News – Tuesday, July 22nd 2025

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order, pledge of allegiance, roll call, approval of the agenda and consent agenda will be public comments. The board will hear first and second readings of Bill No. 3680, an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem, and Bill No. 3681 an ordinance to allow the subdivision of 803 E. Center St. The board will also discuss and vote on several bills pertaining to patrol cars for the police department, and a bucket truck, and utility poles for the electrical department. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts and sealed proposals, followed by an adjournment.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jones were in with questions about the excavation and work on Dent County Road 2240. The Commissioners explained that it was the new City of Salem well and water tower that’s under construction and that the Commissioners were aware of it. In the road report First District Commissioner Keith Green said his crew was installing a pipe on Dent County Road 4210, commonly called the Maledy Ford Road, plus grading on county road 5600. Green said that after they were finished on county 5600, they would be moving to the Bunker area. He also noted that brush was being cut on county road 5015. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams said that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 5310, 3080, 3090, and 3100, plus brush was going to be cut on county roads 3220, 6680, 6690, and 6700. Williams reported that rock was still being added to county road 5310. He noted that a driveway pipe was going to be installed on county road 4380 and rock would be added. Williams said a tree was going to be taken down on county road 2540. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that Wednesday he would be attending the second meeting of the SSR4A, Safe Streets and Roads for All, advisory committee meeting. He also noted that each of the commissioners received an invitation letter from Senator Josh Hawley to the Agriculture Advisory Council meeting at the State Fair on August 14th. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that bills were being approved by the commissioners for payment. The commission is seeking applications for a part-time custodian to work on an as needed basis. The salary would be $15.00 per hour with no benefits. If anyone is interested, they are to contact Presiding Commissioner Larson at 573-368-9099. Applications can be picked up and returned to the Dent County Clerk’s office in the courthouse. The Board of Equalization appointments started Monday afternoon. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Governor Mike Kehoe Friday announced eleven appointments to various boards and commissions and filled one county vacancy. One of those appointments was Monica Lyle of St. James, who was appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. Ms. Lyle is a counselor for the Salem R-80 School District. She previously served as a counselor for the Rolla #31 School District and the director of education for Perimeter of Missouri. Lyle has been highly involved in several professional organizations, including the American School Counselor Association and the Missouri School Counselor Association. Lyle earned a master’s degree in counseling from Missouri Baptist University.

On Friday, July 25th Danielle Norris will hold a “How to Paint your dragon” kids paint party from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening. If you want to learn how to paint a dragon, grab your parents or a friend and head to the Creative Arts Center where you will learn all the tricks and techniques to paint your dragon. The artist will teach you step by step through the whole process and when you are finished, you will have a completed dragon painting. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids. 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