News – Friday, May 2nd 2025

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Jimmy Martin from Dent County Road 5323 was in to discuss washouts at his driveway and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said he will be out later to check it out. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews would be out checking for washouts and clogged culverts after the intense rain on Wednesday. He also said glass will be installed in the backhoe if it comes in. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said his crew would be stockpiling six and eight-inch rock at the road and bridge department, plus another crew would be adding rock to county roads 4050 and 4055. Williams said some posts and signs will be put out on county roads 2500 and 2510. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report while Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the voter registration canvassing begins today. Her office will mail out about 10,000 postcards, which is required by the Revised Statutes of Missouri Section 115.179. This is done to assure the accuracy and integrity of the voter records in the jurisdiction. When you receive the voter registration card, if you have had a address change or have legally changed your name, update the card on the back and return it to the Dent County Clerk’s office by mail or in person. If the information is correct, no action is needed, and you can keep the cards for your records. The commissioners discussed selling the gazebo on the front lawn of the courthouse as it could be in the way when work on the courthouse sidewalks TAP grant begins, plus there needs to be some maintenance work done to it that was not budgeted. The commission agreed to accept bids on the gazebo until 10:00 in the morning on June 2nd. The commission has the right to accept or reject any and all bids. The commissioner also approved the memorandum of understanding from the Dent County Health Department submitted by Zach Moser for employee drug screening services for Dent County at $16 per test. Moser was in attendance in case they had any questions. The Dent County Commission will NOT be meeting on Thursday, May 8th due to it being Truman’s Birthday. At the last meeting, Healthy Dent County Executive Director Sherry Lea visited with the commissioners about the MRPC Annual Banquet proposal and what their thoughts were about some of the questions she had so that her proposal to the MRPC could be finished and sent to them. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) invite young anglers to learn about fishing and to fish for trout for free at Montauk State Park’s Kids’ Fishing Day tomorrow from 6:30 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening. Kids aged 15 and under will not be required to purchase a daily trout tag and can get a free trout tag for the day at the park registration booth from 2:00 to 5:00 on May 2nd or on the day of the event. The spring branch will be reserved for young anglers and stocked with trout throughout the day. Volunteers will be on hand to assist. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Parents are welcome to help the kids, but only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. Adults are not allowed to fish by themselves. Fishing isn’t the only attraction of Montauk State Park Kids’ Fishing Day. Attendees can get free tree seedlings, watch fly-tying demonstrations, visit a mobile aquarium, and try archery on an archery range. There will also be drawings for door prizes throughout the day. Individuals must be present to win. Free hotdogs and soda will be served from 11:00 to 1:00. Volunteers are needed to help with this event. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. To volunteer or donate to Kids Fishing Day, or for more information about the event, contact the Montauk Hatchery at 573-548-2585 or Hatchery Manager Kyle Case at Kyle.Case@mdc.mo.gov. Montauk State Park is located at the headwaters of the Current River southwest of Salem. For more information or for directions, visit mostateparks.com.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board will be holding a special board meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 at the hospital library. After public comments are heard, the board will go into Executive Session.