Archive for 2026

A fatal accident occurred early Saturday morning around 1:18 in Lacade County on Highway B near Creek Road. According to the highway patrol report a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by a 17-year-old male juvenile was traveling southbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway. The driver overcorrected, then travelled off the left side of the roadway, and overturned. The juvenile was pronounced deceased at the scene by Mercy Paramedic Tatiana Bashant at 2:30 in the morning. The report goes on to say the driver was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by C&S Towing.

An accident occurred early Saturday morning around 2:25 in Pulaski County on Highway AB north of Southbend. According to the highway patrol report a 2021 Toyota Tacoma driven by a 31-year-old female was traveling northbound when she failed to negotiate a curve. The Toyota travelled off the right side of the roadway, striking a culvert, and going airborne before overturning. The female suffered serious injuries and was transported by Pulaski County Ambulance District to Lake Regional Hospital. The report states she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by J&S Towing.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library. Following the call to order,  there were no public comments. During the operational reports, both the Chief Executive Officer Report and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Report were presented by Amber Hogan, CNO. Hogan highlighted several hospital updates, including applications for Transformation of Rural Health funding and the Safe Streets Grant, ongoing Show-Me High Value Network Committee meetings, the cancellation of the contract with Cardinal Health, ongoing National Rural Health Day meetings, budget updates and revisions to the hospital’s charge-master for Medical Imaging and Physical Therapy. Hogan also recognized nurse Chantel Garrison, who is transitioning into the role of Infection Prevention Director, and announced the upcoming Summer Family Picnic and Pool Party on July 18th, as well as Cost Report Training with Stoudwater scheduled for today at noon. Hannah Harris presented the Statistical Summary of Operations. She noted that in May, inpatient admissions was 54, with 134 swing-bed census days. Outpatient registrations totaled 1,042, while cardiopulmonary procedures numbered 1,470 and clinic visits totaled 812. The hospital recorded 654 emergency room visits, 38 transfers, 41 admissions, and 200 ambulance runs. Total operating revenue for May was approximately $2.1 million. Total operating expenses were also approximately $2.1 million, resulting in a net profit over expenses of $195,469.26. The board approved the financial reports as presented. Harris also presented a report on the hospital’s aging accounts receivable, ranging from current to over 120 days. The hospital carries approximately $11.7 million in bad debt, which it will begin working with Equalize RCM to collect in the coming year. The hospital currently has 26 days of cash on hand. Net 340B revenue for May was $97,560. There were six new hires and three departures in May. A CEO offer was accepted by Brent Peirick, who will join the team beginning August 24th. The hospital currently has open positions in several departments. Under new business, the board approved the removal of Kayla Chambers from the bank signatory list, retaining Karen Brown and Dr. Leigh Ann Price as authorized signatories. The board also voted to authorize Amber Hogan to execute leases for one or both ambulance loans when needed. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year was discussed and approved. Proposed total operating revenue is approximately $27.9 million, proposed operating expenses are approximately $28.6 million, and proposed non-operating revenue is $1.14 million, for a proposed excess of revenue over expenses of $402,401.70. Harris noted that this budget does not include the salary for the incoming CEO. Will Mahurin was approved as a new candidate for the Board of Directors and will be sworn in at the next regular meeting in July. Following the approval of two contracts, the meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel matters. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be held on July 28th at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public.

A resurfacing project on Hwy. 32 spanning 46 miles is set to begin today. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) plan to resurface Hwy. 32 through Dent County beginning at Hwy. 63 in Texas County and ending at Hwy. KK in Iron County. Work is expected daily, Monday through Friday, beginning in Texas County and working east through early September. Work within the city limits of Licking and Salem will occur at night. One lane is expected to remain open. No work is scheduled to take place between noon on Thursday, July 2nd, and 6:00 in the morning Monday, July 6th, to minimize impacts to holiday travel.

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday evening at approximately 6:25 on Dent County Road 2500 west of county road 2540. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2001 Harley Davidson Heritage, which was driven by a 60-year-old male from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi who lost control causing the Harley to overturn ejecting the man. He suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac 13 to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that the driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The Harley Davidson was removed from the scene by American Muffler.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning for its regularly scheduled meeting. After corrections, commissioners approved the previous meeting minutes. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green reported that crew members would be patching chipseal on county roads 4110, 4180, and 4120. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported crew members would be grading and hauling rock on county roads 4060, 3310, and 4437. Crew members will also be cutting brush on county roads 3235, 3280, 3233, and 3260. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported the commissioners will be conducting a closed session Monday afternoon with Travis Elliot, legal counsel with the Missouri Association of Counties. Commissioners will be meeting with Jeff Chronister, an insurance representative of Ollis, Akers, and Arney, who will be offering updates on insurance for the county and its claims. County Collector Denita Williams reported on Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds received. PILT is federal funds provided to local governments from the Department of Interior to offset property tax losses due to nontaxable federal lands within the county. These funds are received annually in June and can be utilized for any governmental purposes, including emergency response, public schools, and roads, among others. The amount received this year is $227,766, which is an increase from last year of $41,634 or approximately 22%. County Clerk Angie Curley reported that July 8th is the deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 4th Primary Election. Excused absentee voting will continue until Aug. 3rd. No excuse absentee voting will begin on July 21st. The next regular meeting of the County Commission will be 9:00 in the morning on Monday at the Dent County Courthouse. These meetings are open to the public.

A competitive 3v3 basketball tournament, part of the “We’ve got your Back, Zack” fundraiser, will be held this Saturday at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory with the men’s bracket starting at 10:00 in the morning and the women’s tournament beginning at 2:00 in the afternoon. The cost is $60 per team. Registration forms are available at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory or call Henry at 573-247-1301 or 573-729-8163. You can also e-mail henry@salemcommunitycenter.org. All proceeds raised will help Zach Moser and his family with treatment expenses, travel and daily living costs. Your help with this community effort is greatly appreciated.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at approximately 3:40 on Highway O just south of the Dent & Phelps’ County line. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 1999 Peterbilt 385, driven by a 60-year-old Salem man, was conducting an improper turn on the highway and traveled into the path of a southbound 2008 Chrysler Town & Country driven by a 19-year-old Rolla woman. The woman suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Salem Memorial Hospital. According to the report both drivers were wearing safety restraints. The Chrysler was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive. There was no damage to the Peterbilt and it was driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday night for its regular meeting. Under public comments, resident Katie Gaither expressed frustration at inconsistent monthly utility bills, trash pickup, and quality of services offered by the city and requested the board give further consideration to rate increases. Meanwhile, the Memorandum Of Understanding with the Missouri State University, West Plains and its continued use of the classroom space at the Old City Hall for the Adult Education and Literacy program was approved. The board approved two conditional use permits: one for 707 W. First Street, in which a manufactured home is proposed to be installed and readdressed as 4 N. Grand Avenue, and 1005 E. Third, in which the home is proposed to be used for a short-term vacation rental. First readings were then heard, including a change order to utilize the remaining ARPA funds for BuildTec to replace four fire hydrants and control valves, along with extending the contract to Aug. 1st, 2026. Several ordinances establishing rates for electric services, concerning the demand meters, commercial customers, employment incentive rates, and large industrial user rates, were also heard, recommended by a cost of service study performed by UFS in February 2025. Several second readings were heard, including two task orders with Toth and Associates, Inc.: one task order to replace the sewer line running west from Hickory Street at a cost of approximately $41,500 and another for the Roosevelt Street sidewalk survey at a cost of approximately $9,000. Both task orders were approved by the board. A contract extension with Archer-Elgin for the water tower project was also approved, in order to accommodate a delay in delivery for a pitless adapter. In addition, the board approved five amendments to the code of ordinances relating to engineering firms in order to allow contracting out engineering services. Finally, the board approved an ordinance for year-end budget adjustments to the FY 2025-26 budget. The board approved the FY 2027 proposed budget, with proposed revenues of $23.9 million; anticipated expenditures of $23.3 million; and intergovernmental transfers of $3.9 million. City Administrator Sally Burbridge stated the city did not shut down the marijuana dispensary, dispelling rumors circulating on social media. Public Works Director Steve Paine reported that the construction crew fixed a drainage issue at the Salem Community Center parking lot. Following reports of city officials, the board adjourned the meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Tuesday, July 14th, and is open to the public.

The Salem Community Choir will present its second annual Patriotic Spectacular Saturday afternoon, July 4th at the Salem City Hall. There will be performances at 2:00 and 4:00. The choir will feature soloists including Jimmy Cotner, Rachel Rush, Sophie Krautmann, Steve Morton and Michelle Smith. The narrator for the event will be Ruth Ann Parker. The choir is under the direction of Catherine Dent.