Archive for 2026

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening in the Doctor’s Library. The board approved the evening’s agenda and previous meeting minutes. Chief Executive Officer Brent Peirick reported that two CDs have been renewed with Town and Country Bank at 4% with a seven-month term, and one CD was renewed with Bank of Salem at 3.95% for a nine-month term. Legal advice was received from Donn Herring of Spencer Fane on formal bidding requirements for Horizon One grant-funded projects; Herring stated bids did not need to be publicized. Under new business, Dr. Leigh Anne Price asked the board to consider leaving Zachary Moser’s board position vacant for a month, out of respect for his family. The board agreed. After discussion, the board decided the position will be publicized at the beginning of October and interviews with candidates will be conducted on Oct. 27th. For the CEO report, Peirick has been working on specialty recruitment for several departments, including OB, general surgery, and cardiology. Peirick stated the hospital has signed a contract with the company Premier Specialty Network, LLC., which will be providing rheumatology services through Dr. Sandra Hoffman beginning in January. Hoffman will work out of the rural health clinic several times a month. For the summary of operations for August, the hospital recorded 54 inpatient admissions, 1,204 outpatient registrations, 560 emergency room visits, and 217 ambulance runs. Fractional Chief Financial Officer Jason Johnson provided the hospital’s financial report. Johnson reported a total operating revenue of approximately $1.7 million, against a total operating expense of approximately $2.3 million. A total loss of roughly $353,000 was reported for August, compared to a loss of roughly $436,000 in July. Days cash on hand was reported at 30. During a recent meeting between hospital staff and Equalize RCM, the company working on Accounts Receivable (AR), it was revealed there is approximately $1.5 million in uncoded claims to be dropped. Equalize RCM’s staff was given the directive to drop that amount to $820,000 by Friday. For 340B, a total net revenue of $40,406 was reported for the month of August. Johnson reported on CDM price structure comparisons between SMDH and other hospitals in the surrounding area, disclosing that SMDH is about 45% below Phelps Health; 20% below Missouri Baptist Sullivan; and 15% above Texas County Memorial Hospital. Johnson reported that the property tax revenue is at the state cap, and that a future levy request could be considered, should the board deem it necessary. Chief Nursing Officer Amber Hogan reported that the current call-light system has failed across the hospital; a wireless interim system is in place while vendor quotes are evaluated. Under Kendra Mobray’s quality improvement and risk management report, the hospital will be completing a Hybrid Hospital-wide Readmission (HWR) report. The hospital has received the executed contract from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for $1.7 million. Parking lot repairs are scheduled to begin next week and are to be completed by the end of October. HVAC repairs are estimated to begin mid-November, alongside window and door replacements. The call-light system is estimated for replacement by early spring. The board then approved entering executive session for legal and personnel discussion. The next regular meeting of the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors is scheduled for Oct. 27th at 7:00 in the Doctor’s Library and is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for a special meeting Tuesday night at the Old City Hall Auditorium, called for by Mayor Greg Parker. This meeting was called to rescind a bid approval from Flynn Drilling for the Well #6 pump replacement and repairs granted during the Sept. 8th board meeting. The board approved the rescindment. Public Works Director Steve Paine stated the rescindment was necessary following observations that the well needed more work than was included within the bid packet. The bid packet for the Well #6 project will be made more comprehensive and then put out for bid at a later time. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be Oct. 13th at 5:00 in the evening at the Old City Hall Auditorium and is open to the public.

The Dent County Tourism Commission met for its regular meeting Monday, Sept. 21st at 5:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office. After approval of the August meeting and agenda, the board moved onto application requests. A request was heard from the Dent County Historical Society for an America 250 celebration of the Akers, Missouri post office in the amount of $5,625. The request was tabled to October’s meeting for further discussion, due to the event being located in Shannon County. A request was heard and approved for $3,815  from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Salem Parks & Recreation, and Tyler Parsons for the 2026 Balloon Glow. The final request was heard and approved for $570 from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for a half-page ad in Montauk Talks. Moving on to reimbursements, a reimbursement request for $4,574.48 was heard from the Dent Co. Commons for the 2026 Summer Carnival. Reimbursement was approved for the amount originally approved in April by the commission at $4,361.71. The final reimbursement request was approved from the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for the Walking Tour signs at $4,720. This report is summarized from the unofficial minutes of the Sept. 21st meeting. Minutes are unofficial until approved by board members at the following meeting. The Dent County Tourism Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 5:00 in the afternoon. Members meet to determine disbursement of tourism funds for community marketing purposes. These meetings are open to the public. There are currently two vacancies for the Dent County Tourism Commission. Board members are looking for community members who are passionate about promoting tourism, marketing, and economic growth in Dent County. Backgrounds in local lodging, recreation, or business are helpful, but anyone interested in serving the community is welcome to apply. Interested individuals can request an application through the Dent County Commission, who meet every Monday and Thursday at the Dent County Courthouse from 9:00 in the morning to noon, or by contacting the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 573-729-6900.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has informed that construction crews were able to restore two-way traffic at the Little Piney Creek Bridge on Hwy. 63 at Yancy Mills Wednesday evening. A project to replace the bridge’s driving surface began in early May with traffic narrowed to one lane. The temporary traffic signals used to direct vehicles safely through the work zone have now been turned off.

The 40th annual Old Miners’ Days, a festival that celebrates the rich mining history of southeast Missouri, will be celebrated in Viburnum Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2nd through Oct. 4th. The free event features entertainment for all ages, including live music, mine tours, kids’ games, food trucks and booths, craft vendors, a community parade, and much more. Saturday will see an evening concert with American Idol 2026 Winner Hannah Harper. For more information about Old Miners’ Days, including a full schedule of events, visit oldminersdays.com.

The Ozark Heritage Artisans will be holding a Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 17th from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon at the Creative Arts Center. This group of talented individuals bring a wealth of creative skills to the table with unique items for sale, including pottery, paintings, and much more. There will also be baked goods, plants, demonstrations, snacks, a free activity for the kids, and an elementary student Art Show by the students of art teacher Amy Hallinar. Don’t miss it!

The Missouri Rural Health Association announced the recipients of the 2026 Rural Health Excellence Awards on September 10th at the Missouri Rural Health Conference, recognizing three individuals whose leadership, advocacy and innovation are making a meaningful difference in rural communities across Missouri. One of those awards presented was the 2026 Rural Health Excellence in Leadership Award that was awarded posthumously to Zachary Moser as the Administrator of the Dent County Health Center in recognition of his exceptional leadership and lasting impact on rural public health. Moser, who passed away on August 29th at the age 36 following a courageous battle with a rare and aggressive sarcoma, had served as administrator of the Dent County Health Center since 2021. During his tenure, he helped expand services, strengthen community partnerships, develop the public health workforce, launch new population health initiatives, and improve access to care and transportation for residents of Dent County. Zach’s wife, Mary Moser, accepted the award on his behalf during the Rural Health Excellence Awards ceremony. The award serves as both a recognition of Moser’s professional accomplishments and a tribute to a life of service whose impact on rural Missouri will continue well beyond his passing. These awards honor those who go above and beyond in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities. 

The Dent County Tourism Commission meets on the third Monday of each month at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office at 5:00 in the afternoon. Members meet to determine disbursement of tourism funds for community marketing purposes. These meetings are open to the public. Current board members of the Tourism Commission are Daniel Salyer, Chairman; Blythe Kelly of Flat Nasty Off-Road Park; Troy Bemis of Reeds Cabins; and Ed Pratt of Pratt, Mitchelle, & Co. The non-voting member is Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson. There are currently two vacancies for the Tourism Commission. A tourism tax was passed by Dent County voters in 2006. This tax is 2% on bills paid by temporary guests of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, RV parks and campgrounds. Money is paid to the county collector and then turned over to the county treasurer for disbursement. The money received is deposited into a special fund used solely to promote tourism within Dent County. Any unused funds left over at the end of the year stay in the special fund and are carried over to the next year. The Tourism Commission has expended $16,754.58 so far this year, as of September 2026. Also so far this year, the tax has accumulated $65,342.31 and approximately $3,000 in interest. Currently, the Tourism Tax fund sits at a total balance of $227,166.49. This year, the Tourism Tax fund has been utilized for things like the Honoring Our Heroes Marathon, Dancing with the Salem Stars, and various advertising opportunities for Salem and Dent County. Applications for funding requests are available for download at salemmo.com/dent/board/tourism_commission.php. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Tourism Commission is Monday, Oct. 19th at 5:00 in the evening at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office.

The 63rd Annual Rose Holland Trout Derby will be held Friday through Sunday at Montauk State Park. Derby fishing hours on both Saturday and Sunday will begin at 7:30 in the morning. Fishing will end at 6:30 Saturday evening and at 11:30 Sunday morning. Several activities will take place in conjunction with the derby including a cruise-in car show Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 at the Searcy Building Parking Lot across the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge sponsored by the Current River Car Cruisers. On Saturday, there will be the Rose Holland History Walk from 10:00 to 11:30, Face Painting from 11:00 until 3:00, and Waxed Hands from 11:00 until 3:00. From 11:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon, families can enjoy pony rides, bounce houses, games and walks throughout the grounds. The 2nd Annual Corn-hole Tournament will begin at 1:00 with prizes awarded, and there will also be live entertainment starting at 5:00 in the afternoon and lasting until about 8:00 Saturday evening featuring James Van Kirk from Licking and others. There will also be a Know the Dark Night hike of three quarters of a mile at 8:00. On Sunday, prizes will be awarded in front of the lodge starting at noon, including attendance prizes, men’s and women’s heaviest stringer, kids’ heaviest stringer, heaviest brown trout as well as any tagged fish that were caught and registered. All the proceeds raised from the derby will benefit the American Heart Association. For more information on the derby, contact 573-548-2201.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:48 on Highway 63 at County Road 6033. According to the Highway Patrol report a northbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by an 18-year-old male from Salem, crossed the center line and struck a southbound 1999 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 34-year-old male from Houston. The 2004 Chevrolet then traveled off the left side of the roadway, while the 1999 Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. The Salem man suffered moderate injuries and was transported by personal conveyance. The Houston man suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene. The report stated that both men were wearing safety restraints. Both pickups were totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

City of Salem Mayor Greg Parker has called for a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen for this afternoon at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 N. Washington. After the call to order and roll call the board will discuss and vote to rescind the bid approval for Well #6 Pump Replacement/Repairs Bid Approval granted September 8, 2026. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Under road reports, District One Commissioner Keith Green shared that crew members will be out grading on county roads 6350, 6303, and 5610. Hauling rock is planned for County Road 5610 in Bunker, with the assistance of district two crew members. District Two Commissioner Jimmy Williams shared that grading is planned for County Road 4340 and County Road 2510. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 3290. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson shared enthusiasm for this past weekend’s Art Walk, organized by the Salem Creative Arts Center and Salem Area Community Betterment Association. Larson observed that the event was successful and shared hopes for it to continue for many years to bring more tourism to Salem and Dent County. In County Clerk Angie Curley’s reports, she stated bills were to be approved. Curley also reminds residents that the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3rd General Election is next Wednesday, Oct. 7th. Excused absentee voting has begun and no excuse, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 20th. Absentee voting will continue through Nov. 2nd. The deadline to return ballots to the election authority will be no later than 7:00 in the evening Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Reach out with any questions to the Dent County Clerk’s Office by phone at 573-729-4144 or email at dent@sos.mo.gov. Also, during the commissioner’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24th, it was reported after media departed that the commission is seeking bids on Purple Wave for the following surplus property of the road department: a 2011 Ford F150, 1996 Ford F250, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, Cat Backhoe 430E, and 2001 Suburban. If anyone has any questions, call Road Department Supervisor Jason Akins at 573-729-7770. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday, Oct. 1st at 9:00 in the morning at the courthouse and is open to the public. 

The Dent County Health Center has given Spring Creek Cafe a closing notice, as of Sept. 28th, 2026. Due to extensive pest infestation and unsanitary conditions observed by inspectors, the facility was closed as advised by Natasha Sullivan of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Per Dent County Health Center’s Consumer Food and Safety Regulation, the restaurant constitutes an imminent and substantial hazard to public health. Its permit to operate has been revoked. Within the sanitation observation provided to the business, inspections revealed an extensive cockroach infestation throughout the kitchen, including live cockroaches, cockroach egg cases, and cockroach debris observed inside cabinets, shelves, sink area, and among wiping cloths. According to the sanitation observation, the facility was closed last year due to the same reason, and pest control efforts throughout the past year have been ineffective. For more information or to view the recent inspection and closing notice, please visit the Dent County Health Center website at dentcountyhealthcenter.org/news.

The Dent County Fire Protection District (DCFPD) will be selling Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts this month to help support breast cancer screening and early detection in our community. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to Salem Memorial Hospital to assist in providing mammograms. The cost of these t-shirts are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. To order a shirt, contact a DCFPD firefighter. Orders can be made up until Oct. 2nd.