdoor fire may be held responsible for fire suppression costs and damages caused by the fire. Violations of the ordinance may constitute a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 365 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. Limited exceptions are provided within the ordinance, including cooking or grilling with charcoal, wood, propane, or natural gas in appropriate cooking/grilling appliances, as well as certain heating,