Local News

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams stated that crews would be out grading, plowing and salting roads still covered with snow and ice. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he had been in touch with an elevator company to discuss installing one at the courthouse and they needed more information from him. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley attended a Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting by Zoom and heard from Ray McCarty from Associated Industries of Missouri about a use tax, heard from Trent Watson who gave legislative updates, and heard from attorney Travis Elliott on the medical marijuana tax. Curley said she applied for and received an election grant from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office in the amount of $3,135.60. She said any political subdivision holding an election needs to get their estimated election costs submitted to the clerk’s office by the end of the month. Curley went on to say the first day to vote absentee with an excused absence is Tuesday, February 25th. Curley also reported that State Representative John Hewkin was in support of the new election bill that will protect election officials, poll workers and others. She also stated that Curt Faigle from the 100-Acre Wood Rally would be at the commissioner’s meeting on Monday. Commissioner Larson said the commission would not be meeting on February 27th due to their required training. Deputy Rick Letchworth came in with the recommendations made by the Opioid Fund Committee to the MRPC, who then reviewed the applications to make sure they met the required qualifications. Four applications were then presented by Letchworth to the commissioners for their review.  The applications were from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department for 75,380.00; Dent County Health Center for $53,000.00; Council for Healthy Dent County for $55,108; and the Salem Memorial Hospital for $62,522. The total amount of funding came to $246,910.97. The commissioners approved the applications. The Commission signed a letter of support for the 100-Acre Wood Rally and also a letter of support for the Conexon Connects Bead Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program which will provide high speed internet, who is currently building within multiple counties in Missouri.  The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be presenting “Art Across the Ages,” a Community Art Show starting March 3rd and lasting until March 31st at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center to celebrate the arts in our community. March is “Youth Art Month” and the Arts Council wants to recognize the amazing talent and creativity that exists in our schools and community! They are excited to invite individuals of all ages from around our area to submit recent artwork to the show for free! This is a family friendly art show and artwork may be left to the discretion of the committee to accept or reject pieces based on the number of submissions, the space available, tasteful content, etc. There is a wide variety of artists who give many perspectives, adding to the vision of an artist evolving from childhood to adult. Maturity adds to and sometimes detracts from vision and the ability to express ideas, which is why having art examples from both youth and adults is so much fun! To submit artwork for display (2-D or 3-D), please email salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com. You can then arrange a time to come and hang your work/set up your display. This year the Arts Council are adding a couple of new things.  First, they hope to have live music at the reception; and second, they plan to give each artist an opportunity to sell their artwork if they want. No money will be handled at the show, but the artist is welcome to write their price on the name tag attached to the piece. The Arts Council will collect phone numbers with each entry, and if someone expresses an interest in purchasing a particular piece, they can share the phone number with that person with the artist’s permission. Come and enjoy this unique art exhibit highlighting the talent of area artists of all ages. The exhibit begins Monday, March 3rd at the ONCRC, with an open house and reception for all artists & families being held on Tuesday, March 4th, from 4:00 until 7:00.  Live music and light snacks will be provided.  The reception provides a great opportunity for families to meet the child’s art teacher and other artists, as well as take photos. Set-up will be in the ONCRC gallery room on Thursday and Friday, February 27th and 28th, from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon; as well as on Saturday, March 1 from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. The exhibit will have visiting hours from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday depending on the volunteers available.

Associated Electric Cooperative, the wholesale power generator for Intercounty Electric, is requesting members conserve energy due to extreme winter weather and maximum load on the electric grid. The City of Salem is also asking citizens to conserve energy as well. To help safeguard the grid, please help conserve energy Thursday morning from 6:00 to 10:00 by lowering your thermostat a degree or two and turning off any non-essential electric devices. By taking these small steps to save energy together, we all can make a big difference. Remember, if a new peak demand is reached, it causes everyone’s bill to be higher.

An accident happened in Maries County on Highway 63 north of the Highway 28 junction. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Chrysler driven southbound by a 59-year-old male of Rolla, was slowing as the driver’s view was obstructed by snow. As the Chrysler was slowing down, a 39-year-old male from Vichy driving a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, failed to notice the reduction in speed and struck the Chrysler from behind. Suffering minor injuries in Chrysler was the driver and a 44-year-old female passenger from Columbia, Missouri. They were both taken by the Osage Ambulance to the Phelps Health Hospital with minor injuries. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The Chrysler was removed from the scene by Plaza Towing while the Volkswagen was secured roadside.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting today 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. The Board will hear communications from the Parker Family, student recognition of Salem High School by Maggie Hogan and be updated on ACT by Robyn Taylor. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed, surveys will be discussed, and the WL/UE 1st grade transition plan will be reviewed. 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 approve the 2025-2026 School Calendar, dishwasher purchases, moving $18,264.56 from YOP checking to general account, budget revisions updating salaries, FEMA change orders, BalanceHQ contract, and Summer School dates of May 27 to June 13. The Board will address resignations, hires and transfers before adjourning and moving into Executive Session to hear personnel issues. Due to the recent weather this meeting could be cancelled or postponed. Visit KSMOradio.com and click on “Current Closures” to stay up to date.

Compass Health Network is seeking participants in Dent County for a focus group in order to gain valuable insights into the criminal justice system. You can share personal insights or experiences from friends and family. Their goal is to develop community-based strategies to enhance our community’s response to behavioral health needs. This program is being funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health. Please contact Julie Riggs, the Community Coordinator for Compass Health, at 573-247-9921 to share your feedback, and to ask any questions you have.

Missouri’s Drought Assessment Committee will meet at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, February 26th, to coordinate a comprehensive state and federal response to drought conditions affecting portions of the state. The meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed via Webex at stateofmo.webex.com. The Drought Assessment Committee is composed of representatives from state and federal partner agencies who provide information, recommendations and coordination to mitigate impacts of the drought. Executive Order 24-13 declared a drought alert October 29th, 2024, until March 31st, 2025, for Missouri counties that are in moderate, severe, extreme or exceptional drought. Nearly all of Missouri has experienced at least abnormally dry conditions over the past year. Missouri was previously under a Drought Alert from May 2023 to September 2024 as well as from July 2022 to March 2023. This will be the committee’s first meeting in 2025. Residents are encouraged to assist local, state and national decision makers better understand drought conditions in their area by submitting a survey form via the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports service. Updated drought information, including a link to the U.S. Drought Monitor map of Missouri, is available at dnr.mo.gov/drought.

Missouri turkey hunters can apply online during February for 2025 spring turkey managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation website at mdc.mo.gov and you will find the managed hunts on the front page or go to the search bar and type in “turkey managed hunts.” Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 15. The spring turkey hunting youth portion will be April 12th and 13th with the regular spring season running April 21st through May 11th. Beginning in March, detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in the Department of Conservation’s 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold. The 2024 regulation change extending shooting hours from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset on private land is still in effect in 2025. Public land shooting hours will remain a half-hour before sunrise to 1:00 in the afternoon. To learn more about turkey hunting in general in Missouri, visit the Department of Conservation’s website at mdc.mo.gov. Missouri hunting permits are available from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC free mobile app called “MO Hunting” which is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $2.5 million in financial assistance to the city of Licking for upgrades to the city’s water distribution systems. The funding will cover the total cost of the project, which is anticipated to be completed by December 2025. During the project, the city will replace several thousand feet of water mains, along with service lines and hydrants on existing mains at multiple locations. These improvements will enable the city to continue offering its citizens safe drinking water for years to come with a modern and well-functioning drinking water system. Project funding consists of a $1.27 million grant and a $1.27 million low-interest loan, both provided through the department’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This funding is estimated to save the city’s ratepayers $1.27 million in principal and approximately $435,000 in interest over the loan’s 20-year term. Kurt Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources said that the department works with communities like Licking to support water and wastewater projects that help them grow and develop while keeping customers’ utility bills affordable. The department’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to water treatment plants, distribution systems, water storage and supply facilities, along with interconnection or consolidation projects. Communities that borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from assistance provided throughout their project from a project manager. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov.

It’s been an active year for earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), with 293 minor quakes reported in the past 12 months. Though most were too small to be felt, they are an important reminder that southeast Missouri is located in the heart of the NMSZ, which generated some of the most powerful earthquakes ever to jolt the nation. A series of major quakes occurred in 1811-1812, destroying buildings, ringing church bells hundreds of miles away and briefly causing the Mississippi River to run backward. The area has remained seismically active ever since and averages more than 200 small quakes annually. Each February, Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize preparedness for the risk of another major earthquake occurring in the NMSZ. While no one can predict when an earthquake will occur, scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate a 25% to 40% chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Director Jim Remillard said a large earthquake in southeast Missouri could potentially be the worst natural disaster Missouri has ever seen, and it would occur without warning. He went on to note that Earthquake AwarenessMonth is an important time to learn about the risks and how to protect yourself and your family. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury. More resources for families, schools and businesses are available on SEMA’s earthquake preparedness website, including fact sheets, interactive maps and informational videos explaining what to do in the event of an earthquake. For more information, visit sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness.

Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer wants to remind everyone your annual assessment forms that list your personal and business property for 2024 are due March 1st. You may drop off your assessment list at the assessor’s office at the courthouse. They are open from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. There is also a drop box on the front lawn of the courthouse for your convenience if you can’t make it by until after hours. You can also mail in your assessment list forms but make sure you have a postal clerk postmark your envelope by taking it to the desk inside at the post office. You can also e-file your assessment list form online until April 30th. Just follow the instructions on the assessment form you received in the mail. The penalty for not getting in your assessment form on time is determined at $10 per every $1,000 of assessed valuation with a maximum penalty of $100 if you have assessed valuation of $10,000 or more. If you have any questions or need assistance with the online form, call Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer at the Dent County Courthouse at 573-729-6010 or stop by during regular business hours.

According to preliminary data, 954 fatalities occurred on Missouri roadways in 2024. This is a decrease of 4% when compared to 2023, and a decrease of 10% compared to 2022. This is the second consecutive year that Missouri has seen a decrease in roadway fatalities. Despite the continued progress, this still amounts to nearly three lives lost on Missouri roadways every day, leaving plenty of room for improvement in 2025. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety stresses how the four simple actions of Buckle Up, Phone Down, Slow Down and Drive Sober could put a big dent in the fatality numbers. While overall roadway fatalities were down, a record number of pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2024, with 148 pedestrians being struck and killed. This is a 16% increase from 2023 and continues a concerning trend of rising pedestrian deaths. That’s the highest number ever reported in Missouri. Additionally, a notable percentage of the pedestrian fatalities were individuals who exited their vehicle due to a prior crash or breakdown on the side of the road. State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson said that we still have a lot of work to do in Missouri, and we are especially concerned by the rising number of pedestrian fatalities in our state. We all have a responsibility to use the transportation system in a safe manner, and both drivers and pedestrians can make safe choices to help make this happen. He went on to say let’s keep our heads up, watch out for each other, slow down, and put all distractions aside, whether we’re behind the wheel or taking a walk. In contrast, preliminary numbers indicate motorcyclist fatalities in Missouri were down 23%, with 133 motorcyclists killed on Missouri roadways in 2024. This is the lowest number of motorcyclist deaths since Missouri repealed the all-rider helmet law in 2020. But, prior to the repeal, motorcycle deaths were typically around 120 per year. Cell phones have proven to be one of the most persistent and consequential distractions. Distracted driving contributed to more than 100 deaths in both 2023 and 2024, and statistically, more than half of the victims are someone other than the distracted driver. Missouri’s new Siddens-Bening Law now prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices, including cell phones, by all drivers. The law has already had a positive impact and is expected to continue doing so with citations now in effect for violating the law. Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, takes a comprehensive approach in creating a safe system to reduce and eliminate traffic fatalities. For more information on the Show-Me Zero plan and to learn how all Missourians can help make the roadways safer, visit www.savemolives.com.

A new online resource from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources offers information to landowners on best practices and methods for stream management. Developed in coordination with the Missouri Farm Bureau, “A Landowner’s Guide to Stream Management” details strategies for preventing eroding banks, property loss, excessive gravel and other challenges. Noah Cadwell of the department’s Waters Resources Center said that this guide is designed to empower landowners and give them a greater sense of independence when addressing their streams. He went on to say that the guide includes necessary regulatory information and the most effective stream management strategies. It will assist landowners in overcoming some common challenges that come from living by a stream while maintaining the stream’s ecosystem. Cadwell said the department developed the guide in response to concerns from farmers and landowners who face growing property loss stemming from past riparian corridor damages and historical land use changes. More than a year in the making, the guide includes information provided by experts from the department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as from other agencies and organizations.  According to Cadwell this guide is designed to clarify the fundamentals of stream regulation for landowners and to explain what options may be available for different situations, plus he noted that our hope is by making this information more accessible and transparent, landowners will feel more comfortable considering projects benefiting their streambanks. This guide also provides information for obtaining technical assistance and financial support for landowners who are considering taking on larger projects. “A Landowner’s Guide to Stream Management” provides information on permitting needs and processes but is not intended to be a resource for regulatory guidance. Landowners need to read the applicable permits and consider consulting the proper regulatory agency before beginning stream work. The new guide is available at dnr.mo.gov.

Starting this Wednesday at the Salem Community Center@The Armory, Luke and Hannah Heithold will hold the nine-week course from the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University on the fastest way to beat debt and build wealth presented by the Bank of Salem and Healthy Dent County, and sponsored by Joe Brand. The course will be held nine consecutive Wednesday evenings from 5:30 until 7:00 in the Rotary Room and will feature discussions on budgeting, understanding insurance, buying and selling your home, building wealth, outrageous generosity and more. Seating is limited and the cost is $60 per person for the entire course. Imagine a life with no debt, credit card payments and no car payments where every dollar you earn was building your future instead of paying off your past. Discover how financial freedom can be yours! The deadline to register for this class is Tuesday, February 18th! You can register by calling Carlos at 573-729-8163 or e-mailing him at Carlos@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be presenting “Art Across the Ages,” a Community Art Show starting March 3rd and lasting until March 31st at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center to celebrate the arts in our community. March is “Youth Art Month” and the Arts Council wants to recognize the amazing talent and creativity that exists in our schools and community! They are excited to invite individuals of all ages from around our area to submit recent artwork to the show for free! This is a family friendly art show and artwork may be left to the discretion of the committee to accept or reject pieces based on the number of submissions, the space available, tasteful content, etc. There is a wide variety of artists who give many perspectives, adding to the vision of an artist evolving from childhood to adult. Maturity adds to and sometimes detracts from vision and the ability to express ideas, which is why having art examples from both youth and adults is so much fun! To submit artwork for display (2-D or 3-D), please email salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com. You can then arrange a time to come and hang your work/set up your display. This year the Arts Council are adding a couple of new things.  First, they hope to have live music at the reception; and second, they plan to give each artist an opportunity to sell their artwork if they want. No money will be handled at the show, but the artist is welcome to write their price on the name tag attached to the piece. The Arts Council will collect phone numbers with each entry, and if someone expresses an interest in purchasing a particular piece, they can share the phone number with that person with the artist’s permission. Come and enjoy this unique art exhibit highlighting the talent of area artists of all ages. The exhibit begins Monday, March 3rd at the ONCRC, with an open house and reception for all artists & families being held on Tuesday, March 4th, from 4:00 until 7:00.  Live music and light snacks will be provided.  The reception provides a great opportunity for families to meet the child’s art teacher and other artists, as well as take photos. Set-up will be in the ONCRC gallery room on Thursday and Friday, February 27th and 28th, from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon; as well as on Saturday, March 1 from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. The exhibit will have visiting hours from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday depending on the volunteers available. 

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, both District 1 Commissioner Keith Green and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said crews were out checking roads for slick spots and possible downed limbs. Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting at the Community Center at the Nelson Hart Park Thursday before returning to the MRPC building for the External Relations Committee meeting and the regular MRPC meeting. He also said he has been in touch with the elevator companies to do an evaluation of what it would cost to put an elevator on the old courthouse as well as the cost to put it in a new building. He said he wants to get back with Judge Seay on the progress of this issue to make sure the county is moving in the right direction. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said excused absentee voting for the April Municipal Election will begin on February 25th, and she will be attending a Missouri Association of Counties meeting on February 19th. She also said the courthouse would be closed Monday for Presidents’ Day. At 10:00, the commissioners, Clerk Angie Curley, Collector Shannon VanKirk and Assessor Jamie Homeyer heard a presentation from Michael Witt with Clearbasin software for the Senate Bill 190 application process and determining the Homestead Tax Credit available to those who qualify. He said the initial challenges will be the amount of applications the first year, then whether the person is qualified or not qualified, and the consistency in determining those qualifications. Also important will be the security of the information received by each applicant and the coordination of each office holder’s role. Witt said their plan is to create a taxpayer portal where people could fill out online or download the application. If done online, the program will review the information for verification to see if the taxpayer is qualified, then calculate the Homestead Tax Credit that would be sent to the collector to be put on the tax bill. If hand delivered on paper, the application would have to be reviewed to determine eligibility and the tax credit. Witt said each office holder will have their own portal for their portion of the calculation of the tax credit which will be customized for Dent County. Witt said their software is subscription based with an annual cost for updates and changes. Witt did not quote a price for the software at the meeting but would e-mail his quote to the assessor for her review in a day or two. At the last meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the sales tax received this month. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $91,159.71 in February and the county is up .39% over last year. The Road and Bridge Fund received $41,830.90 in February and that is up .79% over last year. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $84,083.13 this February and that is up .59% from last year. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, February 20th at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened in Dent County Wednesday morning at 9:24 on Highway 72 about a mile south of Highway 32. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 International Tractor-Trailer driven westbound by a 67-year-old man from St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The man was taken by a private conveyance to Phelps Health after suffering minor injuries. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The International Tractor-Trailer was secured roadside.

The Healthy Dent County Fitness Center is bringing back its popular adult co-ed volleyball league for a third year. The league features two divisions: a silver (recreational) division and a gold (competitive) division. Teams must maintain a gender balance on the court, with no more men than women playing at a time, and no two men playing side by side. League games will take place on Tuesday evenings throughout March and April at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory Gymnasium, with a championship tournament set for Saturday, April 26. There will be no games during the last week of March. Each team can have a maximum of eight players, and no additional players can be added after the roster is submitted. The deadline to register is February 27, and registration forms are available at the Healthy Dent County Fitness Center. For more information, contact Susie Cahill at 573-739-1127 or susie@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The City of Salem Utility Committee was unable to meet last night for their regularly scheduled meeting, citing poor weather conditions.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their meeting Tuesday evening, February 11th, the consent agenda and minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved. The financial report was reviewed with an ending balance of $401,763.43. All bills, payments, and statements were reviewed and approved. The monthly reimbursement report was presented with a total of 21 calls for the month and a total of 40 for the year. Of the 21 calls for the month, 15 were fire related with seven of those being building fires and two mobile home fires; three calls were classified as Hazmat related, one call was a motor vehicle accident with injuries, and two calls were classified as other. In old business, board member Leigh Ann Price stated that several events had been planned to make sure that all the facts were given so that voters could make a valid decision on the Fire District bond at the next election. The board then heard from Bret Bailey to annex his property into the Dent County Fire Protection District. Bailey lives approximately eight miles east of Salem and would like to become a part of the district. After answering questions and some discussion, the board gave Mr. Bailey the state statutes and paperwork for review. The board discussed the lease of the ice maker currently with B&B distributors out of St Louis. After the discussion, board approved to not renew the contract with B&B. The board also discussed the current Cintas Service they receive and elected not to discontinue that service. In  the Chief’s report, Chief Dennis Floyd reported Ladder Truck 8012 was back in service after being repaired in St. Louis at a cost of $12,679.00. He also stated four people attend the Winter fire training school at the Columbia MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute. Floyd went on to report that he and Jeff Stokes would be meeting with the IDA Board on Wednesday, February 19th in the library basement. Floyd also reported that on Saturday, April 12th the department will hold training on propane tank fires. It is a state sponsored class and other departments will be invited to participate. Before adjourning, the next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 11th at 6:00 in the evening.

An accident happened in Maries County at the Highway 63 and 28 Junction at 9:52 Wednesday morning. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Buick LeSabre driven southbound by a 23-year-old woman from Licking, lost control on the snow-covered road and crossed over the center line where the Buick was struck by a 2023 Peterbilt driven northbound by a 69-year-old man from Rosebud, Missouri. The woman suffered serious injuries and was transported by an EMS to Phelps Health. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Plaza Towing, while the Peterbilt sustained extensive damage and was taken from the scene by Patriot Towing. The woman from Licking was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Maries County Sheriff’s Department and Vienna Fire Department.

An accident happened in Texas County at 3:40 Wednesday morning on Highway 32 about four miles east of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a GMC Sierra driven eastbound by a 36-year-old man from Licking, traveled off the roadway and struck a tree. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Texas County Memorial Hospital by the Texas County Ambulance. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene Jay’s Towing at the request of the officer. The man was wearing his seat restraint at the time of the accident. 

The Dent County Chapter of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” has received a $4,000 grant from Intercounty Electric’s Charitable and Education Foundation. Chapter President Patti McKeown said the chapter applied for the Intercounty Round-Up grant and then interviewed with Intercounty on Thursday, February 6th, before receiving the news they had been awarded the grant Tuesday, February 11th. Congratulations to Patti and the Dent County Chapter of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.” If you are not familiar with what they do, they are an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers new beds to children in need who do not have a bed. Anyone can apply for a child on the SHPbeds.org website. For more information about “Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” contact Patti at 703-964-6495. You can also e-mail Patti at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen were unable to meet last night for their regular monthly meeting, citing poor weather conditions.

The Salem Police Department has recently released their report for the month of January. The department responded to 11 accidents during the month. Officers responded to four alarms sounding and addressed 37 animal calls, investigated three assaults or fights, two burglaries, performed nine well-being checks and five area checks in January. Police investigated five domestic disputes, four verbal disturbances and one physical disturbance, conducted 17 follow-up investigations and provided 27 escorts. They investigated four harassment reports, a fraud report, two parking complaint calls, an intoxicated pedestrian and one intoxicated driver report, and six property damage reports. The Salem Police wrote six stealing reports, responded to seven traffic complaints and assisted nine motorists. Officers responded to three reports of suicidal persons, eight suspicious circumstance calls, eight suspicious person calls, and two suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in January investigated an overdose call, a sex offense call, and checked out two abandoned vehicles. Officers attempted to serve five warrants and conducted 75 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 417 incidents in January with the average response time to calls being two minutes and 48 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 29 minutes and two seconds. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non-emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem. 

Raccoon season is here! Our ancestors utilized animal fur for making clothing, blankets, hats, and more. The Missouri Department of Conservation will be holding a clinic on historic and primitive skills on raccoon hides at the MDC Salem Maintenance Center on Highway 32 West from 9:00 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon on Saturday, February 22nd. Your instructor will be Dwight Warnke. For this clinic, you are encouraged to bring two raccoon hides to class to scrape and salt. They will have demonstration hides in various stages for you to learn from as well. By the end of the clinic, you’ll have enough knowledge and fur to finish tanning your hides and to make a hat or other small item. In this hands-on clinic, you will bring along one or two raccoon skins (preferably partially frozen) to scrape and salt. At the clinic, they will review how to skin a raccoon, then you will flesh your raccoon hide(s) and salt them to take home and process further. They will provide fleshing beams and knives to use during the class, but feel free to bring along your own. After your raccoons are scraped and salted, you will see and assist with the remaining steps of hide preparation and learn how to lay out a simple hat pattern to make from your hides once you finish processing them over the next few days (or whenever you have time, since hides are paused once they are well salted.) Wear old clothes, rubber or muck boots, and bring a rubber apron (if you have one); a heavy trash bag can be used in place of an apron. If you have a fleshing knife, bring it along. We will have fleshing knives and beams available for use during the program. You will take home plans to build a simple fleshing beam and frame. Please bring a sack lunch, drinks, and snacks. Dress in layers to adjust between indoor and outdoor portions. Participants 16 years of age and under must be registered and accompanied by an adult that is also registered. You can register for the clinic on the MDC.mo.gov/events, or by calling 1-888-283-0364, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Months after a devastating flood, Montauk State Park will reopen to day-use guests February 24th, and overnight guests will be welcomed back starting February 25th. The monumental flood on November 4th, 2024, left the entire park with substantial damage, including loss of electrical service in Campground Loop 4. Therefore, campsites in the 400 loop will reopen only as basic campsites. The Division of State Parks will notify customers with reservations in February for loop 4 with reservation options. The park is working to fully resolve the problem and will restore electric service as soon as possible. If further reservations are affected, the division will notify customers. This change involves only Campground Loop 4. Campers should note that generators are only allowed to be used outside of designated quiet hours. While the park will reopen in time for opening day of catch-and-keep trout season, guests should note that the park will look somewhat different than before the flood. Layers of sand remain throughout the park, covering the grass and area woodlands. Team members will be reseeding areas of the campground and other day-use areas in an effort to re-establish the grass. Justin Adams, Ozarks regional director said that Missouri State Parks team members and volunteers have been working hard to get the park opened and cleaned up, but there is still work to do. More than 70 volunteers converged on Montauk State Park on Saturday, February 1st, to help Missouri State Park team members with cleanup efforts following a historic flood. Volunteers from as far as St. Louis came for the day to lend a hand in getting the park ready for opening day of trout season March 1st. Missouri State Parks Director Laura Hendrickson said that well over half of the volunteers drove more than two hours to help and it turned out to be a great day. 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 Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Keith Green said crews were getting the equipment ready for this week’s expected storm and they were also screening sand. He also said brush was being cut in the area of Dent County Road 6400. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported grading was being done on Dent County Roads 4050, 4055 and 4290. He said crews were getting the equipment ready for the impending bad weather by adding a spreader box and blade on County Truck #122. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said an Industrial Development Authority Board meeting would be held at 6:00 on Wednesday, February 19th in the basement of the Salem Public Library. Larson said that long time IDA board member Donald Dodd will not be seeking re-appointment when his term expires in April. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said her office balanced with the Dent County Treasurer on all accounts for the month of January. Curley also said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull was in attendance and brought in reporter Hannah Schuh from the Missourian who is doing a story on county commissioners and their relationships with their coroners. Pursifull updated the commission on some impending legislation that may require more education to qualify to be a coroner, and other legislation that may increase the pay of the coroner to $45,000 per year which is $26,000 more than Pursifull now receives. Again, that legislation is all still pending. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium for their regular meeting. After the Call to Order will be the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed by a request for road closures for the Parc Expose for the 100-Acre Road Rally from Rob Benowitz. In new and miscellaneous business, Public Works Director Steve Paine will request the city surplus a transformer with the intent of selling it. The board will then hear and discuss Resolution #4-2025 that would be a change order for the “Welcome Home Project” Property at 403 East Hunt Street for a contract reduction of $3,600; and they will discuss an amendment to the City of Salem Hazard Mitigation plan to reduce the risks of service interruption due to flooding events. In the first and second reading of bills, the board will hear Bill #3642 that would establish an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute contract change order #1 between the City of Salem and Archer-Elgin; and hear Bill #3643 to authorize the execution of Task Order 20 for the Bonebrake Sewer Realignment Project between the city and Archer-Elgin. In the second reading of bills, the board will consider Bill No. 3640, which would create an ordinance to amend the 2024-2025 annual budget for the city of Salem increasing revenues from $23,163,056.00 to $23,894,316.60 and increase expenditures from $21,043,249.00 to $21,403,251.29.  Reports from City Officials will then be heard before the board goes into closed session to discuss litigation. The meeting tonight of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

Each February, the state of Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize the chance of a major earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and the importance of being prepared. Located in Southeast Missouri, the NMSZ generated some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever jolt the nation. A series of major quakes occurred in 1811-1812, destroying buildings, ringing church bells hundreds of miles away and briefly causing the Mississippi River to run backward. The area is still active today with an average of more than 200 earthquakes each year, though most are too small to be felt. No one can predict exactly when an earthquake will occur, but scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate there is a 25 to 40 percent chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said Missouri faces a variety of severe weather threats and hazards each year, but a large earthquake could potentially be the worst natural disaster the state has ever experienced. There is no warning for earthquakes, which is why it’s so important to learn about the risks and how to protect yourself before one occurs. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury. Several resources for families, schools and businesses are available on SEMA’s Earthquake Preparedness website.

A fatal accident occurred Saturday morning around 2:05 in Pulaski County on Interstate 44 in the westbound lane around mile marker 167. According to the highway patrol a 2014 Ford Escape driven by a 47-year-old St. Robert female struck the guardrail. Then a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 20-year-old Buffalo male struck the rear of the Ford. Causing a 2025 Kenworth driven by a 26-year-old male to strike the front of the Ford and then the guardrail. The female driver of the Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene by Pulaski Coroner Roger Graves at 2:44 in the morning and was transported to Waynesville Memorial Funeral Home. The male in the Silverado suffered minor injuries and refused treatment. All three vehicles in the accident were totaled and removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 1:40 in Reynolds County on Hwy HH about 7 miles south of Ellington. According to the highway patrol report a 2002 Ford F250 driven by a 52-year-old male from bunker was traveling eastbound and ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. A 57-year-old female passenger from Bunker suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center by Washington County Ambulance. The report goes on to say she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained minor damage and removed from the scene by private conveyance.

These reports were released from the Dent County Sheriff’s office for the first week of February. On Thursday January 30th deputies arrested a 61-year-old Salem man on an active arrest warrant. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail without incident. The next day Friday January 31st deputies responded to the 5000 block of Highway F for a reported weapons violation.  A 44-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending issuance of formal charges. On the following day Saturday February 1st deputies responded to the 1700 block of County Road 6320 for a reported theft. The victim, a 20-year-old Salem man, advised a known subject took an engine without the owner’s permission. This investigation is ongoing. Then on Sunday February 2nd deputies arrested a 43-year-old Salem man on an active arrest warrant. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail without incident. The next day Monday February 3rd deputies responded to the 6000 block of Highway K for a report of elder abuse. The victim, a 76-year-old Salem woman, advised she was not being properly cared for by her caregiver. This investigation is ongoing. The following day Tuesday February 4th deputies responded to the 3000 block of Highway OO for a harassment complaint. A 29-year-old Lecoma man was taken into custody and this investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

Friday night at the 2025 Salem High School Courtwarming, Senior Chloe Baldwin was crowned the Courtwarming Queen. She was escorted by Corby Ball. The other Senior candidates were Reagan Dubois escorted by Roy Stevens, and Madison Flores who was escorted by Cayden Moody. The Freshman attendant was Gracie Mendenhall who was escorted by Alton May, Krista Dooley was the sophomore attendant escorted by sophomore Brody Ray, and the Junior attendant was Heather Easter and she was escorted by Hayden Ragsdale. Neely Leathers, the 2024 Courtwarming Queen, was unable to attend due to a previous commitment. Congratulations to all the girls and their escorts.

The Creative Arts Center in Salem will hold a “Sign N’ Wine” class on Friday, February 28th  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 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.