Archive for 2026

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.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4th, members of Operation Relentless Pursuit, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Salem Police Department Officers conducted a joint operation to locate and apprehend a violent offender wanted on a nationwide extradition warrant. Through investigative efforts, law enforcement developed information regarding the whereabouts of James Vassuer. Officers responded to a business located in the 500 block of North Carty Street, where Vassuer was located and taken into custody without incident. Vassuer was charged with two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the 1st Degree, two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the 2nd Degree; and one count of Child Molestation in the 3rd Degree. Vassuer was taken to the Dent County Jail where he is being held on a $250,000 cash/surety bond warrant for the five charges. This arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between local and state law enforcement agencies in identifying and apprehending dangerous offenders. The Salem Police Department appreciates the assistance of its partner agencies and remains committed to working to enhance public safety and remove violent offenders from the community. All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Primary Election was held Tuesday in Missouri to determine who will run for offices for their respective parties in the November General Election. A total of 3,829 ballots were cast for a voting turnout of 37.41% of a possible 10,234 registered voters within Dent County. Only the contested races are presented in this article. It is important to note results presented are unofficial. Running for US Representative of District 8 on the Republican ballot was Jason Smith, who received 94,468 votes district wide and 2,533 in Dent County and will be on the ballot for the November General Election. Gordon Heslop ran against Smith, receiving 15,367 votes district wide and 501 in Dent County. Running for District 8 on the Democrat ballot was Chris Reichard, who received 15,334 votes district wide and 58 in Dent County, and Frank A. Barnitz, who received 12,999 votes district wide and 476 in Dent County. Reichard will be on the ballot this November and will be running against Jason Smith (R) and Rebecca Sharpe Lombard (L). Running for State Senator of District 16 on the Republican ballot were four candidates, with Bill Hardwick and Hannah Kelly leading the crowd. District wide, Hardwick received 11,030 votes, while in Dent County he received 1,076 votes. Hannah Kelly received 7,865 votes district wide and 1,107 in Dent County. Hardwick will be on the ballot in November and will be running against Virginia Staabs (D). For local elections in Dent County, running for Presiding Commissioner on the Republican ballot were AJ Seay, who received 2,221 votes, and Denver Ellis, who received 798 votes, with Seay winning the race. For Recorder of Deeds, Jessica Dooley won with 1,808 votes. Melissa Piatt received 1,058 votes. Gladden Township Committeeman was determined on Tuesday, with Josh Akers receiving the nomination with 49 votes and Ken Nelson receiving 31. Gladden Township Committeewoman was also determined, with Alicia Watson receiving 49 votes and Cynthia Nelson receiving 32. Meanwhile, Missouri voters decided on four constitutional amendments on Tuesday. For Constitutional Amendment No. 1, a vote of YES received 1,141,865 votes statewide and 2,545 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 245,778 votes statewide and 1,198 votes in Dent County. For Constitutional Amendment No. 2, a vote of YES received 1,042,413 votes statewide and 2,553 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 312,713 votes statewide and 1,107 votes in Dent County. For Constitutional Amendment No. 4, a vote of YES received 275,040 votes statewide and 970 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 1,122,748 votes statewide and 2,793 votes in Dent County. For Constitutional Amendment No. 5, a vote of YES received 233,309 votes statewide and 584 votes in Dent County, while a vote of NO received 1,165,085 votes statewide and 3,190 votes in Dent County. To find out more about results from this election, visit the Secretary of State website at enr.sos.mo.gov.

The American Red Cross declared on July 27th a national blood supply crisis amid critically low blood donations and shortages of type O blood. Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses are contributing to lower donor turnout this summer, further straining the nation’s blood supply. Those who may be eligible are urged to book an appointment now at RedCrossBlood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS. Those who donate from Aug. 1st through Aug. 31st will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email. Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org. There will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive at Bunker R-III School District within the Old Gym of the high school on Aug. 31st from 1:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon. This will be the Bunker High School Student Council’s first blood drive of the upcoming school year. Come out and help donate blood and give a chance at life to those in need, and help seniors earn scholarships. To make an appointment, visit the American Red Cross website at redcrossblood.org/give and type in Bunker’s zip code of 63629.

The Primary Election was held Tuesday in Missouri to determine who will run for offices for their respective parties in the November General Election. A total of 3,829 ballots were cast for a voting turnout of 37.41% of a possible 10,234 registered voters within Dent County. Only the contested races are presented in this article. It is important to note results presented are unofficial. Amendment results will be reported at a later time when official. 

*indicates winners 

State Auditor (R)

Scott Fitzpatrick* 2,355 votes

Gerald (Jerry) Wistrand Jr. 369

U.S. Representative District 8 (R)

Jason T. Smith* 2,533 votes

Gordon Heslop 501 votes

State Senator District 16 (R)

Bill Hardwick 1,076 votes

Philip Lohmann 160

Don Mayhew 615

Hannah Kelly* 1,107 

Presiding Commissioner (R)

AJ Seay* 2,221 votes

Denver Ellis 798 votes

Recorder Of Deeds (R)

Jessica Dooley* 1,808 votes

Melissa Piatt 1,058 votes

Gladden Township Committeeman (R)

Ken Nelson 31 votes

Josh Akers* 49 votes

Gladden Township Committeewoman (R)

Cynthia Nelson 32 votes

Alicia Watson* 49 votes

State Auditor (D)

Quentin Wilson* 271 votes

Gregory Upchurch 173 votes

US Representative District 8 (D)

Chris Reichard 58 votes

Frank A. Barnitz* 476 votes

The following are the unofficial results only from Dent County regarding the proposed constitutional amendments. Official results from the statewide vote will be shared at a later time. 

Constitutional Amendment No. 1 

YES 2,545 votes

NO 1,198 votes

Constitutional Amendment No. 2

YES 2,553 votes

NO 1,107 votes

Constitutional Amendment No. 4

YES 970 votes

NO 2,793 votes

Constitutional Amendment No. 5

YES 584 votes

NO 3,190 votes

On Monday, August 3rd, two Salem Police Department patrolmen responded to a business in the 200 block of South Main Street following a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a gas pump. Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male driver and immediately rendered medical aid. The driver was subsequently transported for medical evaluation and later cleared by medical personnel. The driver, identified as Nathan Halte, was taken into custody. During the initial investigation, officers located numerous fentanyl capsules and syringes inside the vehicle. The investigation also revealed that Halte has multiple prior felony convictions in several states. Following the investigation, Halte was transported to the Dent County Jail pending the filing of formal charges. A probable cause statement was submitted to the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reviewed the case and filed a felony complaint in the Circuit Court of Dent County. The Honorable Judge Kelsaw subsequently issued a $50,000 cash/surety bond warrant for the following offense: Trafficking Drugs in the Second Degree. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional driving-related charges are expected to be sought. All persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is inviting the public to join the discussion on high-priority unfunded transportation needs at an upcoming meeting. MoDOT, working with its regional planning partners, has outlined a draft High-Priority Unfunded Needs listing, which identifies $1.3 billion in annual unfunded transportation needs for the system. The list was created to guide the development of needs into funded projects as state and federal transportation funds become available in future years. The public is invited to review the list and provide feedback on the order of priorities and additional needs that could be funded in the future. A meeting to discuss the draft High-Priority Unfunded Needs list in Central Missouri will be held Wednesday, Aug. 19th from 4:00 to 6:00 in the evening at MoDOT’s Central District office, located at 1511 Missouri Boulevard in Jefferson City. The presentation materials and a comment form are also available online, found on the MoDOT website at modot.org and by searching “High Priority Unfunded Needs Public Meeting.”

Salem High School will be hosting an Open House in the afternoon of Aug. 20th from 4:00 to 6:00. Incoming students of the 2026-27 school year will have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet teachers, and ask questions. Available for purchase will be Chromebook insurance, parking passes, and t-shirts. For questions, contact 573-729-6641. To see supply lists for the year, visit salemr80.org/page/supply-lists.