Archive for 2026

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees met, December 18th for their monthly meeting. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report for the month of November. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated there were no cases of COVID-19 reported, however the virus is known to be present in the community, while the active lead cases were reported at 72, plus 5 communicable disease cases. There was one Influenza A case, 6 animal bites were reported, and there were 11 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, resulting in 30 total tests. The November environmental report showed there where 12 total inspections or re-inspections conducted. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 6 car seats distributed, there were no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, no CPR Courses, no consultation for Childcare Health, and there were 10 Title X appointments reported. There was one Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), while there were 354 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 519 total appointments other than WIC, 97 total provider appointments, 198 treatment court visits, 116 lab appointments and 88 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 6 family plannings, one well-child visit, 2 other well-woman exam, 6 other physicals, 7 SEMO physicals, plus 24 other visits, and 51 acute illness appointments for a total of 97 visits. Laboratory details showed 146 Lab Draws, 2 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, one pregnancy test, 3 lead tests were reported, plus 24 other urine drug screenings. Phlebotomy appointments totaled 110, while all Lab appointments totaling 116. Immunizations for November showed 30 for COVID-19 and 58 for Influenza, plus 69 other vaccines given during 88 appointments. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that no DCHC Board of Trustee positions were expiring this year, so no election is necessary in April. He updated the Board on continued delays in payments by the State of Missouri. At the end of November there was well over $100,000 in payments owed to the DCHC by the State. Jessica Ricks provided written reports to the Board regarding her team’s activities and the progress on the Community Health Improvement Plan and accreditation. Moser suggested that the Board consider granting the DCHC Staff off December 26th, given that it falls on a Friday this year. The Board approved the staff being off December 26th. The financial reports for November were reviewed. Current assets at the end of November were $1,139,348.32. Total assets were $1,986,647.67, total liabilities were $365,693.02, and equity was $1,620,954.65. Revenue for November was $71,634.70, expenses were $113,397.87 for a net operating revenue deficit of $41,763.17. After other revenue and expenses, net revenue was a negative $46,582.65. The report from H&R Block was also reviewed. Moser noted that November was a three-payroll month. After discussion of the financial effects of the State’s delinquency in payments, the financial report was approved. During new business Zach presented the 2026 budget for consideration and after lengthy discussion the budget was approved. He presented two proposed changes to the bylaws and explained the rationale behind them. The decision was tabled to be discussed with the full Board at a future meeting. Moser presented the proposed Policy Manual and an accompanying resolution which would detail the transition from a Board-edict style management to a policy management, in which the Board would set policy, the Administrator would set procedure, and the Administrator would be responsible for ensuring compliance with policies. The issue was tabled for further Board member review and discussion with the full Board at a future meeting. The Board entered closed session at 6:15 to discuss personnel. At 6:35 the Board returned from closed session where the Board voted to modify an employee’s salary for 2026. Prior to adjournment the next regular meeting date was set for Thursday, January 15th, 2026, with the hearing for the Environmental Fees starting at 5:00.

The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is issuing this advisory to correct inaccurate information being circulated through some media outlets, most likely generated from artificial intelligence (AI) sources regarding changes to Missouri vehicle registration requirements. Several outlets have released information reporting Missouri, beginning January 1, 2026, will no longer require vehicle inspections and will expand vehicle registration options allowing drivers to select longer registration periods for vehicles. This information is incorrect. Missouri law has not changed regarding these issues. Vehicle registration and safety requirements remain unaltered. For clarity, similar proposals have been introduced in recent legislative sessions but never became law. When misinformation is circulated it causes confusion and inconvenience. The Missouri Department of Revenue encourages the public and media to rely on official Missouri DOR communications and website resources for accurate and up-to-date information regarding motor vehicle laws and requirements. For resources pertaining to vehicle inspections, titling, and registration, visit the Missouri Department of Revenue’s official website at dor.mo.gov.

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the New Year’s holiday. Five people died and 87 were injured in 187 traffic crashes during the 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period, which began at 6:00 Wednesday evening, December 31st, 2025, and ended at 11:59 Sunday night, January 4th, 2026. The Highway Patrol made 112 arrests for DWI. There were 0 boating crashes and 0 drownings over the 2026 New Year’s holiday counting period. During the 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday counting period one person was killed and 118 injured in 264 traffic crashes in Missouri. Further details related to the traffic crashes and arrests can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website. These fatality statistics could change if late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes after this news release is sent to the media. Please note that the New Year’s holiday counting period varies from 1.25 to 4.25 days in length each year, depending on which day of the week the holiday is on. Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ.

With funding from the Delta Regional Authority’s State Economic Development Assistance Program, the city of Edgar Springs will begin improvements to Broadway Street, which is the main street in town that accesses small businesses and organizations serving the community and surrounding rural areas. Broadway Street connects Highway 63 to routes ZZ and H. The project will address drainage issues that causes localized flooding, repave the driving surface, install storm boxes and storm pipes, add concrete and granular paving and complete asphalt repair with a chip and seal. These improvements will decrease flooding and create a more resilient surface to withstand local and truck traffic. The total project will cost approximately $272,680 of which $267,500 will be covered by the Delta Regional Authority’s grant, which includes administrative costs. There are 27 Missouri counties in the Delta Regional Authorities eight-state service area, including Dent, Crawford, Phelps and Washington counties within the Meramec Region. Meramec Regional Planning Commission is the designated Local Development District for the four Meramec counties in the regional authority. To learn more about the Delta Regional Authority’s programs and initiatives, visit www.dra.gov. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a prescribed fire demonstration program January 16 from 9:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon on private property in Phelps County. Participants must complete an online course before attending the field demonstration. The demonstration burn will be held at 11887 County Road 3000 in Rolla. Attendees will receive hands-on experience on how to execute a prescribed burn. MDC Private Land Conservationist Luke Anderson will discuss equipment needed for a burn, burn line installation, safe weather parameters, ignition operations and other aspects needed to conduct a safe and successful prescribed burn. Participants must register on MDC’s website and complete the online portion of the class, which takes two to four hours. The online course requires a $25 fee paid to a third-party host. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate that must be brought to the January 16 demonstration. For more information, contact Luke Anderson at Lucas.Anderson@mdc.mo.gov. Additional MDC programs are available on MDC’s website.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Keith Green said materials would be added where needed and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4150, 4155, 4157, 5400, and 5490. He also indicated brush would be cut on county road 5615. District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported workers will be adding rock and grading on Dent County Road 2110, while only grading will be done on county roads 2025, 2115 and 4350. Williams said crews will be installing signs on county roads 2240 and 2250. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported her office and the treasurer’s office balanced on all accounts for the month of December. She reported that all political subdivisions will need to get their election certification submitted to her office by 5:00 on January 27th whether they are having an election or not. Curley went on to say that her office and the commissioners will continue to work on the 2026 county budget after hearing budget requests last week from Sheriff Bob Wells, Circuit Clerk Kristi Craig and Assessor Alisa Brookshire. The commission then set the 2026 county budget hearing for 10:00 Monday, January 26th in the commissioner’s office at the courthouse with the 2026 tentative budget being available to the public after 10:00 the morning of January 15th in the county clerk’s office. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills has earned a national certification recognizing excellence in school finance and operations. The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) announced that Dr. Wills has received the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations, also known as the SFO certification. The designation recognizes school leaders who demonstrate advanced knowledge and expertise in managing school district finances and operations. The SFO certification is an internationally recognized credential that sets a high standard for fiscal responsibility in education. ASBO International Executive Director James Rowan says professionals who earn the certification are highly sought after for their ability to responsibly allocate resources and plan for both current and future district needs. To earn the SFO designation, candidates must meet strict requirements, including education and work experience, passing a comprehensive exam, and adhering to a professional code of conduct. Those who earn the certification must also complete ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years. ASBO International is a nonprofit organization founded in 1910 and represents approximately 30,000 school business professionals worldwide.

The Department of Public Safety has notified the first 48 volunteer fire departments of their approval for up to $15,000 in state equipment grants. In October, the department announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant was available for small departments that had annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less for the purchase of firefighting equipment. There is a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000. For the initial grant recipients, the top requested equipment includes radios, hoses and nozzles, firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Two of the local rural fire department are recipients of the grant and they are the Montauk Rural Fire Department and the Timber Community Fire Protection District.