Local News

On Monday, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office released that a deputy sheriff had discovered that Shawn Keith Hougardy, a sex offender from Mountain Grove, Mo., was in Dent County and not in compliance with the Sex Offender Registry regulations. In addition, Hougardy had a warrant for his arrest for a probation violation from another county. Hougardy has been arrested and incarcerated in the Dent County Jail.

The Dent County Commission met for its weekly meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Parsons notified commissioners that during the emergency meeting conducted Thursday night the board designated Joan Raulston as the County Health Officer, to be in charge of finances relating to Human Resources. Roma Jones, assistant administrator, will be retiring in less than six weeks from her role. Jessica Ricks is to serve as Deputy Administrator, in charge of finances relating to grants. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be attempting to grade and haul rock for continued work on County Road 6280. For the rest of the week, crew members will be installing pipes on county roads 2240, 2470, 2480, and 6083. Chip and seal is estimated to begin next week on county roads 4110 and 4210. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be finishing a culvert installation on County Road 2150, and then installing more culverts on county roads 2120, 2010, and 2070. Until there is rain, crew members are not able to grade the roads. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington reported bills are to be approved. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Doe Run Company’s maroon mine rescue team won multiple awards at the 2026 Colorado Regional Mine Rescue Competition July 27th–30th in Loveland, Colorado. Maroon team members Buck Roderman, Andrew Hampton, Luke Davis, Melodie Wilcox, Dustine Keene, Jarred Tackett, Michael Snyder, Craig Turner, and Jacob Piatt placed first on the first day and second place on the second day of the field problem competition. The team also was named overall grand champion based on its combined results in the field, technical, bench, and first aid competitions. Piatt and Turner also competed together against coal and metal/non-metal mine rescue teams and took first place overall in the team technician competition. Co-hosted and sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Mine Rescue Council, the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety, and the Colorado Mining Association, with coordination from the MSHA Rocky Mountain District, the 2026 Colorado Regional Mine Rescue competition featured two days of mine rescue field problems designed to simulate underground emergency situations. On the third day, competitors tested their individual skills in first aid, technician, and bench competitions. To learn more, visit doerun.com.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid-Missouri area through this Sunday. Most routine work zones will be removed for the Labor Day holiday this weekend, but some long-term work zones and closures will remain in place. Except for emergencies, work will stop at noon on Friday and resume the morning of next Tuesday, Sept. 8th. Bridge maintenance is scheduled to begin over Dry Fork Creek, just north of Montauk, on Hwy. 72 and is scheduled for completion in October. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zones. On Hwy. 119, bridge maintenance will continue over Pigeon Creek, just north of Montauk, and is scheduled for completion in September. Resurfacing continues east of Salem as the project continues toward Iron County Hwy. KK with expected completion also in September. Pedestrian facility upgrades continue on both Hwy. 19 and 32 within the city limits of Salem with minimal traffic impact expected. That project is also scheduled to be completed in September. In Phelps County, Highways C, CC, and T have pavement repairs planned beginning today and ending Thursday. Bridge rehabilitation continues over Interstate 44 at the Business Loop 44/Hwy. 72/Kingshighway junction, with the bridge remaining closed to all westbound traffic and an expected completion of the project in October. On Hwy. 62, bridge rehabilitation continues over Little Piney Creek near Yancy Mills with temporary traffic signals being used to maintain traffic through the single-lane work zone. That project is also scheduled for completion in October. On Hwy. BB, or 10th Street, in Rolla, bridge rehabilitation continues over the BNSF Railway with one lane open in each direction and no center turn lane. Intermittent closures of Oak Street and Olive Street can be expected.

An accident involving a Salem R-80 school bus occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 4:13 at 5649 Hwy. 32, east of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report, an eastbound 2018 Thomas School Bus, operated by a 63-year-old Salem woman, was stopped to allow children to exit the vehicle. The report went on to state that a 16-year-old juvenile female driver of an eastbound 2015 Dodge Ram was inattentive and using a cellular device, and the Dodge struck the rear of the school bus. The 16-year-old suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Creve Coeur. The report stated that the drivers of the Dodge and the school bus were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dodge sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by American Automotive. The school bus sustained minor damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. There was no report of any injuries to any students on the bus or to the driver.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Commissioner Keith Green was appointed as Acting Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. Grant Wilson, representative for Congressman Jason Smith, updated the commissioners on Smith’s recent congressional district tour: Smith was able to get to 25 of his 28 counties. Wilson reported Congress will be back in session today. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Green stated rock is being added and parts of Dent County Road 6280 are being rebuilt. Crew members will pull ditches on county roads 5150 and 5650, as it is too dry to grade. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams stated ditches will be pulled and culverts replaced on county roads 2270 and 2613 – the back slope of County Road 2613 will also be worked on. Culverts are being replaced and rock added to county roads 2010, 2150 and 2350. At Gahr Equipment in St. James, a county truck is being delivered for repair, and another truck is being picked up. Chip and seal work for both districts will begin the second week of September. Jeff Benderet of Great Rivers Engineering (GRE) phoned in to update commissioners on the FLAP Project in Montauk on County Road 6670. All studies have been completed with no issues reported. Changes to that project have been approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), with MoDOT providing an additional $20,000 for engineering costs. Right-of-way acquisitions with two adjacent landowners needs to be completed before work can begin. Acquisitions can take three to six months to complete, estimated Banderet. Commissioners approved allowing  GRE to negotiate acquisitions on behalf of the county at a cost of $5,000. Bids for the courthouse sidewalk Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant project will be opened at 10:00 in the morning Sept. 19th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission is at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse today, and the meeting is open to the public.

This is the last day to provide input on the Dent County bridge rehabilitation project south of Salem over Spring Creek. Provide comments to MoDOT through the MoDOT Central Missouri District email at CDCR@modot.mo.gov; mailing to address 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109; or visit the MoDOT website at modot.org and search “Missouri Route 19 Bridge Rehabilitation over Spring Creek in Dent County.”

Salem R-80 District Superintendent Nate Wills has released that a traffic accident occurred Thursday afternoon involving a school bus, which was struck behind by another vehicle. Both the students and the bus driver are safe with no medical treatment required. Students were transported home. Law enforcement are investigating the scene, and the district is cooperating fully with the investigation. Because the matter is under investigation and involves student privacy considerations, further details are not able to be shared at this time. Additional information as it becomes available and is able to be shared will be disseminated in the future. For any questions, please contact the district office at 573-729-6642.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its public tax hearing on Tuesday evening at 6:30 in the Doctor’s Library. After much discussion, the board voted to approve the proposed tax rate of $0.24 per $100 of assessed valuation. Following the conclusion of the public tax hearing, the board called its regular meeting to order. There were no public comments and no unfinished business. Under New Business, a representative from the Hospital’s Helping Hands Auxiliary spoke about the group’s upcoming quilt raffle and provided a financial update. Since April, the auxiliary has raised $2,887.74 through fundraising, donations, and Gift Box sales, and has spent $2,377.66 on various expenses, including scholarships, and fundraising project supplies. The board then  voted to approve the Resolution of Potential Conflicts of Interest. During Operational Reports, interim CEO/CNO Amber Hogan presented her reports. Hogan noted that the hospital has been awarded a grant of approximately $1.8 million from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which must be spent by September 2027. Disbursement of funds is pending CMS-approved revisions to the application. The hospital applied for a match waiver but was denied, and will therefore need to cover a 10% match of the grant amount; the hospital’s foundation has agreed to cover 50% of that required match. The grant will fund several projects, including a new roof for the entire hospital, new exterior-facing windows, replacement of the call light system in Long Term Care and Med Surg, and installation of Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) units in several patient rooms. After much discussion, the board agreed to consult with legal counsel on whether grant-funded projects must be formally bid out. Other updates included TruBridge financial optimization, chargemaster updates, and ambulance upgrade progress. In July, the hospital recorded 65 inpatient admissions, 12 swing-bed admissions, 1,092 outpatient registrations, 650 emergency room visits, and 218 ambulance runs. Net patient revenue for July totaled approximately $1.8 million, against total operating expenses of about $2.3 million, resulting in an overall deficit of approximately $436,000. After approving the financial report, the board reviewed Accounts Receivable (AR) aging. AR currently totals $13.5 million, with approximately $4.6 million more than 120 days old. The hospital currently has 26 days of cash on hand. The board also reviewed two CDs and discussed renewal options, including the possibility of participating in a money market account specifically for political subdivisions. The board voted to approve new CEO Brent Peirick to negotiate CD rates with local banks and to sign a new rate as approved by the board via email vote. Following Kendra Mobray’s Quality Improvement report, the meeting adjourned to closed session to discuss personnel matters. The next regular meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is scheduled for September 29 at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that seal coating operations are scheduled to begin to help preserve the pavement and extend the life of the roadways in Dent County. Work will begin on Sept. 15th and continue through Sept. 16th on Hwy. F, from Hwy. 32 to Hwy. E.

There was an accident in Dent County Tuesday evening at approximately 5:35 that took the life of two Salem residents. According to the highway patrol report, a 2020 Ford Escape driven eastbound by a 45-year-old male of Salem, was stopped waiting in traffic to make a left hand turn from Highway 32 near Route P, when 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, driven by a 17-year-old boy from Bunker, failed to yield to the Ford and struck the back side of the Escape before crossing over the center of the roadway and striking a 1973 Dune Buggy head-on that was traveling westbound driven by a 60-year-old Salem man. Pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull were the 60-year-old male driver and a 59-year-old female passenger of the Dune Buggy. Their bodies were taken to the Dent County Morgue by Coroner Pursifull. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Salem Police Department, Dent County Fire Protection District and Missouri Department of Transportation. The report stated that both individuals in the Dune Buggy were not wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident while the drivers of the other vehicles were wearing their safety devices. The Dune Buggy was totaled and Dodge Ram had moderate damages. Those vehicles were towed by American Towing while the Ford, which sustained moderate damage, was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) invites the central district to discuss the updated draft of the High-Priority Unfunded Needs list. Participants can view information about unfunded transportation needs in the region and provide feedback in-person at a meeting at MoDOT’s Central District Office, located at 1511 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City. Can’t attend the meeting in person? The draft HPUN document and comment forms will be available online through Thursday, Sept. 10th at modot.org/unfundedneeds. Dent County is on the unfunded multimodal needs list, with a project description of needing sidewalk added from Center Street to Hwy. 32 within Salem. Estimated funding needed for that project is $620,000.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is buying bulk native fruit and seeds from the public for a variety of tree and shrub species around central Missouri. MDC’s Sedalia Office at 2000 S. Limit Ave. will be buying select native fruit and seeds priced by the pound by appointment through November. Contact MDC Forester Assistant Mary Lass at 660-530-5500 ext. 4818 or Mary.Lass@mdc.mo.gov to set an appointment or for more information on seed collection and to ensure MDC is still collecting specific seed species. Currently, MDC is buying Serviceberry at $7 per pound, Black Cherry at $6 per pound, and Wild Plum at $1.95 per pound of fruit. Collected seeds are taken to MDC’s George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking. Nursery staff grow the collected seed into bare root seedlings used for conservation work and available for purchase by the public. Each year the State Forest Nursery processes more than 10,000 orders and ships about 2 million seedlings. To grow all these species, the nursery collects or buys tens of thousands of pounds of seeds each summer and fall.

Girls’ Night Out will be celebrating its 15th anniversary on Sept. 10th. This annual event will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Participating vendors will have a variety of products and services tailored to women’s interests, and admission is limited to all women and girls 12 years of age and older. Plan to bring your girlfriends for an evening of pampering, shopping, and eating! This event is now accepting vendors. For more information, contact Jackie@salemcommunitycenter.org or call 573-729-8163.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be holding its annual “Art in the Parking Lot” event within downtown Salem on Sept. 26th from 10:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. This event, now to be called “Art Walk Downtown,” will be set up from the Local on 4th all the way to the Flying W store, with local music and performances expected. Attendees can expect plenty of vendors offering locally made arts and crafts, alongside free kids activities and lots of demonstrations. For more information, visit the Facebook page at Facebook.com/artsinSalemMO.

There was an accident in Phelps County Tuesday morning at approximately 7:25 that left a 34-year-old man with serious injuries. The accident occurred on County Road 3060 east of Highway V. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2000 Harley Davidson, operated by the Newburg man, crossed the center of the roadway and struck a westbound 2022 Ford Escape, driven by a 23-year-old Rolla woman. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The woman suffered minor injuries and was transported by private conveyance to Phelps Health. The report stated that both individuals were wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees will be holding a special board meeting 5:00 in the afternoon Thursday at the Dent County Health Center Annex Building at 1014 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard in the conference room. The board will vote to go into closed session for the purposes of discussing personnel before adjourning. The next regular meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 17th.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting and Tax Rate Hearing Tuesday evening. The hearing was held with no comments provided, and the board approved an ordinance levying a tax of $0.6795 cents for general revenue. The board approved the closure of streets around the Dent County Courthouse square on Sept. 19th from 7:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon for the Current River Cruiser’s fundraiser for local cancer support group, Project Win. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board approved the annual membership at $4,489.70 with Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) through June 30th, 2027. MRPC provides grant research, project development, grant writing, and other technical assistance to the city. Additionally, the board approved a Salem Memorial Airport grounds lease with pilot Richard Bell, who approached the city offering to pay for the demolition of previously condemned t-hangers at the city airport, along with the construction of a new hanger, under the condition of 15 years of no lease fees. Amendments were approved to the 2026 Employee Manual in order to allow for flexible scheduling, including four, 10-hour day workweeks. A section detailing how benefits and leave are treated when an employee is out on worker’s compensation was added. Under bids, one bid was received and approved from Dunlap Masonry Construction in the amount of $65,300 for tuck pointing Craig Plaza and the Administration Building. The board also approved a bulk price bid for concrete, utilized for sidewalk and approach repair throughout the city, from Kienstra 44, LLC. Lastly for bids, the board approved GFL Environmental, Inc. for residential curbside trash collection and wastewater treatment plant biosolids disposal, alongside an ordinance for a five-year contract beginning Sept. 1st and ending Aug. 31st, 2031. A first and second reading was provided for several ordinances. A task order was approved with Archer-Elgin related to the lead service line inventory project that changed the scope of service, allowing the contractor to go door-to-door in order to notify neighborhoods of work being completed. The administrative fee for residential solid waste collection services was approved in the amount of $0.50 cents. Lastly, a change order was approved with BuildTec Construction LLC. for the installation of five fire hydrants, in order to utilize remaining grant funding, alongside a one-time cost of $3,000 to change the chlorine analyzer to the same type used on existing wells. The board then moved into closed session for the purposes of real estate and personnel. The next regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, Sept. 8th at 6:00 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium and will be open to the public. Meetings are also livestreamed and archived on the City of Salem Youtube page at youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will be holding its annual dinner and awards program on Thursday, Oct. 29th in Rolla at the Bear River Ranch with Phelps County to serve as hosts. Each year, MRPC requests proposals from cities and counties in the Meramec Region to host the annual dinner event, where volunteers from across the region are honored for their contributions to their communities and the region. The MRPC board evaluates proposals and selects the location based on various criteria. Residents in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties may purchase tickets at a cost of $40 to attend the dinner and awards ceremony. Bear River Ranch will be catering, and dinner will include smoked ribs and barbeque grilled chicken as the entrees. A reception starting at 5:30 in the evening will include a silent auction. Dinner will begin at 6:30 with the awards presentation to follow. Award recipients will be announced soon, and MRPC will begin taking reservations for the event in September. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at meramecregion.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/meramecregion.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday evening at approximately 8:05 in the 600 Block of West James Boulevard in St. James. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2019 Dodge Charger St. James Police Department Patrol Car, operated by a 27-year-old St. James man, began making a U-Turn to stop a violator and struck a 2018 Ford Taurus, driven by a 26-year-old St. James man. Both vehicles came to rest off of the left side of the roadway. The driver of the Dodge Charger suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by personal conveyance. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled while the Dodge sustained moderate damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Spurgeons.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting and annual Tax Rate Hearing Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members would be brush cutting on County Road 6485, and grading, hauling rock and clay, and installing a pipe on County Road 6490. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members would be cutting brush on both County Road 3180 and 3140. Crew members continue working on County Road 2270, to include replacing a pipe. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he may be absent the next few meetings in order to attend a family member’s funeral. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll and bills are to be approved. Moving on to the Tax Rate Hearing, the General Revenue tax rate for 2025 was $0.0357; for 2026, the commissioners approved an increase to $0.0452. The Road and Bridge Fund tax rate was approved to remain at $0.2553. The Developmental Disability Board, or SB40, took a voluntary rollback from $0.1343 to $0.1341. The Senior Citizen Service Fund tax rate for 2026 was approved to remain the same at $0.0481. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be at 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the courthouse and will be open to the public.

The Dent-Phelps R-III Board of Education met for its regular meeting and Tax Rate Hearing Thursday evening. The proposed tax levy of $2.75 was approved. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, CTA presented survey data and goal-setting for the upcoming school year. The food services report from the 2025-26 school year was discussed and approved. Superintendent Karla Tiefenthaler provided updates on facilities, sharing that Brown Heating & Cooling has completed services on the HVAC. Additionally, Meramec Fire and Safety has completed fire extinguisher inspection and repairs of the fire suppression system in the kitchen, alongside installation of portable extinguishers to the diesel storage tank area and bus barn. Bus inspection results were also presented, with a certificate awarded from MSHP for 90% or higher approval rating for the 2026 bus inspection program. Tiefenthaler shared that a $40,000 grant has been received by the school from DELSA Foundation to be utilized for student technology upgrades. The Vector Bus Driver/Safety Compliance Training was tabled until a later date. The District Emergency Operation Plan Board of Education Commitment was approved. The evening custodial job description was also updated, as presented. The board then voted to move into closed session for the discussion of personnel, during which the board approved hiring Robin Blackwell as building aide for the 2026-27 school year. The next regular meeting of the Dent-Phelps R-III Board of Education will be Sept. 17th at 6:00 in the evening and is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released a list of general highway maintenance and construction work planned in the mid-Missouri area through Friday. In Dent County, bridge maintenance is scheduled to begin this week over Pigeon Creek north of Montauk. On Hwy. 32, resurfacing continues east of Salem as the project continues toward Iron County’s Hwy. KK. On Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 32, pedestrian facility upgrades continue in the city limits of Salem with minimal traffic impacts expected. All three of these projects are scheduled for completion in September this year. In Phelps County, preventative maintenance is scheduled from Hwy. 68 in Phelps County to Hwy. 28 in Gasconade County, with one lane to remain open. Bridge rehabilitation continues over I-44 with the bridge at Business Loop 44/Hwy. 72/Kingshighway closed to all westbound traffic. Bridge rehabilitation also continues over Little Piney Creek near Yancy Mills, alongside the bridge on 10th Street in Rolla.

The Salem Memorial Hospital (SMH) invites the community to help welcome the new Chief Executive Officer Brent Peirick to Salem. Monday, Aug. 24th marks Peirick’s first day with the SMH team. Originally from O’Fallon, Mo., Peirick brings rural healthcare leadership experience to the hospital, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Mo. Beyond his healthcare experience, Peirick is looking forward to becoming part of Salem. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, and hanging out with his two dogs, Martin and Nelly. Welcome to SMH and to Salem, Brent Peirick!

The Phelps County Public Housing Agency is seeking landlords for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8. Landlords are needed in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps and Washington counties. The program assists low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford decent, safe and sanitary rental housing from private landlords. Some of the benefits of accepting Housing Choice Vouchers include a large pool of potential tenants, guaranteed rental income, free advertising of available units, lower vacancies and unit oversight by qualified housing inspectors. Currently, there are 173 families with Housing Choice Vouchers in the Meramec Region searching for approved housing and another 415 families on the waiting list. For more information, contact Donald Keeney at 573-265-4200 ext. 128 or dkeeney@meramecregion.org.

A fatal accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday evening at approximately 9:30 at Highway YY, one mile west of the Crawford County line. According to the Highway Patrol report, a westbound 2005 Ford F-150, operated by a 48-year-old Saint James man, failed to negotiate a curve, travelling off the right side of the roadway and overturning, ejecting the driver. The vehicle came to rest in the roadway. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene by Phelps County Deputy Coroner Theresa Talermo at 9:50. This is Troop I’s second fatality for the month of August and 23rd for 2026. The driver was transported by the Phelps County Coroner to Rolla Crematorium. The report stated the man was not wearing a safety restraint. The vehicle was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:00 at Highway 72 and County Road 5285. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2003 Ford F150, operated by an 18-year-old Rolla man, failed to yield to and collided with an eastbound 2012 Chevrolet Impala driven by a 59-year-old Eminence man. The Eminence man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that both men were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be holding its regular meeting at 7:00 Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. After the call to order and approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, the board will hear any scheduled public comments or presentations. Under new business, the board will be discussing the Helping Hands Auxiliary and the resolution of potential conflicts of interest. The board will then hear operational reports. A vote will then be taken to move into executive session for the discussion of personnel before adjournment. Until a vote to close is taken, this meeting is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met for its Tax Rate Hearing and regular board meeting Thursday evening. Superintendent Nathan Wills recommended a continuation of the $2.75 operating levy and a $0.45 debt service levy for a total tax rate of $3.20 for the district. This is not a change from previous years. Wills also explained that there has been a 2% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) generating an additional $58,555 of revenue. Under the superintendent’s report, Wills shared some updates on facilities, stating the floors of the Salem Middle School are almost finished; the next portion of work is planned for Thanksgiving break, to include another coat of epoxy. Work is ongoing to the men’s bathrooms, with work expected to be completed before or shortly after school begins. The new Request for Bids (RFB) for the Upper Elementary parking lot has not yet been drafted. A fence has been constructed at the Upper Elementary baseball field. The Salem Middle School has reported leaks in the hallway near the cafeteria, so a roofer has been reached out to. New Tiger Training has been completed with Wills reporting enthusiasm from incoming staff, and the first back-to-school professional development day has also been completed. Under new business, the board approved MSBA 2026 policy updates regarding fringe benefits for staff and support staff, alongside the preliminary 2025-26 Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR.) Additionally, the board approved the annual i-Ready contract for the middle school. Non-certified staffing changes were approved, including hires of Jovee Gollaher, Corey mcCurdy, Delaney Owen, and Penny Gordan. The board then moved into closed session to discuss personnel before adjourning. The next regularly scheduled Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting will be Sept. 17th at 5:30 in the evening. These meetings are open to the public. To view a recording of the Aug. 20th meeting, visit the KSMO Media Youtube channel at youtube.com/@ksmomedia.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) would like to encourage parents to include conversations about safety when preparing their students for the 2026-27 school year. It’s also important that drivers be prepared for the change in traffic patterns as students begin another year of instruction. In 2025, one person was killed and 284 injured in traffic crashes involving a school bus. Last year, a total of 871 traffic crashes involved school buses in Missouri. For students, remember to stay alert while crossing the street at intersections or marked crosswalks – and never cross between parked cars. Use sidewalks when available. If you ride a school bus, follow all safety tips: if waiting in line for the bus on the shoulder or sidewalk, never try to retrieve items that fall under the bus; walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street, and sit quietly on the bus and keep the aisle clear. If an incident occurs, stay calm and follow the instructions of the bus driver. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. Motorists are encouraged to always be vigilant, especially near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths, and crosswalks when schools are in session. Drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and is displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway.

An accident occurred at 7:30 Wednesday morning in Phelps County at the 181.2 mile marker of Interstate 44. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Ford Edge driven by a 57-year-old female from Dixon had crashed when the vehicle lost control on wet pavement traveling eastbound. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health. The report states she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Edge suffered extensive damage and was removed from the scene by D&D Towing & Repair.

An accident occurred Wednesday morning in Phelps County near Highway V, just north of County Road 2080. According to the highway patrol report, the crash occurred when a 2018 International Truck driven by a 29-year-old male from Rolla going northbound crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2020 Kia Rio driven by a 42-year-old female from Rolla going southbound. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries, and the driver of the Kia suffered moderate injuries. Both drivers were transported to Phelps Health. The truck suffered extensive damages and was removed from the scene by Big Boy’s Towing. The Kia suffered total damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under public comments, a resident of County Road 6670 inquired about the progress of widening that road, to which First District Commissioner Keith Green clarified that progress was ongoing with timing yet to be determined for project completion. Requests for easements from property owners will be sought closer to the date of construction. City of Salem Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield shared that the Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) board met Thursday, Aug. 6th with no changes made to the chairman, who remains Dean Jones. Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire proposed an ordinance to make the county an “occupancy county,” which allows a county to assess newly constructed and occupied residential property all 12 months of the year. Without the ordinance, the county is a “non-occupancy” county, which means it can only pick up new constructions and occupied residential properties September through May. Brookshire clarified that the county is omitting the charge for permits. There will be no new taxes, and taxes will not increase as a result, she further clarified. The commissioners approved the ordinance. Under road reports, Green reported that crew members will be grading County Road 5680 and hauling rock to County Road 5490. Brush cutting is planned for county roads 6480 and 6485. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be brush cutting on county roads 4300, 4310, 4040, and 3180. Crew members have also gone to retrieve a load of cold mix from Lebanon. Next week, crew members plan to work on County Road 2250, which includes replacing culverts and pulling ditches. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s report, he shared that he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting, in which members nominated officers and shared updates on Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) programs. Larson further reported on the Meramec Region crash fatalities within Dent County. There have only been two in 2026. He also attended the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) meeting, where a representative from Missouri S&T reported updates on the Missouri Protoplex being built near Interstate 44. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington shared that there are bills to be approved. The next regular Dent County Commission meeting will be Monday, Aug. 24th at 9:00 in the morning and is open to the public.

The Salem Community Blood Drive will be Tuesday, Sept. 1st from noon to 6:00 in the evening. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) and Dickerson Park Zoo are Partnering throughout September and October to help boost the regional blood supply for local patients. Successful donors will receive a voucher for two free general admissions to the Dickerson Park Zoo, along with a limited-edition T-shirt while supplies last. Salem area residents will have the opportunity to donate within the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church located at 201 North MacArthur Street. Photo identification is required. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donating. Eligible donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and have not donated blood within the past 56 days. Appointments are strongly encouraged to help reduce wait times. To schedule an appointment, visit cbco.org/zoo or call 417-227-5006.

An accident happened at 3:53 Tuesday evening in Dent County at the Cedar Grove Conservation Area a mile north of Hwy. WW. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Dodge Ram driven northbound by a 33-year-old female from Salem travelled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment, overturned and ejected the driver. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported by air evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The report states she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge Ram was totaled and removed from the scene by a private party.

The City of Salem Administration and Utility Office will be closing at 2:00 in the afternoon this Friday for the budget year close out. For utility bill payments, remote payment options are available. Use automated phone pay 24/7 at the number 1-888-443-4087. If you have your account number, you can also find out how much you owe. For web payment options, you may use credit, debit, or e-check 24/7 at the salemmo.com/city website by scrolling down and clicking on “Online Utility Payments.”

Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams has reported on the County Aid Road Trust (CART) funds received by the county for the month of August 2026. The CART Tax funds received are utilized within the county for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repairs of roads, bridges and highways, as directed by the county commission. For the month of August, the county has received $94,532.44. This is up year to date $42,730.31 or a percentage increase of 6.3%.

The North Wood R-IV Board of Education held its regular meeting the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 18th. After approval of the agenda, the Tax Rate Hearing was held with much discussion from the board. Superintendent Jeff Dodson presented tax rate information with concerns expressed for the district. The board approved setting the tax rate at $3.4584 for the 2026-27 school year. Regular business resumed. An update on facilities was shared, and a discussion of the strategic plan was held. The board approved the following: the ASBR; the local compliance plan; emergency drill schedule; and the professional development plan for the 2026-27 school year. Dodson informed the board there was a small amendment to the stipend schedule for volleyball coaches. The board then went into closed session before adjourning. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the North Wood R-IV Board of Education will be Sept. 15th at 6:00 in the evening and is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that projects within Phelps County to rehabilitate six bridges over Interstate 44 is in the home stretch with three bridges complete, two to begin rehabilitation now, and the final bridge on schedule. Crews continue working toward reopening Phelps County Hwy. J over I-44 (Exit 169). While crews previously hoped to open the bridge Friday, Aug.14th, contractors working with MoDOT are now targeting this Friday to open the bridge to all traffic. Hwy. 72 (Kingshighway) over I-44 in Rolla (Exit 184) remains under construction. Crews rehabilitating the bridge deck uncovered more extensive deterioration than expected, adding additional time to the first phase of work. Crews have now moved to the next and final phase. As with the previous phase, westbound Kingshighway will remain closed during the second half of the project, while the bridge remains open to eastbound traffic. If no further deterioration is found, the contractor plans to reopen the roadway to westbound traffic in mid-October, weather permitting. Work on the final bridge in this project is the Phelps County Hwy. E bridge in Rolla at Exit 185. Crews plan to begin removing the sidewalk adjacent to the northbound lanes the week of Aug. 24th. Nighttime single-lane closures on Route E can be expected through early October. Flaggers will direct traffic nightly through the work zone.

The Intercounty Electric Cooperative (IECA) has released that it has contracted with Apex Right of Way LLC. to control the brush growing within the cooperative right-of-ways. Beginning around the first of September, Apex will be selectively applying a low-volume herbicide to the leaves of woody stemmed vegetation. All products used are registered with the EPA, have no grazing restrictions for animals and will not be applied in maintained yard areas. If you have any questions, please contact Apex at 870-448-2183. If you like to learn more about the cooperative’s right-of-way maintenance program, visit its website at ieca.coop and search “right-of-way maintenance.” To see a map of the areas Apex will be working within, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/IntercountyElectric.

The MU Extension will be offering a free four-week virtual program designed for adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes. This program will take place on Wednesdays from noon to 2:00 beginning Oct. 14th and continuing through Nov. 4th. The program will take place over Zoom. Participants will learn about meal planning, label reading, physical activity, self-monitoring, goal-setting, and more. The program will also include recipe demonstrations, resources, and opportunities to connect with other participants and the instructor. Funding for this course has been received through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services diabetes program. For questions or to register for the course, contact 573-266-2701.

According to the Highway Patrol’s Online Arrest Report, the following charges have been filed against 18-year-old Kaiden D. Birdsong of Salem: Felony DWI resulting in serious physical injury and failure to drive on the right half of the roadway, resulting in a crash. The report went on to state that Birdsong has been released. The charges are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Dent County Collector’s Office has released that the 2026 Delinquent Tax Sale will be on Monday, Aug. 24th at 10:00 in the morning. Registration has begun for bidding. To sign up, visit the collector’s office at the Dent County Courthouse from 8:00 in the morning through 4:30 in the afternoon. For any questions or more information, contact the collector’s office at 573-729-3911. 

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a Tax Rate Hearing this Thursday evening at 5:30 to be immediately followed by its regularly scheduled board meeting at the Salem R-80 Administration Office. After approval of the consent agenda, containing previous board minutes, bills, food service report, program evaluations, and sub list, the board will hear a report from Superintendent Nathan Wills on facilities and CSIP goals. Administration reports are to follow. Under new business, the board will consider approval of MSBA 2026 policy updates and the preliminary 2025-26 Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR.) Non-certified staffing changes will then be approved before the board moves into executive session for the purposes of discussing personnel. Until closed, this meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Area Arts Council “The Creative Arts Center” will be holding its monthly meeting in the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 25th from 6:00 to 7:15. Everyone is invited to help plan classes and activities for the arts center. Instructors are expected to attend as much as possible. The arts council strives to celebrate the arts in the community and wants to involve the public, display and recognize local art and artists, and help bring art related activities to the community. The public is invited to attend this meeting!

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released that seal coating on Hwy. F will take place next week beginning on Monday. Blevins Asphalt will be completing the work over two days and will be out from 7:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening. Striping on the road will take place approximately seven days after the chip sealing is finished.

Montauk State Park invites the public to a townhall-style meeting for the park with representatives from Missouri State Parks on hand to provide information and answer questions. This will take place at the park’s campground amphitheater and will begin at 5:00 in the evening Wednesday, Sept. 16th. For more information, contact the park at 573-548-2201. The public is encouraged to attend and share comments or questions about the park and its operations. These public meetings, which are being held for all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give representatives the opportunity to let people know the current statuses and future plans for the parks and sites, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment.

Alley Spring Campground will be closed for paving from Tuesday, Sept. 8th through Monday, Sept. 21st. This closure will include the river access and the “Bluff Hole” swimming area. Floaters putting in or taking out at Alley Spring will need to use the Burr Oak river access on the other side of the river. All pre-existing reservations during the closure have been cancelled or altered and refunds issued. For questions during the process, call the Alley Spring Ranger Station at 573-226-3945 or the Big Spring Entrance Station at 573-323-4236. Repaving at the Alley Spring Campground is part of a park-wide project to repair and renew roadways throughout the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) invites the central district to discuss the updated draft of the High-Priority Unfunded Needs list. Participants can view information about unfunded transportation needs in the region and provide feedback in-person at a meeting at MoDOT’s Central District Office, located at 1511 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City. Can’t attend the meeting in person? The draft HPUN document and comment forms will be available online through Thursday, Sept. 10th at modot.org/unfundedneeds. Dent County is on the unfunded multimodal needs list, with a project description of needing sidewalk added from Center Street to Hwy. 32 within Salem. Estimated funding needed for that project is $620,000.

Watch for bid opportunities from the City of Salem. For purchases over $12,000, the city formally advertises Requests for Bids (RFBs) in the local newspaper, as required by state statute, and it also posts them online. Visit the city’s website at salemmo.com and search “City of Salem Bids” for a list of opportunities. Want to know when a new bid is posted? You can sign up for city notifications right from the city’s website. Scroll to the bottom of the page to “#KeepCurrent – Sign Up for Notifications” and enter your email address. You may be asked to enter it a couple of times as you complete the setup, then you can choose email or text notifications for the pages you want to follow. Select the Bids/RFB page, and you’ll be notified whenever the city posts a new opportunity.