News – Wednesday, November 12th 2025

The Salvation Army will once again partner with Wal-Mart for the annual Angel Tree program as well as the Dent County Toy Drive to help local children this Christmas. Local residents have always enjoyed adopting a child, and shopping for clothing, coats, hats, and toys. Some families use this time of year to teach their children the importance of giving during the holiday season. The Angel Tree will be available beginning Wednesday, November 26th, through Saturday, December 20th. Sign-ups for families wanting to participate in the Angel Tree and the Dent County Toy Drive will be held in the afternoon on Monday, November 24th and Monday, December 1st at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory from 3:30 to 5:30. This program is for children from birth to 12 years of age. Parents must bring proof of child’s age and proof of residency (utility bill, birth certificate, report card). They must also know the interests of each child and clothing and shoe sizes. The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon and is located in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 W. Rolla Road, Salem, MO 65560. For additional information please call 573-729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org. The Dent County Toy Drive can be messaged directly on Facebook as well.

On Wednesday, November 5th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control arrested of 41-year-old Carl E. Swanson of St. James, in connection with a sexual abuse investigation conducted by the Troop I Criminal Investigative Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Swanson with one count of Child Molestation in the 1st Degree, one count of Statutory Rape in the 2nd Degree, and one count of Statutory Sodomy in the 2nd Degree. Swanson is being held in the Phelps County Jail with a $250,000.00 bond. On April 28th of this year, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office requested the Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate allegations of child sex abuse, involving former Doolittle Police Department Officer, Carl E. Swanson. At that time, Swanson was transported to the Phelps County Jail and placed on an investigative hold. These charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Focus on Bridges program has advanced as a finalist in the 2025 America’s Transportation Awards competition. The project, which took first place in the regional competition, is now in the running for the top two prizes: the Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Award, the latter of which is determined by public online voting. The Focus on Bridges program was launched in 2019 to repair or replace 250 of the state’s worst bridges, most located in rural, agricultural-dependent areas. All 250 bridges were improved within four years, ensuring reliable transportation and supporting Missouri’s top industry – agriculture – while strengthening the long-term resilience of rural areas. The program was launched by a $50 million General Revenue investment by the Missouri General Assembly and governor. Additionally, MoDOT received an $81.2 million federal grant that allowed the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to issue $301 million in bonds for the program that would be paid back with General Revenue, also approved by the legislature and the governor. Voting for the People’s Choice Award is live until November 17th, and the winning projects will be announced afterward at the annual meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Each winning project will receive $10,000 to donate to a transportation-related scholarship fund or charitable cause of their choice. To vote for the Focus on Bridges program, visit: https://transportationawards.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/44/vote/5138. Individuals can cast a vote each day until voting closes.

The Catch and Release Trout season in Missouri begins Friday, November 14th and goes through February 9th, 2026. The second Friday in November marks the opening of the annual winter “Catch and Release” no creel trout season at Montauk State Park as well as Meramec Spring Park, Bennett Spring State Park and Roaring River State Park. Fishing is allowed Friday through Monday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information about the services available at the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge restaurant and motel, snack bar, and store, call 573-548-2201.