News – Tuesday, June 9th, 2026

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be finishing up maintenance on the Mantis brushcutter, alongside the CAT backhoe. Crew members also plan to work on repairing road signs. In the absence of Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported for district two. Crew members are planning to grade county roads 3250 and 2130. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 2330 and 2300. Maintenance is planned for tractor #6, alongside truck #124. Patching potholes will continue throughout both districts on chipseal roads. Larson reported that he attended a Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation (MCEC) meeting last Wednesday. He will remain as president of MCEC for the remainder of the year. The election of officers was approved, alongside the annual lease agreement with Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC.) Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills are to be approved, and the first day to begin excused absentee voting is June 23rd. After June 23rd, sample ballots should be available in the County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse. In this year’s primary, voters have a few ballot choices: Republican, Democrat, and Libertarian. There is also a nonpartisan ballot with only amendments, if desired. If voters have any address changes or updates, contact the County Clerk’s Office as soon as possible at 573-729-4144. Businesses are reminded that if they have a liquor license, those are due by June 30th. County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on sales tax, sharing that for the General Revenue fund the county has received $104,622.56, an increase from last year of $1,641.19 and an increase year-to-date of $26,273.46. This is a 5% increase. The Road and Bridge fund has received $52,311.37, an increase from last year of $820.55 and an increase year-to-date of $19,873.87. This is a 7.3% increase. Jails received $105,044.22, an increase from last year of $1,640.25 and an increase year-to-date of $39,646.83 or a percentage increase of 7.2%. County Collector Shannon VanKirk reminds those that are 62 and over and own their own home to pick up an application for SB190 from the collector’s office. Applications are available until June 30th. Office hours for the collector are Monday through Friday from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. Contact her office at 573-729-3911 if you have any questions. Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt attended with an update on the SEMA funds. According to the county’s SEMA representative, the kickoff meetings which commissioners and Marfitt attended had provided incorrect information and an internal review is ongoing to remedy the situation. Meeting representatives had informed several county officials that an advanced payment for larger projects over the $1.6 million dollar threshold would be provided rather than reimbursed, up to 75%. SEMA representatives had informed counties not to pursue funding through loans due to this 75% advanced payment. This is not the case, however, and the county will need to perform the work and provide documentation before reimbursement is provided through SEMA. Under public comments, resident Thomas Haines asked if there had been any contact made by a data center representative to Dent County, to which commissioners answered no and further clarified that the wide loads coming through the county are rerouted traffic due to ongoing roadwork on Hwy. 63 and Rte. B. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will take place at 9:00 in the morning Thursday, June 11th at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. After approval of the agenda and the consent agenda, the board will hear any public comments. Following which, the board will consider the approval of the Fireworks Committee’s request to set off fireworks for the Fourth of July. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider the sale of surplus equipment, alongside renewal of software subscriptions and services with Omnigo Software, LLC. for the police department. The board will also consider the renewal of a contract with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the city’s participation in the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS.) Under bids, the purchase of asphalt will be considered. Several bills will receive a first reading tonight. Two task orders will be read with Toth & Associates, Inc., including for engineering services for the Hickory Street sanitary sewer improvements project and for professional land surveying services related to the Roosevelt Street Sidewalk Survey Project. A task order with CM Archer Group, P.C. for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project will also be read. Two change orders for the Salem Water System Improvements project will be read. Several amendments to the Code of Ordinances will be read, relating to the Director of Engineering or a qualified engineering firm and its appointment, tenure, qualifications, compensation, and duties. Finally, an ordinance to amend water rates will be receiving its second reading and will be considered for approval by the board. City officials will then present reports, followed by adjournment. 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.”

More rounds of rain and thunderstorms are expected across Missouri through this morning, increasing the risk of flooding across much of the state’s central and southern regions. Remember to turn around, don’t drown. It doesn’t take much water to sweep a vehicle off the roadway. Do not drive around barriers. Flash flooding is unpredictable. Drivers are reminded to slow down at night or in poor visibility. Additionally, within Dent County, above normal temperatures and humidity this week will lead to Heat Index values in the mid-90s to lower 100s. With this being the first heat of the season, paired with warm nighttime temperatures, heat-related impacts may be slightly heightened. A heat advisory is in effect from noon Tuesday to 7:00 in the morning Wednesday. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.