Yesteryears
One Year Ago – 2024
• McDonald’s opened its doors and began serving customers from its new location on Scenic Rivers Boulevard. Its previous location, located on Highway 19, opened in 1984 and closed its doors on December 10, 2023.
• Missouri’s minimum wage was increased on Jan. 1, 2024, from $12.00 to $12.30 per hour.
Five Years Ago – 2020
• Jamie Homeyer of Salem was sworn in as the new Dent County Assessor Dec. 31 to replace the retiring Tina Whitaker. The oath of office was administered by 42nd Circuit Judge Megan Seay.
• The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) raised the prices of its annual trout permits and daily trout tags. Cost of a daily trout tag to fish at three of Missouri’s four trout parks is up from $3 to $4 for adults and from $2 to $3 for those 15 years of age and younger. It was the first increase in 20 years.
10 Years Ago – 2015
• Ruth Ann Williams officially retired as the Circuit Court Clerk in Salem after 16 years of service to the 42nd Missouri Judicial Circuit.
• The annual 4-H/FFA Expo announced the popular youth-based agricultural event would be returning to the Dent County Commons after a three-year absence.
20 Years Ago – 2005
• The Dent County Animal Shelter celebrated its 12th anniversary. “Our placement rate was 78 percent, a big improvement from the previous year,” said President Charlotte White.
• Aldermen approved a conditional use permit for Sherman and Marsha Odom so a 120-foot cell phone tower could be constructed by Cingular Wireless on Highway 19 South between Casey’s and 203 South Main.
30 Years Ago – 1995
• Celebrations are held commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the construction of the Dent County Courthouse.
• Judge Dorman L. Steelman was honored with a retirement party. Judge Steelman was never late for court in his 19 years serving on the bench.
40 Years Ago – 1985
• Midyett Brick Laying began working on Dent County’s new Fire Station located on MacArthur Street.
• Della Vaughn Briggs celebrated her 100 birthday at Seville Retirement Home with friends and family.
50 Years Ago – 1975
• A man in a stocking cap entered First National Bank and said he wanted money and was disgruntled with the Nixon administration. He walked away but was picked up and questioned by police after employee Charles Whitmire had tellers sound the alarm. No charges were filed.
• Davis mud and snow retreads were available at Bunker Western Auto for $12.95 each. A battery was $24.95.
60 Years Ago – 1965
• Luther Tucker killed a 25-pound bobcat with his brother Hurshel while hunting with eight hounds near Bunker.
• Penny Louise Walker was the first baby born at Hart Clinic. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James L. Walker.
