News – Friday, July 10th, 2026

The County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members plan to grade and haul rock where needed on county roads 6570, 6255, 5525, and 4215. Green commented that County Road 6570 will be receiving the bulk of the work and requires reconstruction. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 6100 and 6110. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that grading and hauling rock is planned for county roads 5320 and 5325. Cutting brush, meanwhile, is planned for county roads 2380 and 2300. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) has given notice that grants for 2027 are open until noon Aug. 21st, 2026.  Eligible projects encourage solid waste reduction within the seven-county region of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Pulaski, Phelps, and Washington. There will be a grant writing workshop from 10:00 to noon Wednesday, July 22nd at MRPC’s 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Anyone interested may attend. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she has balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of June. She has balanced with both the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of June. Absentee voting for the Aug. 4th Primary Election will continue through Aug. 3rd, with no excuse absentee voting to begin July 21st. If any voters have questions, need to update voting information, or need a sample ballot, contact the Dent County Clerk’s Office at 573-729-4144. You can also contact the office through email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax received. For the General Revenue fund, the county has received $99,569.78. This is an increase from last July of $21,856.60 and an increase year-to-date of $48,130.06, or 7.6%. The Jail funds have received $99,991.43, an increase from last July of $21,858.98 and an increase year-to-date of $61,505.81, or 9.8%. The Road and Bridge fund has received $49,784.74, an increase from last July of $10,929.42 and year-to-date of $30,803.29, or 9.9%. Collector Shannon Vankirk turned over $121,746.96 for the month of June. Further, Denita and Vankirk discussed surplus property, and commissioners agreed 3-0 for the treasurer to turn funds over to the Circuit Clerk to complete the process. Sherman Odom, citizen, discussed with commissioners his new subdivision off of County Road 418. Commissioners accepted the new road, under the condition that Odom will provide two more loads of rock. Odom will be preparing the deed for the county. Rural Addressing will provide a new road number and assign addresses for the lots. Meanwhile, in the Friday, July 3rd edition of Your World Today, Treasurer Denita Williams was erroneously referred to as the “collector” We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. The County Collector is Shannon VanKirk. The next meeting of the county commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse.

The Missouri Wing Civil Air Patrol is reaching out to teachers, home school coordinators, and other educators working with K-12 students to participate in its Aerospace Education Member aerospace and STEM education in classrooms, homeschools, museums, libraries, or other youth organizations. Participants receive STEM kits that do not have to be returned, curriculum materials for K-12 aerospace education, and Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) flight aboard CAP aircraft at local airports. The cost is $35 for the first year with no charge in following years if the educator wants to remain active in the program. For more information or to join, visit the Civil Air Patrol website at gocivilairpatrol.com and search “Educators: Join as a CAP AE Member.” Persons wanting additional information may contact Major Jason Unwin at (918) 616-0578 or by email at jason.unwin@mowgcap.org. There is no military service commitment with being an AEM or member of Civil Air Patrol.

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) of University of Missouri St. Louis is now accepting scholarship applications and registrations for fall 2026. Through a project-based curriculum, participants gain practical skills in community building, leadership, project planning, and organizational management while connecting with changemakers from across Missouri. Whether you’re a neighborhood volunteer, community leader, nonprofit professional, business owner or local elected official, NLA provides the tools and network to help turn your vision into action. During the NLA, participants share and work on a community improvement project for their neighborhood. Choose from online evening or online daytime. The deadline to apply for scholarships is noon on Friday, July 24th. Learn more and apply through the University of Missouri – St. Louis website at umsl.edu and search “Neighborhood Leadership Academy.”

On Saturday, July 18th at 9:00 in the evening at Montauk State Park, join the Ozark Fly Fishers Club and the park naturalist in the campground between Loops 2 and 3 at the accessible fishing access to discover a hidden world of incredible insects. Moths (and other creatures) will be attracted for an up-close look at their amazing colors, patterns, and adaptations. This is a family-friendly program.