News – Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

The City of Salem has released that Sho-Me Power has scheduled a planned citywide power outage for Salem from approximately 1:00 to 3:00 in the morning of Friday, Sept. 18th. The outage is needed so Sho-Me Power can safely replace an insulator on the transmission system that supplies electricity to the city. Because the work is on the system serving the entire community, all city electric customers should prepare to be without power during the scheduled outage window. Residents and businesses are encouraged to charge phones and other important devices before going to bed Thursday, Sept. 17th. Customers are encouraged to keep flashlights nearby and turn off or unplug sensitive electronic equipment. Anyone who depends on electrically powered medical equipment should make sure a safe backup power source is available. Security systems, medical alerts, electronic clocks, timers and other devices may also be affected. Crew members will work to restore power as soon as the planned work is complete. Customers do not need to report the outage while it is occurring during the announced 1:00 to 3:00 in the morning period. The city will provide additional reminders before the outage. Again, that time will be from 1:00 to 3:00 in the morning of Friday, Sept. 18th.

For 66 years, Farm Family Day at the Missouri State Fair has been recognizing Missouri’s Farm Families, and the role they play in the state’s economy and vitality. Nominated families from each county are selected to represent their county for this honor, based on their farming operation, their activity in their community, their participation in or with 4-H and on upholding the qualities that honor farming’s roots. The Missouri Farm Bureau, along with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri State Fair and State Fair Commissioners, MU Extension and Engagement and the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources partners annually to put on this traditional event. The families honored represent all the varied farming operations that make up the state, from row crops and cattle, pork and chicken operations, to organic farms, nut and fruit orchard operations, agritourism and even intercity urban gardening operations — Farm Families represent a slice of rural life in Missouri. The 2026 Missouri Farm Family nominated for Dent County was the JT & Crystal Fleener Family. Congratulations! Nominated by MU Extension County Councils and local Missouri Farm Bureau board members, these families exemplify the innovation, resilience and dedication that keep Missouri agriculture thriving.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) invites the central district to discuss the updated draft of the High-Priority Unfunded Needs list. Participants can view information about unfunded transportation needs in the region and provide feedback in-person at a meeting at MoDOT’s Central District Office, located at 1511 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City. Can’t attend the meeting in person? The draft HPUN document and comment forms will be available online through Thursday, Sept. 10th at modot.org/unfundedneeds. Dent County is on the unfunded multimodal needs list, needing sidewalk added from Center Street to Hwy. 32.