News – Friday, July 24th, 2026

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members are planning to patch chip and seal roads on county roads 4110, 4120, and 6180. Crew members will be hauling rock as needed with grading planned for county roads 4210, 5530, 6660, and 6633. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 5490 and 5500. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are planning on hauling rock to county roads 3200 and 5240; grading in the Boss area around county roads 4350 and 4353; and replacing three culverts on County Road 3200. County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART Tax received for the month of July. The amount received was up from last July a total of $3,850.91. This is up YTD a total of $33,859.27 or 5.8%. Under public comments, a printout of the two-year contract between the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Flock Safety, Inc. was provided to commissioners for review by resident Katie Anne Gaither. Commissioners approved a request from Tanna Kettner of the Salem Area Arts Council for a cruise-in at the parking lot around the courthouse for the “Art Walk” event on Sept. 26th. Commissioners also approved Kevin James for a seat on the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) board. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that there will be a public testing of voting equipment Friday morning at 9:00. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the voting equipment utilized for our elections. Approximately 240 ballots have been cast so far, reported Curley. No excuse absentee voting will continue through Aug. 3rd. The County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse will be open Saturday, Aug. 1st, from 8:00 to noon for absentee voting. On Election Day, Aug. 4th, polls will open at 6:00 in the morning and close at 7:00 in the evening. As this is a primary election, voters have the choice between several ballots including Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or non-partisan. Non-partisan ballots will only feature the four amendments. Sample ballots are available upon request within the County Clerk’s Office. If voters have any questions or need to update their information, visit the office or call at 573-729-4144. After casting your ballot, voters are encouraged to post a selfie outside the courthouse with the special “I Voted” sticker celebrating America’s 250th. Voters are reminded to not post a photo of their filled out ballots anywhere, as this is considered a class four election offense within Missouri. Curley also commended a Dent County poll worker of over 55 years, Joan Gray, and shared that this will be Gray’s last election in which she will be working. Later, commissioners were visited by Project Manager Krysta Swartz of Great Rivers Engineering (GRE) and Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt of Dent County for an update on ongoing FLAP, TAP, and FEMA projects. The repair projects planned for County Road 5150 and 3210 have been approved by FEMA. Commissioners signed documentation for the project. Swartz estimated a bid opening date sometime in mid-September with construction estimated to take place this winter. FEMA staff have requested additional documentation for the County Road 4210 bridge, so GRE will be in contact with the US Army Corps of Engineers after receiving a signature from the commissioners for approval. Moving on, Swartz updated the commissioners on the FLAP Project in Montauk on County Road 6670. Changes to that project have been approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT.) Contact will be made for right-of-way acquisitions with adjacent landowners. Commissioners were assured the project is still estimated to come under the originally budgeted $800,000. As for the TAP Sidewalk Project surrounding the courthouse, rebidding is planned for Aug. 24th. Several cost-saving changes to the project were suggested, with the commissioners approving stamped concrete walls, with no paint or stain, and an option for contractors to pursue pre-cast walls rather than onsite pouring. Work at the earliest may start in October. Swartz closed with a notice that MoDOT has funding for the Bridge Engineering Assistance Program (BEAP) available, as of July 1st. BEAP is fully funded by MoDOT  to complete bridge engineering studies for local public agencies. Williams shared that Danny Brown of The Nature Conservancy will be visiting several lowwater bridges on Tuesday to review possible grant eligibility. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Dent County Toy Drive will be holding its 6th annual Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday at The Commons from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. This is a special year for the toy drive as it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. There will be plenty to enjoy at the event, including pulled pork sandwiches, music throughout the day, and a free kids carnival. Attendees can also look forward to the car show, craft show, and poker run. The event will be held rain or shine. Attendees are asked to bring a toy to fill the truck, although not required to attend.