News – Thursday, October 8th 2026

Not only is being a poll worker an excellent way to participate in our democracy, but it’s also a paid position. Poll workers are paid for their service on Election Day and often for attending training sessions prior to Election Day. Your local election authority determines how much you will be paid. Poll workers and election judges staff polling places on Election Day and help ensure the voting process goes smoothly. Poll workers check in registered voters, answer questions and make sure everyone who is eligible is given the opportunity to vote. You will need to attend at least one training session conducted by your local election authority prior to Election Day. These training sessions usually take place about four to six weeks prior to Election Day and provide you with everything you need to know about the voting equipment used in your jurisdiction, legal processes and procedures, along with information for answering voter questions. The amount of time required for training will vary based on your election jurisdiction, but usually lasts from two to eight hours. Poll workers must open the polls at 6:00 in the morning on Election Day and keep them open until 7:00 in the evening. Qualifications sought in a potential poll worker include being a registered voter; being able to speak, read, and write English; not appearing on the current ballot or have a close relative appear on the current ballot; and not holding an elective office at the time of service as a poll worker. If you’re interested in signing up to be a poll worker, visit the Secretary of State website at sos.mo.gov/pollworker for more information, such as frequently asked questions and to sign-up. If more information is desired, contact Dent County Clerk Angie Curley’s office at 573-729-4144 or email dent@sos.mo.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission will be presenting 16 individual awards and two organizational awards at its Annual Dinner on October 29th at the Bear River Ranch in Phelps County. Each year, the MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time and talents and give support to their communities. Two individuals being recognized by the MRPC for their Outstanding Contributions to a Community in the immediate area are Ed Carmack of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; and Stevie Kearse of Rolla, nominated by MRPC Board Member Aimee Campbell. Two organizations are also being recognized for Outstanding Contributions to the community, and they are the Dent County Historical Society, nominated by MRPC Board Member John Smith; and the “Love Thy Neighbor” program in Dent County, nominated by MRPC Board Member Shawn Bolerjack. The public is invited to attend the event in Phelps County. The deadline for reservations is October 16th. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993. A reception, featuring a silent auction, will begin at 5:30 the evening on October 29th. Dinner, catered by Bear River Ranch, will be served buffet-style starting at 6:30 with a program and awards presentation following. Dinner will be smoked ribs, barbeque grilled chicken, house salad, baked potato bar, grilled corn on the cob, rolls, peach cobbler and German chocolate cake. The 2026 Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner. The Eugene E. Northern award recipient remains a secret until announced at the Annual Dinner. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993.

Find out how to skin and process the deer you harvest this year at a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Deer Processing Workshop at the Rolla MDC Office at 12655 State Route Y, Rolla. This workshop will be instructed by Dwight Warnke on Saturday, Oct. 10th beginning at 1:00 and ending at 4:00 in the afternoon. Registrants must be 11 years old by the day of the workshop. MDC staff will process a deer and take you from skinning, to deboning, to packaging the venison for your freezer. Staff will discuss equipment and tools used and provide answers to any questions you may have about the do-it-yourself processing. All attendees must be registered for the workshop. Registration is limited to 50 participants ages 11 and older. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult attendee. To register, visit mdc.mo.gov/events and put “Rolla” in the “Location” tab to find the event called “Deer Hunting: Field to Freezer.”