News – Thursday, November 5th, 2026

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 on Highway 68 at Route YY that left a Salem man with minor injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by a 19-year-old man from Salem, failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the right side of the roadway where the Malibu struck a sign. The man was taken to Phelps Health by a private conveyance with minor injuries. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy sustained minor damage and was secured roadside.

During the Dent County Commission meeting held Monday morning at the courthouse, representatives of Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) held an annual meeting with residents as well as city and county officials to determine and update the Dent County Transportation Needs list. The list is included within the regional transportation needs list which is planned to be ranked by the Meramec Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) on Dec. 10th. That ranked list will then be reviewed and approved by the MRPC board before then being shared with MoDOT. MoDOT will consider the prioritized items for inclusion in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP.) The STIP is a rolling five-year program approved by the MoDOT Commission annually in July. In reviewing last year’s list for Dent County, MoDOT’s Meramec Area Engineer Preston Kramer stated the low water crossing at Crooked Creek on Rte. TT is officially earmarked for the STIP for 2029 after being on Dent County’s Transportation Needs list for multiple years. MoDOT was successfully able to apply for and receive a Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) grant which will cover a significant portion of that project. After discussion with county and city officials, MRPC and MoDOT representatives were able to organize a list of the following priorities for Dent County: the Rte. B bridge over Dry Fork; safety improvements at the intersection of Hwy. 19 and Roosevelt Street; the Hwy. 19 bridge over Spring Creek at the north end of Salem; and safety improvements on Hwy. B. Items ranked for Dent County’s High Priority Unfunded Needs (HPUN) were safety improvements on Hwy. 119 and safety improvements at the intersection of Hwy. 19 and Franklin Street. Moving on to Multimodal Transportation needs, transit needs, such as a deviated fixed route or local bus route through SMTS, were discussed and remain on the list. Pedestrian and biking path improvements were also discussed. Residents, county and city officials, and representatives of MRPC and MoDOT identified the following as top priorities: crosswalk between Hwy. 19 and Roosevelt Street; sidewalk from Dilworth Street to Hwy. 72; and sidewalks on Fourth Street, between MacArthur and Washington, on the north and south sides. Both MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge and Planning Manager Anne Freand encouraged city and county officials to continue attending these public discussions, as holding public discussions assists in funding applications, such as for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP.)  To review projects within MoDOT’s 2027-31 STIP, visit modot.org, hover over the “Programs” tab, and click “STIP.” To learn more about MRPC’s transportation planning activities for the region, visit meramecregion.org/transportation-planning. 

The Salem Public Library will be holding an American Girl Tea Party next Saturday, Nov. 14th from 10:30 in the morning to noon. Elementary and middle school aged children, and their favorite dolls, are invited for refreshments, games, and crafts. Dolls do not need to be American Girl brand. Because space is limited and to ensure plenty of supplies may be prepared, please contact the library no later than Friday, Nov. 6th to reserve your seat. The phone number for reservations is 573-729-4331. If unable to keep your reservation, please notify the library. The program will be hosted in the library’s north basement meeting space. Please enter from fifth street.

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the old Fleming’s Variety Store on 4th Street, the Dragonfly Wings Foundation will hold a holiday event to raise funds to support teachers and educational programs in Dent County from 10:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening. There will be pies as well as handmade cookies and candy. There will also be handmade and retail items that can be purchased as holiday gifts. Donations will also be accepted. To learn more about the Dragonfly Wings Foundation, drop by the old Fleming Variety Store on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or check out their website at dflyw.org.

The Salem Fireworks Committee will be holding a “Sweeten the Sky” Dessert Auction Fundraiser on Monday, Nov. 23rd beginning at 6:00 in the evening at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. Everyone is invited to donate a dessert, make a bid, or do both! All proceeds benefit the Salem Fireworks Fund. If interested in donating a dessert for the auction, search Facebook for “Salem MO Fireworks,” the dedicated Salem Fireworks Committee page, for a link to the sign-up sheet.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety reminds both new and seasoned drivers that you must stop for school buses and any driver convicted of an offense of failing to stop for a school bus that is receiving or discharging students shall be assessed five points. A driver found guilty of the offense is also subject to further ramifications. For the first offense, a driver’s license suspension and a fine of at least $500. For the second offense within five years, a driver’s license suspension for 90 days and a fine of at least $1,000. For the third or subsequent offense within five years, a driver’s license suspension for 180 days and a fine of at least $1,500. Remember, yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicle. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off.  Drivers must stop their vehicle before they reach the bus and wait until the lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving (or the bus driver signals to proceed) before they can start driving again. Visit savemolives.com/mcrs/school-bus-safety.