News – Friday, July 31st, 2026

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at approximately 5:00 on Highway 32 at County Road 5020. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 1998 Ford Contour, driven by an 18-year-old Salem man, experienced a mechanical failure, traveled off the right side of the roadway, and struck a fence.  A 19-year-old male passenger suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. The driver suffered minor injuries and was also transported by Salem Ambulance to SMH. The report stated that neither driver was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:50 on Highway 32 about 10 miles west of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2001 Chevrolet 2500, driven by a 54-year-old Salem man, was exiting a private driveway. A westbound 2006 Harley Davidson, driven by a 63-year-old Salem man, crested a hill and struck the side of the Chevrolet. The Harley Davidson operator suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that neither operator was wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Harley was totaled and secured at a nearby residence. The Chevrolet sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. 

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. A group of about 12 residents were in attendance for the public comment portion of the meeting. Resident Cheri Low presented commissioners with a petition with more than 1,500 signatures, provided by both residents of and those with ties to Dent County. The petition is to express opposition to data centers being built within the county. Commissioners received the petition and agreed that they also do not want data centers within Dent County, and that they would continue looking into options. In discussions with Phelps County commissioners, local realtors, and Intercounty Electric Cooperative (IECA), Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared that it has been noted the infrastructure of Dent County is not equipped to handle a data center, nor have the commissioners been approached by anyone wanting to construct a data center within the county. When seeking legal advice, commissioners were previously informed that with no existing zoning ordinances within the county, options are limited for preventing data center construction. Commissioners further shared they do not wish to infringe on property rights of residents or put in state any such zoning ordinances. Residents also expressed opposition to Flock cameras, to which commissioners stated the Flock cameras were outside of their jurisdiction and encouraged the residents to reach out to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Moving on to road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be cutting brush on County Road 6300; grading on county roads 5600 and 6633; and then hauling rock to County Road 6640. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are continuing work on County Road 3200, which includes hauling rock, pulling ditches, widening the road, and replacing culverts. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 4055 and County Road 3334, alongside hauling rock to and installing a culvert on County Road 3250. Ditches are being cleaned out on County Road 3233 in preparation for a chip and seal recoat. In his report, Larson shared that he attended a meeting with the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) where trade scholarships were discussed and finalized. Grants were also discussed. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting is to continue through next Monday, Aug. 3rd. The County Clerk’s Office will be open for no excuse absentee voting on Saturday, Aug. 1st from 8:00 to noon. Next Tuesday, Aug. 4th, the polls will be open from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. If any voters need to update their information, call the County Clerk’s Office at (573) 729-4144 to do so. Sample ballots are available upon request, as well as fair ballot language for the amendments. There will be a public testing of voting equipment Friday morning at 10:00 within the commissioner’s office at the courthouse. Curley also reported that there have been zero claims for workman’s comp for the county this year, and thanked office holders and employees for continuing to practice safety. The County Assessor has turned over new assessed values totaling $221,081,231. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Animal Shelter located at 1401 Mullnack Drive is open from Monday through Friday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon. For more information on the Salem Animal Shelter, visit its Facebook page run by a group of dedicated volunteers by searching “Friends of Salem Animal Shelter, MO.”