Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Corky Stack with AEA Stack Design Company was in with his company’s final bill for the work on the courthouse as well as the release of the retainage to Alexander Construction. Stack said the county held out $10,005.19 retainage to pay for any last-minute repairs or oversights, and the commission approved paying the retainage less any expenses to Alexander Construction. They also approved the last bill from AEA Stack Design Company of $138 for the project. Denver Ellis asked the commission about the new water tower the city is putting up out by the hospital and if the commission had checked with the city to see if that was going to affect residents in the area. Former Commissioner Wes Mobray was in attendance and said he spoke with the city about it as well as reviewed the engineers reports which stated there would not be a problem as the municipal well will be deeper than most residential wells. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said maintenance work was being done on a grader and then a dump truck. He also said crews would be working on doing the FEMA estimates for the road repair work that has already been done as well as work yet to be done from the November flood. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said brush would be cut on county road 4370, and rock was being added to county road 2070. That road is being worked on to repair it from the damage of the November flood. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was to attend the MRPC Day at the capital Tuesday but was unable to attend due to a special meeting called by the commission. At that special meeting, the commission approved to raise the Emergency Management Director’s salary during this time where he is putting in the extra time for the FEMA Disaster work for the flood to $20,000 a year. Once the disaster reporting is complete, the salary will return to $3,300 per year. Deputy Clerk Melissa Piatt said Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting Thursday in Jefferson City, and following the approval of the budget, bills would be paid. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public. 

The Salem Police Department has recently released their report for the month of December. The department responded to 10 accidents during the month. Officers responded to seven alarms sounding and addressed 18 animal calls, investigated two assaults or fights, two burglaries, performed 13 well-being checks and 11 area checks in December. Police investigated seven domestic disputes, six verbal disturbances, conducted 27 follow-up investigations, and provided 16 escorts. They investigated three fraud reports, a parking complaint call, an intoxicated pedestrian report, one peace disturbance report, three shoplifting reports and three property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote seven stealing reports, five trespassing reports, responded to seven traffic complaints and assisted four motorists. Officers responded to three reports of suicidal persons, 12 suspicious circumstance calls, nine suspicious person calls, and seven suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve ten warrants and conducted 35 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 390 incidents in December with the average response time to calls being one minute and 56 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 32 minutes and five seconds. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation you can contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.

Volunteers for AARP have been helping Dent County Citizens with free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory. You still have time to make your appointment, but the earliest date for an appointment is now February 7th. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163 through April 4th. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers and will be the 21st year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163. 

The Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council election will end at 4:00 on Friday, January 31st. Dent County voters will have the opportunity to elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of Dent County in January. The council has two positions that need to be filled in the Northern District, five in the Central District and two in the Southern District. Voting may be done at the Dent County Extension Center in the Judicial Building at 112 East 5th Street on the second floor of the Judicial Building. Completed ballots can be mailed to the Dent County Extension Center, 112 East 5th Street, Suite 4, Salem, MO 65560. You can also drop off ballots at the office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. Ballots must be returned by 4:00 on January 31st. Candidates this year include Krystal Sims and Karla Tiefenthaler in the Northern District; Cathy Burrus and Sierra Connell in the Central District; and Lyndsey Loughridge and Mackenzie Wulff-Peterson in the Southern District. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196.

A hands-on workshop on prescribed burning for grassland management will be held Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon and is being organized by the Missouri Department of Conservation. This workshop is offering essential training on planning and executing controlled burns safely and effectively. Prescribed burns are a valuable tool for maintaining native plant diversity and managing invasive vegetation, but improper use can ineffective or dangerous. This workshop will cover burn equipment, weather conditions, ignition techniques, and fire line installation. Participants must complete the online “Official Missouri Prescribed Burn Course” before attending. The course, hosted by a third party for a $25 fee, takes about 2-4 hours to complete. A certificate of completion and mileage sheet must be presented at the in-person field day. Attendees should dress appropriately for the burn, including leather boots, gloves, cotton pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and safety glasses. In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified via email. The workshop is open to adults 18 and older, with registration cancellations accepted through February 7th. For more details visit mdc.mo.gov and select the “Events” link. To complete the required online course, visit hunter-ed.com/prescribedburn.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors have called for a special meeting this evening at 7:00 in the Hospital Library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda will be Public Comments/Presentations. Speakers must sign in and will be limited to a time limit of 3 minutes. No old or new business is scheduled and there will be an Executive Session for discussion with Legal Counsel. Any person that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626, extension 4005, to obtain access information.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Monday afternoon at 2:58 on eastbound I-44 near the 183-mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol report a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, driven by a 46-year-old Rolla male, lost a tire, traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned and struck a group of trees. A passenger, a 14-year-old Rolla male juvenile, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health. Another passenger, a 49-year-old Rolla female, suffered moderate injuries and was also transported to Phelps Health. The report stated that none of the three occupants were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing.

The Doe Run Company and its employees showed support for local communities in 2024 through food drives, event sponsorships, and charitable activities. Throughout the Southeast Missouri region, the company and its employees closed out the year collectively donating nearly $92,000 and devoting more than 545 hours to help a variety of local charities. As part of this charitable initiative, Doe Run’s Buick Resource Recycling Division and Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling teams collectively donated $10,000 to the Old Miners’ Day Committee, and $5,000 to the Salem Community Center at the Armory. These teams made additional donations to the Dent County Trunk or Treat event, Viburnum Sports Club and Salem High School Project Graduation. Leading up to the holidays, Doe Run employees contributed more than 1,300 canned and dry goods to the Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence food drive in Viburnum. Through the “Santas for Seniors” program, Doe Run employees donated $800 worth of gifts to the Guardian Angel Settlement Association, and by donating $537 worth of toys and gifts to children in need through the Iron County School District’s adopt-a-family program. Throughout the year, volunteer hours were devoted to these organizations as well as a variety of additional community events, including Trash Bashes at Sweetwater, Casteel and Buick sites, and organizing and staffing the Spring Rocks ‘n Roll event at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site. Additional donations were made to the Missouri University of Science & Technology for STEM summer camps, VFW Post 6660 of Reynolds County, Reynolds County Sheltered Workshop, Reynolds County Rotary Club, Bunker Volunteer Fire Department, Bunker R-3 School District, Valley R-6 School District, backpack programs at local schools, the Iron County Fair Board, Shriners Hospital, Ellington Chamber of Commerce, Viburnum Lions Club, multiple community sports teams, as well as school band programs and more.

The Dent County Health Center is providing warming items for those in need with winter coats, gloves, mittens, hats and NEW socks. They will continue to provide the service this year. If you would like to help restock the items people have already picked up, you can donate gloves, mittens, all sizes of hats, new socks and blankets. For more information, to donate items or to make monetary donations for staff to purchase items for the warming center at the Dent County Health Center, or if you need someone to pick up your donations, feel free to call them at 729-3106 or stop by the Dent County Health Center on Highway 32-72 East.

The Dent County Commission will hold a special meeting will be held this morning at 9:00 to discuss the Emergency Management Director salary for budgeting. The meeting is open to the public at the Dent County Courthouse.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 10:00 in Texas County on Highway 137 three miles north of Raymondville that left two Salem residents with minor injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2008 Toyota Prius, driven by a 54-year-old female, traveled off the right side of the roadway impacting a metal sign and a tree. The driver, along with a 48-year-old male passenger, were both wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing at the owner’s request.

The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully reached their Christmas Kettle Campaign goal of $37,500. Along with the monetary donations received this year, nearly 180 local children were adopted at the Angel Tree that was located at Wal-Mart. The local Salvation Army Board would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations and/or who adopted an angel. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. The community’s continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2025 to those in need in Dent County. If you would like to find out more about the Salvation Army Service Unit helping during the 2025 holiday season with bell ringing, please call 573-729-8163.

The Salem R-80 School district held their regular meeting Thursday evening at 5:30 in the district office. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board recognized Salem Middle School students Braxton Hopkins, John Kiser, and Jermaine Watson for their work on Tiger Talk Middle School News Production, and received an update from Cahill’s Construction regarding the FEMA building. During the Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Nathan Wills addressed various CSIP Goals and provided updates on the high school men’s restroom. He also acknowledged significant donations totaling $126,000, including $58,000 from the Dragonfly Wing Foundation, $50,000 from the Judson Young Foundation, and $8,000 from Mary Coffman for the Construction Trades Building, and $10,000 from the Judson Young Foundation for the Family and Consumer Science Program. In New Business, the board approved several items, including MSBA Policy Updates, the Conflict of Interest Ordinance, and a transfer of $148,796 from Fund 1 to Fund 4 for food service purchases. The board then moved into Executive Session to discuss student and personnel matters before adjourning. 

Each January, EPA seeks to raise awareness of radon exposure during National Radon Action Month, encouraging residents to protect themselves and their families by having their homes tested for the presence of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. If left untreated, radon can build up indoors, leading to adverse health effects. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., taking the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans every year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk, and testing for radon can help prevent prolonged exposure. It is estimated that on the average, one in three homes in Missouri have dangerously high level as of radon. You can check the EPA’s website to view a map of Radon Zones for Missouri. The EPA recommends taking action to fix your home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If your home does have elevated levels of radon, a qualified professional can install a system to lower your indoor radon levels. For more guidance on how to address radon risks, see the EPA’s radon website.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, January 16th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that due to the departure of the Communicable Disease Nurse there were no COVID-19,  lead, Influenza, or animal bite reports, however there were 8 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, but total tests were not reported. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 11 total inspections conducted, no recalls, one sewer complaint, and 14 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was no car seats distributed, two CPR Courses conducted, no consultations for Childcare Health, no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 10 Title X appointments, 3 Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), and 334 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 419 total appointments other than WIC, 161 total provider appointments, 111 treatment court visits, 157 lab appointments and 86 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 1 family planning, no well-child visit, 6 online appointments, no other well-woman exams, no other physicals, 3 SEMO physicals, 11 other visits, and 39 acute illness appointments. Physician Service Details showed no well visits, 3 online appointments, no other physicals, 9 SEMO physicals, 35 other visits, and 54 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 145 individual patients, 19 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests and 5 lead tests reported. Immunizations for December totaled 43 for COVID-19, 37 for Influenza, and 113 other vaccines given for a total of 193 total doses given. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Health Center Lead Assessor had passed her tests. He reminded the Board that community members can bring in items to be tested with the XRF scanner to see if they have lead. Moser went on to report that the Health Center would conduct a Health Fair May 2nd, plus with the purchase of the property at 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard the conference room had been moved to the new building and the old conference room had been set up for office space. He reported on the ToRCH grant the Health Center received to support a DCHC Dietitian. The Board moved to approve the addition of the dietitian position. Moser gave a summary of other grants which had been applied for or were in process, including a proposal sent to the Opioid Settlement Board for Dent County as well as a partnership grant between Health Dent County, Salem Memorial Hospital and DCHC. Financial reports showed the Health Center revenue for FY24 was $1,766,750.66 and expenses were $1,369,203.88 for net revenue of $397,546.78. Financials were reviewed and approved. No closed session was held. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, February 20th at 5:00.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a Winter “Paint N’ Sip” class on Friday, January 31st from 6:00 until 8:30 with Danielle Norris. Come and paint a winter scene with a cardinal complete with glitter! Bring your bestie, your favorite snack and a beverage of your choice! Adults only. The cost is $25. The class is open adults only. All supplies are included. There must be six people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 20. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Bob Gravely Jr. was in and had questions about how the budget is prepared by the commission. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson and County Clerk Angie Curley explained the process starts about two months before the end of the year, then officer holders will receive income and expense reports in December for the current year before submitting their budget requests to the commission for the next year. The commissioners review all the requests and then may ask the office holders to come into a regular meeting to discuss their needs before a tentative budget is prepared. The public hearing to approve the budget will be held on Thursday morning at 10:00, January 23rd at the commissioner’s office in the courthouse at which time the commission will go over key points of the budget before it is approved. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in and congratulated Commissioners Keith Green and Jimmy Williams on taking office. He said the 119th Congress has been busy passing FEMA bills with bi-partisan support to help expedite claims and hold them accountable for getting to the stricken areas to assess the damage and provide help to those citizens. He also said they have passed bills on not allowing men to participate in female sports, and for the United States to enter into a tax treaty with Taiwan that should help decrease the reliance on China. Wilson said they are working on a bill that would extend the Trump tax cuts, reduce spending and work on the energy situation, but that is still being discussed in Congress. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said workers will be picking up a truck that broke down on the way to Knapheide in Jefferson City to have the salt spreader installed and are bringing it back to the shop for repairs. He also said crews would be out checking roads for slick spots. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers are spreading salt and sand on remaining slick spots, doing some minor grading, and cutting brush and low limbs on county road 4330. Commissioner Williams said the county is waiting on bids to extend the warranty on the Caterpillar graders from Fabick as the warranty has already expired. Gary Parker also came in and said there is ice on a hill as well as on a bridge on Dent County Road 5225, and Commissioner Williams said he will have someone check that out. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he and Commissioner Green attended the FEMA meeting Tuesday. He said Dent County sustained between six and seven million dollars in road damages, and after meeting with the FEMA officials, the county will address the damaged roads and bridges in projects. According to Commissioner Green, crews will be doing repairs one project at a time, then submitting the paperwork necessary to be reimbursed before moving on to the next project. He said a project may be six or seven roads, or could just be one bridge, depending on the severity and the costs associated with making the repairs. He said this is the only way the county can afford to make the needed repairs without having to borrow money. Clerk Angie Curley said the preliminary county budget is available in her office and can be picked up, or you can contact them and they can e-mail you the budget. Call 729-4144 for more information. She also said tax entity certifications are due by January 28th in her office. Curley went on to say the courthouse would be closed on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King’s birthday. She also said she would be attending a Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting on Thursday, January 23rd. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning, January 23rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their meeting Tuesday evening, January 14th, Jeff Stokes took the Oath of Office to fill a board vacancy till the next scheduled election. The consent agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved. The financial report was reviewed with an ending balance of $206, 908.38. All bills, payments, and statements were reviewed and approved. The budget was also approved. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 19 calls for the month and for the year. Eight of the calls were for various types of fires other calls included medical assists, accidents, and HazMat. In old business after a presentation and discussion by Tom Pisarkiewicz and Courtney Wegman a resolution calling for a special bond election to be held on Tuesday April 8th was voted for. Papers were signed with the bonding company and recorded. The tower lease with Fidelity/Sparklight was discussed and the check was signed for the 2023 – 2024 rent of the tower. There was no new business. In the Chief’s report Chief Floyd reported that the ladder truck was in St. Louis for repair. He also stated 4 people will be attending fire training school. Before adjourning the next meeting was set for Tuesday February 11th at 6:00 in the evening.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a public meeting yesterday evening at 6:00 in the Old Auditorium to discuss the City’s submission of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for the storm warning system, City administrator Sally Burbridge read some questions she had received in advance from the community, and Chief of Police Joe Chase addressed many of them. The total cost of the project is estimated at $133,532 with a proposed contribution from the City of $27,500 in cash to be paid out of the Capital Improvement Funds and approximately $6,032 for in-kind work to be paid to the electrical crew. The new system from Whelen Mass Notification will replace the existing eight sirens around town with two siren systems strategically placed to cover more area, with the sound concentrated in the areas with the highest population. If this grant is awarded, and the new system is installed, the City plans to surplus and sell the old siren components to offset the cost and reduce the financial impact on the community. The Whelen system is an industry-leading system in emergency notification, and works on both high and low frequencies allowing sound to travel farther and be heard and felt indoors. 

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting on yesterday evening at 6:30 in the Old Auditorium. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, local business owner Scott Radford brought up an issue with his utility rates. After a brief explanation from City Administrator Sally Burbridge, and no further questions from the Board, the Board approved Resolution No. 1-2025 a resolution stating intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program. The Board also approved Resolution 2-2025, authorizing the Mayor to execute a  Contract Change Order between Gray Construction LLC, The City of Salem, and James Headrick for property located at 102 South Washington, and Resolution 3-2025: a resolution between the City of Salem and the Meramec Regional Planning Commission allowing MRPC to administer the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program for the storm siren system if the City is awarded the grant funds. The administration fees of $10,000 will be paid from the grant if it is awarded. Mayor Parker recommended appointing Kala Sisco and Lauren Toman to the finance committee, and the Board approved. During the reports of city officials, Sally Burbridge stated she attended a FEMA meeting along with Public Works Director Steve Paine and Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois. This was an informational meeting on how to go about submitting a formal request for reimbursement from the flooding that occurred in November 2024. She also stated that in order for sidewalk construction to continue downtown, there needs to be at least three days of warmer temperatures. Mayor Parker stated that the Salem Fireworks Committee is hosting a Trivia Night in February. For more information on that, citizens should call 573-247-7847. Public Works Director Steve Paine gave an update on the utility crews and reminded citizens to please try to keep their trash cans and vehicles off the streets to keep the area cleared for the snow plows. With no other reports, the meeting went into closed session before adjourning. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that all driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is hiring! The Patrol offers over 60 career paths. For current openings, visit bit.ly/MSHPCareers to apply today. For more news, follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ, Facebook, and Instagram.

The City of Salem will be testing the storm sirens today at 10:00. If there is inclement weather the test will be postponed until Wednesday, the 22nd.

The ToRCH Community Leadership Board has awarded grants to local organizations. The ToRCH Community Leadership Board is proud to announce the awarding of 10 grants, totaling $240,000, to local community organizations. These grants are designed to address gaps in services within the community, particularly those stemming from capacity and resource constraints in smaller-scale operations. As part of the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot program, these grants will be used to resolve local challenges and enhance services to better meet the needs of residents. The program, which is a collaborative effort between Salem Memorial Hospital and MO HealthNet, seeks to improve health outcomes for Medicaid patients residing in six pilot counties. The initiative is focused on addressing upstream causes of poor health, such as social determinants of health, and integrating social care supports into clinical care to alleviate the impact of social challenges on health outcomes. Brooke Bollman, CEO of Salem Memorial Hospital, said we are thrilled to support these important local organizations that are making a direct impact on the well-being of our community. The funding will help expand services, reduce health disparities, and improve access to resources for our most vulnerable populations. The following local organizations have been awarded grants as part of this initiative: Aging Best was awarded $60,000 to provide transportation for local clients and deliver healthy meals. Healthy Dent County will receive $50,000 to purchase exercise machines for a new Circuit-style workout program. Dent County Health Center grant is for$40,000 to hire a Dietitian to support nutrition and wellness programs. Lifeway Center will be granted $32,000 to improve food storage and distribution services. Scenic Rivers Sheltered Workshop was awarded $26,000 to hire a Community Support Coordinator. Salem Area Community Betterment Association’s grant is for $17,000 to hire an Organization Coordinator to expand the Farmers’ Market SNAP benefits program. South Central Missouri Community Action Agency will receive $15,000 to enhance their Life Improvement and Family (LIFT) Training classes. These organizations, through their innovative programs and services, are playing a vital role in improving the health and quality of life for residents in the ToRCH pilot communities. The ToRCH Community Leadership Board, in partnership with MO HealthNet, remains committed to supporting local initiatives that address both immediate and long-term health challenges. The goal of the ToRCH program is to empower rural communities to create sustainable health improvements, fostering a healthier, more resilient population for years to come. A second round of funding for year 2 will be announced in the spring of 2025. For more information contact Tabitha Stanfast, Media Contact, Director of Quality Salem Memorial Hospital, Stanfast can also be reached via email at tstanfast@smdh.net.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will hold their meeting this evening at 6:00 in the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After call to order the oath of office will be taken by new board members, then roll call. After approval of the consent agenda they will review the minutes, go over the financial report, approve bills, then review the budget, and hear the monthly reimbursement report. In old business they will discuss the bond issue and tower lease. In new business they will hear the Chief’s report and set a date for the next meeting. The Board will go into closed session, if necessary, before adjourning.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said workers will be doing maintenance on a number of vehicles. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers are spreading salt and sand on county roads 2140 and 2150 as well as on other roads where they find slick spots. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the MRPC and Phelps County Housing Authority meetings by zoom Thursday. He wants to remind Dent County citizens that the Phelps County Housing Authority is not taking any applications at this time for housing assistance. Larson said he and the other commissioners along with Dent County Emergency Director Derrick Marfitt would be attending a FEMA meeting in Waynesville today. Larson announced bids for diesel fuel were taken and Phil-Mart had the lowest bid at $2.45 per gallon. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the preliminary county budget will be available to the public after 10:00 this morning. You can pick up a copy at the clerk’s office or you can contact them, and they can e-mail you the budget. Call 729-4144 for more information. She also said tax entity certifications are due by January 28th in her office. Curley went on to say the courthouse would be closed on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King’s birthday. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk brought in her monthly totals for December and said the county collected $6,216,646.95. The commission approved and signed the contract for the maintenance of the ownership map and land transfers for the County Assessor’s office. This contract is from January 1st through December 31st for $700 per month to Justin Basham. The commissioners discussed the budget with numerous office holders and discussed putting 

out for bid the lawn care service as well as emergency snow and ice removal on sidewalks sometime this spring. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office released these reports for the first week of January. On Wednesday January 1st deputies took a report for a theft that occurred in the 400 block of County Road 5070. The victim, a 65-year-old Salem man, stated money had been taken from his wallet. 

The investigation is ongoing. The next day Thursday January 2nd  deputies responded to the 20000 block of E. Highway 32 for a reported burglary. The victim, a 50-year-old Boss man, advised suspect(s)  had broken into his residence and stolen numerous items. The investigation is ongoing. On the following day Friday January 3rd deputies responded to the 100 block of County Road 6680 for a wanted subject. The suspect, a 53-year-old Salem man, was arrested on a warrant and transported to the Dent County Jail. Then on Sunday January 5th deputies responded to the 600 block of County Road 2480 for a reported burglary. The victim, a 61-year-old Iowa man, advised suspect(s) had broken into his residence and stolen multiple items. Additional suspect information was gathered, and the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on an ongoing investigation please contact the Sheriff’s office at 573-729-3241.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial District Hospital will conduct a special meeting this evening at 7:00. The meeting will take place in the Hospital Library and may be fully conducted and attended by telephone or other electronic means and the public may observe and attend any portion of the meeting not closed to the public pursuant to Chapter 610.021 RSMo. After roll call and approval of the agenda The board will hear public comments and presentations, speakers must sign -in and keep comments to 3 minutes. Then they will discuss old and new business. Any person that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 ext. 4005, to obtain access information.

An accident occurred Friday evening January 10th around 6:55 on Hwy 63 and County Road 5320. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Suzuki XL7 driven by a 65-year-old Edgar Springs female was traveling southbound when the vehicle began to slide in the snow. The Suzuki travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Heath by Phelps Health EMS. She was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Suzuki sustained moderate damage and was towed by D&D.

Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) began accepting applications for its 2025 community grant making fund on December 15th and it will close on January 24th, 2025. MRCF will be awarding two $750 community grants. One grant will be made to a project that focuses on community or economic development efforts with emphasis being given to projects involving the celebration and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the other will assist at-risk children and/or low-income families. Any nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address these needs are encouraged to apply. Organizations and governmental entities must be based in the Meramec Region – Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties – to qualify. 2012 marked the inaugural year for the grant program, and in the last 12 years $18,500 in grant funds have been awarded to 66 community projects throughout the region. A portion of the fund’s earnings are distributed each year through grants. Applications for the 2025 grant round will be accepted online only until 5:00 January 24th, 2025. Online applications may be found and submitted by searching Meramec Regional Community Foundation at www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cfozarksgrants. For more information on the grant opportunity, contact Bonnie Prigge at bprigge@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010 and has distributed over $1.6 million to support the region. Persons needing more information on MRCF and its philanthropy efforts can contact Bonnie Prigge. To learn more about MRCF, visit www.cfozarks.org/affiliates. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/meramecregion/.