Local News

State Representative Don Mayhew has introduced House Bill 1442 called the “Natural Resource and Community Protection Act,” to end federal overreach in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and other federally managed lands within Missouri. The bill ensures that local residents are not unfairly targeted by federal park rangers and that Missouri retains authority over its natural resources, wildlife, water rights, and land use. HB 1442 prioritizes the rights of local residents by preventing the NPS from issuing federal tickets for minor infractions, prohibiting unconstitutional property seizures, stopping unreasonable land use restrictions, and blocking unilateral road closures by federal authorities. The bill also reaffirms Missouri’s authority over its natural resources, wildlife, water rights, roads, and highways by requiring federal agencies to coordinate with state and local officials before imposing new regulations or enforcement actions. This bill is a direct results of citizen complaints and concerns.

On Thursday, March 6th, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that Travis Fudge pled guilty to tampering with a motor vehicle, burglary in the 2nd degree, felony stealing and the possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine. Fudge was sentenced to serve six years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as recommended by Prosecutor Curley.

Intercounty Electric Cooperative recently announced their Youth Tour essay finalist this past Monday. The Youth Tour is an all-expenses paid trip to our nation’s capitol where participants go with more than 100 students from the Show-Me state and over 2000 students nationwide to tour museums, visit America’s most cherished monuments and even meet their elected officials. All while learning about electric cooperatives and their role in the community. The top three finalist for Salem include Makena Faulkner, Riley Remster, and Knox Smith. Licking’s finalist are Karson Walker, Noah Umfleet, and Sadie Hutsell. Ariella Tarvin, Katie Carpenter, and Keiran Goodridge are the finalist from St. James and Valery Liang, Maria Polizzi, and Lukas Barnes are Rolla’s finalist. Congratulations to all of these students as well as the finalist in Mountain Grove, Houston, Summersville, and Cabool. The first place winners from each school will earn a seat on the Youth Tour in Washington D.C. while runners up from each school will receive an all-expenses paid trip to participate in the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) in Jefferson City, Missouri. If you’d like to learn more you can contact Intercounty Electric at 866-621-3679.

Today is KSMO’s Annual FFA Day at the KSMO Studios where former FFA Advisor Bob Parsons will be interviewing current Salem FFA students live on KSMO Radio (AM 1340 and 95.7 FM) and those interviews will be streamed live on KSMO Media (ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stream Facebook Page and KSMO YouTube.) Originally scheduled for February 21st, the day had to be rescheduled due to school being postponed. The students will be answering questions on their experience with FFA including their SAE Projects, awards, projects, record books, future plans, what got them interested in FFA and more. Interviews normally begin between 8:20 and 8:30 in the morning and will be held throughout the day ending near 3:00. If you can’t listen or watch live, the interviews will be able to be played back later on Facebook and YouTube.

An accident happened Monday morning around 9:20 in Iron County on Highway 32 about eight miles east of Bixby that took the of two young adults. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Toyota Camry driven westbound by a 21-year-old male from Desloge, was passing an uninvolved vehicle and struck a 2021 Nissan Sentra driven eastbound by a 67-year old woman from Salem, head on. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Johnny Setzer from Iron County. The 21-year-old female occupant of the Camry, who was from Viburnum, was taken to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis where she was pronounced dead at 4:00 Monday afternoon by Physicians Assistant Elizabeth Watson. The Salem woman suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Arch Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. According to the report, no one was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon at 12:34 on Highway 63 south of Magnolia Lane that left a woman from Licking with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Kia Sorento driven northbound by a 62-year-old female from Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck two trees. The woman, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla by the Phelps Health EMS. The Kia was self-towed.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting last Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium. After removing the closed session, the Board approved the agenda and consent agenda. During public comments, the Board approved Rob Benowitz’s request to close the roads around the courthouse for the 100 Acre Wood Rally. The City’s audit report for fiscal year 2024 showed total assets for government and business-type activities to be: $34.9 million, total liabilities were $10.7 million with a net position of about $24.9 million. Public Works Director Steve Paine requested, and was approved, to sell the surplus Single Phase Transformer No. 220921-7. He plans to auction the transformer through MPUA to help offset the cost of the new replacement transformer. The Board approved Resolution 4-2025, a change order that will reduce the contract value by $3,600.00, for the Welcome Home Project, and the amendment of the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan by adding Action 2.9 for the City of Salem to reduce the risks of service interruption due to flooding events. City Administrator, Sally Burbridge read the first readings of Bill Number 3647, to approved amendments to the Demand Meters and Rates for Commercial Customers Code 700.100 correcting a clerical error and reinstating the original sections A and B; Bill Number 3648, an ordinance to amend the Determination of Usage Code 710.320 clarifying the definition of Owner, bill number 3645 an ordinance that would approve amending the Notices of Meetings Code 122.040, updating references from City Hall to City Administration Offices for posting notices, and bill number 3644, an ordinance to remove the language tying City meetings to cancellations of Salem R-80 Schools. The Board approved several bills, including bill 3643 Task order #20 between the City of Salem and CM Archer Group, PC for the Bonebrake sewer realignment project. The project is estimated to cost around $201,000.00. They also approved Bill Number 3642 Task Order #19, between the City of Salem and CM Archer Group, allowing Archer to assist the Public Works Director with flood disaster response and recovery efforts for the November 2024 flood event. The Board approved the mid-year budget adjustments that were discussed in previous meetings, as well as the bid from Resolve IT in the amount of $47,052.00 to replace the City’s servers. During the City officials’ report, Finance Director Stacy Houston gave an update on the financials, and Mayor Greg Parker stated that AARP will be taking appointments until April 4th, for free tax filing. He encouraged citizens to call 573-729-8163 if they need help. Public Works Director Paine presented the Utility Crew update, and the Parks and Recreation updates were provided by Director Melissa DuBois. With no closed session, the meeting adjourned. 

At the Dent County Commission meeting Monday morning, Beverly Irons with the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court was in attendance to see what progress the commission had made on the conditions of the “formal demand” written by Judge Megan Seay to make the old courthouse ADA compliant. In the letter, Seay gave the commission 90 days to begin the installation of a chairlift to the courthouse on the second floor, but the commissioners stated that they have not yet been able to find a chairlift that is ADA compliant and that will fit in the stairwell. They are still pursuing this but have come up empty so far. The commissioners have been in touch with elevator companies about installing an elevator, but there will have to be engineers to assess where the elevator could be placed on the exterior of the building that would also provide access to the floors. The logical place would be where the treasurer’s office is now, but that would eliminate an office in the building and at this time, there is no other space available. Even with the addition of the elevator, there is still the question of an ADA accessible bathroom which the courthouse would need that would also take space away from an office holder. The commission is continuing to look into the options for the elevator locations and the creation of a bathroom in the old courthouse. There was also some discussion of a new courthouse being built to fit the needs of the county, but the commission feels the estimated costs of somewhere between $4 and $8 million dollars would be prohibitive, but that option has not been taken off the table. The commission will continue to explore all possibilities at this time. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5070, 6250 and 6660, while brush will be cut on county road 5400. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers would be installing a driveway pipe on Dent County Road 4310 and materials will be added to the road, plus rock will also be added to county road 2330. Williams said brush would be cut on county roads 4300 and 4310, while other workers would be working on the brakes on two of the graders. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said all three commissioners attended their annual training last week where they received updates on CERF, held a discussion on the issues pertaining to 3rd class counties, heard a report from Attorney Travis Elliott on Senate Bill 190 which is the Homestead Credit for seniors, and also heard from the Missouri Attorney General, Andrew Bailey. Larson said he was also able to talk with Senator Justin Brown on Senate Bills 57 and 239, and also speak to a number of representatives including John Hewkin and Don Mayhew. He said the tax commission sent a memorandum of understanding to a number of counties to make sure their county assessments are at the required 90% of the assessed valuation, but Dent County is already there so they did not get the MOU. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the excused absentee voting for the Municipal Election is now available at the courthouse. She also said the last day to register to vote would be March 12th. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk brought in the property abatements for the year 2019 and they totaled $8,317.06. Bids were opened for culverts for the county for the year and two bids were received: Roberts-Judson in Salem and Viebrock Sales from Sedalia. Viebrock won the bid with a total cost of $69,900 for 91 culverts of varying sizes. Bids were then opened for grader blades and two bids were received: Viebrock Sales and Woolf Equipment of Salem. Woolf won that bid for 30 blades with a 5/8-inch bolt opening for $142.50 each, and 15 blades with a ¾-inch bolt opening for $142.50 each which came to $6,412.50. The county placed an order for half of the blades immediately to beat any tariff that may be imposed soon. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced general highway maintenance and construction work planned for the week. Route H brush cutting is scheduled through the week. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zone. Route 19 roadside work continues at Standing Rock Creek, south of Route N, as part of a bridge replacement project.

The Opening Day of catch-and-keep trout season began Saturday morning at 6:30 at Montauk State Park. There were 1,857 adult trout tags and another 310 youth tags sold as of 4:00 Saturday afternoon. This is up from last year’s number by 134 tags. Thirty-eight lunkers were caught during the day with the largest being a 6-pound, 4-ounce rainbow trout by Garrett Wilfong of Des Arc, Missouri. The catch-and-keep season will be in effect until October 31st. 

With catch-and-keep trout fishing at Missouri’s four trout parks now underway you can enjoy fishing at: Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The daily limit is four trout, and the possession limit is eight for all four parks. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) operates trout hatcheries at all four parks and will stock about 20,000 trout among the four parks for opening day. MDC will continue to stock the trout parks daily during the catch-and-keep season, totaling more than 600,000 trout annually at the four trout parks and about 1 million trout annually statewide. There was some concern about trout production with the historic flooding, but MDC Hatcheries Systems Manager Clint Hale expects to have a successful trout season with ample fishing opportunities for anglers. Trout anglers need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri’s trout parks during the catch-and-keep season. The cost of a daily trout tag is $5 for adults and $3 for those 15-years-old and younger. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. The Department of Conservation encourages trout anglers to have the correct amount of cash for daily tags, if possible. Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 and nonresidents ages 16 and older also need a fishing permit in addition to the daily trout tag. A daily fishing permit is $9. The department also encourages trout anglers to buy fishing permits ahead of time from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free MO Fishing app, available for download on the App Store or Google Play. Thousands of anglers from Missouri and beyond flock to Missouri’s four trout parks each year. While many leave with some trout, they all leave more than $100 million in spending along the way, which supports thousands of jobs and helps local economies.

The Salem Public Library Board of trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday evening at 5pm in the Library conference room. Before the meeting officially began, Salem Police Officer John Brown and Building Inspector Jarred Brown shared concerns about visibility issues with the library sign at the Fourth Street entrance. The Board voted and approved lowering the sign to improve driver visibility. After approving the previous meeting’s minutes, Library Director Kate McBride presented the librarian’s and treasurer’s reports noting increased attendance in children’s programs, positive newspaper coverage, and over $400 in book sales in the month of December, several donations and the receipt of local library taxes. The Board discussed several ongoing maintenance issues during old business, and  McBride stated all new computers and software, that were purchased using funds provided by LSTA Tech Grant, have been installed. The Library has recently received a new telescope and is working to establish a protocol for patron use. The Board approved a bid from Coverdell Auto Glass in the amount of $635.31 to repair a broken window pane in the North Basement, and the decision to maintain the current closing policy due to inclement weather, as written in the bylaws. The meeting then adjourned with the next scheduled meeting to take place on March 13th at 5:00 in the evening in the Library’s conference room.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missouri hunters and anglers that related annual permits expire at the end of February, including 2024 permits for small game, fishing, trout fishing, and combination hunting and fishing. You can buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from one of many vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Save time by buying hunting and fishing permits for multiple people in a single transaction. Select the “Additional Customer” option during the permit purchase. Avoid having to manually renew permits each year by using MDC’s Permit Auto-Renewal Service. It allows customers to enroll eligible permits in a service that will automatically renew their permits prior to the start of the next season or permit year. The process was designed to ensure customers never have expired permits when they need them most. Learn more about this service at mdc.mo.gov/permits/permit-auto-renewal. Commercial and lifetime permits can be purchased only through the MDC Permit Services Unit by calling 573-522-0107. Contact them for an application.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed that trout will be ready for anglers at the March 1st trout opener at Montauk State Park on Saturday, despite extensive flood damage to the fish hatchery last November. Fishing begins at 6:30 Saturday morning at the popular Dent County park. Department of Conservation officials are assuring visitors that trout will be available throughout the summer catch-and-keep season, which runs from March 1st through October 31st. The severity of the November flooding was significant as several Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Department buildings were underwater. The trout raceways near the Old Mill within the park were nearly 15 feet underwater at the flood’s peak. Clean-up and repair work has continued throughout winter, but recovery efforts are still ongoing. Repairs at the hatchery will likely continue throughout the summer season. The park’s fish-cleaning station will remain out of service until repairs can be completed. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s connected cold-water hatchery system has been crucial to Montauk’s recovery. Staff from multiple hatcheries assisted with clean-up efforts, and several thousand trout were temporarily relocated to warm-water fish hatcheries. Approximately 20,000 trout will be stocked across all four state trout parks on opening day, including Montauk State Park, Roaring River State Park in Barry County, Bennett Spring State Park in Laclede and Dallas counties, and Maramec Spring Park in Phelps County. Daily stocking at these parks will continue throughout the summer season with a total of more than 600,000 being stocked at the four trout parks.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library. The meeting began with approval of the agenda and minutes, followed by Brooke Bollman’s CEO’s report on various operational updates. The single audit for grant funding is still in progress, the Medicare cost report for fiscal year 2024 has been desk reviewed, with an expected receivable of $372,000 more than anticipated. Leadership is implementing several improvement initiatives including charge audits, employee onboarding, marketing plans, and workforce development through grants and internship programs. The Board discussed a potential partnership with the local health department to share healthcare providers. The proposal involves a tentative 12-week contract where providers from the health center could serve at the hospital, particularly for acute care cases. Board members expressed support while acknowledging potential concerns about patient confusion and continuity of care. The arrangement was deemed cost-effective and beneficial for both organizations, especially given the current staffing challenges. The financial report showed positive performance with a net profit of $1.1 million, Bollman noted ongoing reconciliation work to improve financial accuracy, including adjustments for payroll taxes and retirement benefits, as well as transitioning to more accrual-based accounting practices. The ambulance department was awarded approximately $62,000 from the Dent County opioid relief settlement to purchase three Lucas devices (automated CPR machines). Staff are updating marketing materials for swing bed services and developing policies to allow LPNs to administer IV medications after appropriate training. Human resources reported hiring a full-time dietary manager and part-time dietary cook/aide in January, while losing four full-time employees including a radiology technician, clinic nurse practitioner, phlebotomist, and CNA. The hospital has been receiving more LPN applications and plans to recruit at Texas County Technical College when nursing students begin their clinicals. The emergency department’s performance metrics were reviewed, showing favorable results compared to state and national averages. Grant activities were discussed, including the Missouri kiosk pilot project which provides Medicaid recipients with access to manage their benefits. The TORCH program has facilitated 57 referrals impacting 41 clients, with 61.4% of referrals being accepted. Community-based organizations servicing Dent County have handled 85 referred cases affecting 71 clients, with 53% successfully resolved. The meeting concluded with scheduling the next board meeting for March 25, at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library, then moving into closed session.

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation Board will meet tonight at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. After the roll call, the board will hear the director’s report before they get a financial update. The board will discuss filling available board seats before discussing playground ground cover bids and pool prices for the 2025 season. The meeting will then be adjourned. The Salem Park and Recreation Board meeting is tonight at 5:00, called by Parks and Recreation Board President Carlos Lopez, and the meeting is open to the public.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a “Sign N’ Wine” class this Friday, from 6:30 until 9:00 with Danielle Norris. Participants can come and paint a new front porch welcome sign which will cost $30, or bring your sign from a previous class and paint the back of it for $20. Guests may bring beverages and snacks! All of the art supplies are included. There must be 5 people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to 16. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.

On December 12th, 2021, Marvin Rice was charged with two counts of 1st degree murder for the deaths of Annette Durham, his former girlfriend, and Steven Strotkamp, Durham’s boyfriend. The state certified the case for Capital Punishment (potential death sentence) and venue was transferred to St. Charles County after a mistrial in Wayne County, the jury convicted Rice of One Count of Murder in the 1st Degree (Durham) and One Count of Murder in the 2nd Degree (Strotkamp). The jury was unable to unanimously agree on the sentence and by law, the sentencing reverted to Judge Parker, who sentenced Rice to death in Count One and a concurrent sentence of life in Count Two. Rice appealed his convictions and sentences to the Missouri Supreme Court. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Murder in the 1st Degree, but reversed for a new sentencing phase in Count One and a new guilt phase in Count Two. The new sentencing phase was held March 25th – April 1st, 2022. Presiding over the sentencing was Judge Daniel Pelikan of St. Charles, Missouri. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the jury found the existence of statutory required aggravating circumstances and further found that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances and thereby recommend a sentence of death. On May 23rd, 2022, Judge Pelikan sentenced Rice to life without the possibility of parole. Rice later pled guilty to Count Two and was sentenced to a concurrent 25-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. On November 9th, 2022, Rice filed a pro se motion to set aside his conviction of Murder in the 1st degree. Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley filed a response and a motion to dismiss Rice’s motion. By law, the public defender system was appointed to represent Rice. The court appointed attorney amended Rice’s motion on July 10th, 2024, alleging that Rice’s former attorneys failed to exercise the customary skill and diligence that reasonably competent attorneys would have by not investigating and present evidence showing that Rice had not shot Durham was she was lying on the ground; and also failing to consult, retain, and call a pharmacological expert to support Rice’s defense that his prescription drug regiment affected his ability to deliberate. On September 23rd, 2024, a hearing was held in St. Charles concerning prosecutor Curley’s motion to dismiss, which was taken under advisement, but ultimately denied on October 9th, 2024. On December 16th, 2024, an evidentiary hearing was held on Rice’s request for relief. Prosecutor Curley represented the state of Missouri and Marvin Rice appeared, along with his attorney, after being transported from the department of corrections. Rice’s former attorneys, a pharmacy professor and forensic pathologist testified on behalf of Rice at the hearing. Following their testimony, arguments were heard from Prosecutor Curley and Rice’s attorney. On February 18th, 2025, Judge Pelikan overruled and denied Rice’s motion.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center will be holding a youth Salem Spring Volleyball League at the Salem Community Center@The Armory Gymnasium at 1200 West Rolla Road for kids age 5 through the 6th grade. This introductory league helps children learn fundamentals, teamwork and sportsmanship while participating in games to get experience. Register your child by Friday, February 28th. Registration forms are only available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Please complete the forms and return them to Armory. For more information, call 573-247-8085 and talk with Dottie Steelman.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART taxes received by the county in February. She said the county received $88,293.83 which is up $10,520.04 from last February, and year-to-date, CART taxes are up $17,477.88 which is an 11.2% increase. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s office was in attendance and said congress would be voting on the budget resolution bill today that would continue the Trump tax cuts from his first term; plus eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security as well as promoting manufacturing. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk presented the bid from Clearbasin for software for $5,000 for the Senate Bill 190 application with the assessor the Homestead Tax Credit available to those who qualify. The software is subscription based with an annual cost for updates and changes. The commissions approved going with Clearbasin. Curt Faigle from the 100-Acre Wood Rally was in and said the Road Rally this year would be on March 14th and 15th with the Parc Expose being held from 8:30 to 11:00 around the courthouse the morning of March 15th. The first car should leave out around 10:30 and the county roads used have all be used before. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews were removing a snowplow from a truck and working on a bad cylinder on another. He also said they were doing road maintenance as well as checking roads for any remaining slick spots. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said crews were removing the snowplow on County Truck #122 and removing the spreader box from another truck. He also said crews were using the Ultimate Paving Materials on select chip and seal roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the commissioners would be at their annual CCAM training February 26th through the 28th.  Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said excused absentee voting for the April Municipal Election will begin today, and not everyone will need to vote. Curley says elections will be held in April for the City of Salem, Dent County Fire Protection District, Rolla Rural Fire Department, Rolla Schools, Bunker R-3 School, and the Iron County R-4 School. If you vote in those taxing entities and want to vote, don’t forget to bring your photo ID with you. Curley says sample ballots are available in her office, or she can e-mail one to you. You can also keep up to date on election information on the Dent County Election/County Clerk Facebook page. Dave Cowell on Highway 119 would like to put in a family cemetery on his property. The first step is to let the commission know if it’s less than half of an acre as he has already built a road for public access. He will record it in the Recorder of Deeds of office. He also is doing a project called the Confederate Medal of Honor. The men who served in the units would pick someone for that medal and Dent County has one. His name was James Hulsey, and he survived the war. It’s a medal and certificate to be public displayed, they pay for it, no cost to the county. He feels it is one of our men from this county and is a part of history. The commission made no decision at this time. The commission updated the policy handbook for 2025. The handbook was from 2021 and with the two new commissioners, they both signed it. With no meeting Thursday, the next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday, March 3rd at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

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

The City of Salem will be testing the storm sirens tomorrow at 10:00. If there is inclement weather the test will be on Wednesday, March 5th.

The Salem R-80 School Board meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM Thursday evening in the administration building. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board recognized student Maggie Hogan for winning the Missouri Forest Products Speech Contest, and received an update on the upcoming changes to the ACT college entrance exam. These changes include: 44 fewer test questions, shorter the remaining questions, more time allotted to complete each section, and an optional Science portion. During his report, Superintendent Dr. Wills provided several updates, including building survey results, the February 14th professional development day, plans to transition first grade to the Salem Upper Elementary, and ongoing progress on the Construction Trades building. He also discussed a proposal from the City of Salem Fireworks Committee to use the football practice field for their upcoming fireworks display. This issue was tabled until the next board meeting, pending additional information on insurance and legal liability from the Committee. In new business, the board approved several key items: the 2025-2026 school calendar, purchases of Hobart dishwashers, a transfer of $18,264.56 for the Construction trades project, budget revisions for updated salaries, and a contract with BalanceHQ. They also set Summer School dates for May 27 to June 13, 2025. The board acknowledged several staffing changes, including resignations from Calvin Malone (7th grade boys basketball), Jordan Haynes (custodian), and Rebecca Earls (UE paraprofessional), as well as the retirements of Angela Dingess and Sue Tucker. During the closed session, the board approved new coaching positions, appointing Alaina Santhuff as High School Assistant Volleyball coach and the team of Shelby Botkin and Ashton Mink as Middle School Volleyball coaches for the upcoming season. They also approved contracts for all recommended principals and directors for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the week of February 10th. On Tuesday, February 11th,  Dent County deputies responded to the 5100 block of West Highway 32 for a reported burglary.  It was reported that a person or persons had entered a local business and stole money from their location. Information on the suspects was developed and two subjects were arrested. That same day,  deputies responded to Dent County Road 3260 for a reported wanted subject. A 43-year-old Salem woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated. On Friday, February 14th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at the Salem City Park.  A 26-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked and was released pending formal charges. On Sunday, February 16th, deputies responded to the 10000 block of East Highway 32 for a well-being check. During the course of the investigation, an animal neglect case was developed and the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.