News – Thursday, October 9th 2025

Mentoring makes a difference where one hour per week can help change a child’s life. Numerous mentors are already providing this service to students at the Salem R-80 Middle School in the morning from 8:06 until 8:55 for 6th graders, at the Salem R-80 Upper Elementary school from 3:30 to 4:30 for 3rd through 5th graders, and the North Wood R-4 School for 3rd through 6th graders from 3:45 to 4:45, but more are needed. Mentors can be a friend to these children, helping them with homework or just playing a game with them offering encouragement and support. Mentored youth are less likely to misuse alcohol and drugs, respond more positively to teachers and parents, and have greater feelings of self-worth with improved confidence and social skills. Healthy Dent County is the coordinator of this program and if you have one hour per week to become a mentor and make a difference in a child’s life, contact Liberty Ross at 573-729-8163, text her at 573-247-4886 or e-mail her at liberty@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking public input on deer management in Missouri and welcomes comments online through October 17th. MDC invites deer hunters, wildlife watchers, landowners and managers, and others to comment about Missouri’s deer population, deer management, chronic wasting disease (CWD) management, and deer seasons and regulations. Learn more and comment online through October 17th at short.mdc.mo.gov/4yd. MDC invites deer hunters, wildlife watchers, landowners and managers, and others to comment about deer management in Missouri online through October 17th at short.mdc.mo.gov/4yd. In addition to welcoming public comments online, MDC also invites the public to community open houses on deer management it is holding around the state. Stop by anytime from 4:00 in the afternoon until 8:00 in the evening. No registration is required. Attendees can talk with MDC staff about deer management and regulations, impacts of CWD and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) on deer populations, managing private land for deer, and MDC’s Deer Management Assistance Program. The MDC deer management open houses nearest our area will be on October 15th in West Plains at the Civic Center, 110 St Louis Street. MDC invites deer hunters, wildlife watchers, landowners and managers, and others to comment about deer management in Missouri online through October 17th at short.mdc.mo.gov/4yd.

A “Hocus Pocus Front Porch Sign N’ Wine” class will be held Friday evening, October 10th, from 6:00 until 9:00 at the Creative Arts Center with Danielle Norris. Come and follow along step by step to make a “Hocus Pocus” sign just in time for spooky season! Or go amuck and create your own porch sign leaner or 15×15 square sign for fall or Halloween! Stencils will be available for letters and personalization! The cost is $30 for porch leaner, or $32 for the 15 x 15 square sign. At least six people need to sign up for the class which will be limited to no more than 20. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Columbus Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.