Archive for 2026

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting tonight at 7:00 in the hospital’s library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda, the board will approve policies and procedures from several departments including: Cardiopulmonary, Family Medicine Clinic, Dietary, Revenue Cycle, Infection Prevention, and Nursing Services, as well as approving the credit card and Telehealth policies. Public comments or presentations that are limited to 3 minutes will then be heard. Chief Executive Officer Brooke Bollman will present her report as well as the previous month’s financials. Following the financials report, the board will hear reports from the Chief Nursing Officer, Human Resources, as well as Quality Improvement. No old business is on the agenda, however new business to be conducted includes discussion about the Salem Memorial Hospital Employee Handbook, the 2026-2031 strategic plan, laboratory director recruitment, and approval of medical staff privileges. The board will go into executive session to discuss personnel and legal issues. Except for the executive session, the meeting of the Salem Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet for their regular meeting tonight at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. Following the approval of the agenda and the consent agenda, the board will hear public comments. In new and miscellaneous business, the Annual Net Metering Report will be considered. The second reading of Bill No. 3695 will occur, followed by the first and second readings of Bill No. 3696 approving Change Order No. 2 for the Salem Wastewater Treatment Facility Phase 2 Improvements Project, Bill No. 3697 approving Change Order No. 2 for the City of Salem Water System Improvements-Contract B, Elevated Storage Tank Project, and Bill No. 3698 approving Change Order No. 3 for the City of Salem Water System Improvements-Contract C, Pitless Well Project. The reading of bills will be followed by reports from City Officials. The Board of Aldermen will then go into Closed Session, followed by adjournment.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) thanks Missourians for staying off the roads during this weekend’s winter storm. It’s estimated that traffic volumes were 75–80% lower than normal throughout the state over the weekend. That cooperation allowed crews to respond more quickly and safely, contributing to significantly fewer serious incidents. MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger said we are grateful to everyone who did their part by staying home and giving our crews room to work. Our teams have been out continuously in extremely cold conditions, and their efforts – combined with the public’s cooperation – helped keep this storm’s impacts from being far worse. People staying off the roads was probably the single most important thing that allowed us to make the progress we’ve made so far. As we head through these next few days, please continue to plan ahead, slow down and consider delaying travel if you can. As of Monday morning, MoDOT crews had already traveled more than 1 million miles in response, working around the clock to clear highways. Despite the storm’s severity, Missouri recorded just one weather-related traffic fatality statewide – well below average for a storm of this magnitude, and notably below the average for a typical weekend in Missouri. Over the next few days, MoDOT will continue working around the clock. Major routes should continue progressing toward mostly clear conditions, but many secondary roads may remain covered. If you must travel, plan your commute, leave early, and drive for conditions – take it slow and brake, steer and accelerate gently. Check local road conditions before heading out at traveler.modot.org. Carry extra fuel and pack essentials – blankets, warm clothes, water, snacks and a phone charger. If you slide off the road or are involved in a crash, remain inside your vehicle with your seat belt fastened until help arrives. And remember give snowplows and emergency vehicles plenty of room – do not tailgate or attempt to pass. For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org. To receive the latest statewide news and text alerts, sign up for e-updates. Follow MoDOT on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.

The Dent Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, January 22nd at 5:00. The 2026 Health and Benefits plan proposed by Administrator Zach Moser was reviewed. Changes from last year include offering two-tiers of insurance to provide employees with options. Dental and vision stayed the same. A 30% employee premium share was suggested. The proposal was reviewed, discussed and approved by the board. Current CDs and CD rates were evaluated. The board moved to purchase a $200,000 CD from MOSIP at 4% interest. The meeting was adjourned at 5:08.

Congratulations go out to Mrs. Jennifer Rensch who was selected as the Salem R-80 District January 2026 Teacher of the Month, and to Mrs. Kathy Grover who was selected as the Salem R-80 January 2026 Staff Member of the Month. In total, there were thirty-seven nominations submitted from throughout the district from other members, parents, students, and community members to highlight contributions made by nominees designed to support student learning in every aspect.

The Dent County Commissioners have closed all offices at the Dent County Courthouse, Judicial Building and Annex due to the snow, but the commissioners are going to meet at 10:00 this morning in their office at the courthouse for the 2026 county budget hearing which is open to the public. All access to the courthouse will close after the hearing is adjourned. Also, Judge Michael Randazzo has closed all courts in all the counties served by the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court.

The cold from Winter Storm “Fern” remains which has brought us single-digit temperatures and wind chills well below zero this week, causing very high electric demand across the country. If the City of Salem sets a new Peak Demand for total electric use this morning from 6:00 to 11:00, the city will pay higher electricity costs for the next 12 months. Potentially impacting electric rates for in the future. The city would appreciate your help by safely conserving electricity by lowering your thermostat a few degrees if safe, turn off lights and electronics you are not using, and delay doing laundry, dishwashers, and other large appliances to off peak hours. Everything little thing you do to hold down your electric usage helps protect our electric system and control future costs.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met Thursday evening, January 15th at 5:00. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of December. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were 5 cases of COVID-19 reported, while the active lead cases were reported at 70, plus 4 communicable disease cases. There were 22 Influenza A cases, 3 animal bites were reported, and there were 19 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 70 total tests. The December environmental report showed there where 24 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 11 car seats distributed, there was  one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, no CPR Courses, no consultation for Childcare Health, and there were 14 Title X appointments reported. There were two Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), while there were 330 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 568 total appointments other than WIC, 154 total provider appointments, 206 treatment court visits, 152 lab appointments and 56 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 9 family plannings, 3 well-child visit, no other well-woman exam, 5 other physicals, 10 SEMO physicals, plus 34 other visits, and 93 acute illness appointments for a total of 154 visits. Laboratory details showed 155 Lab Draws, 8 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 6 pregnancy tests, 6 lead tests were reported, plus 12 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy appointments totaled 123, while all Lab appointments totaling 152. Immunizations for December showed 19 for COVID-19 and 37 for Influenza, plus 19 other vaccines given during 56 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser announced the first Gala date is set for April 24th. He said that during December a number of back payments from the state were received, but that DCHC still came in under the threshold for a Federal Single Audit. Jessica Ricks provided a detailed written report regarding the activities of the Population Health Department. Moser reported that due to the loss of the CareCab driver those services are on hold until a new driver can be hired. He said that the cases of Flu are increasing with some reporting the highest number since 2019. The financial reports for December were reviewed. Current assets at the end of November were $1,263,492.87. Total assets were $2,106,002.85, total liabilities were $362,004.21, and equity was $1,721,062.36. Revenue for December was $251,501.32; expenses were $105,590.54 for a net operating revenue of $126,213.88. After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was $123,024.60. The report from H&R Block was also reviewed. After discussion the financial report was approved. The proposed bylaw changes were reviewed and approved by the board. Resolution 2026-001 regarding Policy-Procedure Governance adoption was reviewed and approved. The new Policy Manual was reviewed, discussed, modified, and approved with changes. During new business Zach presented a Cybersecurity grant that DCHC had been approved for over a year after applying for it. The context around the grant plan had changed since the application was submitted and it was not in the budget. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the grant and modify the budget accordingly after Zach determines that the grant still meets DCHC operational needs. The Board entered closed session at 6:20 to discuss personnel. At 6:41 the Board returned from closed session having discussed personnel and taking no votes. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, February 19th, 2025, with the hearing for the Environmental Fees starting first at 5:00. The hearing was moved to February because the public was not adequately notified by the January meeting.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse. Dennis Cooksey who lives on Dent County Road 4055 came in to discuss that road not being graded or cared for to the degree it used to be in the past. Cooksey started the discussion with Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson who was the district two commissioner years ago, and Cooksey said the road care changed while he was commissioner. Their discussion centered around a failed arrangement to widen the road and the installation of gate on that road on the Cooksey property. Since Commissioner Larson no longer has any say over the roads, Cooksey moved his discussion to District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams and told him the gate is gone and showed him aerial photographs of where the road used to be taken care of by the county. Williams said he will check with the assessor’s office and/or recorder’s office to see if there is an easement for the road given to the county by the property owners for the area being discussed and get back to Mr. Cooksey. Dent County Deputy Canyon Goodbar reported the Local Violent Crime Prevention Grant submitted by the sheriff’s office was approved for $21,128.87 for the purchase of new radios. This is a reimbursement grant, and the commission signed the grant paperwork. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the CART receipts for the month of January. She stated the county received $88,205.91 and that is down $3,245 from the December 2025 receipts, and higher than the January 2025 receipts by $2,672. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said rock is being stockpiled in preparation for the anticipated winter storm, and the trucks and graders are being prepared with salt spreaders and blades. Green said fuel bids for 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel were taken and County Fuels had the low bid of $2.22 per gallon that beat the bids of Phil-Mart and MFA Oil. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported grading is being done on Dent County Road 4060 while other equipment is being readied for the projected storm. Williams did say crews are also replacing signs on county roads 2520 and 2530. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended a tourism tax committee meeting where two applications were partially funded and four reimbursements approved. Larson also said he had to attend an emergency meeting at the MRPC office in St. James concerning the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District as legislation has been introduced at the state level to eliminate all the solid waste management districts statewide. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was not in attendance due to her attending the Missouri Association of Counties Board meeting, but she wanted to remind everyone Monday morning at 10:00 in the commissioner’s office will be the 2026 county budget hearing. The 2026 county budget is available at the county clerk’s office in paper form and is free to anyone who would like to have one You can also contact the office at 573-729-4144 and they can e-mail the entire budget to you. The hearing Monday morning is open to the public. The next regular meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public. 

With accumulating snows expected, remember there are certain streets within the city limits of Salem that have been designated as emergency “Snow Routes.” These streets shall have priority over other streets for the clearing of snow, ice or other debris. The streets are marked with “Snow Route” signs. A list of the snow routes is available only at salemmo.com. Remember to remove your vehicle from these routes when an accumulation of ice and snow is expected so that the route can be cleared. Your car or truck could be towed at your expense, or you could be sited for a parking violation. If you have any questions, call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.