News – Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:05 on Highway VV three miles east of Highway 119. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2010 Harley Davidson Super Glide, driven by a 64-year-old Hartville man, traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking a tree and ejecting the driver. The man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Cox South in Springfield. The report stated that he was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Harley Davidson sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by a private party.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members are hauling rock to County Road 5070 and stockpiling. Crew members will be grading county roads 6220, 5070, 6370, and, if there’s time and manpower, 6410. Cutting brush will be done on County Road 5690. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members will be hauling rock to County Road 4380. Grading is to be done on county roads 4380, 2330, and 2320. Crew members will also be out maintaining culverts as time allows. Meanwhile, County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills and payroll is to be approved. Curley will be attending a Missouri Association of Counties board meeting in Jefferson City on Thursday. Curley also reported that the Dent County Courthouse will be closed in observance of Truman Day on Friday, May 8th. 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.  

Montauk was formally established as a state park in 1926, 100 years ago. To celebrate Montauk’s 100th birthday, the park will be hosting several special events throughout the 2026 on-season. The celebration will begin with Old Mill Days this Friday and Saturday from 9:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon, both days. This annual event features guided and self-guided history tours, as well as games and other activities. Presenters will demonstrate historical skills such as blacksmithing, archery, Dutch oven cooking, weaving, rope making, wood carving, and more. There will also be an arts and craft fair showcasing the finest products that local artisans have to offer, including homemade pottery, jewelry and clothing. All activities will take place around the old Montauk Mill. Admission is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Stop by to learn a new skill, immerse yourself in local history, and support small businesses. For more information, call the park office at 573-548-2201 or visit the Montauk State Park Facebook page at facebook.com/montaukstateparkofficial.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds Missourians interested in hunting black bear and/or elk in the state this fall that they need to apply for a limited number of hunting permits for each in May. MDC will offer 2,000 permits to harvest up to a maximum of 60 black bears across three MDC black-bear management zones in the southern part of the state during the 2026 Missouri black-bear hunting season, Oct. 17-30. MDC increased the number of available permits from 600 to 2,000 and increased the harvest quota limit from 40 to 60 bears to expand hunting opportunities. Missouri has an estimated population of about 1,100 bears.  Get more information on black-bears and bear hunting in Missouri and apply during May at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/bear. MDC will again also offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying landowners who own property in Carter, Reynolds, or Shannon counties and the remaining permits for qualifying residents. MDC has designated the 2026 elk archery portion to run Oct. 17-25, and the elk firearms portion to run Dec. 12-20. Missouri has an estimated 325 free-ranging elk under MDC’s elk restoration and management program. Get more information on elk and elk hunting at the website mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/elk.