Archive for 2026

An accident occurred in Dent County Saturday morning at approximately 7:35 on Hwy. 72 four miles west of Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2019 Hyundai Sonata, driven by a 54-year-old Salem woman, slowed to make a left turn when a 2015 Nissan Altima, driven by a 16-year-old Salem juvenile, struck the rear of the Hyundai. Both drivers suffered minor injuries and were transported to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated both drivers were wearing safety restraints. Both vehicles were totalled and removed from the scene, the Hyundai by American Automotive and the Nissan by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members would be grading on the following county roads: 5610, 2490, 2450, and – if time allows – 2460. Patching is also to be completed on several chip and seal roads. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members would be working on maintenance for several county vehicles, including replacing a tire on the pup trailer; replacing tires on truck #75; preparing truck #72 for sale; servicing truck #70; and installing a fuel tank in truck #66. Concrete had been poured and a culvert installed on County Road 3200 this week. Green reported that fuel bids for 7,500 gallons of diesel had been received at $5.007 from MFA; $4.99 from Phil-Mart; and $5.10 from County Fuels. The bid was approved for Phil-Mart at $4.99 a gallon. In addition, commissioners approved the yearly renewal for health insurance for county staff. Health insurance increased 1.6%. Commissioners also received a routine quarterly update from representatives of the county’s property and automobile insurance company, Ollis Akers & Arney. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that sample ballots have been received by her office and are able to be given to voters upon request. Fair ballot language will be shipped out to the county clerk’s office at the beginning of this week. Curley stated fair ballot language should be available for Dent County voters by the end of this week. Curley further notified that all voters who use the Northwood R-IV for their polling location will be voting in the newly built FEMA gym rather than the regular gym for this coming election. For more information, visit sos.mo.gov/elections. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be this morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening in the Doctor’s Library. The board approved the evening’s agenda and previous meeting minutes. Chief Executive Officer Brent Peirick reported that two CDs have been renewed with Town and Country Bank at 4% with a seven-month term, and one CD was renewed with Bank of Salem at 3.95% for a nine-month term. Legal advice was received from Donn Herring of Spencer Fane on formal bidding requirements for Horizon One grant-funded projects; Herring stated bids did not need to be publicized. Under new business, Dr. Leigh Anne Price asked the board to consider leaving Zachary Moser’s board position vacant for a month, out of respect for his family. The board agreed. After discussion, the board decided the position will be publicized at the beginning of October and interviews with candidates will be conducted on Oct. 27th. For the CEO report, Peirick has been working on specialty recruitment for several departments, including OB, general surgery, and cardiology. Peirick stated the hospital has signed a contract with the company Premier Specialty Network, LLC., which will be providing rheumatology services through Dr. Sandra Hoffman beginning in January. Hoffman will work out of the rural health clinic several times a month. For the summary of operations for August, the hospital recorded 54 inpatient admissions, 1,204 outpatient registrations, 560 emergency room visits, and 217 ambulance runs. Fractional Chief Financial Officer Jason Johnson provided the hospital’s financial report. Johnson reported a total operating revenue of approximately $1.7 million, against a total operating expense of approximately $2.3 million. A total loss of roughly $353,000 was reported for August, compared to a loss of roughly $436,000 in July. Days cash on hand was reported at 30. During a recent meeting between hospital staff and Equalize RCM, the company working on Accounts Receivable (AR), it was revealed there is approximately $1.5 million in uncoded claims to be dropped. Equalize RCM’s staff was given the directive to drop that amount to $820,000 by Friday. For 340B, a total net revenue of $40,406 was reported for the month of August. Johnson reported on CDM price structure comparisons between SMDH and other hospitals in the surrounding area, disclosing that SMDH is about 45% below Phelps Health; 20% below Missouri Baptist Sullivan; and 15% above Texas County Memorial Hospital. Johnson reported that the property tax revenue is at the state cap, and that a future levy request could be considered, should the board deem it necessary. Chief Nursing Officer Amber Hogan reported that the current call-light system has failed across the hospital; a wireless interim system is in place while vendor quotes are evaluated. Under Kendra Mobray’s quality improvement and risk management report, the hospital will be completing a Hybrid Hospital-wide Readmission (HWR) report. The hospital has received the executed contract from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for $1.7 million. Parking lot repairs are scheduled to begin next week and are to be completed by the end of October. HVAC repairs are estimated to begin mid-November, alongside window and door replacements. The call-light system is estimated for replacement by early spring. The board then approved entering executive session for legal and personnel discussion. The next regular meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is scheduled for Oct. 27th at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for a special meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium, called for by Mayor Greg Parker. This meeting was called to rescind a bid approval from Flynn Drilling for the Well #6 pump replacement and repairs granted during the Sept. 8th board meeting. The board approved the rescindment. Public Works Director Steve Paine stated the rescindment was necessary following observations that the well needed more work than was included within the bid packet. The bid packet for the Well #6 project will be made more comprehensive and then put out for bid at a later time. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Oct. 13th at 5:00 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium and is open to the public.

The Dent County Tourism Commission met for its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 21st at 5:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office. After approval of the August meeting and agenda, the board moved onto application requests. A request was heard from the Dent County Historical Society for an America 250 celebration of the Akers, Missouri post office in the amount of $5,625. The request was tabled to October’s meeting for further discussion, due to the event being located in Shannon County. A request was heard and approved for $3,815  from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Salem Parks & Recreation, and Tyler Parsons for the 2026 Balloon Glow. The final request was heard and approved for $570 from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for a half-page ad in Montauk Talks. Moving on to reimbursements, a reimbursement request for $4,574.48 was heard from the Dent Co. Commons for the 2026 Summer Carnival. Reimbursement was approved for the amount originally approved in April by the commission at $4,361.71. The final reimbursement request was approved from the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for the Walking Tour signs at $4,720. This report is summarized from the unofficial minutes of the Sept. 21st meeting. Minutes are unofficial until approved by board members at the following meeting. The Dent County Tourism Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 5:00 in the afternoon. Members meet to determine disbursement of tourism funds for community marketing purposes. These meetings are open to the public. There are currently two vacancies for the Dent County Tourism Commission. Board members are looking for community members who are passionate about promoting tourism, marketing, and economic growth in Dent County. Backgrounds in local lodging, recreation, or business are helpful, but anyone interested in serving the community is welcome to apply. Interested individuals can request an application through the Dent County Commission, who meet every Monday and Thursday at the Dent County Courthouse from 9:00 in the morning to noon, or by contacting the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 573-729-6900.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has informed that construction crews were able to restore two-way traffic at the Little Piney Creek Bridge on Hwy. 63 at Yancy Mills Wednesday evening. A project to replace the bridge’s driving surface began in early May with traffic narrowed to one lane. The temporary traffic signals used to direct vehicles safely through the work zone have now been turned off.

The 40th annual Old Miners’ Days, a festival that celebrates the rich mining history of southeast Missouri, will be celebrated in Viburnum Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2nd through Oct. 4th. The free event features entertainment for all ages, including live music, mine tours, kids’ games, food trucks and booths, craft vendors, a community parade, and much more. Saturday will see an evening concert with American Idol 2026 Winner Hannah Harper. For more information about Old Miners’ Days, including a full schedule of events, visit oldminersdays.com.

The Ozark Heritage Artisans will be holding a Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 17th from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon at the Creative Arts Center. This group of talented individuals bring a wealth of creative skills to the table with unique items for sale, including pottery, paintings, and much more. There will also be baked goods, plants, demonstrations, snacks, a free activity for the kids, and an elementary student Art Show by the students of art teacher Amy Hallinar. Don’t miss it!