Archive for 2025

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, November 20th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of October. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were no cases of COVID-19 reported, however the virus is known to be present in the community, while the active lead cases were reported at 69, plus 12 Communicable Disease cases. There were no Influenza A cases, 6 animal bites were reported, and there were 18 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 81 total tests. The October environmental report showed there were 11 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were no car seats distributed, there were 3 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 2 CPR Courses, one consultation for Childcare Health, and there were 13 Title X appointments reported. There was one Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), while there were 369 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 875 total appointments other than WIC, 140 total provider appointments, 224 treatment court visits, 193 lab appointments and 90 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed 3 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 8 family plannings, 6 well-child visits, 1 other well-woman exam, 8 other physicals, 10 SEMO physicals, plus 48 other visits, and 56 acute illness appointments for a total of 140 visits. Laboratory details showed 257 Lab Draws, 8 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests, 10 lead tests were reported, plus 26 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy Appointments totaled 173, while all Lab Appointments totaling 193. Immunizations for October showed 139 for COVID-19 and 243 for Influenza, plus 64 other vaccines given during 311 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported on the retirement of Joanie Fleener, a former Health Board member and long-time employee. Her retirement reception is November 26th at 3:00. He reported on the Mini-maze prevention and education event lead by Riley Pratt and Jessica Ricks, with many volunteers and sponsor making the event possible. They plan to follow it up with a larger event for the 8th graders called “Teen Maze.” Moser said that no trustee’s terms are expiring this year, so no election notice is necessary. He updated the board on continued delays in payments by the State of Missouri. Currently there are well over $100,000 in payments owed to the DCHC by the State. Moser also reported on some damage to the CareCab vehicle and plans for repair. Jessica Ricks provided written reports to the Board regarding her team’s activities and the progress the Community Health Improvement Plan and accreditation. The financial reports, along with the report from H&R Block, for October were reviewed and approved by the board. In new business Zach presented a proposed Drug Testing Policy, since one was not previously in place. The policy was approved by the Board. He presented the first draft of the 2026 budget. To facilitate the final preparation of the budget, compensation adjustments for 2026 were considered. The Board approved a motion to adjust all wages by 2.5%, prorated based on percentage of the year worked for those with DCHC less that 1 year. Also considered was the compensation schedule for 2026 and the Board voted to discontinue the additional compensation offered to employees who do not take the health insurance. The capital/cash budget for 2026 was reviewed and discussed, but no action was taken. Moser presented proposed changes to the Environmental fee schedule. There will be a public hearing held on the fee schedule at the January Board meeting. The idea for an Awards Gala was presented, to which the Board gave feedback on the proposal and expectations. The Board entered closed session at 7:36 to discuss personnel. At 8:06 the Board returned from closed session where the Board voted to allocate $6156.80 for 2026 for merit based raises to be distributed based on management recommendations. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, December 18th, 2025, at 5:00.

The Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association announced on Facebook they will have an early office closure on Friday, December 5th for employee training. The Rolla and Mt. Grove Offices will close at ten in the morning, and the Licking office will close an hour later at 11:00. If you require services or have an outage in your area dispatchers will still be available at 866-621-3679. The offices will open again with normal operating hours on Monday December 8th.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports three people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period–from 6:00 Wednesday evening, November 26th, through 11:59 pm, Sunday, November 30th. There were no boating crashes or drownings. During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 304 traffic crashes with 82 injuries and 3 fatalities. The Highway Patrol made 87 DWI arrests. During the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 462 traffic crashes, which included six fatalities and 158 injuries. Statewide, 11 people died and 571 people were injured in 1,664 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 106 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period. The statistics in this news release are preliminary and subject to change if late deaths occur, or if other agencies report traffic crashes after this news release is published. Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ

Fourteen state parks will be temporarily closed to the public for managed deer hunts to safely and effectively manage the parks’ deer population. The hunts are a coordinated effort between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Only one of the state parks in our immediate area affected is Montauk State Park at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. They are currently closed for a managed hunt until opening to the public again on Friday, December 5th. Guests are encouraged to not visit the parks on those days, as they will be turned away for their safety. Missouri state parks are usually wildlife refuges where hunting is not permitted. However, when an overpopulation of deer develops, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation hold special managed hunts to prevent harm to the ecosystem. This year, studies at the parks determined the deer population showed an overcrowded number of deer per acre. The managed hunt will help other wildlife and the ecosystem by reducing the number of deer in the area. The Missouri Department of Conservation has already selected hunters for these hunts.

The City of Salem and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce announced signups for their Holiday Lighting Contest are now being accepted. The contest is designed to spark community spirit, brighten our neighborhoods and business districts, and celebrate the magic of the holiday season. The contest is open to all residential properties as well as commercial storefronts within the city limits. Each category will be judges spertately. Residents and businesses that are located outside the city are also welcome to participate and will be featured on the Christmas Light Map; however, only participants with a City of Salem electric account are eligible to win electric bill credits. First Place will be $100 worth of electric credits; 2nd Place is a $50 electric credit and 3rd Place is a $25 electric credit. All decorations will need to be in place by Friday, December 5th, and remain in place through at least Christmas Day. Winners in each category will be announced on December 26th. Judging will be based on creativity, originality, holiday spirit and overall presentation. People can register their home or business at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 1136 South main Street in the Crossroads, or at the City of Salem Administrative Offices Building at the utility office. A physical address is necessary on the application for judging as well as your city utility number should you be a winner. For more information, call Catherine at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 573-729-6900. Applications for both categories need to be submitted by Thursday, December 4th.

Yesterday, Your World Today reported on an approved COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) the Dent County Salary Commission approved in November. For clarification this vote was not unanimous. A 10-1 vote saw all attending members of the commission approve the COLA increase with the exception of Alisa Brookshire and per her request as a member of the commission we’d like to document that vote accordingly. For more information regarding the meeting minutes or the COLA increase you can contact the Dent County Clerk’s office at 573-729-4144.

An accident occurred Sunday evening at 8:15 in Phelps County on Highway F 1.5 miles east of Highway 72. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2014 Ford F150 driven by a 20-year-old Salem male traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a group of small trees. The Ford continued traveling through a yard, struck a residence and overturned. The driver suffered minor injuries, while a 17-year-old Salem female passenger suffered moderate injuries. Both were taken by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. The report stated that the male driver was not wearing a safety restraint, while the female passenger was. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said brush would be cut in the Bunker area and work crews will be out checking for clogged culverts and crossover pipes. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams was not in attendance due to a prior engagement, so road supervisor Travis Turner gave the road report. He said brush was being cut on Dent County Roads 2160, 3220 and 3230. Turner also indicated crews were getting county truck #72 ready for winter conditions by installing the salt spreader. He went on to state that crews were also gathering wood for the furnace at the road and bridge shed. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the commission attended the Missouri Association of Counties meeting last week where MAC priorities were established for the next year, plus the county heard from MAC Attorney Travis Elliott. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was re-elected to the MAC Board representing the 16th District. She stated some priorities for 2026 were going to be about property taxes, community development, justice and mental health as well as transportation and communication just to name a few. The commission then approved the agreement to pay their share of the cost of the public defender’s office rent with Russell Land Development Company along with six other counties at 901 North Pine Street in Rolla. The agreement was for two years. At the last meeting, Brad Smith from Omega Concrete Solutions came in to discuss sidewalk penetration sealant protection for the new sidewalks that will be installed around the courthouse in 2026. The cost for the protection is 65 cents per square foot. The commission likes the idea but will check into it further before deciding on it. Also, Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt came in to update the commission on the county generator, and everything has been taken care of. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.

Salem R-80 Superintendent Nathan Wills has posted on the Salem R80’s social media, that the school district is hosting a board member workshop this afternoon at 5:30 in the Central Office. During the workshop you will learn about the requirements and responsibilities of a school board member followed up with a Q&A session. The Central Office is located at 1409 West Rolla Road. For more information you can contact the office at (573) 729-6642.

The Dent County Salary Commission met Thursday afternoon, November 20th at the Judicial Building. Dent County elected officials at the meeting included Angie Curley, Denita Williams, Shannon VanKirk, Gary Larson, Cindy Ard, Alisa Brookshire, Andrew Curley, Ben Pursifull, Sherida Cook, Keith Green and Jimmy Williams. Sheriff Bob Wells was unable to attend. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was elected chairman of the meeting. The financial report provided by Treasurer Denita Williams showed the total funds from the major accounts of the county came to $9,553,782.02 and the commission accept the report. Currently, the county is at 100% of the assessed valuation salary by state statute for all office holders and the salary commission voted for it to remain at 100%. The commission then discussed cost-of-living increases. The commission approved a COLA increase of up to 4% to become effective January 1st, 2026, and be applied uniformly across the board for everyone, and for the future with the determinations authorized by the commission during the budget process. The commission also discussed SB1 which allows all coroners to get an additional $14,000 in salary which would take effect January of 2029. The commission approved increasing the county coroner’s salary by $14,000 beginning January 1st, 2029. The salary commission meeting was then adjourned.