News – Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be having its regular meeting tonight at 6:00 within the City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington Street. Before the regular meeting will be a public hearing for Christopher and Joslyn Heavin, owners of property being considered for annexation into the city. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board will hear any scheduled public comments. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the approval of an electric department budget adjustment, in order to improve its capacity for routine maintenance and ensure adequate inventory and tools for line repairs. There will be a first reading of three ordinances: an ordinance annexing property owned by Christopher and Joslyn Heavin; an ordinance annexing property owned by Terry and Shirley Perkins; and amendments to the city code to allow subcommittees to be established within the Community Involvement Committee. A first and second reading will be heard for two ordinances, including one authorizing Toth and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the Philmart/Marathon stormwater culvert replacement project, and another authorizing Toth and Associates, Inc. for engineering services related to the city park no-rise certificate and permit project. Any reports by city officials will then be presented before the board adjourns. The open session meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission held its meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. In road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members are planning to grade county roads 2400, 2430, and 6220. Graders will be present on those roads but may be limited in what can be done due to weather impacts. Crew members are preparing County Road 4110 for overlay later this year, with expectations of project completion in June. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members will be grading on county roads 3180 and 4300, with hauling rock to be done on County Road 3180, along with culvert installation. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 2500 and 2550. Preparations are underway for overlay on County Road 6150 later this year. The two 2026 Mach Trucks arrived Thursday afternoon, with crew members preparing the vehicles for use this week. Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and that her attendance at the annual meeting with the US Election Assistance Commission’s Standards Board went well. Meanwhile, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported that CART tax is up from last April $6,291.69. This is up year-to-date $22,236.75 and up 6.9%. The commission signed the Water Tower Use Agreement on the Public Water Supply District #1. The commission will be putting a repeat on the tower in order for the road department radios to receive better service. An emergency closed session was then held with all approving 3-0. Sheriff Bob Wells presented a quote on fixing the parking lot of the sheriff’s department for $11,980 from Levi Reeves Construction. The commission will patch the parking lot for now. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

Join MoDOT on Wednesday any time from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening at Rolla’s City Hall located at 901 North Elm Street for a public meeting to learn about planned improvements along I-44 in Phelps County, specifically to both westbound lanes from US Route 63 to Sugar Tree Road and eastbound lanes within Rolla, along with Route V and Route 68/6 interchanges to enhance safety and capacity. More details on the project, including the timeline, will be shared at the meeting. Project staff, info, and displays will be available for any questions or comments from the public. There will be no formal presentation. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the 2026 Missouri Birding Challenge (MBC) May 1st through 22nd. Registration is open until this Thursday. The Missouri Birding Challenge participants will compete alone or on teams in five categories based on age, birding location, or experience. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their list of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. There is a fee of $15 per person, or $10 per team in the youth Fledgling category. Fees are collected by MBC partner MCHF and contribute to migratory bird conservation efforts and projects. Registration fees were reduced from last year based on participant feedback. A new Big Day category will challenge registrants to record as many bird species as possible in the 24 hours of World Migratory Bird Day on May 9th. Once participants complete a category and submit their team’s mandatory eBird report, they will be entered into a drawing for prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. Learn more about the 2026 MBC and register by Thursday at mdc.mo.gov.