News – Wednesday, July 15th, 2026

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo Exhibit Entries will be judged starting this morning at 10:00 at The Commons. This evening at 6:00 will be the Dessert Auction. On Thursday, July 16th, livestock registration will be from 9:30 until 11:30 and all livestock MUST be in place by 11:00. Weigh-ins are scheduled to start at 12:30 with the Small Animal Show beginning at 2:00. The “Pig Pals” practice will be at 5:00 with the show to follow at 5:30. The exhibitor and family supper will be held at 6:00. On Friday, July 17th, the shows will kick off at 7:00 in the morning with the hog show, followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. The Beef and Dairy Show will start at 1:00 Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, July 18th, at 8:00, there will be a breakfast that will be followed at 9:00 with the highlight of the Expo, the 4-H and FFA Market Sale. The auction will be carried live on KSMO Radio (AM 1340 and FM 95.7) and also live streamed on KSMO Media (ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stream Facebook and the KSMO YouTube Channel.) For additional information, contact the Dent County Extension office at (573) 729-3196. Come out and support our hard working youth! 

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting Thursday at noon at the Salem R-80 Administration Office on J Highway. This meeting is open to the public. After reports of administrative staff, the board will consider the approval of the 2026-27 AMI Plan; MSBA 2026 policy updates; the 2026-27 Personnel Handbook; and meal prices for the 2026-27 school year. The board will also be setting a tax rate hearing time and date, alongside the next regular August board meeting time and date. The board will then adjourn and move into executive session to discuss personnel.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for its regular meeting Tuesday evening. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the board heard a public comment from resident Dylan McGinnis who observed that the trailer court being constructed on Center Street had not yet continued its progress. He further expressed frustration at board members’ social media conduct. Meanwhile, Chris Vetter, an audit manager of the Missouri State Auditor’s office, informed that the audit of the city’s finances has begun and will be underway for the next few months. A rough estimate of the city’s payment for the audit was provided as between $80,000 – $125,000. The audit will focus primarily on Fiscal Year 2026, with the caveat that the audit may go further back at the discretion of auditor staff. Further, Vetter emphasized that the work being done is confidential until the report comes out. Next, Sue Hubbs was approved to fill the next four-year term of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Under new and miscellaneous business, Public Works Director Steve Paine presented two purchases which were also approved by the board, including a purchase of a Vac-Truck remote replacement at a cost of $5,413.60 and meters, antennas, and supporting hardware from NexGrid at a cost of $26,875.92. Finally, the board approved several second readings, including a change order for the Salem Water System Improvements project and several ordinances establishing rates for electric services. A first and second reading was also approved in order to extend the interim bond with Town & Country Bank, utilized for the engineering design costs for Phase 2B of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Improvement Project, through July 1st, 2027. City Administrator Sally Burbridge elaborated that the construction plans, design, and permit were all submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in March of 2025 but have not yet been signed due to staffing shortages and ARPA projects. Under reports of city officials, Finance Director Stacey Houston reported that the total sales tax revenues collected for Fiscal Year 2026 is $4.9 million, including the General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, and the Capital Improvement fund. This is an increase of approximately 2.7%. For Fiscal Year 2026, the city has brought in 91% of the budgeted amount and spent 84% of the budgeted amount.  The ending total of all funds is $17.4 million. The board then went into closed session for real estate and litigation. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, July 28th, and is open to the public. 

The Scenic Rivers Performing Arts, the community theater of Salem, will be performing “The Sound of Music” this July. The cast and crew will feature a talented cast from Salem and the surrounding areas. Showtimes on Thursday through Saturday will be 7:00 in the evening. There will be two matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 in the afternoon. Tickets will be available at the door, or you can search Facebook for “Scenic Rivers Performing Arts” to purchase your tickets online and in advance. Come out and support the arts!