Local News

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the City Hall Auditorium. Following the removal of language referencing a closed session, the agenda was approved. Police Chief Joe Chase presented a bid from RCC Radio Communications of Washington, Missouri, for the purchase of a Harris XL200P radio. The total bid, which includes a trade-in promotion for the inoperable radio, came to $5,728.70. The Board approved the purchase. Several resolutions were reviewed and approved. Resolution No. 18-2025 renewing the agreement with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for the continued use of the Visitor Center for fiscal year 2026; Resolution No. 19-2025 authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with MSU–West Plains to continue using the City Hall basement to host the Adult Education and Literacy Program; Resolution No. 20-2025 renewing the agreement with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) for sewer shed disease trend monitoring. Under the agreement, DHSS will provide testing supplies, and the city’s Sewer Department will deliver weekly samples to the local health department. The city will be reimbursed $100 per sample, up to $5,000 during the contract period. Resolution No. 21-2025 authorizing Mayor Greg Parker to sign the renewal of the city’s health insurance plan through United Healthcare, as required by the Affordable Care Act; Resolution No. 22-2025 approving an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to begin construction on the ADA Transition Plan Improvements, with work anticipated to start in February 2026. The project is estimated at $1.8 million, any cost to the city has not yet been identified. The Board also revisited a tabled discussion regarding utility access outside city boundaries. Alderman John Whelan made a motion to allow services without requiring voluntary annexation, citing existing infrastructure; however, the motion failed for lack of a second. A subsequent motion requiring voluntary annexation prior to service approval was passed, with Whelan the only opposing vote. City Administrator Sally Burbridge requested a special meeting be scheduled for Monday, June 30, to discuss the city’s budget and other matters. Mayor Parker highlighted several upcoming summer events, including the annual Dent County Toy Drive. During his report, Public Works Director Steve Paine noted that the city’s lighting, in the park, cannot be turned off during the Fourth of July fireworks display. Alderwoman Cathy Dent announced that the Salem Community Choir will perform a Patriotic Spectacular at City Hall on July 4. The meeting then adjourned.

Music lovers are invited to Echo Bluff State Park for a great local family band, the “Lone Pine Band” concert tomorrow evening at 8:00. For detailed information regarding this concert or any events at Echo Bluff you can visit, mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting Thursday at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. Stacey Hall, Angela Dingess and Alivia Parker will share information with the Board followed by student recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports, updates will be shared on the FEMA building, and the budget. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business the board will consider a large number of approvals including a resolution to make all applicable transfers from Funds 1, 2 and 4, participation in the state salary grants, amending the 2024-2025 budget to reflect actual expenditures and revenues, the 2025-2026 PD Plan, the SLP-A Contract with Alcorn Therapy & Consulting, the contracts with Communication Development, LLC, authorization of Nathan Wills and Traci Wulff as the personnel for the Salem R80 lock box at the Bank of Salem, Jason Green as signatory on the general account for Salem R80 at the Bank of Salem and the removal of Phillip Mercer, request for a Construction Trades out of state trip, RTI consortium agreement, Cahills change order (hand dryers), Compass Health MOU, Developmental Preschool Lease, audit bid, UE roof bid, and the 2025-2026 budget.  Also, in new business the Board will hear the first read of MSBA 2025B policy updates and UE Policy updates, plus declare surplus property of 75 desks, 40 wooden chairs and #2 bus. The Board will address the transfer of Melissa Plank form 1st to 4th grade, the hiring of Teresa Wilken as UE paraprofessional, and resignations or retirements of Middle School secretary Shelly Kerr and WL paraprofessional Elizabeth Brown before adjourning and moving into Executive Session to consider personnel.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following incident reports in June. On Monday, June 16th, deputies responded to a call in the 1900 block of Dent County Road 6460 for the theft of building equipment. That investigation is ongoing. That same day, deputies responded to a call for stolen equipment from the 9000 block of West Highway 32. They found that a Bobcat and its attachments had been taken from the property. That investigation is also ongoing. On Wednesday, June 18th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Dent County Road 4190. The driver was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was arrested. On Thursday, June 19th, the sheriff’s department received a call for the theft of farm equipment in the 200 block of Dent County Road 6550. The investigation is ongoing. On Friday, June 20th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 69 and 19. The driver had an outstanding active warrant and was subsequently arrested. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241 if you have any information about any ongoing investigation.

Repairs to the low-water crossing on Dent County Route TT are now expected to be complete July 3. The Missouri Department of Transportation closed Route TT again June 16 to finish work that was postponed due to material shortages. The low-water crossing was damaged and closed in April 2025. It reopened in mid-May after critical repairs, but additional materials were needed to complete the work. Those materials have now arrived. During the closure, motorists must use alternate routes. MoDOT warns drivers to never move or drive around barricades, which are placed for safety. Moving barricades endangers both the driver and others who may encounter damaged roadways or floods without warning. MoDOT asks motorists to buckle up, put phones down, obey traffic signs, and slow down in work zones. For traffic updates, call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT or visit the Traveler Information Map. Information is available 24/7 via social media.

The City of Salem Finance Committee will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road in the Rotary Room. After the call to order and roll call the committee will discuss the 2025-26 Draft Capital Improvement Plan and the Draft Budget. Afterwards the meeting will be adjourned. Tonight’s meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. After the call to order, and the roll call, will be the approval of the consent agenda, which will include the review of the minutes of the June 18th meeting and approval of any bills. Old business to be addressed includes insurance and Brush Trucks. New business will be considered followed by the Chief’s Report. Closed session may be held, if necessary, followed by adjournment.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, June 19th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of May. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were no cases of COVID-19 reported, while the active lead cases were not reported, there were zero Influenza A cases, four animal bites were report, and there were 13 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 40 total tests. The May environmental report showed there where 8 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and no environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were no car seats distributed, and no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, however there were 3 CPR Courses, one consultation for Childcare Health, and 14 Title X appointments were reported. There were no Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), while there were 336 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 463 total appointments other than WIC, 125 total provider appointments, 151 treatment court visits, 260 lab appointments and 22 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 11 family plannings, 4 well-child visits, no online appointments, 4 other well-woman exams, 2 other physicals, 5 SEMO physicals, 47 other visits, and 52 acute illness appointments for a total of 125 visits. Laboratory details showed 260 Lab Draws, 3 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 3 pregnancy tests, there were 8 lead tests reported, plus 38 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy Appointments totaled 139, while all Lab Appointments totaling 149. Immunizations for May totaled 2 for COVID-19, one for Influenza, and 43 other vaccines given, for a total of 46 total doses given during 22 total appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Health Center is planning to hold a Back-to-School Drive Through for vaccines August 9th, COVID/Flu Drive Through October 2nd, and the Fall Health Fair October 17th. He reported on the Community Health Assessment and that the Community Survey is open and collecting feedback from the community. The survey can be completed by going to https://dentcohealth.org/cha/cha2025/. Moser said the transportation program plan for dispatching has been finalized and interviews are resuming. He said that the “Ripling” Software was chosen for Human Resource Management and is nearing completion. The software streamlines employee review, training, etc. Moser presented a draft of changes to the Administrative Manual and asked for feedback. The Board will review the manual with approval to be at a future meeting. Financials were discussed with Moser explaining in detail the causes for the large loss for the month, which included two grants that had delayed payments, resulting in decreased revenue, and several end of grant year expenses that were incurred and will be repaid in future months. He also explained that one position was eliminated by attrition. The Board spent around 40 minutes reviewing and discussing the DCHC financials before they were approved for May. The 2024 audit was presented which showed an unmodified opinion with no deficiencies noted. No closed session was held and the next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, July 17th, 2025, at 5:00.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold a special meeting tonight at 7:00 in the hospital library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda public comments or presentation that are limited to 3 minutes will be heard. No old business is on the agenda, however new business to be conducted includes purchases and updates to policies. The board will go into executive session to discuss personnel and legal issues. Except for the executive session the meeting of the Salem Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone of electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005. 

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART tax monies received in June. The county received $91,402.67 which is $10,299.25 more than for June of 2024. Year-to-date, the CART funds are up about $41,066.26 which is about an 8.9% increase. Tom from TVC Trust was in to ask for help about property at 1102 East Third Street that he feels has been assessed too high. He told the commission he has talked with County Assessor Jamie Homeyer and has gotten nowhere, and also talked with the state assessor who told him to attend the Board of Equalization meeting on July 21st, but he is not going to be in Missouri that day and was wanting to know what he can do. The commissioners told him that he or his representative would have to be here that day with the information he has collected to make his case. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said the crews will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Roads 5070 and 6020, while only grading will be done on county road 6040. Green said brush would be cut on county roads 4210 and 4215. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said crews will be in the Sligo area adding rock and grading on Dent County Roads 3350 and 3355, while only grading would be done on county roads 3295, 3300 and 3370. He also said rock would be added and grading done in the Boss area on Dent County Road 4405. Williams indicated bush would be cut on county roads 3233, 3235 and 3250. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said last week he was named as chairman of the Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation while county representative Ray Walden was named as the treasurer. He said he attended the Dent County Tourism Tax Committee meeting last week where one application for funds was received and approved from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for the Chamber Rodeo in September. There were no reimbursements requests submitted. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said the county has received 300 applications for the SB190 Homestead Real Estate Tax credits for senior citizens which she presented to the commissioners for their signature. Anyone still interested in applying for the real estate tax credit will need to submit their application by June 30th and those applications are available at courthouse. She also wanted to remind those who have not yet paid their real estate taxes from 2022 that those taxes must be paid by June 30th or that parcel will be sold on the courthouse steps. Checks will no longer be accepted for those taxes in the collector’s office and payments will need to be made in cash or by a cashier’s check. She said there were still 36 properties that have outstanding taxes from 2022. Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer was in to let the commissioners know that 85 of the 115 counties in Missouri were going to have an increase in assessment values, but Dent County was not one of them and she is in compliance with all state laws. She said 511 impact notices have been sent out to those who have made improvements to their real estate or personal property in Dent County. At the last meeting, Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt came in to give an update on the FEMA project for the road and bridge department. He was also going to collect the payroll information and get everything submitted as soon as possible. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem present “Vintage Americana” as the parade theme for this year’s 4th of July parade. Sign up is going on now to reserve your spot in the parade. The parade slots will be fall into line, first come first serve. Designated spots will be reserved for the Chamber parade leaders. Parade entry forms are due by June 27th, you can stop by the chamber and pick one up or email: chamber@salemmo.com. For any questions call the Chamber at 573-729-6900.

A former church youth ministry volunteer from Rolla was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. U.S. District Judge John A. Ross also ordered 52-year-old Bradley Thomas Colvin to pay $84,000 to 28 identified victims. According to court documents, Colvin searched for, viewed and downloaded child sexual abuse material for years. He also distributed the material via a peer-to-peer file sharing program to a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer conducting an investigation. Following a court-approved search of Colvin’s home, he admitted during a polygraph examination to having touched a minor for sexual gratification years earlier at a pool party celebrating the end of Vacation Bible School. Investigators found at least 833 videos and 5,566 images containing child sexual abuse material on Colvin’s computers and electronic devices. Colvin pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. He will be on supervised release for life after his prison term. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri State Technical Assistance Team investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims.

The Missouri Public Service Commission suggests a number of steps consumers can take in the kitchen and laundry areas to help with cooling the home, while saving electricity. Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator and check for frost buildup in refrigerators and freezers, which causes an appliance to work harder. Try to wash full loads in the dishwasher, and use the short cycle when possible. Consider washing clothes in cold water with a cold-water detergent. Use your microwave, toaster oven, slow cooker, broiler oven or other energy-saving appliances for cooking food. Turn down the temperature on your water heater. Just a few degrees can contribute to savings. Cover pans when cooking on a stove top and use exhaust fans periodically, as required, to reduce indoor humidity. Avoid using extension cords with appliances as they can reduce the efficiency of the appliance, plus there will be some energy loss in the cord. 

According to the Missouri Net a summer meal program is underway for Missouri children. Tanya Harvey of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says there are 950 meal sites throughout the state. Those sites in Salem include Salem Senior Center from 11:30 to 12:30 and William Lynch Elementary from 11:00 until 12:00. Meals are also available at Bunker R-III from 12:00 until 1:00. Harvey said that last year, they served more than four million meals to children in the USDA-backed program. Children up to age 18 can get a meal. The sites are located in areas where 50-percent of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school, which means all children in that area can get a free meal if they want one. Children do not have to prove eligibility to obtain a meal. The USDA requires each meal include a milk, a grain, a meat or meat alternative, a fruit and a vegetable.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday. Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at 1:35 on private property four miles east of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a 66-year-old Salem man was operating a 2000 URAL 650 Motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was driving in the driveway to the garage when it struck a pothole and he was ejected. The man suffered minor injuries and was taken to Salem Memorial Hospital by Salem Ambulance. He was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle sustained no damage and was left at the scene.

The Utility Committee convened for its regular meeting on Wednesday at 6:15 PM in the Auditorium at 202 N. Washington St. However, due to a lack of quorum, no votes were held on the proposed agenda items. The meeting began with City Administrator Sally Burbridge providing updates on several key issues. She explained that recent changes in legislation regarding card payment processing would prevent the City from charging a convenience fee for in-person debit card payments. While the new regulations prohibit the fee for in-person payments, convenience fees will still be allowed for online transactions. Additionally, the City will no longer be able to offer auto-pay via debit or credit card through the Utility Office; however, auto-pay via ACH check will remain available. Burbridge also noted that the City’s card reader system, provided by US Bank, is no longer supported for software upgrades or security enhancements. This system has allowed the City to consolidate payments across multiple accounts into a single transaction, avoiding additional card processing fees. In other updates, Burbridge discussed upcoming maintenance work on the City’s water towers, starting with the tower at the Industrial Park once the new tower is completed and operational. She mentioned the possibility of contracting with a company for routine maintenance across all City water towers. Finance Director Stacy Houston then presented the proposed budgets and Capital Improvement Plans for the Electric, Water, and Sewer funds. The proposed budget for the Electric Depreciation and Replacement fund includes an estimated deficit of approximately $300,000, primarily due to the need to replace an inoperable bucket truck. This shortfall may be covered by reserve funds from previous years. The City has also allocated $450,000 to rehabilitate the Industrial Park water tower, with this amount subject to change once the project goes to bid. As a result of this project, the water fund will need to use approximately $182,000 from previous year’s reserves to address the deficit. During the reports, Burbridge briefly highlighted key takeaways from the recent MPUA & MMMPEP meeting and the MPUA conference. Public Works Director Steve Paine also provided an update on the City’s utility crews, specifically reminding residents that Forester, the company tasked with trimming trees along the feeder lines, will first address the foliage and then return within 72 hours, weather permitting, to clean up any debris. The meeting then adjourned.

The 4th of July Celebrations in Salem kicks off with the Salem Community Choir at the Salem Civic Center. The first performance is at 2:00 in the afternoon, then again at 4:00. Just in time to head down to the parade route and pick a spot. The parade will start at 6:00 in the evening. After the parade head over to the Salem City Park and check out the vendors and food trucks, with the fireworks show to begin at dark.

Yesterday’s edition of Your World Today reported grants through the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Project would have a maximum funding of $240,000 per grant for approved projects. We received a correction that clarified the $240,000 was the maximum funding available across all grants, not per grant as previously reported. There will be question and answer sessions held Friday, June 27th at 9:00 in the morning and 2:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Organizations seeking information or applications should contact Tabitha Stanfast, ToRCH Program Manager, at tstanfast@smdh.net.

An accident occurred Monday afternoon around 3:50 in Crawford County on 3402 Highway O. According to the highway patrol report a 2003 Can-AM Rotax driven by an 8-year-old male juvenile from Houston travelled off the left side of a private road and struck a tree. The juvenile was ejected and suffered serious injuries. He was flown to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis by Phelps Air. The report goes on to state he was not wearing safety equipment.

As Missourians continue to recover from multiple severe weather events this spring, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) reminds consumers to take steps to protect their finances and avoid post-disaster scams and fraud. Unfortunately, disasters often attract scam artists, so staying vigilant and watching for signs of potential fraud is also key to protecting your financial security. Be cautious of loan offers that require upfront fees to obtain loan proceeds or companies offering loans or payment assistance that pressure you to act immediately. Ensure that any lender or financial service provider is authorized to conduct business in Missouri. Certain scams are more prevalent following natural disasters and could have a significant impact on your finances. Be on the lookout for these types of fraud: Contractor Fraud where unethical contractors misrepresent themselves as being affiliated with government entities and scam victims out of funds, resulting in shoddy repairs or no repairs at all; Price Gouging which is the practice of increasing prices of high-demand goods and services during a disaster; Forgery where scammers use a disaster as an opportunity to get access to victims’ personal information and documents to commit identity theft; and Charity Fraud where scammers pose as representatives from notable charities, including the Red Cross, to solicit funds from donors who want to help those affected. DCI’s Division of Finance and Division of Credit Unions encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud to act fast to secure all accounts and document details to share with their bank or lender. To report disaster related fraud, victims can call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud for more information. 

During the summer the hot weather months may present challenges for many consumers who struggle to cool their homes. Here are some more suggestions from the Missouri Public Service Commission. To improve cooling of living areas caulk and weather strip doors and windows that leak air. Residents can add insulation and seal air leaks to help keep the cool air inside. Be sure to close drapes, shades and blinds during the day to keep the sunlight from heating up your home. Turn off lights when they are not needed can add to efforts to cool a home. Turn off computers, monitors, printers and televisions during periods of non-use. These devices use energy even when in standby mode.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem present “Vintage Americana” as the parade theme for this year’s 4th of July parade. Sign up is going on now to reserve your spot in the parade. The parade slots will be fall into line, first come first serve. Designated spots will be reserved for the Chamber parade leaders. Parade entry forms are due by June 27th, you can stop by the chamber and pick one up or email: chamber@salemmo.com. For any questions call the Chamber at 573-729-6900.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors have called for a special business meeting this evening at 7:00 in the Hospital Library. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda the Board will hear public comments &/or public presentations which are limited to 3 minutes. No Old Business or New Business are included on the agenda. The Board will go into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel and legal issues. Any person that would like to attend the open session by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 extension 4005.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, for the observance of Juneteenth. Normal operations will resume on Friday, June 20, 2025. For more news, follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ

The Salem Memorial Hospital ToRCH Community Leadership Board is accepting applications for community grants through the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Project. Salem Memorial Hospital is one of six hospitals collaborating with MO HealthNet in the pilot program, which focuses on improving health outcomes for Medicaid patients by addressing social determinants of health. The hospital is partnering with Healthy Dent County, Compass Health, Dent County Health Center, Aging Best, South Central Missouri Community Area Action Agency, and Four Rivers Community Health Center on the initiative. Population health goals for Dent County include increasing dental care access for Medicaid members under 21, improving blood pressure and diabetes control among eligible Medicaid members, reducing emergency room visits for COPD patients, and increasing follow-up visits after emergency department visits for mental health or self-harm. Grants will address gaps in community services with funding available for expanding staffing, securing facilities, purchasing equipment, and overcoming logistical challenges. Categories include Community Service, Transportation, Behavioral Health Access, Diabetes Prevention, Food Insecurity, Maternal/Child Health, Obesity Prevention, Primary Care Access, and Quality of Life. Applications are due July 14, 2025, with awards announced by August 11, 2025. Total grant funding distributed by the Leadership Board will be $240,000 for projects running August 2025 through September 2026. Question and answer sessions will be held Friday, June 27th at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Organizations seeking information or applications should contact Tabitha Stanfast, ToRCH Program Manager, at tstanfast@smdh.net.

On Thursday, the USDA Forest Service will waive standard amenity fees for all visitors to national forest and grassland day-use areas. Thursday, June 19th celebrates the historic Juneteenth holiday. On this special fee-free days, standard amenity fees are waived for day use sites — like picnic areas, developed trailheads, and destination visitor centers. Some exceptions apply. To check if a site will be fee free and for safety alerts, contact your local national forest website. About 95% of national forest land can be enjoyed fee-free, year-round. Where fees are assessed, at least 80% of these funds are reinvested at the collection site, to provide needed maintenance and services or pay for future improvements. The Forest Service offers fee-free access a few times each year to encourage exploring national forests and grasslands. The remaining fee-free observances for 2025 are National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27th and Veterans Day on Nov. 11th. For more information about inter-agency passes, visit the Forest Service’s Passes and Permits page. The Forest Service encourages everyone to take advantage of these fee-free opportunities to experience the great outdoors. Get outside and connect with nature to reflect, exercise and make memories.

Friday morning, June 20th, at 10:00 there will be a Nature Journaling Workshop with Color Play at Echo Bluff State Park. This nature journaling workshop will revisit some of the tried-and-true methods of nature journaling and will also introduce new ideas to keep your journals fresh and interesting. Bring your own journal and favorite instruments for getting color on your page, and let’s color! Participants will also be playing with watercolors. Some watercolor paints and pencils will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own if you have them. Registration is required by calling 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov. Participants will meet at the Bluff Top Pavilion in the park located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive near Eminence. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Need fishing gear? The Missouri Department of Conservation works with your own Salem Public Library as well as other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free! Call the Salem Public Library at 573-729-4331 or stop by at 403 North Jackson Street to learn more.

The Dent County Commission met this Monday morning at the courthouse. At the meeting, the commission was presented with an invitation to attend the recitation of the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd at noon at the multipurpose room of the Phelps County Courthouse at 200 North Main Street in Rolla by citizen Cindy Jones. She also stated that 2026 will be the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and she was hoping that all counties would have a similar type of celebration at their courthouses. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said no grading will be done due to the rain, so brush will be cut along chip and seal county road 4110 with the Mantis cutter. He also reported crews would be moving sand and gravel at the county road and bridge department in preparation for the new salt shed. Green stated other crews would be out checking roads for water or runoff damages. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams also said it was too wet to grade, so brush will be cut on county roads 2315, 2620, 2630, 2640 and 3220. He also indicated workers would be out checking roads for washouts. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported Mike’s Generator will be in town this week to check the county emergency backup generator at Oak Grove Baptist Church. They will check to make sure the fuel is still fresh and usable, plus also perform a full maintenance check on the operation of the backup generator. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind any Dent County business who has a liquor license needs to have their application for renewal into her office before June 30th. This Thursday the courthouse will be closed for Juneteenth and there will be no commissioner meeting. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning, June 23rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association presents the Kids Summer Art Camp 2025 called “Splash into Creativity” will be held from June 23rd through June 27th from 8:00 in the morning until noon each day at the Creative Arts Center with Tana Kettner, Danielle Norris, Hannah Heithold, Nicole Curtis, Jenny Johnson and other teachers. This camp is targeted for those ages six to 16 years of age. The cost is $125 for the week of $30 per day. All the supplies for the week are included as well as a small snack each day. Your kids will get to do some amazing art projects, as well as learn valuable art skills. There will be visiting artists presenting special additional projects such as tie dye, clay hand-building, fibers, recycled art, glass fusing, acrylic painting, and so much more!  At least 12 people need to register and there will be no more than 50 attendees. Register by 12:50 Saturday morning, June 21st by going online to the SACBA website, click on Programs category and then go to the Salem Creative Arts Council link. If you have a question about any class, please email salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com

As summer approaches, the hot weather months may present challenges for many consumers who struggle to cool their homes. The Missouri Public Service Commission offers some suggestions on how to save on energy usage and reduce your bill. To aid in cooling the home make sure furniture and draperies are not blocking cooling outlets. Blocked outlets restrict air circulation, overwork the cooling equipment, and increase operating costs. Use ceiling fans to assist in cooling. In the summer, blades should rotate counterclockwise when viewed from below. Make sure the air conditioner filter is clean and replace filters as needed. Consider installing a smart thermostat, which are Wi-Fi enabled devices that automatically adjust your home’s heating and cooling, allowing for remote control and energy savings. They connect to your home’s internet network and can be managed through a smartphone app or web interface. Consider whether a time-based rate plan that adjusts electricity prices based on the time of day the energy is used is a good option for your household. For additional information on available rate plans, please contact your utility provider.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the National Deer Association (NDA) invite landowners and others interested in managing deer on their properties to join them online for a free webinar on forest and woodland management and how hunters and landowners can incorporate this into their deer management efforts. This live Zoom webinar on “Forests, Woodlands, and Whitetails” will be held on Tuesday, June 24th, at 6:00 in the evening. It will begin with a presentation from an NDA Deer Outreach Specialist followed by MDC and NDA staff answering participants’ questions. Save this link for the free Zoom webinar on “Forests, Woodlands, and Whitetails” and click on it on June 24 at 6 pm: short.mdc.mo.gov/4ya. For those who have not previously used Zoom on their selected device, click the link ahead of time and follow the prompts to install the free Zoom software. This webinar is the second of MDC’s and NDA’s free 2025 Missouri Deer Management Webinar Series via Zoom. Upcoming webinars are Wildflowers and Whitetails on August 26th at 6:00 and Utilizing Prescribed Fire for Deer Management on September 9th 6:00. Watch the previous webinar on Quality Deer Management at youtu.be/ckhMEytvync/. Learn more about deer management at mdc.mo.gov/your-property/improve-your-property/wildlife-management/deer-management

An accident involving a Dent County woman occurred in Phelps County Thursday night at 7:00 on Highway 63 twelve miles south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2006 Ford F150, driven by a 40-year-old female from Salem, hydroplaned to the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. The Ford then traveled to the left side of the roadway and struck another guardrail. The woman suffered minor injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. The report stated that she was wearing a safety restraint. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 10:23 in Crawford County on Edgar Road about a ½ mile east of Crooked Creek Road. According to the highway patrol report a 2023 Kia Forte driven by a 51-year-old male from Mount Vernon was travelling westbound fleeing from Crawford County deputies when he encountered flooding on the roadway. The Kia travelled off the right-side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Rolla by Steelville Ambulance. The Kia was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The report goes on to say the driver was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The low-water crossing on Dent County Route TT was damaged and closed in April of 2025 and reopened in mid-May. However, only the most critical repairs to reopen the roadway were completed at that time, due to a material shortage. The additional materials have arrived and crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation plan to close Route TT again today, to complete the repairs. The closure is only short-term, however, and crews plan to reopen the roadway on or before June 27th. During the closure, motorists will need to use an alternate route. For the safety of all travelers, NEVER move or drive around barricades. Our crews place them for your safety and that of motorists who may come after you. Moving barricades not only puts yourself in danger, but other drivers who may come through later and drive into floods or onto damaged roadways without warning. This can be especially dangerous at night. MoDOT asks all motorists to work with us by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). 

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held their regular meeting Thursday at 6:00 in the Auditorium located  at 202 N. Washington Street. After approving the agenda and the minutes from the previous meeting, Melissa Dubois presented the Director’s Report. She noted a decline in summer ball sign-ups, possibly due to the growing number of traveling leagues. The lighting project at the Al Brown Fields has been completed, and the concession stand is now in use. The City Park is nearing completion; however, Dubois emphasized that it will not open until the glue has fully dried and cured, as premature foot traffic could damage the surface. Barring any weather-related delays, she anticipates the park will be open to the public within the week. Dubois also reported a significant drop in banner sponsor renewals for the city’s sports leagues. When asked about the cause, she explained that her demanding workload has limited her ability to contact businesses directly, though she encouraged any interested parties to reach out to her. The Board then approved an amendment to its bylaws allowing meeting-specific communications to be conducted via email. Finance Director Stacy Houston presented the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, which includes an estimated deficit of $26,875, largely due to capital improvement projects such as upgrading parking lots at the T-ball fields and swimming pool, and installing security cameras. The Board approved the budget and agreed to cover the shortfall using funds from prior years’ balances. Before adjourning, the Board voted to appoint Luke Heithold as Vice President.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special session and budget workshop last Thursday evening at 5:30 in the administrative building. Following approval of the agenda, Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills presented his report, noting progress on several Comprehensive School Improvement Plan goals and providing an update on the projected 2025-2026 budget. In new business, the Board unanimously approved soliciting bids for parking lot and track repairs. The meeting then moved into a closed executive session for personnel matters before adjourning.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to provide input for Echo Bluff State Park’s conceptual development plan update. The 30-day comment period began earlier this month and a survey is currently available online at mostateparks.com/CDP. For more information call Daniel Engler, planning section manager, at 573-751-8462. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.