News – Friday, October 16th, 2026
After communication with local Fire Chiefs, the Dent County Commission has lifted the burn ban. The burn ban, originally scheduled to expire on Oct. 17th, has been reversed and outdoor burning can resume effective immediately.
The Salem R-80 School District Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday night. Communications were read from Kim and Dee Moser thanking the board for sympathies expressed for their loss. Students who take part in Tiger Trackers at Upper Elementary were recognized by the board for helping newly enrolled students get acquainted with school life. Superintendent Nathan Wills reported that he is working on a letter to inform the public of the shortfall in state funding for the Foundation Formula, after discussions with superintendents throughout the south central region and other Dent County school districts indicated support. Opaa!, the food management service utilized by Salem R-80, has reported that numbers are up across the board for meals served in September compared to meals served at the same time last year: Breakfast meals served was reported at 9,714 compared to 9,194 last year; Lunch was reported at 18,114 compared to 16,263; And the afterschool meals program reported 4,626 compared to 832. Wills commented that the data indicates the free meals program instituted at the high school is likely to remain cost-effective for the district. The board then received updates and reports from district administrators. High School Principal Jodi Heavin reported that the building is working with Scenic Rivers Industries (SRI) for a workmanship program with the high school. A Veteran’s Day breakfast and assembly is planned at 8:00 in the morning Wednesday, Nov. 11th hosted by FFA students. Under new business, the board approved policy updates as presented, alongside the local compliance plan consistent with the 2025 Missouri state plan for special education. A sole bid from Wofford Construction for the new agricultural barn was approved, with the board thanking the business for its significant donation of both labor and materials. A bid from BuildTech Construction for the Upper Elementary parking lot improvements was also approved. The board approved giving Wills authority to make electronic payments. Declaring several items of district property as surplus was also approved. Through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), the board approved the opening of the Salem FBLA Student Opportunity Fund. Finally, the board approved the purchase of a bus as replacement for the one totalled recently in an accident. Non-certified staffing changes were then presented with one hire of Tim Bell as middle school para and resignations or retirements of Tarah Lapointe, William Lynch aide; Heather Franklin, middle school para; and Jessika Gray, high school nurse. The board then approved moving into executive session for the purposes of discussing personnel and student issues. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education will be Thursday, Nov. 19th at 5:30 in the evening at the Salem R-80 Administrative Office. These meetings are open to the public until closed.
Salem FFA members delivered an outstanding performance at the Area Fall Speaking Competition held this past Tuesday in West Plains, earning five first-place finishes and seven spots in the upcoming district competition. Dalli Johnson took 1st place in Missouri Forest Products, Abbi Terrill earned 1st place in Missouri Teach Ag, Adam Heithold placed 1st place in Soil and Water, John Cunningham secured 1st in Missouri Farm Bureau and Jacob Pipp earned 1st Place in Missouri Cattleman’s. James Combs placed 2nd place in Missouri Sheep Producers. Konner Headrick took 3rd place in Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives and Riley Combs finished 4th place in Midwest Dairy. Each student with a third place finish or better will compete at the district level in November at RTI.
No excuse absentee voting is set to begin this Tuesday and continue through Monday, Nov. 2nd. The Dent County Courthouse will be open for no-excuse absentee voting on Saturday, Oct. 31st. If anyone would like to request a sample ballot and/or fair ballot language, contact the county clerk’s office at 573-729-4144.