News – Monday, March 31st 2025

An accident occurred in Dent County Thursday morning at 7:33 on Highway 72 in front of Salem Memorial Hospital. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by a 26-year-old female from Cuba, Missouri, turned into the path of a 2023 Nissan Rogue, operated by a 64-year-old man from Poplar Bluff. The driver of the Chevrolet suffered minor injuries and was transported by Salem Police to Salem Memorial Hospital. A passenger in the Nissan, a 54-year-old Poplar Bluff female, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to SMH. The report stated that all occupants of the two vehicles were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Salem Police Department and the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said grading will be done on Dent County Roads 4080, 5650 and 6305, and other workers will be assisting District 2 crews by bringing them rock for work on Missouri Department of Conservation roads. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said rock will be added and grading will be done on Dent County Road 2500, while only grading will be done on county roads 3180, 3200 and 4380. Williams said a blade would be changed out on Grader #40. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson stated he attended the Meramec Regional Community Foundation meeting Tuesday where the board heard about two grants being awarded by the MRCF, plus they were updated on the damages in Phelps County from the tornadoes. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported the excused and non-excused absentee voting for the Municipal Election continues through April 7th. Curley said her office will be open for absentee voting on Saturday, April 5th from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. She also wanted to remind the public the testing of the voting equipment will be held Tuesday, April 1st at 9:00. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to let the commission know the paper applications for the Homestead Tax Credit would be ready by and available in her office Tuesday, April 1st. There are still some tweaks being done to file the application online and she would update the commission Monday on that progress. VanKirk wanted to remind the public that only those who are 62-years of age and older as of January 1st can apply for the Homestead Tax Credit. The applications are free and if you have any questions, please contact Collector Shannon VanKirk at 573-729-3911. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A resurfacing project is scheduled to begin this week in Phelps and Dent counties. A contract was awarded to Willard Asphalt Paving Inc. to resurface on Route H from U.S. Route 63 in Phelps County to Missouri Route 72 in Dent County. During this ongoing construction, the routes will be narrowed to a single lane with flaggers and a pilot car to direct traffic through the work zone. All work is projected to be complete by the end of May 2025. A total of 30.5 miles will be resurfaced. MoDOT is asking all motorists to work with them by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit our Traveler Information Map. Information is also available 24/7 via social media.