News – Monday, August 10th, 2026

An accident involving four Dent County residents occurred in Texas County Thursday afternoon at approximately 12:32 on Highway 32 three miles east of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol report, an eastbound 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 21-year-old female from Lenox, was attempting a left-hand turn when it was struck by a westbound 1996 Dodge Neon, driven by a 47-year-old Salem male. The driver of the Dodge suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. The driver of the Chevrolet, along with an infant female and a 2-year-old male, passengers both from Lenox, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to TCMH. The report stated that all four occupants of the vehicles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and towed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive at officer’s request. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Licking Police and Fire Departments.

An accident occurred Saturday evening around 11:20 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about 4 miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by a 42-year-old male from St. Louis was traveling northbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway. Then the Chevrolet struck a rock bluff and overturned. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by St. Lames ambulance to Phelps Health. The report states he was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) Board of Directors will be holding its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11th beginning at 6:00 in the evening at 2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, a tax hearing will be held. Following the tax hearing, the board will consider approval of the consent agenda, to include previous meeting minutes, financial reports, bills, and review of the budget. The board will then hear reports from Fire Chief Derek Thomas, including the monthly reimbursement report. The board will then set the date for the next meeting and then enter a closed session, if necessary. The board will then adjourn. This meeting is open to the public.

If you’ve noticed some new signage on Salem’s 4th Street, painted by Hannah Heithold of Hometown Murals, a new place to grab some breakfast fare will be opening its doors soon. Known as “Hey Honey Brunch,” the location will be having its soft opening this Tuesday from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. Come enjoy great food at “Hey Honey Brunch” located at 204 West 4th Street. For more information, contact 573-453-2882 or email heyhoneysalem@gmail.com. Follow the business on Facebook at facebook.com/HeyHoneyBrunch.

To mark this summer’s biggest meteor shower, the Perseids, Elephant Rocks State Park will be open to the public for a rare after-dark event on Friday, Aug. 14th from 8:00 to midnight. If you like stargazing or light shows and are able to brave the August bugs and heat, visit the park to create a lifelong memory. Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21, Belleview. This viewing event is free and open to the public; there is no need to register. Park staff will be available to direct you to the best and safest areas to view the shower. You do not need to use any viewing devices to see the shower, but you are welcome to bring your own devices if you want. Attendees are expected to be respectful of others and should avoid excessive noise and use of artificial light. No tents or other invasive camping equipment such as lanterns or propane heaters will be allowed, but you can bring portable chairs for seating and blankets to keep warm. Absolutely no campfires will be allowed. If there is bad weather, the event will be moved to Saturday, Aug. 15th, 8:00 to midnight.

Progressive Ozark Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), has announced that six nonprofit organizations serving south-central Missouri have been awarded grants through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund. Through the program, FHLB Des Moines and Progressive Ozark Bank provided a $10,000 investment for each organization, resulting in a total of $60,000 invested across six communities. The recipient organizations include the Dent County Public Schools Foundation (DCPSF), which plans to utilize funds for literacy and math resources, supplies for science and technology programs, and expenses for performing arts programs and field trips. Other recipients include the Texas County Food Pantry in Licking, Bright Futures in Houston, Pregnancy Resource Center in Mountain Grove, Community Center in Mansfield, and Davis Field in Hartville. Each organization will use the funding to advance programs that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

The Salem R-80 School District reminds all parents and guardians that all new and returning students must register before the first day of school. Office staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon to assist with registration. Students cannot begin classes until they are fully registered. To ensure your student is ready for the first day of school, please complete registration beforehand.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that crew members are working on the final pieces of the rehabilitation work on Phelps County Hwy. J over Interstate 44 (Exit 169). Deterioration of the bridge deck required rehabilitation to extend its useful life. Barring weather delays, contractors working with MoDOT expect to wrap up work next week and could reopen the bridge as early as Friday, Aug. 14th. Meanwhile, Hwy. 72 (Kingshighway) over I-44 in Rolla (Exit 184) remains under construction. Crews rehabilitating the bridge deck uncovered more extensive deterioration than expected, which added additional time to the first phase of work. They are completing that work now and preparing to move to the next phase. Westbound Kingshighway will remain closed during the second half of the project, while eastbound lanes are expected to remain open.