News – Friday, June 6th 2025

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at 9:00 in the Courthouse. During public comments Robert Malone, resident in District One, complained to Commissioner Keith Green about the conditions of Dent County Road 6020. Malone said he talked to Green May 15th and that he said the road would be graded and repaired. Green pointed out that the weather has not cooperated and that his grader that works in the Highway 119 area will be making its way down towards 6020. Green again noted that the rainy conditions have really slowed up grading progress and asked for residents’ patience. Representatives from the Salem Chamber Singers were in requesting permission to sell snow cones on the Courthouse Square during the 4th of July Parade. The Commissioners approved the request and thanked them for asking. Commissioner Green said that he had two guys out and part of his crew was gone to Lebanon to get hot mix to do some specific repair to chip and seal areas. He noted that the rest of his crew is addressing the worst spots on roadways with spot application of gravel and grading. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams said he had two guys out and part of his crew was dealing with a low water crossing in the area of Barnitz Farms. He also said that rock would be added, and grading done on Dent County Road 4050. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson announced that the Annual MRPC Awards Banquet would be returning to the Salem Community Center @ The Armory October 23rd. Larson complimented Executive Director Sherry Lea on her work preparing the bid for the banquet. Larson noted that the Commission will need to put out for bids for an engineering firm to work with FEMA for repairing the flood damaged bridges. He also reported that Susan Clancy had contacted him about paying an invoice from Alexander Construction for repair of hail damage to the roof and vent on the Courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curly reported that she balanced with the Collector and Assessor on monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of May. She noted that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment and that Ray Schwartz from Senator Justin Brown’s office would be in to visit with the Commission. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 7th and 8th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual Department of Conservation event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample Missouri’s abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state’s more than 1.1 million anglers. For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2025 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, for the observance of Juneteenth. Normal operations will resume on, June 20, 2025. For more, follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ