News – Thursday, November 20th 2025

An accident happened in Dent County Tuesday night at 6:00 on Dent County Road 4110 at Dent County Road 4120. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 CF MOTO 300 NK driven southbound, struck an animal in the road and the driver, a 31-year-old Salem male, was ejected from the MOTO. The man suffered serious injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. The man was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The MOTO sustained extensive damage and was taken from the scene by a private party.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tonight at 5:00 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. Ken Schultz will present the audit report. William Lynch Elementary students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business, the Board is to set Board Election filing dates for December 9th though 30th, approve MSBA Policy Updates, approve Bond Pre-payment, approve Audit Report, and select Belcher Scholarship nominee. No Transfers or Hires are to be considered, but Resignations/Retirements are scheduled to be considered for Kayla Howard, High School Aide, and Victor Snider, Bus Driver. The Board will enter closed session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held its regular meeting Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Chief Executive Officer Brooke Bollman reported that she recently attended the Missouri Independent Hospital Network meeting and is completing the annual compliance and infection prevention training. She also announced that the hospital’s mammography team raised $5,500 through its annual fundraiser and that updates have been made to the hospital’s discount and co-pay policies. Bollman added that she has been participating in health insurance and 340B optimization meetings with the goal of reducing premiums for both staff and the hospital. She also highlighted several community partnership activities, noting that representatives from the University of Missouri recently toured the facility and that hospital staff decorated a tree for the Trees and Trains exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center. The hospital is currently hosting a food drive for the month of November, and Long Term Care will hold its Thanksgiving dinner this evening. During the financial report, Bollman stated that October saw 46 inpatient admissions and 1,094 outpatient registrations, both slightly lower than the previous month. Emergency room visits held steady at 633, and ambulance runs remained consistent at 201. October also marked the first month in which no patient left the hospital against medical advice. Total operating revenue for the month was approximately $2.5 million. The hospital recorded an increase of nearly $200,000 in acute inpatient revenue, totaling about $470,000, along with an $89,000 increase in swing bed revenue, totaling $126,000. Additionally, the hospital received $30,000 in grant funding from Aetna for the Practicing Excellence program. Total operating expenses for October were $2.2 million, resulting in a net profit of $390,000. The hospital currently maintains 25 days of cash on hand, and 340B net revenue for the month was $34,308. Chief Nursing Officer Amber Hogan reported one open paramedic position and noted that Med-Surg nurses are working toward Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification. She also stated that the Care Spectrum was approved at the most recent medical staff meeting. Kendra Mobray delivered the human resources and quality improvement reports, noting four new full-time hires and the resignation of four PRN students. Under new business, the board approved policies and procedures from several departments, including Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Radiology, General Nursing, Dietary, and Quality Improvement/Risk Management. The board also approved new privileges for Dr. Charles Featherly, D.O. The meeting adjourned to executive session for legal and personnel discussions.

Create a Biscornu Pincushion on Saturday, November 22nd from `10:00 in the morning until noon with M. Emilia Barbosa at the Creative Arts Center. Come make a fun-shaped pincushion named in French because it means “odd,” “quirky”, and “irregular,” so totally out of the ordinary! The class will explore three forms of stuffing pincushions with either traditional ground walnut shells, poly fill, or leftover pieces of yarn and fabric. After assembling the biscornus, buttons will be sewn parallel on each middle center on both sides and tug to make it sturdier. All ages welcome but children must have a parent or legal guardian present. The cost of the class is $35 and that includes all supplies. At least three people need to register and the class will be maxed out at 15 students. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com

Dent County Recorder Cindy Ard wants people to be aware of a new website where you can sign up to find out if someone is recording a document or changing a recorded document with your name on it. The website is www.deedwatch.com and once signed up, you would receive an e-mail letting you know if a document is recorded with your name on it. There is no charge for this service. This service is provided by the Dent County Recorder’s Office to prevent anyone from being scammed out of their property. For more information contact Cindy Ard at the Dent County Recorders Office at 573-729-2198. You can also e-mail her at dcrecorder07@gmail.com.