News – Tuesday, July 14th, 2026

An accident occurred in Phelps County Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:56 on Highway 63 300 feet south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2010 Toyota Sienna, driven by a 74-year-old Rolla woman, was northbound. A southbound 2013 Suzuki SX4, operated by a 41-year-old man from Oklahoma City, attempted to make a left turn into a parking lot and struck the Toyota. The woman suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Phelps County EMS to Phelps Health. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by D and D Towing. 

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) Board of Directors will be meeting tonight at 6:00 on 2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, the board will consider the approval of the consent agenda which includes review of the previous meeting minutes, financial report, bills, and the budget. Under old business, the board will discuss the CTI tower lease and compressor quotes. Fire Chief Derek Thomas will present the monthly reimbursement reports. The next meeting date will then be set, and a closed session will be conducted if necessary. The board will then adjourn. This meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium on 202 North Washington Street. After the approval of the agenda, the board will consider approval of the consent agenda. The board will then hear any scheduled public comments. A presentation from the Missouri State Auditor will then be provided. An appointment of Sue Hubbs to the Salem Housing Authority will be considered for approval after recommendation by the Salem Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the approval of the purchase of Nexgrid Meters, Antennas, and supporting hardware at a total of $26,875.92, split between the electric and water department funds. The board will also consider the approval to purchase a Vac Truck remote replacement at a cost of $5,413.60, to come out of the wastewater equipment fund. A second reading of bills will be heard, including an ordinance approving a change order for the Salem Water System Improvements and several ordinances establishing rates for electric services. A first and second reading will be heard to extend the Interim Bond with Town & Country Bank, utilized for the engineering design costs for Phase 2B of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Improvement Project, through July 1st, 2027. The board will then hear reports of city officials, if any, and then go into closed session. This meeting is open to the public. To watch city meetings live, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri. To view the city agendas and meeting packets, go to salemmo.com and click “City,” mouse over the “Government” tab, and click “Agendas & Minutes.”

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Commissioners shared their condolences and heartfelt sympathies toward families that have been affected by the flooding in southeast and central Missouri. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members are planning on hauling rock and grading on county roads 6570, 5530, and 4215. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 6320 and 6240. A load of chips will be hauled to the Dent County Commons for the Dent County 4-H/FFA Expo. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members plan to grade County Road 3190 and County Road 4480. Additionally, crew members will be in the Sligo and Boss areas to touch-up washouts. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that payroll is to be approved. No excuse absentee voting will begin next Tuesday, July 21st. Absentee voting continues through Aug. 3rd. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and is open to the public. 

Flash flooding can happen fast, even if it’s not raining where you are. To keep your trips to Missouri’s State Parks safe and fun, be sure to check the weather forecast before you go and keep an eye on upstream conditions. Set up camp on higher ground. Avoid low-lying areas and dry creek beds (which can turn into raging rivers in minutes.) Know your exit route out of the campground, and be ready to pack up or move to higher ground if park staff gives the word. When in doubt, move out. If you see water rising or muddying up rapidly, don’t wait around to see what happens. Keep an eye on the conditions of Missouri State Parks by visiting the Park and Site Status Map located at the Missouri State Parks website at mostateparks.com and clicking the “Park/Site Status” button at the very top of the page.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters that new booklets for upcoming hunting seasons are now available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov. Hunters and others can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from the MDC 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the MDC Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026-2027. In the 2026 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, hunters will find detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease (CWD) updates including the CWD portion of firearms deer season being removed. The antler-point restriction has also been removed for all counties. In the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2026-27, detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock are discussed. It also has information on a different permit needed and duck-stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, an increase in the cost of a permit and more.