News – Tuesday, October 13th, 2026
The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC) will be holding a “Stitched and Stuffed” Scarecrow Contest this year through Friday, Nov. 6th. Your scarecrow won’t have to be afraid of wind or rain – it will be safe and sound inside and on-display within the ONCRC building at 202 South Main Street. Build and design your scarecrow and share it with the entire community for a chance to win a prize. Your creation can be attached to a wall grid or sat in a chair. In addition, there will be a drawing and coloring contest for students through 4th grade who can submit up to three pictures or drawings. The student’s name and a phone number should be on the back of their work and left with an ONCRC volunteer. For more information, contact 573-729-0029 or email oncrc@salemcommunitybetterment.com.
The Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition, along with local law enforcement, will collect unused, unwanted or expired medications at Walmart on Saturday, Oct. 24th from 10:00 to noon. Residents are encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets and stop by for free, safe medication disposal. The local collection is part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a campaign led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) each April and October to help prevent prescription drug misuse. Leftover medication from a surgery, an unfinished prescription or an expired bottle can easily be forgotten. Keeping these medications in the home can allow them to fall into the wrong hands. Safe disposal helps protect families and reduces opportunities for prescription drug misuse. Residents are invited to the Drug Take Back event but are also reminded that there are two permanent medication drop boxes located at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Salem Police Department. These free disposal options provide a safe, convenient way to turn in unused or unwanted medications. Collected medications are handled by local law enforcement for proper disposal through incineration.
The Salem Public Library has a book club that meets once a month and is open to everyone, whether you have a library card or not. The program is intended for adults. Join the book club on Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 1:00 in the afternoon in the conference room to discuss either “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson or “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James. For more information on how to participate, ask a librarian at the circulation desk or call 573-729-4331.
The Meramec Regional Planning Commission will be presenting 16 individual awards and two organizational awards at its Annual Dinner on October 29th at the Bear River Ranch in Phelps County. Each year, the MRPC honors residents and organizations of the Meramec Region who volunteer their time and talents and give support to their communities. Two individuals being recognized by the MRPC for their Outstanding Contributions to a Community in the immediate area are Ed Carmack of Salem, nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson; and Stevie Kearse of Rolla, nominated by MRPC Board Member Aimee Campbell. Two organizations are also being recognized for Outstanding Contributions to the community, and they are the Dent County Historical Society, nominated by MRPC Board Member John Smith; and the “Love Thy Neighbor” program in Dent County, nominated by MRPC Board Member Shawn Bolerjack. The public is invited to attend the event in Phelps County. The deadline for reservations is October 16th. Reservations are $40 per person and can be made by contacting Linda Carroll at 573-265-2993. A reception, featuring a silent auction, will begin at 5:30 the evening on October 29th. Dinner, catered by Bear River Ranch, will start at 6:30 with a program and awards presentation following. For more information, contact MRPC at 573-265-2993.