Local News

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:48 on Highway 63 at County Road 6033. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an 18-year-old male from Salem, crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1999 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 34-year-old male from Houston. The 2004 Chevrolet then traveled off the left side of the roadway, while the 1999 Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The Salem man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by personal conveyance. The Houston man suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. The report stated that both men were wearing safety restraints. Both pickups were totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

City of Salem Mayor Greg Parker has called for a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen for this afternoon at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 N. Washington. After the call to order and roll call the board will discuss and vote to rescind the bid approval for Well #6 Pump Replacement/Repairs Bid Approval granted September 8, 2026. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be out grading on county roads 6350, 6303, and 5610. Hauling rock is planned for County Road 5610 in Bunker, with the assistance of district two crew members. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that grading is planned for County Road 4340 and County Road 2510. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 3290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared enthusiasm for this past weekend’s Art Walk, organized by the Salem Creative Arts Center and Salem Area Community Betterment Association. Larson observed that the event was successful and shared hopes for it to continue for many years to bring more tourism to Salem and Dent County. In County Clerk Angie Curley’s reports, she stated bills were to be approved. Curley also reminds residents that the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd General Election is next Wednesday, Oct. 7th. Excused absentee voting has begun and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Also, during the commissioner’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24th, it was reported after media departed that the commission is seeking bids on Purple Wave for the following surplus property of the road department: a 2011 Ford F150, 1996 Ford F250, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, Cat Backhoe 430E, and 2001 Suburban. If anyone has any questions, call Road Department Supervisor Jason Akins at 573-729-7770. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, Oct. 1st at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public. 

The Dent County Health Center has given Spring Creek Cafe a closing notice, as of Sept. 28th, 2026. Due to extensive pest infestation and unsanitary conditions observed by inspectors, the facility was closed as advised by Natasha Sullivan of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Per Dent County Health Center’s Consumer Food and Safety Regulation, the restaurant constitutes an imminent and substantial hazard to public health. Its permit to operate has been revoked. Within the sanitation observation provided to the business, inspections revealed an extensive cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen, including live cockroaches, cockroach egg cases, and cockroach debris observed inside cabinets, shelves, sink area, and among wiping cloths. According to the sanitation observation, the facility was closed last year due to the same reason, and pest control efforts throughout the past year have been ineffective. For more information or to view the recent inspection and closing notice, please visit the Dent County Health Center website at dentcountyhealthcenter.org/news.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) will be selling Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts this month to help support breast cancer screening and early detection in our community. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to Salem Memorial Hospital to assist in providing mammograms. The cost of these t-shirts are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. To order a shirt, contact a DCFPD firefighter. Orders can be made up until Oct. 2nd.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday night at approximately 11:37 on County Road 7220 near Highway W. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 1999 BMW 323I, driven by a 20-year-old Rolla man, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver suffered minor injuries. Another Rolla man, a 19-year-old, suffered moderate injuries, while a third occupant, an 18-year-old Newburg man, suffered minor injuries. All three men were transported by Phelps Health Ambulances to Phelps Health. The report stated that both Rolla men were wearing safety restraints, while the Newburg man was not. The BMW was totaled and removed from the scene by D and D Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that with the recent rain crew members have a long list to grade, including county roads 5610, 5140, 4230, 4235, 4247, and 6505. Rock will be hauled, with the assistance of district two crew members, to County Road 5610 and 6280. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members would be grading County Road 2510 and 4290. Cutting brush will also be done on County Road 4290. Green further reported that bids have been received for fuel, with MFA bidding $3.73 and County Fuel bidding $3.98 per gallon of gas. The bid from MFA was chosen. On Monday, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he attended a Tourism Commission meeting with one application tabled, two applications approved, and two reimbursements approved. On Wednesday, Larson attended a meeting with the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation (MCEC) where board members discussed finances. Larson also shared that the courthouse is looking for applicants for a full-time custodian position. Those applications can be picked up from the Dent County Clerk’s office. For the FEMA crossing on county roads 3210 and 5150, the bid was awarded to the lowest bidder of Build Tec Construction, LLC. at $66,950. Commissioners signed off on the award letter which will then be returned to Great Rivers Engineering. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd General Election is Oct. 7th. Excused absentee voting has begun and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Under public comments, a representative of VFW Post 6280 of Salem stated that the organization has been commissioned by the State Commander to build a little free library. The organization has discussed possible locations and requested permission to construct one at the Dent County Courthouse before April 2027. The commission recommended seeking elsewhere, such as the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, Craig Plaza, or Forum Plaza, due to the ongoing courthouse sidewalk project and the complications it could cause. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday, Sept. 28th at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public.

Friday night before the Salem Tiger Football game, senior Abby Terrill was crowned the 2026 Salem Tiger Football Homecoming Queen by the 2025 Homecoming Queen, Maggie Hogan. Her court was comprised of freshman Ella Bass, sophomore Alayah Norris, junior Emma Schlag, and seniors Emma Purcell, Morgan Hollis and Trista Dooley. Congratulations Abby!

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. 

The Scenic Rivers Industries, also refereed to as SRI, is in the process of moving to their new permanent location. To give their staff time to complete the move they will not be picking up cardboard or accepting any recycling from Sunday, Sept. 27th through Oct. 4th. SRI wants to extend a thank you to everyone who has supported them as they look forward to serving the community from their new home.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium. Under public comments, residents Dave Davison and Lana Grove came forward for a reply to comments made during the Sept. 8th meeting. Aldermen Rick Letchworth and Mayor Greg Parker informed Grove and Davison that replies from the board may be heard via email. Moving forward, the board approved a bid from Stella Jones for electric poles in the amount of $18,461.37. Next, the board approved a bid from Ed Morse Automotive Group for a 2026 Ford truck at $62,474 for the electric department. The board then discussed bids for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, a platform that integrates several city business functions, such as financial management, budgeting, utility billing, and other administrative processes. The current software is Incode 9, utilized since approximately 2010. After reviewing each proposed software, city staff recommended OpenGov, which was approved by the board alongside the contract later in the meeting. The full cost of OpenGov is $205,111.77, which required a budget adjustment of $49,874.77 for FY 2026-27. Ongoing costs associated with the software includes a 5-year contract with an annual cost of $53,573.32 with a 5% year-over-year increase. A bid from Felkerson Overhead Door Company in the amount of $8,775 for three garage doors and openers was approved for the electric department. For conditional use approvals, the board approved all presented and recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission during its Sept. 9th meeting. This included several short-term vacation rentals and one for aesthetician’s services. The board approved an infrastructure grant agreement, as well as a state block grant agreement, between the city and Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for improvements at Salem Memorial Airport, including the construction of a new box hangar and taxilanes. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Grant Agreement represents 95% of eligible project costs for a total of $122,455, leaving the city’s match at $6,445. The Non-Primary Entitlement (NPE) State Block Grant Agreement represents $63,116 at 90% of eligible project costs and $450,000 at 95% of eligible projects costs for a total of $513,166, leaving the city’s match at $30,698. Both grants have the same project completion deadline of Dec. 31st, 2029. The board also approved a subdivision of Lot 4 of the Westwood North Subdivision to Lot 5. The board approved vacating a 40’ wide strip of an undeveloped street, as requested by the Salem Housing Authority and a project developer. This is in anticipation of a proposed multifamily 40-unit housing project development at 301 E. Tenth St. Additionally, the board approved the rezoning of 301 E. Tenth St. from single family residential (R1) to multifamily residential (R3) and, after discussion and review, approved the Spring Creek Ridge subdivision plat, as presented. Finance Director Stacey Houston shared a financial update through August 2026, stating that the total sales tax revenues collected year-to-date for FY 2026-27 are $833,904, including the general fund, parks and recreation fund, and capital improvement fund. This is down approximately 1% from the prior year. The ending total of all funds for FY 2026-27 through August is $17,798,795. The city has brought in 19% of the budgeted amount and expended 18% of the budgeted amount. City Administrator Sally Burbridge shared with the board the list of state and federal legislative concerns that was compiled last year concerning the City of Salem. Burbridge encouraged board members to review the items and consider what needs added to or subtracted from the list. Public Works Director Steve Paine shared that the Wastewater Treatment Plant is healthy and ready for a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspection. The water department has hired David Hill as water lead. Construction crew members have replaced curb on N. Main Street, and Paine commended staff for their work on the Healthy Dent County parking lot. After, the board took a vote to enter closed session pertaining to litigation. The next meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Oct. 13th at 6:00 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium.

A Salem resident was involved in an accident in Reynolds County Monday evening at approximately 7:45. The accident occurred at Highway KK and Highway J fourteen miles north of Bunker. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2007 Ford F150, operated by a Steelville juvenile, crossed the highway and impacted a ditch due to mechanical failure. A passenger, a 31-year-old Salem female, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Iron County Medical Center. The report stated that the Salem woman was not wearing a safety restraint and neither was the juvenile driver. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing at the county’s request.

The Agricultural Education program at Salem High School of the Salem R-80 School District has been awarded a Horizon and Rising Sun grant from the Missouri FFA Foundation in the amount of $50,000. This award is part of a grant program created to help address critical gaps in agricultural education across Missouri. A Horizon Grant supports expansion or upgrades to existing ag education programs, while a Rising Sun Grant helps launch new programs and certificate offerings. The grant will be utilized to build and equip a 40×80 Animal Science Facility, providing students with hands-on opportunities to learn animal science, livestock production, animal health, nutrition, handling, breeding, and management. Offering a Vet Tech, Pet Grooming, Artificial Insemination and Animal Quality Assurance certification is another goal of the facility. The agriculture education program teachers of SHS, Heather Johnson and Dalton Sanders, shared that the facility would allow students to work with animals, gain real-world skills, explore careers, earn valuable certifications, and see possibilities beyond the classroom. The Missouri FFA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which secures strategic partnerships and the financial resources to enhance, strengthen, and support the educational and leadership opportunities that promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career success for Missourians in agricultural education.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17th. Under student recognitions, William Lynch Elementary Principal Dr. Herman Blau recognized students John White, Mobel Preston, Lillian Light, and Sammie Enloe as September Students of the Month. The students led the board meeting in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The board then approved the agenda and consent agenda before moving on to Superintendent Nathan Will’s report. Wills updated board members on payment options for cafeteria a la carte items, stating that debit cards are now accepted and there are hopes to expand the privilege to other items like parking fees, Chromebook insurance, etc. The High School men’s lobby restroom project is now complete. Staff are working on the Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Upper Elementary parking lot for concrete rather than asphalt. In addition, staff are working on a RFP for the Animal Science Facility for the ag. department. The district may be keeping the suburban for the remainder of the year, so the district has two SUVs on-hand. Wills also shared an update on the bus accident, stating that the district is awaiting a final check from insurance and staff is looking for another bus to replace it. Wills discussed with the board the Missouri A-F school and district grading framework, approved Tuesday, Sept. 15th by the Missouri State Board of Education. The board was also updated that the district will be going out for bid on food service. Enrollment for the district was shared at 1,273, a slight decrease due to kindergarten enrollment. A presentation was provided by Assistant Superintendent Dan Copeland on MAP and EOC scores. Reports were then provided by administrators. Under new business, the board approved the bus routes for the 2026-27 school year; the SCMCAA Headstart MOU and Transition Plan Agreement; and the MOU with Texas County Technical College for nursing students. Under personnel changes, Leah Parker was hired as William Lynch custodian and several resignations and retirements were heard, including Cole Mackley, maintenance; Katlyn Steelman, custodian; and Kim Warden, para. The board then approved moving into executive session for the purpose of personnel issues. After returning to open session, the board adjourned. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education will be Oct. 15th at 5:30. 

Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams has reported on the County Aid Road Trust (CART) funds received by the county for the month of September 2026. The county has received $96,335.95.

An accident occurred Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:15 in Texas County on Highway AA 4 miles southeast of Success. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2024 Kawasaki Motorcycle, operated by a 29-year-old Houston, Missouri man, ran off a curve and struck a fence post. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The report stated that the man was wearing a safety device. The motorcycle sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Arrington’s Automotive of Plato at trooper’s request.

An accident occurred Sunday night at approximately 11:58 in Lawrence County on I44 one quarter of a mile east of Halltown. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an 18-year-old man from Licking, skidded off of and back onto the roadway and was struck by an eastbound 2024 Freightliner Cascadia driven by a 36-year-old man from Clovis, California. The Chevrolet driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The report stated that the 18-year-old was not wearing a safety restraint. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Henry’s Towing. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was also removed by Henry’s Towing. The report stated that the driver of the Freightliner was wearing a safety restraint.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold its regular board meeting tonight at 6:00, located in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear public comments. The board will then consider approval of several bids, including for utility poles, an electric service truck, electric department garage doors and openers, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. After, the board will consider approval of an end user licence agreement between the city and OpenGov, Inc. for its ERP software. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider approval of several conditional use requests made during the Sept. 9th public hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission, including the addresses of 809 W. Glendale; 403A & 403B S. Henderson; 400B S. MacArthur; 402A & 402B S. MacArthur; 700 S. Askins; and 603 S. Carty. The board will also consider the subdivision of Lot 4 of the Westwood North Subdivision, alongside the vacating of a 40’ wide strip of an undeveloped street, as requested by the Salem Housing Authority. This is in anticipation of a proposed multifamily 40-unit housing project development at 301 E. Tenth St. Additionally, the board will be considering the rezoning of 301 E. Tenth St. from single family residential (R1) to multifamily residential (R3) and the approval of the Spring Creek Ridge subdivision plat, as presented. The board will also be considering approval of an infrastructure grant agreement, as well as a state block grant agreement, between the city and Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for improvements at Salem Memorial Airport. Reports of city officials will then be presented. After, the board will be taking a vote to enter closed session pertaining to legal actions before adjournment. This meeting is open to the public until closed. To watch this meeting live streamed, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under public comments, resident Cindy Jones noted that Gov. Mike Kehoe’s recent executive order established restrictions on Flock cameras. For road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that since it has rained,   crew members are able to begin grading the following county roads: 6500, 6505, 5630, and 5150. Crew members will also be hauling rock to County Road 6280 and cutting brush on County Road 6350. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be hauling rock to County Road 2590, changing grader blades, and grading on County Roads 4280, 2590, 2600, and 2593. Williams noted  that phone calls have been received from residents of Lenox and Sligo requesting road maintenance. He encouraged patience as crew members will be working their way through the county. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he will be attending a meeting with the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) on Tuesday. Larson also reported that the courthouse, judicial building, and annex building is now seeking applicants for a part-time custodian. In County Clerk Angie Curley’s reports, she stated that payroll and bills are to be approved and noted that absentee ballots will begin to be mailed out Tuesday to anyone who has requested one. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning on Thursday at the courthouse and will be open to the public.

The planned citywide power outage will be Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 in the early hours of the morning. The power will be turned off so crews can safely replace an insulator on the transmission system serving Salem. Residents and businesses are encouraged to charge phones and other important devices before going to bed the night before. Customers should also keep flashlights nearby and turn off or unplug sensitive electronic equipment. Anyone who depends on electrically powered medical equipment should make sure a safe backup power source is available. Security systems, medical alerts, electronic clocks, timers and other devices may also be affected. If your power remains off after the City of Salem announces that service has been restored, call or text 833-703-4811.

An accident occurred in Phelps County in the early hours of Saturday morning at approximately 2:05 on eastbound I-44 at the 194.4-mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 26-year-old woman from Lonedell, Mo. fell asleep while driving a 2016 Toyota Camry and collided with an unknown vehicle. The 26-year-old woman suffered minor injuries and was transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps Health. According to the report, the woman was wearing a safety device. The Toyota Camry was totalled and removed from the scene by Tunes Towing.

An accident occurred in Phelps County on Friday at approximately 10:25 in the evening near County Road 7140. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 17-year-old juvenile travelled off the left side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned while driving a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The juvenile suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. According to the report, the juvenile was wearing a safety device. The 2013 Cadillac SRX was totalled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid-Missouri area through Friday. On Hwy. 32, resurfacing continues east of Salem as the project continues toward Iron County’s Hwy. KK. On Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 32, pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem with minimal traffic impacts expected. Bridge maintenance continues over Dry Fork Creek, northwest of Salem on Hwy. 72. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. In Phelps County, pavement repairs are planned beginning today and continuing through Thursday on I-44 on the eastbound on and off-ramps from Hwy. D to I-44 at Exit 172. Daily periodic closures of each ramp will be required. Bridge rehabilitation continues over I-44 at the Business Loop 44/Hwy. 72/Kingshighway junction, with the bridge remaining closed to all westbound traffic and expected completion of that project in October. On Hwy. 63, bridge rehabilitation continues over Little Piney Creek near Yancy Mills with temporary traffic signals being used to maintain traffic through the single-lane work zone. That project is also scheduled for completion in October. On Hwy. BB, or 10th Street in Rolla, bridge rehabilitation continues over the BNSF Railway with one lane open in each direction and no center turn lane. 

The Nov. 3rd General Election is coming up, with voters encouraged to reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Excused absentee voting is set to begin on Tuesday, and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin on Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd.

The Dent County Clerk’s Office has given notice that a public test of the automatic absentee voting equipment is scheduled for today at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Dent County Courthouse. This test is open for public viewing.

The planned citywide power outage will be this Wednesday, Sept. 23rd from 1:00 to 3:00 in the early hours of the morning. This is so crews can safely replace an insulator on the transmission system serving Salem.  Residents are encouraged to charge phones and other important devices before going to bed the night before. Customers should also keep flashlights nearby and turn off or unplug sensitive electronic equipment. Anyone who depends on electrically powered medical equipment should make sure a safe backup power source is available. Security systems, medical alerts, electronic clocks, timers and other devices may also be affected. Customers do not need to report the loss of power during the scheduled outage period. If your power remains off after the City of Salem announces that service has been restored, call or text 833-703-4811.

At the request of Dent County Fire Chief Derek Thomas, and the Chiefs of Lenox Rural Fire Department, Jadwin Volunteer Fire Department, and Montauk Rural Fire Department, the Dent County Commission has adopted an ordinance implementing a county-wide burn ban due to current drought conditions and the increased danger of fires throughout Dent County. Outdoor burning and open burning are prohibited throughout Dent County. This includes burning trees, logs, brush, stumps, and other vegetative material, as well as burn barrels and agricultural burning. The ordinance does provide limited exceptions, including cooking or grilling with charcoal, wood, propane, or natural gas in appropriate cooking/grilling appliances, as well as certain heating, construction, and maintenance uses specified in the ordinance. 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. The burn ban is intended to protect the lives and property of Dent County residents during the current dry conditions. The duration of the burn ban may be shortened or extended depending on weather and fire conditions.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse for their regular meeting. During public comments, Michael Garrett, who was buying some property, asked the commission to prepare a letter on county letterhead stating Dent County does not have planning and zoning. The request was approved. A resident of County Road 5170 requested brush be cut on that roadway. Canyon Goodbar of the Dent County Sheriff’s office requested approval of a radio grant application for $25,000 from the Missouri Department of Public Safety for three radios and three repeaters. The commissioners approved the grant application. Grant Wilson, representative of Congressman Jason Smith’s office, urged Dent County residents to document and report rainfall amounts to the drought monitor. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green said crew members are off until Monday. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams said that a crew member is cutting brush. Chip and seal work has been completed in both districts, and both Williams and Green reported they were pleased with the job that was done. Williams further noted that both districts had replaced a lot of culverts; thus, the county’s supply is getting low. Williams and Green have both noted in the past that replacing culverts is one task that they can complete when it is too dry to grade. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported he attended a lengthy meeting in St. James on Tuesday of the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) which decided on the distribution of requested grant funds. He noted that there were over $351,000 in requests, and that the funds available totaled $326,464; it was approximately $25,000 short of meeting all requests. All the applications will be funded, but some at lower amounts than requested. The approved amounts would be awarded at the next meeting of the ORSWMD. Moving on, Larson stated he would have a Zoom meeting with the county health insurance company, MAGIC Consortium. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills  were being approved by the commissioners for payment. Brent Duncan, Midwest Mechanical; Tony Haile, Gene Haile Excavating, Inc.; Shannon Jenkins, Mera Excavating; Mason Parker, Build Tec Construction; and Brooke Rogers, Courtney Construction, were present for the bid opening on FEMA 2 crossing repairs. Christa Swartz with Great Rivers Engineering was also present and bids were opened at 10:00. Gene Haile Excavating bid was $161,488; Build Tech Construction bid $66,950; Courtney Construction bid $97,997.23; and Mera Excavating bid $149,069.52. The Midwest Mechanical bid was opened, but it was labeled on the envelope with the wrong bid. Brent Duncan went to his vehicle to get the correct bid, which was presented after 10:00 at $51,050. Christa Swartz discussed that $92,888 was Great Rivers engineer’s estimate, and she will reach out to the first and second bidder. GRE will review received bids to make sure they meet all requirements. Swartz discussed the fact that the Midwest Mechanical bid was not in the meeting at the required 10:00, so it would not be counted. The commissioners agreed. Dent County Fire Chief Derek Thomas presented a Burn Ban Ordinance which was approved by the commissioners. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse, and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened at 8:50 Tuesday night in Shannon County on Highway 106 about two miles west of Eminence that took the life of a man. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2016 Nissan Frontier driven by a 28-year-old man from Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was making a left-hand turn into a private drive when it was struck by an eastbound 2004 Harley Davidson driven by a 43-year-old man from Eminence. The Harley ricocheted off of the Frontier and struck a 2024 Toyota Corolla driven westbound by a 23-year-old woman from Eminence. The driver of the Harley was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:23 in the evening. The Harley driver was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The drivers of the Nissan and Toyota were wearing seat restraints when the accident occurred. The Toyota sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. The Nissan sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Sartin’s Towing. The Harley was totaled and removed from the scene by Sartin’s Towing. The body of the Harley driver was taken to the Bradford Funeral Home.

The Salem Public Library has released that Salem Publishing Company has donated photo negatives that appeared in its print editions from the 1950s through the 2000s. These negatives will now be available to the public, alongside bound editions of The Salem News and other local papers dating from the early 1900s through early 2025. Donald Dodd, his wife Felicia and Dodd’s daughter and former managing editor, Catherine Wynn, made up the board of Salem Publishing when The Salem News was sold and agreed that the library is the perfect place to house the archives so they can be used for a variety of not-for-profit purposes, including genealogy by the general public and research by local historians and others needing to know more about events and history that shaped the community. The Dodds and Wynn are also going to donate a photo negative scanner so not only the library, but those accessing the archives, can obtain digital versions. The library has had possession of the archives for a couple months and will soon roll out information on how they can be viewed, its policies for use and availability. People making requests can help library staff locate articles and images expediently by providing as much detail about the dates as possible. Currently, library staff is able to take photos of articles or images from the newspapers and email them to patrons. If patrons prefer to have the information on paper, it can be printed in black and white for 25¢ per page. In the future, staff will be able to scan negatives in order to print photos. The charge for that service has yet to be determined. For more information, contact the library at 573-729-4331 or salemmopubliclibrary@gmail.com.

On Wednesday, Sept. 16th, Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order establishing safeguards on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) technology, including Flock Safety cameras. Stated intentions of Executive Order 26-18 is to prevent the misuse of the personal location data of Missourians while preserving legitimate law enforcement uses of the technology. Kehoe commented in a press release that the executive order is the first step in creating safeguards against abuse of citizen’s data. Executive Order 26-18 directs the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) to establish statewide safeguards for state agencies and state-funded local law enforcement entities using ALPR technology. Any misuse of ALPR technology shall trigger immediate disciplinary proceedings, criminal referral, where appropriate, and a mandatory report to the Director of DPS for officer license revocation or discipline. Until the General Assembly establishes a permanent statutory framework, the executive order requires the following minimum standards: Requiring most license plate and vehicle data to be permanently deleted within 30 days; Prohibiting vendors from selling, sharing, or commercializing Missouri-generated data; Limiting the use of ALPR technology to legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes; Requiring accountability measures to prevent and penalize misuse; and Prohibiting the integration of artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with ALPR systems. Local agencies are encouraged to voluntarily commit to adhering to these best practices, where possible under existing contracts and law, as stakeholders and lawmakers work towards a comprehensive statutory framework. To find the executive order, and all executive orders that have been signed in 2026, visit the Missouri Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov and click on the “Executive Orders” tab. Visit governor.mo.gov/actions for more information on actions taken by Kehoe. 

The Salem Memorial Hospital has released that it has been officially awarded approximately $1.7 million through Missouri’s ToRCH Care Strategic Strategic Minor Renovations (Horizon 1) initiative, funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). SMH received its fully executed contract on Sept. 9th following final approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Missouri Department of Social Services. The award will allow SMH to address critical facility needs that support the safety, reliability, and continued delivery of healthcare services to the communities throughout the hospital’s district. The funded project, titled the Critical Infrastructure Stabilization and Safety Preservation Initiative, includes improvements to several essential areas of the hospital campus. Planned work includes replacement of the hospital’s aging roofing system, HVAC equipment, nurse call systems, and a portion of the hospital’s oldest exterior windows and doors. The project also includes repairs to existing parking areas and improvements to drainage and access at the Emergency Department and ambulance entrance. The award requires SMH to provide a 10% match toward the project. The SMH Foundation has committed funding equal to 5% of the required match, providing significant support toward the hospital’s obligation. SMH expressed appreciation to the SMH Foundation, its members, leadership, and supporters for their continued investment in the hospital. The Foundation’s contribution toward the required match will help SMH maximize the funding opportunity and move these critical improvements forward. SMH also extended its appreciation to State Representative John Hewkin, Four Rivers Community Health Center, Compass Health, and the Dent County Health Center, each of whom provided letters of support for the hospital’s application. The executed contract establishes a project period of Sept. 9th, 2026, through Oct. 30th, 2027. With the award now finalized, SMH can begin moving forward with the approved projects and coordinating the work necessary to complete these critical improvements within the award period.

Join the Salem Public Library this Thursday night from 6:00 to 7:00 for the opening night of the Salem Chess Club! Have you been interested in chess but have no one to play with? Or do you wish to learn how to play but don’t know where to start? Here is a fun opportunity to play and learn the rules of chess with members of the local community. This chess club is beginner friendly and appropriate for all ages. It will take place in the north basement meeting room. There is no library card or fee required to participate. Non-alcoholic drinks and food are allowed.

The 40th annual Old Miners’ Days, a festival that celebrates the rich mining history of southeast Missouri, will be celebrated in Viburnum Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2nd through Oct. 4th. The free event features entertainment for all ages, including live music, mine tours, kids’ games, food trucks and booths, craft vendors, a community parade, and much more. Friday will see a Tiny Tot Contest and Miss Viburnum Scholarship Pageant. Saturday will see an evening concert with American Idol 2026 Winner Hannah Harper. On Sunday, there will be a community church service and a car show along St. Joseph Street. For more information about Old Miners’ Days, including a full schedule of events, visit oldminersdays.com.

The Ozark Riverways Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and its preservation and promotion of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. Join the foundation for the National Public Lands Day Jacks Fork River Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 26th from 8:00 to 7:00 in the evening. Attendees may choose one of three float routes for the cleanup: Bay Creek to Alley Spring; Alley Spring to Eminence; or Eminence to Two Rivers. Bay Creek to Alley Spring and Alley Spring to Eminence will be put into the water at 10:00 in the morning, while Eminence to Two Rivers will be put into the water at 9:00 in the morning. Make sure to arrive in time to complete sign-in forms and for a river safety briefing. All floats are estimated to end between 2:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon. Join the group for music, food, and prizes at 5:00 on the Rock Bar and Grill pavilion, where there will be a drawing for a free kayak, paddle, and Personal Flotation Device. Find more information by visiting ozarkriverwaysfoundation.org. 

The 2nd Annual Benefit for Project Win with a Current River Cruisers Car Club Cruise In will be this Saturday, Sept. 19th. The event will be located around the Dent County Courthouse square from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. Performances will be heard from Southern Sound at 11:00 and Kevin & Kim Abney at Noon. There will also be special Jiu-Jitsu Outlet entertainment. Food and drink will be available on-site, alongside a bake sale. Registration is $25 with the first 25 cars registered to get a Dash Plaque. All proceeds will go to Project Win Cancer Group, which supports Dent County residents. For more information, contact 573-261-0856.

An event put on in partnership between Parsons Chiropractic and the City of Salem Parks and Recreation, the Salem Mo. Spectacular Balloon Glow, is returning to brighten the dark autumn skies of Salem once more. This annual event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24th at the Al Brown Complex, beginning at 11:00 in the morning and going into the night. The evening will be full of hot air balloons, food, crafts, and musical entertainment provided by the Greer Company. Stay tuned on what’s coming up by following the official Facebook page: Find it by searching Facebook for “Salem, MO Spectacular Balloon Glow Event.”