News – Friday, September 5th 2025

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt discussed submitting an Emergency Management Performance state grant that would double Marfitt’s salary as Dent County Emergency Management Director. He would have to be certified and have to use the NIMS program for reporting. This was approved and signed by the commission. Marfitt also said the hazmat plan for the region is being reviewed by the emergency management directors and said nothing has changed. He also reported the county is waiting on FEMA for the payment in the 60–90-day window before submitting the next phase. Also, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department wanted to submit a Local Violent Crime Prevention Grant for new radios for patrol vehicles. Their current radios have reached their end of the useful life and this grant will provide up to $25,000 to buy new radios. They are looking at the E.F. Johnson VM-8000 which has already been approved for use for this grant. The current radios do not always reach in the Boss, Bunker, Cedar Grove and Lecoma areas. This is a Missouri Public Safety state grant, and the window closes on this grant September 15th. The commission approved and signed the grant for submission. There was also a request to use the courthouse lawn and square for a car show fundraiser on October 11th to benefit the “Project Win Cancer Program” which was approved by the commission. New Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire was also in attendance at the meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said it was too dry to grade so crews will be out in numerous locations putting in pipes where necessary such as on county road 6420 and the Canoak Road. Green went on to say chip and seal repairs continue on county road 5015. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be grading in the Boss area on Dent County Roads 4405, 5260 and 5340, while brush will be cut on county road 2050. Williams indicated that a number of roads are having their ditches pulled with the dry weather. He went on to say rock is being added and the backhoe will be on county road 3140 working on a low water crossing. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report while Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she received all the tax entities tax rates on time. Dent County Health Center Administrator Zack Moser reported on the “Care Cab” that is now available in Dent County for any transportation need. The cab runs from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. It is a local ride service for Dent County residents who need dependable transportation. Currently there is no charge to use the Care Cab as it was funded by the opioid settlement funds, but this is for a limited time before there will be a slight charge to use it. You can book the Care Cab online at the CareCab.org app or call the Dent County Health Center at 573-729-3106. Moser said flu and COVID vaccines will be available at the drive-through that will be held on October 2nd at the Dent County Fire District Firehouse. He also reported April Greener is no longer at the Dent County Health Center as she is now instructing at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, and two new nurse practitioners have come on board: Kyla Hobson, MSN, FNP-BC, and Amanda Stites, MSN, FNP-BC. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

On Wednesday, September 10th, Respect Missouri Voters will begin gathering signatures across the state to place a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot to ban legislators from attacking the will of the people. Launch parties will be held throughout Missouri, where volunteers can pick up supplies to begin gathering signatures. Three parties will be held in the Rolla area, each beginning at 6:00 in the evening. The closest launch party will be at the Phelps County Courthouse Meeting Room at 200 North Main Street in Rolla. The Initiative was fueled by the actions of legislators who worked to overturn two initiatives voters approved last year: paid sick leave and women’s healthcare. The legislature also passed Senate Bill 22 which may make it easier for politicians to put deceptive language on the ballot. These actions add to the long record of Missouri politicians overturning initiatives passed by Missouri voters. Clean Missouri, an anti-corruption and redistricting reform initiative passed in 2018, was gutted by lawmakers in 2020 through misleading ballot language. Similarly, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, approved by voters in 2010, was repealed by the legislature the following year. Missourians can learn more about the September 10 launch day events and how to get involved at respectMOvoters.org/launch-day.