Archive for 2026

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met, February 19th at 5:00. The Board held a public hearing on the Food Code Fee Schedule. It was reviewed by the Board and approved. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Operational reports for the month of January. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were 3 cases of COVID-19 reported, while the active lead cases were reported at 69, plus 13 communicable disease cases. There were 72 Influenza cases, 3 animal bites were reported, and there were 22 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 82 total tests and 9 treatments. The January environmental report showed there where 17 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 9 car seats distributed, there was one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment and 331 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 516 total appointments other than WIC, 144 total provider appointments, 178 treatment court visits, 162 lab appointments, 36 immunization appointments, 47 CareCab Rides. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 11 family plannings, one well-child visit, one other well-woman exam, 8 other physicals, 14 SEMO physicals, plus 49 other visits, and 59 acute illness appointments for a total of 144 visits. Laboratory details showed 163 Lab Draws, 16 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests, 10 lead tests were reported, plus 12 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy appointments totaled 122, while all Lab appointments totaling 152. Immunizations for January showed 8 for COVID-19 and 16 for Influenza, plus 31 other vaccines given during 36 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported several dates for DCHC events in 2026. Moser reported on the progress of the annual financial audit, plus he noted that the CD approved at the last meeting had been purchased and the tentative acceptance of the Cybersecurity Improvement Grant and the goal of switching to a contracted IT service pending approval of the granters. He said a CareCab driver had been hired. Moser presented two opioid grants that were award to the Health Center and asked for budget modification to accommodate the grants. The request received Board approval. Moser discussed the DCHC Care Fund, he requested permission to make it an official fund and allow payroll deduction for purchases from the fund. The Board approved the request. The financial reports for January were reviewed. Current assets at the end of January were $1,338,496.12. Total assets were $2,175,200.47, total liabilities were $364,172.88, and equity was $1,811,027.59. Revenue for January was $195,688.48. Cost of services were $50,384.84 for a gross revenue of $145,303.64. Expenses were $74,105.26 for a net operating revenue of $71,198.38. After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was $76,774.63. No report from H&R Block was received. During new business Zach presented details on a new position request for a Grant & Strategic Initiatives Coordinator funded between 3 or more grants with compensation ranging from $20-$28 per hour depending on experience. The Board approved the position request. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 5:00.

On February 24, 2026, the Board of Aldermen met in Closed Session in accordance with RSMo. 610.021(3) to discuss personnel matters. Following a roll call vote of 4-0 (Kinsey – yes, Whelan – yes, Dent – yes, Letchworth – yes), the board approved a pay adjustment for Economic Development Director Carrie Sutterfield to $60,000 annually effective immediately. Since Sutterfield’s appointment in July 2025 and successfully completing her probationary period, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to her job responsibilities and consistently serves the community with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. 

Every March 1st, hundreds of die-hard anglers line the banks at one of Missouri’s trout parks for opening day of catch-and-keep trout season. This year, Sunday morning, March 1st, at 6:30 marks the opening of the season that runs through October 31st. To participate, Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 and nonresidents 16 and older are required to purchase a fishing permit. In addition to a fishing permit, trout anglers must also purchase a daily trout tag. Tags can be purchased at the trout parks: Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon and Montauk State Park near Salem. A daily trout tag at the three state parks costs $5 for adults and $3 for youth 15 years and younger. Daily fishing permits are $9. The daily limit is four trout, and the possession limit is eight. For more information on fishing at trout parks visit mdc.mo.gov. In Dent County Montauk State Park store hours for Friday, February 27th are 8:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. The restaurant will be open from 8:00 until 6:00. Then on Saturday, February 28th, the store hours are from 8:00 in the morning until 11:00 at night and that time is new this year. The restaurant will be opening up at 8:00 and remain open until 8:30 in the evening. Finally on Sunday, March 1st the store hours will be from 5:00 am until 9:00 pm, while the restaurant will be open from 7:00 am. until 8:30 pm. For more information on trout season opening, visit mostateparks.com or call Montauk State Park at 573-548-2201, Roaring River State Park at 417-847-2539, or Bennett Spring State Park at 417-532-4338.

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” Monday afternoon, March 2nd starting at 5:30 and lasting until 6:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. If you have questions, please contact Patti McKeown at 703-964-6495 or e-mail her at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the auditorium at 202 North Washington Street. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board approved a request from Rob Benowitz for a street closure in connection with the 100 Acre Wood Rally on March 14th. Benowitz requested that Iron Street and 5th Street around the courthouse be closed for the pre-race meet and greet. The Local on 4th and Skip Dahms both submitted a request to close Fourth Street between Washington Street and Highway 19 to allow businesses to set up tables during the rally’s meet and greet. That request was approved as well. In new and miscellaneous business, the board voted to begin contract negotiations with Toth & Associates for on-call engineering services. During reports from city officials, Mayor Greg Parker said he has received several complaints from residents about delays in receiving utility bills and encouraged customers to sign up for email billing. Alderman Michael Letchworth reported that he attended the Good Dads orientation in Springfield and is looking forward to implementing what he learned. Alderwoman Catherine Dent provided updates on the beautification project along Highway 32 and Highway 19 and announced she will host a West Ward block party on Thursday, March 12, at 7:00 as a thank you to her constituents. With no further reports, the board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held March 10 and will be open to the public.

The Salem Police Department recently released their report for the month of January. The department responded to six accidents during the month as well as eight alarms sounding, addressed 47 animal calls, investigated an assault or fight, a report of a burglary, performed 23 well-being checks and 14 area checks in January. Police investigated 13 domestic disputes, six verbal disturbances, conducted 43 follow-up investigations and provided 24 escorts. They investigated three harassment reports, two parking complaint calls, one intoxicated pedestrian call, a fraud charge, two trespassing calls and a property damage report. The Salem Police wrote five stealing reports, responded to nine traffic complaints and assisted ten motorists. Officers responded to a report of a suicidal person, 11 suspicious circumstance calls, three suspicious person calls and four suspicious vehicle calls. The Salem Police in January investigated a report of shots fired, two reports of shoplifting, two reports of a prowler, two peace disturbances and 22 nuisance violations. Officers attempted to serve ten warrants and they conducted 113 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 508 incidents in January with the average response time being one minutes and 51 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 14 minutes and 38 seconds. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department by calling their non-emergency phone number at (573) 729-6550 or speak with them in person at 500 N. Jackson Street in Salem.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District is seeking area sponsors within its seven-county region for the 35th Annual Earth Day Poster, Trash Art and Graphic Art Contest. Sponsorships provide prizes for students placing first and second along with honorable mentions in the contest. Some 91 students received prizes in 2025. The trash art and poster contests are open to all students in grades pre-kindergarten to college, including home-schooled students, within Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Students have the opportunity to participate in multiple contest categories, including posters that are hand drawn and feature graphic arts, and also to repurpose recyclables and trash into three-dimensional pieces of art. This year’s theme is “Be a Food Waste Warrior” with a focus on reducing food waste by not taking too much food, sharing your leftovers, feeding food waste to farm animals and composting. All sponsors receive their logo on the contest flyer and special recognition on the ORSWMD website and Facebook page. For more information, contact Jill Hollowell, via email jhollowell@meramecregion.org or via phone at 573-265-2993 ext. 109.