Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the sales tax received this month. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $92,864.40 which is less than the $98,823.98 received in January of 2024. The Road and Bridge Fund received $43,671.90, and that is down from January 2024 receipt of $45,679.68. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $87,764.88 compared to $91,781.07 received in January of 2024. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Willams both said crews were still doing snow removal and treating slick spots on the county gravel roads as well as removing limbs and trees that have fallen across the roads or are hanging low in the roads. Green said he has a truck down that will need to go Knapheide, and Williams also has a truck down that needs repair. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson suggested adding Ed Pratt to the Tourism Tax Committee and that appointment was approved by all the commissioners. Larson attended the Phelps County HUD meeting and MRPC meeting by Zoom Thursday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that all tax entities will need to have their election certification to the county clerk’s office by 5:00 on January 28th. She said the county continues to work on the 2025 budget and said a tentative budget would be ready for the public by Monday, January 13th at 10:00 in her office. The final county budget hearing will be held at 10:00 in the morning on January 23rd in the commissioners office in the courthouse which will be open to the public. Curley also she balanced with the collector and assessor for the month of December on all abatements, add-ons, and collections. She also balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of December. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows deer hunters harvested 10,089 deer during the alternative method portion of deer season, December 28th through January 7th. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 223 deer harvested, Pike with 209, and Macon with 207 deer taken. In our area, Texas County had 110 deer taken, the Crawford County harvest was 109, Dent County harvested 98 deer, Shannon County had 71 deer harvested, Phelps County had 66 deer harvested, Reynolds County had 51 deer taken and Iron County had 47 deer harvested. This year’s harvest total was down from last years alternative methods by 2,407. Archery deer hunting continues through January 15th. For current ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, or for more information, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a beginner Friendly Cell Phone Crossbody Pouch Sewing Class on Saturday, January 18th from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon with Gail Phelan that includes a break for lunch. This is a great beginner project for those who are interested in learning the art of making bags. Bring your own sewing machine. Students should know how to operate their machine. All fabric, hardware, zips and webbing will be provided as well as basic tools for your use in the class. Feel free to bring any favorite markers, clips, etc. The class is open to all those 18 and older. There must at least two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to four. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

According to the City of Salem’s Facebook Page the City of Salem Administration Office has been receiving reports from local businesses that they are getting emails from what appear to be local officials asking for passwords. The City of Salem wants residents and businesses to know that they would never ask for your password information in an email. They advise the public to be cautious about opening suspicions emails and it is often best to delete suspicious messages without opening them as they could contain viruses. If you have any questions you can contact the City of Salem at 573-729-4811.

The City of Salem will hold a public hearing on Tuesday evening, January 14th at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington St. to discuss the city’s submission of the Community Development Block Grant Program Mitigation application for a new storm warning siren system. The city is interested in obtaining all citizens’ input on community development needs within the city. The city needs as much local participation as possible in order to reflect the true desires of the community as a whole, as well as the comments relating to the proposed project application. The State has established a maximum application request for each funding category. Activities that are eligible for funding include the improvement of public works, public facilities, housing rehabilitation, and others allowed by law. At least 51% of the funds must be used to benefit low-and-moderate income persons. No displacement of persons will be proposed. The city is proposing to upgrade the emergency siren system by replacing the eight existing sirens with two new sirens that provide community-wide coverage using the latest technology. The total project cost is estimated at approximately $133,532. The city proposes to contribute $27,500 in cash and approximately $6,032 in in-kind work, with CDBG grant funds of $100,000 needed to make up the balance. All citizens are encouraged to attend in order to comment on the proposed activities. For more information, contact City Administrator Sally Burbridge at 573-729-4811 or by email at cityadminstrator@salemmo.com. If you need special accommodations to attend the public hearing, including LEP assistance, please contact the City Administration office by Friday afternoon, January 10th by 2:00. The meeting will be held at an accessible location and the city will make every effort possible to provide reasonable accommodation.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center will again offer their Line Dancing classes again this year Tuesday nights throughout the month of February at 6:30 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. The cost to attend is $5.00 and just pay at the door. The class instructor is Rosalie Wright. For more information call 739-1127 or e-mail susie@salemcommunitycenter.org. 

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, but right now they are in need of support from Salem and Dent County to replenish their stock. 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. 

On Friday night, January 17th from 5:00 until 8:00 at the Creative Arts Center, students can learn to make Chunky Knit Blanket with Danielle Kissir. Learn how to finger knit a chunky blanket. This is a beginners class and open to those 10 years of age and older. The cost of the class is $75 with supplies included. There must at least five people sign up to hold the class. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on Creative Arts Center.

Dent County is accepting applications for opioid remediation projects through its Opioid Settlement funding. Businesses, not-for-profit organizations and tax entities serving Dent County are eligible to apply. Applications are due January 15th, 2025. These funds come from a joint effort to hold accountable those companies that have contributed to the opioid epidemic across the nation. In 2020, the Missouri General Assembly established the Opioid Addiction Treatment and Recovery Fund to receive settlement payments. In 2021, the state received its initial settlement payment. As of January 2024, settlements continue to be negotiated and finalized by the state and the political subdivisions that signed on to the lawsuit. Dent County is one of 106 counties participating in the opioid lawsuit. For a project to be eligible for funding, it should be listed on the Exhibit E, Schedule B of the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Approved Uses for Opioid Remediation, located at https://moopioidsettlements.dmh.mo.gov/Resources/AllowableUses. Dent County has funding priorities in the areas of transportation, child and family support services, housing, prevention education, reentry services, support groups, law enforcement and first responders, treatment court and community support services. Those interested in applying can receive an application by contacting the Dent County Opioid Fund Disbursement Board Chairman Lieutenant Rick Letchworth at 573-729-3241 or rickletchworth@dentcountysheriff.org. Letchworth will collect proposals and review projects for completeness to ensure that activities proposed are eligible and will then submit all projects to the Dent County Commission, along with its administrative review information, for the county to make funding decisions and disburse funds at the January 30th, 2025, Dent County Opioid Fund Disbursement Board meeting. The board is asking that applicants attend that meeting to present their proposals. MRPC assisted the commission with developing its application and process and will assist the county by ensuring selected projects are eligible expenditures under opioid settlements. MRPC will also be helping to secure required documentation and reporting. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a “Painting the Landscape with Oils” Workshop with Lee Copen on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon with a break for lunch. Students will learn about oil painting techniques and processes, including mixing the correct values and colors with a limited palette and will work from the provided photo. Materials provided include a 9×12 or similar size canvas panel, oil paintings brushes, oil paint, turpentine, palette paper and oil painting medium. This workshop is for beginner through advanced students. The class is open to those 13 years of age and older. The cost of the class is $75. There must be four people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 12. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive originally scheduled to be at the First Baptist Church in Salem today, has been moved to the Salem Memorial Hospital, 35629 Highway 72, Salem. Located in the bloodmobile in the hospital parking lot. Hours will be from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.cbco.org/donate-blood or by calling 417-227-5006.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department wants to inform our community about a recent scam that has come to their attention. They have received reports of a caller claiming to be associated with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, stating that there is a warrant out for your arrest. This scammer is using advanced AI technology to generate a voice that mimics our Sheriff, making the call seem legitimate. Please remember that NO ONE from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office will ever call you regarding a warrant. Also, they will NEVER call you and ask you to make payments using gift cards. If you receive a call like this, do not engage with the caller and do not send any payments. Instead, hang up and report the incident to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office or the Salem Police Department. The sheriff’s department number is 573-729-3241 and the Salem Police Department’s number is 573-729-6550. Be aware, and stay safe and vigilant in the new year.

A “Moose’in Around” Kids Paint Party wll be held Friday evening, January 10th from 5:30 to 7:00 with Danielle Norris at the Creative Arts Center. Come and paint a cute moose for some winter time fun! The cost of the class is $20 for adults and $10 for children and all supplies are included. There must be six people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited at 25. All ages are allowed with a guardian present. Also on Monday, January 13th you can attend a Beginner Friendly Crochet Beanie workshop to be held in the evening from, 5:30 to 8:00 with Gail Phelan at the Creative Arts Center. Be sure to bring your favorite hooks and scissors. All other supplies will be provided. You should already be comfortable crocheting chains and single crochet. They will make a basic beanie, talk about how to read a pattern, learn how to crochet in the round and how to customize size. The cost of the program is $30. All ages are welcome as long as they know basic crochet. There must be at least two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to six. To sign up for either class, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

On Friday, January 3rd, Governor Mike Parson filled a vacancy in the Crawford County Clerk’s Office. Kimberly Gibbs of Steelville was appointed as the Crawford County Clerk. Ms. Gibbs currently serves as a substitute teacher for the Steelville R-3 School District and previously served as a full-time teacher for the district. She further serves as a Crawford County Farm Bureau board member and as vice chair of the Crawford County University Extension. Ms. Gibbs holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Missouri State University.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office released some reports for December. On Sunday December 15th deputies responded to the 18000 block of Highway C for a reported burglary at the Lenox Fire Department. The reporting party, a 60-year-old Salem man, advised entry was forced into the building and multiple items were stolen. The case remains active. Then on Wednesday December 18th deputies took a report for a theft that occurred in the 100 block of County Road 6245. The victim, a 40-year-old Salem woman, advised multiple kayaks were stolen from her property.  The next week on Monday December 23rd deputies responded to the 8000 block of N. Highway 19 for a reported disturbance. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a 52-year-old Salem woman was injured during a physical confrontation with a 33-year-old Salem woman.  On Christmas eve December 24th deputies responded to the 2000 block of County Road 6210 for a reported domestic assault. The victim, a 38-year-old Jadwin woman, advised she was physically assaulted by her estranged paramour, a 41-year-old Jadwin man. The investigation is ongoing. if you have any information on an ongoing investigation please call the Sheriff’s office at 573-729-3241. 

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting of the Board Thursday evening at 5:30. After approving the agenda, the Board listened to the first and second reading of Bill Number 3636, an ordinance that would approve the Change Order #2 for the City Sidewalk TAP Grant project. This Change Order will be an increase to the City’s expenditures, with no match from MoDOT, in the amount of $10,807.00. This will be the cost to tear out and replace the heated sidewalk areas from Main to Washington Street on the south side of the road. The replacement portion from the original plans was for the apron only, but this change order also moves the snow-melt systems into the ADA-compliant sidewalk as well. The original total for the project from prior years funds was $73,409.84. With the two new change orders adding $1,943 from Change Order #1, and $10,807.00 from Change Order #2, the total cost from prior year’s funds would be $86,159.84. After approving Bill  Number 3636, the meeting adjourned.

Many people used their credit devices over the holidays for shopping and other everyday uses, but that opens the door for scammers to be able target innocent consumers like you. In a world of Artificial Intelligence, we can no longer immediately believe something even if we see or hear it. If something out of the ordinary comes up, don’t be afraid to say you are going to verify this with your company. Don’t be bullied! Just stop, hang up and call the company. Another rule of thumb is that anyone is asking for your payment card is up to no good. As a rule, never give your card to anyone, even if the card has been cut up, because it can still be used if the chip is intact. Trending scams show that scammers are now capable of taking personal devices and authorizing payments from people’s phones. Make sure your apps have multi-factor authentication like biometrics and one-time-passcodes required to access and transact. Investing can be exciting, but don’t let yourself get caught up in promises of fast returns. Counterfeit investment apps and digital currencies that require you to pay unexpected fees are an active threat. If someone emails or texts you a link to download an app, don’t click on it because it may take you to a site that looks like the real thing but is fake. Instead, go to the app store and download it from there. Before investing, do your research and make sure the investment platforms are secure. Certain information, such as card and account numbers, online credentials, etc. should be shared with extreme caution. Never share information that can be used in a security question anywhere. Stay vigilant to protect your accounts and make 2025 a great year!

The Dent County Commission met for the first time in 2025 at the courthouse and Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson welcomed in new road commissioners Keith Green for District 1 and Jimmy Williams for District 2. In their first road report, Green said District 1 crews were grading Dent County Roads 4220 and 6460, and were also getting the equipment ready for the possibility of a winter storm this weekend. Williams said District 2 crews were adding rock to and grading Dent County Road 3260, while only grading was being done on county road 5240. Williams said rock would also be added to county road 2570. Williams said the county took fuel bids for regular unleaded gas and the low bid went to County Fuels. He also said that he, Commissioner Green and newly elected assessor Alisa Brookshire all attended the MAC training for newly elected county officials. He said the training was very informative. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported filing has ended for the April Municipal Election and all tax entities will need to have their election certification to the county clerk’s office by 5:00 on January 28th. She said the county continues to work on the 2025 budget and said a tentative budget would be ready for the public by Monday, January 13th at 10:00 in her office. The final county budget hearing will be held at 10:00 in the morning on January 23rd in the commissioners’ office in the courthouse which will be open to the public. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provided the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday. The 2025 New Year’s holiday counting period began at 6:00 Tuesday evening, December 31st, 2024, and ended at 11:59 Wednesday night, January 1st, 2025. The 2025 New Year’s Holiday Traffic Statistics showed that Troopers investigated 44 Traffic Crashes, resulting in 21 Traffic Crash Injuries and there were no Traffic Crash Fatalities. Troopers made 50 DWI arrests. There were no boating crashes and no drownings over the 2025 New Year’s holiday counting period. The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media. Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ.

The Creative Arts Center will hold a Sunday Crafting starting this Sunday and held every Sunday through January 26th from 2:00 until 6:00 with Nicole Curtis. Bring your supplies to the Creative Arts Center and hang out, spending time with other crafty people. You do have to have all your own supplies and only the front room and bathrooms will be available. The class is open to all those 16 years of age and older with a suggestion donation of $5.00 that goes towards utilities. No children without an adult please.

The Salem Board of Aldermen have rescheduled their special meeting of the board for tonight at 5:30 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. The original meeting was canceled due to not enough members to form a quorum. At their meeting, the board will do the first and second reading of Bill #3636 that would approve the change order #2 for the City Sidewalk Tap Grant project. The cost of the change order is for $10,807 which will be the cost to tear out and replace the heated sidewalk areas from Main to Washington Street on the south side of the road. The replacement portion from the original plans was for the apron only, but this change order also moves the snow-melt systems into the ADA compliant sidewalk as well. The original total for the project from prior years funds was $73,409.84. With the two new change orders adding $1,943 from Change Order #1, and $10,807.00 from Change Order #2, the total cost from prior year’s funds would be $86,159.84 if MoDOT approves Change Order #2. The board will also discuss and hold the first and second readings of Bill #3637 that would amend items A and B from Section 710.330 regarding sewer billing to make these items applicable to all utility accounts, and remove items C, D, and E. The meeting will then be adjourned. The special meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight is open to the public.

An accident occurred Monday evening at 5:19 on Highway 72 North of Salem near Dent County Road 2230 that took the life of a 72-year-old Female pedestrian. According to the Highway Patrol report the woman entered the roadway in front of a southbound 2007 Dodge Charger driven by a 35-year-old Salem Female. The victim was taken by Salem Memorial Ambulance to SMH where she was pronounced deceased at 6:00 by Dr. Charles Featherly. The Dodge sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held their regular meeting Monday night at 7:00 in the Hospital Library. After approving the agenda and minutes from the previous meetings, Hospital CEO Brooke Bollman gave her report, stating there is no new news on the affiliate program. The hospital experienced total operating revenue of about $3.1 million and total operating expenditures of about $1.9 million, leaving total profit of $1.3 million for the month of November. Bollman did clarify that they are still working with the auditors to adjust some accounts, including taxes and retirement. 340B revenue for November was $250,000, total expenses were $71,000 leaving a total profit of $178,000. The hospital currently has 32 days worth of cash on hand. During the CNO report, Bollman stated that there are seven nursing position openings across various departments. EMS attended a first responders appreciation night; through the ARPA Fund they received $90,000 in new equipment. There have been two new hires in the Med/surg department and two resignations. During the QAPI Report, it was noted that the hospital continues working on their patient experience project, and their medication events project. Ten organizations submitted more than $700,000 in requests for ToRCH Grant Funding. The recipients of this grant will be announced on January 6 via press release. Deborah Gorman with Infection Prevention gave an update on illness, stating there has been a rise in COVID cases at the hospital, including 4 positive cases in long term care. There have been two positive cases for RSV, and seven positive cases of the flu in December. There have not been any new candidates for the open board position and due to the finance committee not having the required three members, those meetings have been halted until further notice. There will be a bi-weekly special director’s meeting, to discuss acquisition, every other Tuesday evening at 7:00. One of those meetings will be held the same day as the regular board of director’s meeting. The board approved Brooke Bollman to conduct funding research to replace the hospital’s Pulmonary Function Test machine. The current machine is no longer working at optimal capacity and the parts are not replaceable due to being obsolete and no longer compatible with the current operating system. Bollman will be looking for ways to fund this purchase within the budget as well as any possible grant opportunities. Once purchased, the new machine may take up to 120 days to be delivered and come with a five year warranty. The meeting then adjourned to closed session. The date for the next board meeting has not yet been announced.

The Board of Aldermen scheduled a special meeting last night at 5:30 in the Old City Hall Auditorium to hear the first and second readings of Bill #3636 that would approve the change order #2 for the City Sidewalk Tap Grant project. The board was also going to discuss and hold the first and second readings of Bill #3637 that would amend items A and B from Section 710.330 regarding sewer billing. However, there were not enough members to hold a quorum, and so the meeting was canceled. At this time, the meeting has not been rescheduled.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. It was the last meeting for outgoing commissioners Wes Mobray and Gary Polk, and Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to thank them for their time serving the public in their roles as district commissioners. Mobray served the county for four years while Gary Polk served the county for just under two years. Mobray said he learned a lot from his four years including parts of the position of commissioner he didn’t even know existed. Polk also stated the job was very educational and he appreciated being given the opportunity to serve the public. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Mobray said the work crews would be servicing a grader to finish up the year. District 2, Commissioner Polk stated that rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4370, while only grading would be done on county road 3180. He also said crews would be installing a spreader and plow on truck #116. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the courthouse would be closed New Year’s Day. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the swearing in of the newly elected officers would be at 10:00 this morning in the courthouse in the courtroom. She also said she would be working on the budget that the county will begin working on in 2025. At the least meeting, Michael Smith with Hope Construction finished fixing the water leaks in the Judicial Building and County Annex Building. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance came in with the new coverage form for the county auto and property insurance. The new annual premium is $268,539. The next meeting will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Over the Christmas 30-hour holiday counting period, three people died in traffic crashes between 6:00 Tuesday evening and 11:59 Christmas Night. The 2024 Christmas holiday traffic statistics show there 65 traffic crashes, 38 injuries, three fatalities and 17 DWI arrests. There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol who will be retiring February 1, 2025, after almost five years as superintendent and 34 years as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. No one wants to start 2025 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. During the 2023-2024 New Year’s period which was a 72-hour counting period, there were 821 traffic crashes with 293 traffic crash injuries, nine traffic crash fatalities, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol issuing 139 DWI incidents in Missouri. The 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6:00 Tuesday evening and ends at 11:59 Wednesday night, January 1st, 2025. If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life. If you plan to drive this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Be sure to use your turn signal to communicate your intentions. Download the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smartphone, and check road conditions before you travel. Allow extra time during inclement weather or consider staying home. Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

The Salem Board of Aldermen have called a special meeting of the board tonight at 5:30 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. At their meeting, the board will do the first and second reading of Bill #3636 that would approve the change order #2 for the City Sidewalk Tap Grant project. The cost of the change order is for $10,807 which will be the cost to tear out and replace the heated sidewalk areas from Main to Washington Street on the south side of the road. The replacement portion from the original plans was for the apron only, but this change order also moves the snow-melt systems into the ADA compliant sidewalk as well. The original total for the project from prior years funds was $73,409.84. With the two new change orders adding $1,943 from Change Order #1, and $10,807.00 from Change Order #2, the total cost from prior year’s funds would be $86,159.84 if MoDOT approves Change Order #2. The board will also discuss and hold the first and second readings of Bill #3637 that would amend items A and B from Section 710.330 regarding sewer billing to make these items applicable to all utility accounts, and remove items C, D, and E. The meeting will then be adjourned. The special meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight is open to the public. 

Filing for the April 8th Municipal Election is wrapping up, people can sign up for any open position through 5:00 tomorrow. Available positions in three alderman seats for the City of Salem with one two-year term for the East and West wards, plus a one-year unexpired term for the East Ward due to the resignation of Kala Sisco. Candidates for aldermen must be at least 21 years of age, be a U.S. citizen, and be a resident of the city for at least one year before the election in the ward in which they which to serve. Candidates may not be in arrears of any charges owed to the city and must be a registered voter. The filing fee is $25.00 and signups are held at the city administration building. The City of Bunker has two two-year positions available for alderman and signups are with the city clerk at the Bunker City Hall. There will three director positions open for the Salem Memorial Hospital with different service lengths. Available are a one-year term for the District 6 Director, a three-year term for the District 3 Director, and a full six-year term for the District 1 Director. Candidates must be 30 years of age, U.S. citizen, live in the election district of which they want to be a candidate and reside within the state for one-year preceding the election. Signups are in the hospital administration offices, where they have maps to help you determine in which district you reside. The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees has one four-year term available, and filing can be done at the health center. For school boards, Salem R-80, Oak Hill R-1, Green Forest R-2, Dent-Phelps R-3, Northwood R-4 and the Bunker R-3 School District all have two three-year board positions available. School board members in Missouri must be a U.S. citizen, be at least 24 years old, a resident taxpayer of a district or voter, and be a resident of Missouri and their respective district for at least one year. Anyone wishing to sign up for a school board position must also be current on state and local taxes, have not been found guilty of or pled guilty to a felony under Missouri or federal law, have not registered or been required to register as a sex offender, and have filed required campaign documents for all previous campaigns, if any. Contact the school or taxing entity you are interested in serving to see when signups for the available positions are held at the individual offices. Signups end tomorrow no later than 5:00 and some offices may close earlier that day.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk was not in attendance due to a previous commitment. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said crews would be repairing ruts in a driveway and adding material where needed. He also said they would be creating a list of all the culverts that have to replaced after the flood in November. He also said Jeff Banderet of Great Rivers Engineering is securing permits from the Department of Natural Resources for the county workers to access the creeks and streams for more repair work. Mobray said FEMA will NOT reimburse the county for any work done on roads or bridges without a permit, or any other work associated with a project IF a permit has not been secured. Mobray said workers in District 2 are servicing graders. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report, and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she continues to work on the 2025 county budget. She said the courthouse would be closed New Year’s Day next Wednesday. She also wanted to remind all vendors to have their invoices and statements submitted by 9:00 Monday morning, December 30th, if they want to have them paid this year. Starting in January, the only payments the county can make is payroll until their budget is approved which must be done by February 1st. If you have questions, please contact the county clerk’s office at 729-4144. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk wanted to remind everyone her office will have extended hours for those wanting to pay their tax bills in person Friday, through Tuesday can do so from 8:00 in the morning until 5:30. Payments mailed in must be postmarked NO LATER than December 31st. She recommends if you wait until that day to take your envelope inside the post office to have it hand stamped at the window. There is also a drop box in the front of the courthouse at the southwest corner of the courthouse square where you can leave your payments through Tuesday night, December 31st. Payments can also be made online by following the instructions on your real estate and personal property tax bills. The last meeting of the year will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, December 19th 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 10 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, but total tests were not reported. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 8 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 10 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was one car seat distributed, one CPR Course, no consultations for Childcare Health, no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 10 Title X appointments, 2 Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), and 324 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 820 total appointments other than WIC, 109 total provider appointments, 137 treatment court visits, 141 lab appointments and 177 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 1 family planning, 1 well-child visit, 6 online appointments, no other well-woman exams, 20 other physicals, no SEMO physicals, 16 other visits, and 40 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 158 individual patients, 9 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests and no lead tests reported. Immunizations for November totaled 53 for COVID-19, 92 for Influenza, and 32 other vaccines given for a total of 177 total doses given. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Health Center Lead Assessor training has been completed and 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, 2025, plus the DCHC closed on the property at 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard on December 2nd. Financial reports were reviewed and approved. In new business the Board approved the 2025 budget and an employee Tuition Reimbursement Policy. The Board went in to closed session at 6:00 and returned to open session at 7:24 having voted to approve the 2025 employee compensation adjustment of 4%, with instruction to the administrator to prepare for merit/evaluation-based raises in the next year. The Board also declined all proposals for design services due to the acquisition of 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard and the desire to maintain financial prudence. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, January 19th, 2025, at 5:00.