News – Friday, April 3rd, 2026

The Dent County Commission held its meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. With District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams absent and crew members out in observance of Good Friday and Easter weekend, road reports from District One Commissioner Keith Green were minimal. Green reported that crew members have been busy grading this week in the conservation area and installing a culvert pipe, around County Road 5150. Meanwhile, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he attended the Meramec Regional Community Foundation meeting in St. James, in which several scholarships were disseminated to students. The foundation requested names of businesses in Salem, along with businesses across the region, and will be reaching out to see if the businesses would be willing to donate toward trade scholarships. Bills have been reviewed by commissioners and approved. Curley has balanced with Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams on all monthly accounts for the month of March. The Dent County Clerk’s office will be open on Saturday from 8:00 in the morning to noon for voting. On April 6th, Monday, the courthouse will be open for voting from 8:00  in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon. On April 7th, Tuesday, voters will have to go to their individual polling locations, and those locations will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. If unsure of where your voting location is, call the Dent County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144. When voting, please remember to bring your photo ID. Health Department Administrator Zach Moser discussed with commissioners the health fair, which will be from 7:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon May 1st at the Dent County Health Center. He also shared that there will be an upcoming Awards Gala April 24th, in which awards will be presented and money raised for services at the Dent County Health Center. Moser shared that currently there are three cases of Legionnaires Disease within the county. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley and Sheriff Bob Wells presented to Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams a check in the amount of $469.85 for the sale of firearms in the cases of State v. Michael Munson, State v. Stephen Mock, and State v. Jessica Carnell. These firearms were seized in connection with the arrest and prosecution of each criminal case. The proceeds are to be used for the benefit of Dent County. In addition to the criminal conviction, the seizure and sale of the firearms is authorized by Missouri law as a punishment and deterrent to persons that illegally own/possess/use firearms.

Several community Easter celebrations are planned for this weekend. The Grace Community Church located at 600 Water Street will be hosting a community Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 1:00 in the afternoon to 4:00 in the field behind the church. This event is for ages 2 through sixth grade. The First Baptist Church of Salem will be holding its community-wide Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday at 11:00 in the morning, for ages up to third grade. Custard by C-Sue located at 500 East 4th Street will also be holding a free Easter Egg Hunt at 2:00 in the afternoon this Saturday. From 2:00 to 3:00, you can get photos with the Easter Bunny courtesy of William Lynch Parents As Teachers. From 2:00 to 7:00, the custard shop will be open.