News – Thursday, December 18th 2025

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said work continues on Dent County Road 2440 as workers continue to rebuild portions of the road by adding rock and spreading it out. He also stated another crew will be inspecting roads with low water crossings and bridges to make sure the debris has been removed from those areas. Green went on to report that county truck #79 is being worked on. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported some of his crew will also be working on Dent County Road 2440 with the District 1 crews by hauling and spreading rock. He went on to say that brush is being cut on county road 2270 and another county truck is being serviced at the shed. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday at the MRPC offices and the bridge on Route TT has slipped from the highest TAC priority for repair to third. They also discussed fatalities in the Meramec Region as well as statewide. With the fatality accident last week on Highway 72, Dent County has had five people killed in auto crashes this year. Statewide, the number of fatalities has fallen from 880 in 2024 to 848 in 2025 with still just over two weeks remaining. Larson also said at the External Relations Committee meeting, it was reported this year’s Awards Banquet in Salem actually made money for the MRPC. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said candidates can file for available positions for the April 7th Municipal Election for school boards, hospital boards, City of Salem alderman positions, etc. She said those who want to file will do so at the entities office, NOT at the courthouse, and if they have any questions about the qualifications to run for the position they choose, potential candidates need to contact those individual entities themselves, not her office. Curley also mentioned that her office continues working on the budget for 2026. She went on to say her office balanced with the Dent County Treasurer’s Office on all accounts for the month of November. At the last meeting, Dent County Assessor Alisa Brookshire came in to discuss two new hires in her office and their pay scale. They will start at $16 per hour and in six months, will receive a 4% cost of living adjustment. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tonight at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. Salem Middle School students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business, the Board is to approve MSBA Policy upgrades and an SRO MOU. The Board will consider FFA Trips and will approve tuition for the 2026-2027 school year. No Transfers are to be considered, the hiring of bus drive John Nolan will be considered, and Ron Light’s resignations/retirement will be considered. The Board will enter closed session, followed by adjournment, after returning to open session. The regular meeting is open to the public.