News – Friday, June 12th, 2026

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be hauling rock where needed and stockpiling; in addition, crew members are planning to grade county roads 5600, 6040, and 6200. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 6200. Commissioners also approved a bid for diesel from MFA at $3.523 a gallon. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are planning to haul rock to County Road 3260 and grade county roads 4030, 4370, 2020, and 2025. Brush cutting is planned for county roads 2245, 3210, 3200, 2640, 2630, and 2620. With the county being enrolled with the CART program with the Missouri Department of Conservation, rock used on roads around the White River Trace, alongside other conservation roads, has been reimbursed for $27,500. Roads are still being prepared for resurfacing. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk reported that monthly collections have been turned over for May and were $94,001.09. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and that excused absentee voting is to begin on June 23rd. Curley also thanked Representative of District 120 John Hewkin, who was in attendance at the meeting, for his support in getting House Bill 1871 passed, which modifies various provisions relating to elections. Hewkin credited Representative of District 7 Peggy McGaugh for her work on the bill. In Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson’s reports, he stated commissioners are not in support of data centers; furthermore, commissioners do not support planning and zoning laws in the county. Currently, there has been no contact made by representatives of data centers to the commissioners. Larson stated he plans to attend a meeting in Jefferson City on June 17th, which will provide elected officials with education and more information on data centers. On the topic of Flock cameras, Larson stated the cameras were an administrative decision made by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and commissioners support the sheriff’s decisions. Meanwhile, under public comments, commissioners heard from a resident advocating for ordinances restricting data centers; more specifically, the resident suggested commissioners put preventative parameters in place, such as businesses requiring more than 50kw would need their own power or water source. Commissioners expressed concerns on infringing on county resident property rights but ultimately shared they will continue consulting with legal experts to pursue more options. Rep. Hewkin stated that the conversations on data centers are continuing within Jefferson City. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse. These meetings are open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has released a resurfacing project spanning across Dent County along Hwy. 32, originating from Hwy. 63 in Texas County and ending at Hwy. KK in Iron County, is scheduled to begin soon. Work will begin with signal work in the city of Salem with resurfacing scheduled to begin Monday, June 15th. Paving work in Licking and Salem will take place at night, with all other work scheduled during daytime hours. A 10-foot width restriction is in place around-the-clock for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by mid-September. One lane will remain open, and crews will flag traffic through the work zones. 

This Saturday, two events held by the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) will be held in Phelps County. An abbreviated friends and family CPR class at the MRPC Office located at #4 Industrial Drive, St. James will be held at 10:00 in the morning. This class provides hands-on CPR training, practice with AEDs, an introduction to first aid and is meant to be an informative and relaxed environment for basic understanding of life-saving measures. The course does not offer certification and is approximately 60-90 minutes long. While registration is required, the class is offered free of charge. To register, email or call Samantha Sherman with MRPC at ssherman@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993, ext. 101. This training opportunity is funded through a grant provided by Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee. In addition, MRPC will be holding an annual special waste collection event in Rolla on Saturday from 8:00 in the morning to noon at the Brewer Science, Inc. parking lot located at 2401 Brewer Drive, Rolla. The collection is for residential items only. Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and other appliances will be collected free of charge. Free electronics also include computer components, laptop computers, keyboards, DVD players, cell phones or anything that runs on a cord or battery. For more information on items accepted or the fee structure, please contact Jill Hollowell at MRPC at 573-265-2993 Ext. 109 or at jhollowell@meramecregion.org. 

Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reminds those that are 62 and over and own their own home to pick up an application for SB190 from the collector’s office. Applications are available until June 30th. Office hours for the collector are Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. Contact her office at 573-729-3911 if you have any questions.