News – Tuesday, November 4th 2025

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:00 in the City Hall Auditorium followed by the public meeting to hear a request for a conditional use permit to install a manufactured home at 402 South Pershing by John Lewis. After accepting or rejecting the request, the commission will from JD Norris. The meeting, called by Chairman Keith Inman, is open to the public.

The Dent County Commission met Tuesday morning at the courthouse. Amanda Stites and her husband were in to ask what the role the commission has over the Dent County Health Center. They were told the Dent County Health Center Board is an elected position and the commission only suggests replacements should someone resign during their term. Stites, who is a nurse practitioner, was given a choice of either being fired or resigning based on allegations made against her that she says have no merit and were false. She indicated she would like to see an independent investigation of the actions taken by the Health Board to clear her name. The Stites were told there is not much the commission can do as they have no control over the decision of the health board. Thomas Haines was also in attendance to ask if the commission could help him get a copy of the Dent County Sheriff’s Department “Social Media” policy. Haines requests have been denied by the sheriff’s department and also by the Missouri Attorney General. The commission has no authority to grant that request, and Haines was trying to figure what his next step would be. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said rock was being added and grading was being done on Dent County Road 6220 while only grading was being done on country roads 4220 and 6230. Rip Rap was being added to the side of county road 6510 to shore up the road. Rock will also be added as needed to other roads. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Road 3090, while only grading will be done on county roads 2510, 2520, 2530, 3080 and 3100. Williams said brush will be cut on county road 2120 and rock will also be added to county road 2590. He also mentioned that bids are still being taken on the county trucks and road groomer on Purple Wave until tomorrow. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley there is no election in Dent County today. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk reported personal property and real estate tax bills are being mailed out. If you do not receive your tax bills in couple of weeks, you can contact her office at (573) 729-3911 or stop by the courthouse. You can view your tax liability at dentmo.taxnet.us. Tax bills can be paid in person at the courthouse, by dropping them off in the collection box at the southwest corner of the courthouse square, by mail, and online at billpay.forte.net/DENTCOMOTAX. There is a slight surcharge for paying online. Jordan Brown, who bid on the lawn care and snow removal for the courthouse properties, came in to discuss his bid. The commission had some questions and his bid of $125 per mowing occurrence and $400 for snow removal occurrence. After some clarification, the commission agreed to accept his bid. The commission received the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Salem and Dent County regarding the City of Salem providing a contribution to the county in support of the TAP sidewalk and lighting project for $25,000, due to the city owning the light poles. The commission agreed 3-0 to accept and signed it. The commissioners also talked to Jeff Chronister and agreed 3-0 to accept Ollis/Akers/Arney as the retail insurance broker of record on property, auto and liability insurance. The commissioners signed the letter that goes to Mo Rural Services Corp in Jefferson City. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.