News – Friday, February 20th 2026

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Victoria Luby was in attendance to talk with the commission about issues she is having on Private Lane 601 and that she has not been able to get the sheriff’s department to respond. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson contacted Major Lenny Pabin who then met with the woman to hear her concerns. Deloris Gray Wood was in attendance to request permission to use the courthouse steps and lawn on July 4th and September 4th for special events and the commissioners approved. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said one grader is down as a Caterpillar service person is doing repair work on it. He stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6080 and 6083, while a driveway crossover pipe will be installed and rock added on county road 2460. Green went on to say brush will be cut on county road 5620 and rock will be stockpiled at the Road and Bridge Department. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers will be grading Dent County Roads 3140 and 3180, while brush will be cut on county road 2210. Williams indicated trees will be trimmed on county roads 2210 and 3260, and a sign will be installed on county road 3250. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated last Wednesday he attended the TAC meeting and regular MRPC meeting in St. James. Larson said he was informed that funding has been found to build a new bridge on Route TT near Sligo and it will be added to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to be built in 2028 or 2029. Larson went on to report he attended a tourism tax committee meeting and one request was submitted and approved by Flat Nasty, and there were no requests for reimbursement. Larson also said he would be attending a meeting at the MRPC offices today concerning the future of solid waste management districts as there is legislation that would eliminate the districts. Larson then talked with both Commissioner Green and Williams about a request from Joanie Prenger from MoDOT for an updated inventory of the county roads being maintained or that have been abandoned. Larson also asked the commissioners about a request he received from Jeff Dotson from Northwood R-4 to use two of the county hours they receive from the MRPC for paying their annual fees for grant preparation and the commission approved his request. Deputy Clerk Melissa Piatt said bills would be paid and she was checking poll pads for the upcoming excused absentee voting for the Municipal Election that will begin on February 24th at the courthouse. At 10:00, the commission opened bids for chip and seal. They received two bids: one from Blevins Asphalt from Mount Vernon for 10 miles of chip and seal work for $205,920, and the other was from West Brothers out of Pacific for $249,588.24 for 10 miles of chip and seal work. The commission will review the bids before making a final decision. The commissioners also signed the letter saying the commission supports holding the “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood” in Dent County put on by the American Rally Association. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk gave her report on the January turnover which came to $364,693.60. VanKirk also asked the commission to outlaw the 2023 unknown real estate and 2020 personal property taxes totaling $7,608.08 and they approved. She also stated that Dent County will no longer be accepting E-checks online to pay taxes due to too many errors being made by customers typing in misinformation on their accounts causing red flags. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public. 

The University of Missouri Extension invites you to join them at 3:00 Sunday afternoon as Carey Portell launches the International Year of the Woman Farmer with an inspiring keynote webinar for Pearls of Production. Portell is a resilient force in the agricultural world who has overcome the physical limitations she suffered in a serious car crash to become a successful cattle farmer, author and speaker as she discovered a “new normal” with the support of the Missouri AgrAbility program. Portell adapted her cattle production by implementing innovative tools and strategies that ensure both the sustainability of her operation and her long-term success. Her incredible journey underscores the importance of adaptive agriculture and resilient leadership by encourage producers to transform their challenges into opportunities for growth. You can register for the webinar by going to the University of Missouri Extension Website. If you have questions, contact Heather Conrow at hconrow@missouri.edu or 660-248-2272.