News – Monday, February 16th 2026
On Saturday February 14th, Patrolmen from the Salem Police Department initiated an investigation into the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive who had been evading authorities for a Phelps County warrant, for approximately four years. Officers responded to the 100 block of South Jackson Street after receiving information that the subject was inside a residence. Officers issued verbal commands for the individual to exit the residence; however, the subject initially refused to comply. Additional assistance was requested from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, and a perimeter was established. The subject, identified as Thomas Weaver, was subsequently taken into custody without incident. Weaver was transported to the Dent County Jail, where he is being held on the following charge: Failure to Appear for driving while revoked. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s Revolving Loan Fund has over $700,000 to loan to businesses in any of the eight counties served by the Meramec Regional Planning Commission which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski, and Washington counties. Any individual business can apply for up to $200,000 in a revolving fund loan. Benefits of this loan program include fixed rate financing for the borrower, improving a locality’s quality of life, a lower down payment for the eligible passive concern, and longer maturities to repay the debt for the borrower. For any business needing assistance, call the MRPC office today at 573-265-2993.
Ameren Missouri is reminding residential customers across the state that a wide range of resources remain available to support qualifying households with their energy bills in 2026. In addition to programs funded by the company, Ameren partners with the Energy Assistance Foundation and hundreds of Community Action Agencies to ensure customers can apply for funds, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In Dent and Phelps counties, Ameren Missouri provides natural gas services. Ameren also invites customers who are able to give back to their communities to partner with the company by making a one-time or recurring contribution to the “Dollar More” program. The “Dollar More” program provides eligible households up to $600 per calendar year. Also, qualifications for the program have increased up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Throughout 2025, Ameren Missouri partnered with hundreds of Community Action Agencies to make more than $140 million in energy assistance and LIHEAP support available to customers across Missouri as well as in Illinois. For more information on all available resources, visit Ameren.com/Assistance.
A “Junk Journals” class will be held on Thursday evening, February 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 with Gail Phelan at the Creative Arts Center. Attendees will make a booklet out of mailers, envelopes, and scraps of packing paper. Use pretty much anything you would normally toss in the bin to make a journal. The class will learn the ‘3-hole pamphlet stitch’ to bind your book together. The class is for those who are 6-years and up with adult. The cost of the class is $20 All materials and supplies will be provided. At least four people must sign up for the class, and it will be limited to 13. To sign up for this class or future classes like Chunky Knit Blankets, Oil Painting, and Clay Sculpting, go to the SACBA website, click on the “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.