News – Tuesday, September 29th, 2026

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:48 on Highway 63 at County Road 6033. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an 18-year-old male from Salem, crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1999 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 34-year-old male from Houston. The 2004 Chevrolet then traveled off the left side of the roadway, while the 1999 Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The Salem man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by personal conveyance. The Houston man suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. The report stated that both men were wearing safety restraints. Both pickups were totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

City of Salem Mayor Greg Parker has called for a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen for this afternoon at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 N. Washington. After the call to order and roll call the board will discuss and vote to rescind the bid approval for Well #6 Pump Replacement/Repairs Bid Approval granted September 8, 2026. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be out grading on county roads 6350, 6303, and 5610. Hauling rock is planned for County Road 5610 in Bunker, with the assistance of district two crew members. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that grading is planned for County Road 4340 and County Road 2510. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 3290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared enthusiasm for this past weekend’s Art Walk, organized by the Salem Creative Arts Center and Salem Area Community Betterment Association. Larson observed that the event was successful and shared hopes for it to continue for many years to bring more tourism to Salem and Dent County. In County Clerk Angie Curley’s reports, she stated bills were to be approved. Curley also reminds residents that the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd General Election is next Wednesday, Oct. 7th. Excused absentee voting has begun and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Also, during the commissioner’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24th, it was reported after media departed that the commission is seeking bids on Purple Wave for the following surplus property of the road department: a 2011 Ford F150, 1996 Ford F250, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, Cat Backhoe 430E, and 2001 Suburban. If anyone has any questions, call Road Department Supervisor Jason Akins at 573-729-7770. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, Oct. 1st at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public. 

The Dent County Health Center has given Spring Creek Cafe a closing notice, as of Sept. 28th, 2026. Due to extensive pest infestation and unsanitary conditions observed by inspectors, the facility was closed as advised by Natasha Sullivan of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Per Dent County Health Center’s Consumer Food and Safety Regulation, the restaurant constitutes an imminent and substantial hazard to public health. Its permit to operate has been revoked. Within the sanitation observation provided to the business, inspections revealed an extensive cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen, including live cockroaches, cockroach egg cases, and cockroach debris observed inside cabinets, shelves, sink area, and among wiping cloths. According to the sanitation observation, the facility was closed last year due to the same reason, and pest control efforts throughout the past year have been ineffective. For more information or to view the recent inspection and closing notice, please visit the Dent County Health Center website at dentcountyhealthcenter.org/news.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) will be selling Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts this month to help support breast cancer screening and early detection in our community. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to Salem Memorial Hospital to assist in providing mammograms. The cost of these t-shirts are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. To order a shirt, contact a DCFPD firefighter. Orders can be made up until Oct. 2nd.