Archive for 2025

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met last Thursday in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order, the agenda was approved followed by an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing student issues. The Consent Agenda was approved followed by the Superintendent’s Report including Dr. Wills documenting CSIP Goals addressed in all reports. Dr. Wills then updated the Board on the FEMA building construction and the 2025-2026 budget proposal. Reports were then heard from administrators. In new business the board approved a resolution to make all applicable transfers from Funds 1, 2 and 4, and to participate in the state salary grants. First readings of MSBA 2025B Policy Updates, UE Policy Updates, and MSBA UE Policy Updates were provided. Motions were made and approved to amend the 2024-2025 budget to reflect actual expenditures and revenues, the 2025-2026 PD Plan, the SLP-A Contract with Alcorn Therapy & Consulting, and the contract with Communication Development, LLC. Surplus property was approved for 75 desks, 40 wooden chairs, and Bus #2. Nathan Wills and Traci Wulff were approved as the authorized personnel for the Salem R80 lock box at the Bank of Salem, Jason Green as signatory on the general account for Salem R80 at the Bank of Salem, and the removal of Phillip Mercer as signatory. Motions were moved and approved for a Construction Trades out of state trip, the RTI consortium agreement, the Cahill Construction, Inc. change order (hand dryers and heaters), the Compass Health MOU, the Developmental Preschool Lease, the audit bid from Schultz, Wood & Rapp, P.C., the UE roof bid from GRP Wegman, and the 2025-2026 budget. The Board addressed the transfer of Melissa Plank from 1st to 4th grade, the hiring of Teresa Wilken as UE paraprofessional, Tonya Sanders MS secretary, and resignations or retirements of Middle School secretary Shelly Kerr, WL paraprofessional Elizabeth Brown, and MS paraprofessional Lynn Mast. The Board then adjourned and moved into Executive Session to consider personnel.

Colonel Michael Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe July Fourth holiday. Whether planning to visit one of Missouri’s recreational opportunities or hosting a backyard barbecue, everyone should make safety part of their plans. No matter how you decide to celebrate, your smartest choice is to follow all Missouri traffic or boating laws. During the 2024 counting period, 14 people were killed and 560 were injured in Missouri over the Independence Day holiday in 1,366 traffic crashes. Last year during the counting period, troopers arrested 149 people for driving while intoxicated. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri roadways to enforce traffic and boating laws, and offering assistance as needed. The Highway Patrol will participate in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort). And for those on the water, the Highway Patrol will participate in Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water specifically targets impaired vessel operators. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers and being courteous on the water. In 2024, there were 10 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and no fatalities. No one drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Troopers made 12 boating while intoxicated arrests over last year’s Independence Day holiday weekend. The 2025 July Fourth holiday counting period will begin today starting at 6:00 in the evening, and lasting through 11:59 Sunday night, July 6th. Anyone needing assistance or who witnesses criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer four kayaking programs in July, including sessions on the Big Piney and Meramec Rivers near Salem. Participants will learn kayaking safety during ground school, then receive paddling instruction and practice on the water. Fishing poles and bait will be provided for those wishing to fish from kayaks. Programs include Introduction to Flatwater Kayaking from 3:30 to 6:00 in the afternoon July 7 at Little Prairie Conservation Area’s Towell Lake north parking lot. Three Introduction to Stream Kayaking sessions are scheduled: 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon July 12 at Big Piney River Bridge on Western Road; 8:45 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon July 19 at MDC Scotts Ford Access on the Meramec River; and 8:45 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon July 26 at MDC Woodson K. Woods Highway 8 Access on the Meramec River. Participants will be shuttled to starting points for stream programs. Dwight Warnke, MDC conservation educator and program instructor said that, floating down streams and paddling around lakes are fantastic ways to enjoy Missouri’s great outdoors. Whether your passion is angling, wildlife watching, or simply drifting downstream, a day on the water will lift your spirits. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. Participants 13 and older may register, with those under 18 requiring an adult. Close-toed shoes are required, and participants 16 and older must possess a valid fishing permit if they plan to fish. Registration is available online at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com by searching for specific program dates. More events can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

The Creative Arts Center will hold a Sunday Crafting starting July 6th and held every Sunday through January 27th from 2:00 until 6:00 with Nicole Curtis. If you need a place to spread your crafts out or don’t like to do crafting alone, bring your supplies to the Creative Arts Center and hang out, spending time with other crafty people. You do have to have all your own supplies and only the front room and bathrooms will be available. The class is open to all those 16 years of age and older with a suggestion donation of $5.00 that goes towards utilities. No children without an adult please. 

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a previous commitment, so District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams was selected the acting presiding commissioner. Cindy Jones from “We the People” handed out an article from the Missouri Independent that reported that some voter-approved bonds in April have violated the Missouri Public Notice Law meaning the Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick cannot certify. None of these bonds were from Dent County. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said his crews would be checking for washouts in his district and repair the roads needing attention, but he said many of his crew members would probably be helping District 2 which had much more damage from the rain this weekend. District 2 Commissioner Williams said crews would be assessing damage to roads in the Sligo and Boss areas, as well checking for downed trees, prioritizing which roads will get repairs first. They will make sure that everyone will be able to get out as workers will be working late. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk said time has run out to apply the SB190 Homestead Real Estate Tax credits for 2025. VanKirk said she has received over 390 applications which she presented to the commissioners for their signature. Anyone not applying this year for the tax credit will have to wait until next year starting April 1st for the SB190 Homestead Real Estate Tax credits for senior citizens. VanKirk also said if you had delinquent taxes from 2022 and didn’t get them paid Monday, starting today you must pay all delinquent taxes from 2022, 2023 and 2024 to keep from having your property being advertised for a tax sale on the courthouse steps. Checks will not be accepted for those taxes in the collector’s office and payments will need to be made in cash or by a cashier’s check. As of Monday morning, VanKirk said there were still 22 properties that have outstanding taxes from 2022. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the deadline for businesses in Dent County that sell liquor to get their county license was Monday. This is in addition to the state license that is required. Businesses that didn’t comply cannot legally serve alcohol until they get a county license. Those with questions need to call the county clerk’s office at 573-729-4144.  The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

As more Americans plan July 4th celebrations, the Division of Fire Safety is reminding Missourians to put firework safety first this Independence Day. Public fireworks displays not only offer the best sights, they are the safest, but if folks choose to use consumer fireworks, please handle them with extreme caution and do not allow children to use fireworks. Remember, within the city limits of Salem, the discharge of fireworks is legal for individuals 18 years of age or older, or those under the supervision of a parent, guardian or person 18 years old or older between the period of July 1st and July 6th. By ordinance, those discharging fireworks may only do so between the hours of 8:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night except on July 4th when the hours shall be 8:00 in the morning until midnight. Only Class 1.4G fireworks in unmodified form shall be discharged. Fireworks sales at seasonal retailers are legal in Missouri starting June 20th and lasting until July 10th. Please keep in mind that July 4th is not only the busiest day of the year for fireworks, it is the busiest day of the year for fires, especially when conditions are exceptionally dry. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2023, eight people across the United States died as the result of fireworks while another 9,700 people were treated for injuries in hospital emergency rooms nationally with children under 15 years of age accounting for 31% of the 2023 injuries. The Product Safety Council also said that about 43% of selected and tested fireworks were found to contain illegal components that could cause severe injuries. In Missouri, about 328 people sought hospital care related to fireworks with 291 of them were treated and discharged from the emergency room. According to the report, 267 of those firework-related injuries were in the three weeks leading up to the 4th of July. Missourians who choose to use consumer fireworks should only use fireworks in a large open space that has been cleared of flammable materials, make sure to have a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire, only light fireworks one at a time; never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned, and dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can. For questions or concerns about firework safety, firework rules, or firework dealers, contact the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930.

The 4th of July Celebrations in Salem kicks off with the Salem Community Choir at the Salem Civic Center. The first performance is at 2:00 in the afternoon, then again at 4:00. Just in time to head down to the parade route and pick a spot. The parade starts at 6:00 in the evening. At the conclusion of the parade head over to the Salem City Park and check out the vendors and food trucks, while we wait for the fireworks show at dark.

The Salem Planning & Zoning Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and meeting this evening at 6:00 at 202 North Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order the Board will recognize anyone that wished to speak to three requests. Number 1 is a request for subdivision of a parcel located at 803 East Center Street owned by Bean Properties, LLC. Request number 2 is for R3 zoning (multifamily residential) of a 14.36-acre property owned by Brady and Micah Adams located in the 1000 to 1200 block on the north side of West Roosevelt, contingent upon annexation by the Board of Aldermen. The third request is for approval of the plat for the 14.36-acre property owned by the Adams on West Roosevelt, contingent upon annexation by the Board of Aldermen. The hearing will be closed, and the public meeting will be called to order to consider acceptance or rejection of the three requests. Planning and Zoning Mapping Direction will also be considered prior to adjournment.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors convened its regular meeting last Tuesday evening at 7:00, in the Doctor’s Library at the hospital. Following roll call, the Board noted a correction to the meeting agenda, clarifying that the gathering was a regular session rather than a special business meeting as originally labeled. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved with minor corrections. During her CEO Report, Brooke Bollman informed the Board that the hospital recently underwent an unannounced CMS Recertification Survey. While the survey identified several areas of insufficiency, Bollman emphasized that the hospital already has plans in place to address and correct the noted issues. She also reported that efforts are underway to update the hospital’s price transparency information on its website, in alignment with federal guidelines. Additionally, Bollman confirmed that the hospital will conclude its discussions with Phelps Health regarding a potential affiliation, bringing those conversations to a formal close. Bollman also delivered the Summary of Operations for May, reporting that inpatient admissions, outpatient registrations, emergency room visits, and ambulance runs remained consistent with previous months. Financially, the hospital reported a total operating revenue of approximately $2.9 million and operating expenses of about $2.1 million, resulting in a net profit of around $770,000 for the month. The hospital’s 340B pharmacy program contributed a net gain of $75,841 in May, and the facility currently has 26 days of cash on hand. The Board unanimously approved the financial report. Chief Nursing Officer Amber Hogan provided an update on staffing, noting three open positions across various departments. She also shared efforts to establish a local chapter of the Nurses’ Honor Guard, an organization that recognizes the dedication and service of nurses. Kendra Mobray presented the Human Resources and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) reports, noting that the hospital welcomed seven new hires in May while four employees left their positions. A total of 117 patient surveys were received—an increase from April—with an average satisfaction rating of 4.82 out of 5. There were 28 risk reports filed, primarily related to documentation errors, and the hospital continues to focus on identifying and addressing systemic issues. In old business, the Board approved the $36,403 purchase of TruCode, a medical coding software designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare documentation and billing. Under new business, the Board approved revisions to policies and procedures across several hospital departments, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve operations and compliance. The Meeting then adjourned. The next regular Board of Directors meeting will be held July 29th at 7:00 in the Doctor’s library. 

In the Dent County Associate Circuit Court Thursday in front of Judge Nathan Kelsaw, Rolando Solis of Steelville pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine. He was sentenced by Judge Kelsaw to five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley.

The Arcadia Valley Chamber of Commerce will again partner with Missouri State Parks and Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site to celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks display Friday, July 4. The event will go from 7:00 to 10:30 p.m. on the historic site grounds. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring insect repellent and a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. For more information, contact the site’s office at 573-546-3454. The Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site is located at 118 E. Maple in Pilot Knob. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.