Archive for 2026

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be holding its regular meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium on 202 North Washington Street. After the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, any public comments will be heard. After, there will be two street closures to be considered, including one for the annual “Trunk-or-Treat” and another from Randy League for the Current Rivers’ Car Club. The board will also consider a board appointment to the Utility Committee. Under new and miscellaneous business, the board will consider submitting an application to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) grant for the East Roosevelt Project. Meanwhile, under bids, the board will be asked to approve an emergency purchase of an additional $3,150 to inspect and reinstall the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s RAS pump. There will be two bills to be considered for approval by the board, both of which add addendums between the city and Archer-Elgin for engineering services related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements. One of these addendums will allow for additional hard and electronic copies of plans and specifications to be made, while the other will allow for additional engineering scope for the disposal of existing biosolids at a cost of $128,834, funded through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Clean Water SRF Emerging Contaminants grant. There will then be reports heard from city officials, if any. The board will then take a vote to hold a closed session for the purposes of discussing real estate and litigation. The board will then adjourn. This meeting is open to the public until closed. To watch this meeting streamed live or recorded, visit youtube.com/@CityofSalemMissouri.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that Dent County Hwy. B, south of Salem, is now open at Dry Creek Bridge. Construction crew members completed the new bridge over Dry Creek and were able to reopen to all traffic Monday. Crews from Joe’s Bridge & Grading, Inc., working with MoDOT, closed Hwy. B over Dry Creek on March 6th after inspectors found a sinkhole developing near one of the supporting structures of the 86-year-old bridge.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, First District Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be hauling rock on county roads 6610 and 6660, and while grading is planned for county roads 5170, 5600, 5610, 6420, and 6540. Crew members are also planning on servicing a couple of the county vehicles. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that crew members are planning on hauling rock to County Road 3200. Grading will also be done on County Road 3200, alongside County Road 6160. Cutting brush is planned for county roads 3330, 3333, and 3337. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared that he will be attending a Solid Waste Management District meeting over Zoom on Tuesday, in which board member discussion is planned alongside discussion of the annual dinner. Further, Larson reported that a tax rate hearing is scheduled for 10:00 in the morning, during the regular Dent County Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 24th. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that she has balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements, and add-ons for the month of July. Ben Johnson, a resident of Dent County, sought to issue a public comment regarding Flock cameras. At first, Larson attempted to stop Johnson, stating the commission had heard enough on the topic, but Johnson pressed the issue, asking Larson if he had the right to voice his opinion as a citizen of the county, to which Larson relented and allowed Johnson to continue. Johnson asked commissioners how a lawsuit would be paid if a resident is wrongfully accused through the usage of Flock technology within Dent County. The commissioners did not have an answer. Johnson further criticized the commissioners for stating they had no choice in the matter of instituting Flock technology, commenting they appoint the board members of the Dent County Opioid Fund Disbursement Board, the source of the funding for Flock cameras. On that topic, Johnson criticized how board members of the disbursement board are not publicly available. Lastly, Johnson criticized the commissioners for having a policy requiring disclosure of recording devices, stating the policy is in violation of the First Amendment. Johnson thanked the commissioners for hearing his comments. With no further business, commissioners stated that was all they had for the day unless something else walked in the door. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning Thursday at the courthouse and is open to the public.

The University of Missouri will be holding a Fall Producers Program on Thursday, Sept. 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening at Swedeborg First Baptist Church located on 26894 Apple Street in Richland, Missouri. The program is free of charge and refreshments are to be provided. University of Missouri Field Specialists will be sharing their knowledge to help you plan for successful fall and winter cattle and pasture management. Registration is greatly appreciated. To register, call (573) 774-4766 or visit the MU Extension website at extension.missouri.edu and search “Pulaski County Fall Producers Program.”

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) will be holding its next community meeting on Monday, Aug. 17th, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening in the Walden Room at the Armory. SHP is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit that builds, assembles and delivers new, free beds to children in need in our community, ages 3-17, who do not have a bed.  All volunteers are welcome, and the chapter is in need of additional volunteers to help with events, deliver beds, and more. Can’t make it to the meeting but interested in learning more? Please contact Patti McKeown at (703) 964-6495 or patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

An accident involving four Dent County residents occurred in Texas County Thursday afternoon at approximately 12:32 on Highway 32 three miles east of Licking. According to the Highway Patrol report, an eastbound 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 21-year-old female from Lenox, was attempting a left-hand turn when it was struck by a westbound 1996 Dodge Neon, driven by a 47-year-old Salem male. The driver of the Dodge suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. The driver of the Chevrolet, along with an infant female and a 2-year-old male, passengers both from Lenox, suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to TCMH. The report stated that all four occupants of the vehicles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and towed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive at officer’s request. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Licking Police and Fire Departments.

An accident occurred Saturday evening around 11:20 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about 4 miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by a 42-year-old male from St. Louis was traveling northbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway. Then the Chevrolet struck a rock bluff and overturned. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by St. Lames ambulance to Phelps Health. The report states he was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) Board of Directors will be holding its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11th beginning at 6:00 in the evening at 2 South Main Street. After the call to order and roll call, a tax hearing will be held. Following the tax hearing, the board will consider approval of the consent agenda, to include previous meeting minutes, financial reports, bills, and review of the budget. The board will then hear reports from Fire Chief Derek Thomas, including the monthly reimbursement report. The board will then set the date for the next meeting and then enter a closed session, if necessary. The board will then adjourn. This meeting is open to the public.

If you’ve noticed some new signage on Salem’s 4th Street, painted by Hannah Heithold of Hometown Murals, a new place to grab some breakfast fare will be opening its doors soon. Known as “Hey Honey Brunch,” the location will be having its soft opening this Tuesday from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon. Come enjoy great food at “Hey Honey Brunch” located at 204 West 4th Street. For more information, contact 573-453-2882 or email heyhoneysalem@gmail.com. Follow the business on Facebook at facebook.com/HeyHoneyBrunch.

To mark this summer’s biggest meteor shower, the Perseids, Elephant Rocks State Park will be open to the public for a rare after-dark event on Friday, Aug. 14th from 8:00 to midnight. If you like stargazing or light shows and are able to brave the August bugs and heat, visit the park to create a lifelong memory. Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21, Belleview. This viewing event is free and open to the public; there is no need to register. Park staff will be available to direct you to the best and safest areas to view the shower. You do not need to use any viewing devices to see the shower, but you are welcome to bring your own devices if you want. Attendees are expected to be respectful of others and should avoid excessive noise and use of artificial light. No tents or other invasive camping equipment such as lanterns or propane heaters will be allowed, but you can bring portable chairs for seating and blankets to keep warm. Absolutely no campfires will be allowed. If there is bad weather, the event will be moved to Saturday, Aug. 15th, 8:00 to midnight.

Progressive Ozark Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), has announced that six nonprofit organizations serving south-central Missouri have been awarded grants through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund. Through the program, FHLB Des Moines and Progressive Ozark Bank provided a $10,000 investment for each organization, resulting in a total of $60,000 invested across six communities. The recipient organizations include the Dent County Public Schools Foundation (DCPSF), which plans to utilize funds for literacy and math resources, supplies for science and technology programs, and expenses for performing arts programs and field trips. Other recipients include the Texas County Food Pantry in Licking, Bright Futures in Houston, Pregnancy Resource Center in Mountain Grove, Community Center in Mansfield, and Davis Field in Hartville. Each organization will use the funding to advance programs that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

The Salem R-80 School District reminds all parents and guardians that all new and returning students must register before the first day of school. Office staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon to assist with registration. Students cannot begin classes until they are fully registered. To ensure your student is ready for the first day of school, please complete registration beforehand.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that crew members are working on the final pieces of the rehabilitation work on Phelps County Hwy. J over Interstate 44 (Exit 169). Deterioration of the bridge deck required rehabilitation to extend its useful life. Barring weather delays, contractors working with MoDOT expect to wrap up work next week and could reopen the bridge as early as Friday, Aug. 14th. Meanwhile, Hwy. 72 (Kingshighway) over I-44 in Rolla (Exit 184) remains under construction. Crews rehabilitating the bridge deck uncovered more extensive deterioration than expected, which added additional time to the first phase of work. They are completing that work now and preparing to move to the next phase. Westbound Kingshighway will remain closed during the second half of the project, while eastbound lanes are expected to remain open. 

There will be a special meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education on Wednesday, Aug. 12th at noon within the Administration Building off J Hwy. This meeting will be open to the public until a vote to move into executive session takes place. After the call to order and agenda approval, the board will discuss and vote on several items under new business, including: a ECSE First Student Transportation contract, a Wagner Photography contract, a bid of a Ford Expedition by Schicker Automotive, a renewal of Power School, a bid for the Upper Elementary parking lot, and authorization of prepayment of the Series 2020 bonds in the total amount of $180,291.67. Under personnel, the board will consider the hiring of Sydney Dothage as an ECSE Aide and Jessey Kissir as a Middle School Paraprofessional, along with the resignation of Angel Hunter as a ECSE Paraprofessional. The board will then adjourn and vote to move into executive session for the discussion of personnel. The open session portion of the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting on Tuesday last week. After approval of the agenda and previous meeting minutes, Will Mahurin was sworn-in to the board. Board elections were also held, with Mike Swyers elected as Chair, Zach Moser as Vice Chair, and Frank Barnitz as Secretary. Governing bylaws were reviewed and approved by the board, with no changes reported. Medical staff bylaws were reviewed with two changes reported: removing Home Health services, and adding that nurse practitioners would have privileges in the treatment room. Medical staff bylaws were approved with only one dissenting vote from Moser. Medical staff privileges were also approved for two physicians: Kiran Chunduri, MD for Tele Radiology and Akanchha Khadka, DO for Family Medicine. Changes in policies and procedures were approved for the pharmacy, laboratory, and RHC. After discussion, the board approved financing for two ambulances with a five-year lease from the Bank of Salem at a 6% interest rate. Moving forward, both the Chief Executive Officer Report and Chief Nursing Officer Report were presented by Amber Hogan, CNO. Brent Peirick, who will join the team beginning Aug. 24th as Chief Executive Officer, was in attendance virtually. Hogan reported that she has been attending plenty of meetings in transitioning the hospital to Equalize RCM, which will provide revenue cycle management services. Director of Quality Improvement & Risk Management Kendra Mobray and Hogan attended a meeting for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Horizon 2, which discussed Electronic Health Records (EHR) data and interoperability improvements. In addition, Hogan attended the RHTP leadership meeting for hub anchors, in which Phelps Health has put in an application to be the regional hub anchor and requested five permanent voting seats and five elected seats. Salem Memorial Hospital will be a permanent voting seat. These seats will be meeting weekly for the next two months. Show-Me High Value Network Committee meetings are ongoing with an anticipated price for participation in the first-year lowered to $15,000. Meanwhile, opportunities to expand point-of-care testing in the Rural Health Clinic is being looked into. Work is ongoing with transitioning to 1st Credentialing. Moving to the CNO report, Hogan shared that another contract employee is being sought, and that ER is increasing its staff with applicants received for an ER tech position. The Infection Prevention quarterly meeting was held. A Time Critical Diagnosis (TCD) designation is being worked on for the hospital. Hannah Harris presented the Statistical Summary of Operations and noted that in June, inpatient admissions was 78, with 186 inpatient census days. Outpatient registrations totaled 1,149, while radiology procedures numbered 1,232, and clinic visits totaled 916. The hospital recorded 656 emergency room visits, 28 transfers, 59 admissions, and 210 ambulance runs. Total operating revenue for June was approximately $2.7 million. Total operating expenses were also approximately $2.6 million, resulting in a net profit over expenses of $127,981.62. Net 340B revenue was reported at $29,021. A FY 2026 year-to-date loss was reported at $363,065.30. Harris further stated work is ongoing with Equalize RCM to collect in the coming year on Accounts Receivables (AR.) The hospital currently has 27 days of cash-on-hand. There were ten new hires and four departures in June. Meanwhile, Mobray reported on the 2026 Employee Satisfaction Survey, highlighting that the survey had responses from 70% of the 185 employees currently at the hospital. Quality Improvements highlighted by Mobray included the Emergency Department’s Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) rate which decreased by 1.3%, exceeding the department goal of a 0.5% reduction and reaching the national benchmark of approximately 1%. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be held on Aug. 25th at 6:45 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public. At that time, a tax hearing will precede regular business. 

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) will be holding its next meeting on Monday, Aug. 17th, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the evening in the Walden Room at the Armory. Contact Patti McKeown at (703) 964-6495 or patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org for more information.