Archive for 2026

The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will have its next Community meeting today at 5:30 in the afternoon.  All are welcome to join at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in the Rotary Room. Bedding, as well as monetary donations may be dropped off at Riverways Federal Credit Union in Salem.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Jeff Chronister with Ollis/ Akers/Arney insurance came in to review the insurance policy limit and deductible changes with the commission as this year they are going with MO-Perm. Chronister described the changes by department such as the change in the deductible on physical damage to road vehicles went from $5,000 to $1,000; and the General Liability deductible went from $1,000 to $10,000. He also said the county properties that includes the annex, courthouse, extension building and more went from a 20-million-dollar blanket coverage with a $25,000 deductible, to 25-million-dollar individual coverage with a $10,000 deductible now. The commission reviewed all the vehicles and equipment that is to be covered to make sure it is accurate. The change in the insurance carriers this year saved around $40,000 in the annual premium. Grant  Wilson from Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in attendance and said Smith discussed the new Trump Accounts for newborn children where $1,000 is deposited in an account for the child to help them get started saving in their lifetime. This was accounted for in the Big Beautiful Bill  passed last year. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said crews will be out checking and treating roads where needed. He stated a crew is doing maintenance work in the shop as they are working on a grader fuel issue and checking out the equipment. They also took a truck to Gahr Truck and Equipment in St. James for repairs. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said workers were putting sand treatment on roads where needed and working on truck #122’s spreader. Williams reported they are also cutting up wood for heat at the road and bridge shed. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended a meeting of the Dent County Opioid Settlement Committee at the judicial building Thursday night. He also said MoDOT would be holding an Open House for discussion on a new bridge on Highway 32 at Boss at the Quad County Fire Protection Firehouse on February 3rd from 4:30 until 6:00. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported on her MAC Board meeting held last week. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be this morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library. The agenda was approved; however, approval of the meeting minutes was tabled pending revisions. During the review of departmental policies and procedures, approval of the infectious disease policies was tabled until the next board meeting, pending updates and clarification of the hospital’s employee vaccination policy. All policies and procedures were approved, with board member Zach Moser casting the sole dissenting vote. With no public comments or scheduled presentations, Hospital CEO Brooke Bollman presented her report. She highlighted the hospital’s participation in the Rural Health Partnership Institute hosted by Stroudwater, as well as informational meetings with the Missouri Independent Hospital Network. Bollman also provided updates on marketing and recruitment efforts and the Helping Hands Auxiliary program. Bollman reported that filing for the hospital’s board of directors election closed on December 31, 2025, with Karen Brown duly elected without opposition to represent District One. Brown is scheduled to be sworn in on April 28, 2026. Bollman also noted that beginning February 1, 2026, the hospital will revert to in-house billing. For the month of December, the hospital recorded 60 inpatient admissions, 952 outpatient registrations, 544 emergency room visits, and 187 ambulance runs, all of which were down from the previous month. Total operating revenue for December was approximately $2.2 million, while total operating expenses were about $2.6 million. Postage and freight expenses increased significantly, totaling $7,239.51 in December, up from $3,356.02 in November. Bollman attributed the increase to tariffs and indicated that these costs are expected to continue rising. Overall, the hospital reported a deficit of $356,914.66, marking the second consecutive month with a deficit. Bollman stated she is actively working with financial staff to identify solutions. The hospital currently has 20 days of cash on hand. Net 340B revenue for December totaled $44,625, representing a decrease of approximately $66,000 from the previous month. Following approval of the financial reports, Chief Nursing Officer Amber Hogan presented her report, which included updates on the EMT-B program, implementation of a new MedSurg acuity tool, nursing defensive documentation training, and medication drip protocols. Hogan reported that the Long-Term Care and Emergency Department are fully staffed, while vacancies remain in EMS and MedSurg. In December, the hospital recorded five new hires and four departures. During the Quality Improvement report, Kendra Mobray stated that the hospital’s focus for the first quarter of 2026 will be improving patient care and safety. Under new business, Bollman provided an update on the hospital’s five-year strategic plan. A vote on the plan was tabled until the next meeting pending the addition of a clearly defined mission statement. The board unanimously approved hiring a recruitment firm to fill the Lab Director position. No specific firm was named, and Bollman was authorized to negotiate with multiple firms and select the one deemed to be in the hospital’s best interest. After approving medical staff privilege reassignments, Bollman reported that she has been researching grant opportunities through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that could allow the hospital to provide childcare allowances through reimbursements. She also stated that legislators have requested the hospital develop a priority list for capital improvements and infrastructure needs. Bollman plans to hold future discussions with staff to identify priorities and determine the best use of potential funding. With no items to discuss in executive session, the meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is scheduled for February 17 at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th, has been postponed until the next regularly scheduled meeting date which will be February 10th at the Salem City Hall Auditorium.

Dent County Opioid Fund Disbursement Board Chairman Rick Letchworth has called a meeting of the Dent County Opioid Settlement Committee at 6:00 tonight at the Dent County Associate Courtroom at 112 East 5th Street. After the roll call and approval of previous meeting minutes, the agenda calls for the reading of the applications for funding that were received before the committee will accept questions and comments from applicants. The committee will then discuss the applications and determine which ones should be approved for funding. The committee will then set future application for funding deadlines and set the next meeting date for future applications approval before adjourning. The Dent County Opioid Settlement Committee meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released two reports that occurred in the last few days. The first report was in regard to the arrest of a Salem woman on a felony arrest warrant which occurred on January 23rd. According to their report, three Salem Police patrolmen conducted a short-term investigation into the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive. The officers responded to the 300 block of East Fourth Street where they located the subject and identified her as Alexis Alguilar. Alguilar was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Dent County Jail. Alguilar had an active probation violation stemming from the original charge for the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and is currently being held without bond. In the second report that occurred on January 27th, a Salem Police patrolman and detective conducted a short-term investigation regarding the whereabouts of a wanted fugitive related to a prior narcotics investigation. Officers responded to the 400 block of West Ninth Street where they located the subject and identified him as David Howell. Howell was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail. Howell had failed to appear in court on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Keeping or Maintaining a Public Nuisance. Howell is currently being held without bond. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has released the following statistics from this past weekend’s winter storm. According to the release the patrol responded to 1,437 calls for service and assisted 289 stranded motorists. They responded to 207 minor crashes that resulted in 30 injuries. The patrol stated that there was one fatality crash, but it was not related to the weather.

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds hunters that portable tree stands must be removed from conservation areas by February 1st. This applies to areas where black bear, deer, or elk hunting is allowed, allowed by special-use permit, or except as otherwise authorized in the Wildlife Code of Missouri. According the Wildlife Code, only portable tree stands are allowed on conservation areas, and only from September 1st through January 31st. Unattended stands must be plainly labeled on a durable material with the full name and address, or conservation number, of the owner and must be removed from the area before February 1st. Use of nails, screw-in steps, and any material or method that would damage the tree is prohibited. Any tree stand found on conservation areas after February 1st may be removed and seized as evidence by conservation agents until an owner can be determined or a court order for its disposition can be obtained. Get more information on the Wildlife Code of Missouri from MDC online at mdc.mo.gov.

Signups for the City of Salem Park and Recreation Department’s Youth Soccer program are going on now for $35 per person until February 6th. Planned age divisions are four and under, six and under, eight and under, ten and under, 12 and under and 14 and under. To sign up, go to the Salem Park and Recreation Facebook page and find the link to Teamsnap to register your child online. Late registration begins February 7th and will last until February 13th and there will be an additional $10 charge. If you have a problem getting registered, e-mail Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois at salemparks@salemmo.com.

The Dent County Commission held a quick regular meeting and 2026 budget hearing Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Before the hearing, Commissioners Keith Green and Jimmy Williams reported road crews were out grading and treating roads to make sure they are all drivable. Jack Todd from Victor Heating and Cooling, LLC wanted to thank the road crews for doing a fantastic job on the roads making it possible for repair personnel to get to those people who need services performed during these extremely cold days. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report and called to order the budget hearing. Larson reported the General Revenue Fund ended 2025 with net cash available at $2,759,096.93. The estimated revenues for 2026 are $2.371 million dollars while estimated expenses for 2026 are expected to be $2.892 million dollars. This would result in an estimated ending balance of $2,238,303.33 as of December 31st, 2026.  The Road and Bridge Fund ending cash balance in 2025 was $781,311.46. The commissioners have estimated revenues in 2026 at $3.440 million dollars, and estimated expenses of $3.417 million dollars. This would result in an estimated ending balance of $803,628.92 at the end of 2026. The county is still expecting reimbursements from FEMA for the expenses incurred for road repairs from the rains of 2025 but are still not sure when to expect them. The Assessment Fund ending balance for 2025 was $91,000.66. The estimated revenues for 2026 came to $246,975.00, and with estimated expenses of $313,914.67, an estimated ending balance at the end of 2026 of $24,060.99 would be expected. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax (LEST) Fund ending balance in 2025 was $1,003,610.92. With estimate revenues in 2026 expected to be $1.411 million dollars and estimated deductions of $1.690 million dollars, this should leave an estimated ending balance of $723,815.04 at the end of 2026. The 9-1-1 fund had an ending balance of $50,034.73 in 2025. With expected estimated revenues of $34,000 in 2026 and estimated expenses of $29,700, there would be an expected ending balance at the end of 2026 of $54,334.73. The Jail Construction and Operations Fund finished the 2025 year with cash available of $2,625,543.15. The fund is expected to have revenues in 2026 of $2.504 million dollars, and with estimated expenses of $2.762 million dollars, that would leave an estimated ending balance of $2,367,560.67 at the end of 2026. The Jail Construction Trust Fund finished 2025 with an ending balance of $1.672 million dollars. The commissioners estimated revenues of $1.217 million dollars, and with anticipated expenses of $1.360 million dollars, that would leave the fund with a projected ending balance of $2,200,804.31 at the end of 2026. A question was asked if there was money put into the 2026 budget to cover the cost of adding an elevator to the courthouse as asked for by 42nd Judicial Circuit Judge Megan Seay and Commissioner Larson said there was not. He stated the commission will be investigation whether the elevator should be built onto the old courthouse or be part of a new courtroom that would be built next to the jail. The commission will be meeting with a representative from Hart and Associates out of St. Louis soon to see where the county stands with their current jail fund balances, and what process they would need to do to meet to construct the new ADA courtroom. The budget for 2026 was then approved unanimously by the commissioners. At a special meeting held Friday, January 23rd, the commission met to discuss and sign an agreement with Mid-Missouri Emergency Solutions, LLC, to provide emergency management services and oversight for Dent County in line with state statutes. After discussion, the commission approved and signed the agreement. The hearing was then adjourned.

The Salem Memorial Hospital ToRCH Community Leadership Board is excited to announce Capacity Building Grant funding available through the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Project. These grants are designed to enhance the capacity of our community partners to support the goals identified by the ToRCH initiative. The ToRCH Community Leadership Board will be awarding grants to address gaps in available services within the community. These grants are intended to enhance the capacity of community partners whose work supports the goals identified by the ToRCH initiative and directly benefits individuals and families served by Medicaid. Funding will be awarded to address gaps in services that impact access, quality, and outcomes for the Medicaid population, particularly in rural settings where smaller-scale operations may face resource limitations. Grant funding may be used to strengthen organizational capacity through expanded staffing, facility improvements, equipment purchases, and solutions to logistical or operational challenges. Priority areas for funding include Community Service; Transportation; Behavioral Health Access; Diabetes Prevention; Food Insecurity; Maternal/ Child Health; Obesity Prevention; Primary Care Access; and Quality of Life. As of January 19th, grant proposals will be accepted year-round. Proposals will be evaluated and voted on either individually or during quarterly review cycles, based on the importance and time sensitivity of each submission. A total of $250,000.00 is available. For further information or to request an application, please contact Sarah Arnett, ToRCH Program Manager, at sarnett@smdh.net. 

The 2026 Salem High School Art Club calendars are available at the circulation desk! These calendars feature amazing artwork from our community’s talented students and are just $15.00 each.  All money from the sale of the calendars goes to the Salem High School Art Club.