News – Tuesday, September 16th 2025

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. The meeting was moved to the Dent County Courtroom to accommodate a number of citizens that had attended the meeting in response to a social media post by a Dent County deputy. Major Lenny Pabin explained to the crowd that Deputy Julie Strebe posted a comment on Facebook that was in violation of the county’s social media policy. Pabin said Strebe has been suspended with pay while the local investigation begins as the county has to follow the proper procedures for officer discipline as outlined in the Missouri State Statute RSMO 590.502, Chapter 590, also known as the “Officer Bill of Rights.” He said the local deputies and investigators are governed by the county laws and this Missouri state law. Any discipline for Strebe will be determined from this investigation. When asked, Pabin said the investigation could take two weeks or more to complete before a determination of discipline is reached. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews will be using concrete to shore up some roads that had washed out from the previous floods and to improve some low-water crossings. Crews will also be working on and grading Dent County Road 2400, plus they did pick up a sofa that had been dropped off on a county road.  District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be working on chip and seal road repairs all week starting with Dent County Roads 2300 and 3210. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the special electronics and tire collection Saturday at the City of Salem Water and Sewer Construction Building was a big success for both tires and electronics. He said there will be another collection in Owensville in October for those who could not attend this one. Larson said last week at the Public Housing Authority meeting in St. James, he was named the Vice-Chair of the PHA. He went on to report at the MRPC meeting that a representative of MoDOT discussed a possible Highway 63 by-pass of the Westphalia area from right after the bridge going north to the Highway 50 junction. They also discussed the possible improvements to Highway 44 that would begin as early as 2026 with most of them taking place in 2027. Larson said he would be attending a Solid Waste Management District Board meeting in St. James today. He also said there will be a South Central County Commissioner Association meeting on October 10th in Houston. At the last meeting, Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk reported this year her office went with the Clearbasin software for the SB190 program for the Assessor’s program for $5,000, but she said there was a lack of communication with Clearbasin among other issues. She would like to go with FoxPro, who is her programmer, for a one-time fee of $5,000 and the commission agreed. Also at the last meeting, Bryan Williams, with McCoy Construction came in to visit about a Rollerpacker that goes behind a grader.  These cost around $37,000. He also discussed new graders and their buyback program. A new John Deere 672 P-Tier grader with a joystick control is $452,086.69 and the 672 G-Tier with the antler rack is $408,911.81. His buyback quote is $165,000 for the 672 P-Tier grader and $140,000 for the 672 G-Tier grader as long as the graders have regular services completed and have no major issues.  The buyback would occur after 5 years, or 5,000 hours is reached. Williams said there is a $200 deductible for comprehensive warranty. Williams reported McCoy would give the county a trade-in for the two Caterpillar graders 120 and 140 graders of $132,000 and $162,000, for a total of $294,000. The two new John Deere graders would cost $860,998.50, less the trade-in for the Caterpillar graders of $294,000, leaving a total of $566,998.50 for two new graders. No decision was made by the commission. The commission did discuss the purchase of two 2026 Mack Granite Triaxle dump trucks. They received a quote from Tri-State Center, Inc., out of Springfield, MO for $195,600 each. These are on the State Bid. The commission agreed to buy the trucks and lease purchase financing bids will be sought at a later time. 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. 

Create a Chunky Knit Blanket on Friday, September 19th from 5:00 to 8:00 with Danielle Kissir at the Creative Arts Center. The class is open to anyone who is 10 years of age and older. Bring your own chunky yarn (at least 5-6 skeins) and learn finger knitting techniques while creating a large lap throw/chunky blanket.  Bring a friend and make it a party! This is a beginner friendly class and is fun for all ages! No prior crochet or knitting experience is required but will be beneficial, plus patterns will be provided for various styles. The cost of theis class is $35 and at least five people need to sign up for the class which will be limited to 12 attendees. 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.