News – Friday, February 13th 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen have called a special meeting today in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 5:00. Following roll call and approval of the agenda, the board will discuss the MPUA invoice approval, before adjourning. This meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missouri hunters and anglers that related annual permits expire at the end of February, including 2025 permits for small game, fishing, trout fishing, and combination hunting and fishing. You can buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from one of many vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Save time by buying hunting and fishing permits for multiple people in a single transaction. Select the “Additional Customer” option during the permit purchase. Avoid having to manually renew permits each year by using MDC’s Permit Auto-Renewal Service. It allows customers to enroll eligible permits in a service that will automatically renew their permits prior to the start of the next season or permit year. The process was designed to ensure customers never have expired permits when they need them most. Learn more about this service at mdc.mo.gov/permits/permit-auto-renewal. Commercial and lifetime permits can be purchased only through the MDC Permit Services Unit by calling 573-522-0107. Contact them for an application. 

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released its 2025 Progress Update for the Missouri Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. The update highlights the state’s significant progress in reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and strengthening statewide conservation efforts. The Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is Missouri’s long-term, adaptive approach to reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to help protect local waterways and downstream ecosystems. The update outlines progress Missouri has made through collaboration with state agencies, conservation districts, agricultural partners and local communities. Chris Wieberg, deputy director of MoDNR’s Missouri Geological Survey said that Missouri’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy reflects the state’s commitment to balancing agricultural productivity, economic growth and environmental stewardship. Key highlights from the 2025 Progress Update include: More than $168 million invested in conservation practices through the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax from 2022 to 2025. Prevention of more than 5.2 million tons of soil and associated nutrients from entering Missouri waterways. Expansion of cover crop adoption, with more than 168,000 acres served in 2025. And implementation of more than 50 active 4R Nutrient Stewardship contracts covering over 4,300 acres by MoDNR’s Soil and Water Conservation Program. The report also highlights Missouri’s participation in national efforts to address Gulf Hypoxia, the development of nutrient trading programs and ongoing research through edge-of-field monitoring and innovative other conservation practices. In addition to documenting progress, the update outlines priorities for 2026 and 2027. These include expanding nutrient trading, increasing watershed modeling, strengthening partnerships with USDA-NRCS and advancing research on emerging conservation technologies.

Applications for the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy are now being accepted. The joint program between the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the American Legion is looking for young men and women ages from 16 to 18 to join the 54th Cadet Patrol Academy class. This week-long class begins June 7th and gives students an opportunity to gain hands on experience and an understanding of law enforcement. Additionally, students can explore different career paths within the Patrol. The Cadets will spend the week mirroring the work recruits do during the Patrol academy. A graduation ceremony will be held for participants on Friday, June 12th. Students who apply must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher, be of good moral character, have a valid driver’s license or permit, turn 16 prior to April 1st, and have an interest in pursuing a career in the Criminal Justice System. Those interested may obtain an application from their local American Legion Post. Questions regarding the Cadet Patrol Academy can be directed to Corporal Michael Halim at 573-522-7650.