News – Friday, November 6th, 2026

The Salem Police Department (SPD) released that it has made an arrest as part of an ongoing investigation into the possession and distribution of methamphetamine within the community. An officer responded to the 100 Block of East Third Street after receiving information regarding the suspected presence of methamphetamine at a residence. An officer made contact with a male resident and located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. As a result, the individual, identified as James Rector, was taken into custody and transported to the SPD. Rector was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Along with its partners at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and R.A.D.E., the SPD remains committed to combating illegal narcotics at all levels while assisting those struggling with addiction through available resources and treatment opportunities. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an international non-profit 501(C)(3) organization that builds, assembles and delivers beds to children who do not have a bed. If interested in lending a hand or learning more, the SHP Dent County chapter will be holding its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 9th, beginning at 5:30 in the evening. This meeting will take place at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory in the Walden Conference Room. There will be discussions on upcoming events, needs, and more. More updates from the chapter can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/shpdentco.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members would be out stockpiling rock and grading county roads 6470, 5103, 5105, and 5600. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 6300. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members would out grading on county roads 2013, 2100, 2220, 5260, 3165, and 2090. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 4380. Crew members will be taking a truck to Springfield for a warranty claim. Under public comments, Ben Pursifull expressed his appreciation toward courthouse staff for their personal donations toward candy for the Trunk-or-Treat event on 4th Street. Pursifull reported that over 350 pounds were passed out and estimated about 2,000 kids attended. He also expressed appreciation to courthouse staff in their support of the Dent County Fire Protection District’s T-shirt fundraiser for mammograms. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and that she has balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for October. She further reported that the Nov. 3rd General Election went well. Curley expressed her appreciation toward county staff, pollworkers, residents, and polling location maintenance and janitorial staff for their assistance in making the election safe and secure. Of the registered voters in Dent County, 45.65% cast a ballot; this is lower than the Nov. 8th, 2022 General Election in a non-presidential year, in which 52.89% of registered voters of Dent County cast a ballot. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place Monday morning at 9:00. Propane bids will be opened at 10:00 in the morning. At 10:30, Matt Lloyd, a representative of CAT, will present and discuss grader bids with commissioners. These meetings are open to the public.

On Saturday, Dec. 12th from 8:00 in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will be hosting a mentored rabbit hunt for first-time rabbit hunters at the White River Trace Conservation Area in Salem. This mentored rabbit hunt is specifically designed for a limit of ten individuals aged 18 to 34 who have never harvested a rabbit. MDC will be utilizing beagle dogs during the mentored hunt. MDC mentors will be on-site assisting each participant. All shotguns, shotshells, earplugs, safety glasses, and orange hats will be provided by MDC; if the participant chooses to bring their own 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun, MDC will provide the shotshells. Questions about the hunt may be directed to MDC Conservation Educator and program lead Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov. To register for the event, visit mdc.mo.gov/events and search for “Mentored Small Game Hunt” and specify “Dent” in the county field.

Beginning today and ending Sunday at the old Fleming’s Variety Store on 4th Street downtown, the Dragonfly Wings Foundation will be holding a holiday event to raise funds to support teachers and educational programs in Dent County from 10:00 to 6:00. Visit dflyw.org to learn more!