News – Thursday, January 23rd 2025

Volunteers for AARP have been helping Dent County Citizens with free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory. You still have time to make your appointment, but the earliest date for an appointment is now February 7th. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163 through April 4th. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers and will be the 21st year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163. 

The Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council election will end at 4:00 on Friday, January 31st. Dent County voters will have the opportunity to elect members to the University of Missouri Extension Council of Dent County in January. The council has two positions that need to be filled in the Northern District, five in the Central District and two in the Southern District. Voting may be done at the Dent County Extension Center in the Judicial Building at 112 East 5th Street on the second floor of the Judicial Building. Completed ballots can be mailed to the Dent County Extension Center, 112 East 5th Street, Suite 4, Salem, MO 65560. You can also drop off ballots at the office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. Ballots must be returned by 4:00 on January 31st. Candidates this year include Krystal Sims and Karla Tiefenthaler in the Northern District; Cathy Burrus and Sierra Connell in the Central District; and Lyndsey Loughridge and Mackenzie Wulff-Peterson in the Southern District. If you have any questions, please call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196.

A hands-on workshop on prescribed burning for grassland management will be held Saturday, February 8th from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon and is being organized by the Missouri Department of Conservation. This workshop is offering essential training on planning and executing controlled burns safely and effectively. Prescribed burns are a valuable tool for maintaining native plant diversity and managing invasive vegetation, but improper use can ineffective or dangerous. This workshop will cover burn equipment, weather conditions, ignition techniques, and fire line installation. Participants must complete the online “Official Missouri Prescribed Burn Course” before attending. The course, hosted by a third party for a $25 fee, takes about 2-4 hours to complete. A certificate of completion and mileage sheet must be presented at the in-person field day. Attendees should dress appropriately for the burn, including leather boots, gloves, cotton pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and safety glasses. In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified via email. The workshop is open to adults 18 and older, with registration cancellations accepted through February 7th. For more details visit mdc.mo.gov and select the “Events” link. To complete the required online course, visit hunter-ed.com/prescribedburn.