News – Tuesday, March 31st 2026

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting Tuesday at 7:00 in the hospital’s library. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the agenda, the board will discuss approval of policies and procedures, including the infection prevention manual, pharmacy 340B policy, emergency department manual, and quality assurance performance improvement plan. Any registered public comments will be heard before the operational reports from Chief Executive Officer Brooke Bollman, Chief Nursing Officer Amber Hogan, and Quality Improvement Director Kendra Mobray. There is no unfinished business on this meeting’s agenda. Under New Business, the board will consider the approval of medical staff privileges; governing body bylaw; and medical staff bylaw. The meeting will then adjourn to executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters, before adjourning. 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 Dent County Commission held its meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Keith Green reported crew members are planning to grade county roads 5410 and 5170. Patching is planned for County Road 6100. The backhoe will be brought to county roads 6300 and 6500 to distribute rock. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams reported that crew members are planning on grading county roads 2110 and 4280, as well as hauling rock to 2110 and 2060. Cutting brush is planned for County Road 2570. A driveway pipe is planned to be installed on County Road 2060. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported he will be attending a meeting with the Meramec Regional Community Foundation in St. James, the charitable partner of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, to choose a scholarship recipient out of five finalists–three finalists were from Hermann, one from Owensville, and one from Salem, Ave Wofford. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that no excuse absentee voting continues. This Saturday, the county clerk’s office will be open for voting from 8:00 in the morning to noon. Next Tuesday, April 7th, voting will be from 6:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Remember to bring your photo ID. Dent County Collector Shannon Vankirk came in to announce that the SB190 applications will be ready for pick up after April 1st in the Collector’s office. The courthouse will be closed this Friday in observance of Good Friday. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse, and the meeting is open to the public.

Healthy Dent County and the University of Missouri Extension will be hosting an Alpha-Gal Syndrome educational session on Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. Community members are invited to attend this informative session focused on understanding and managing Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Attendees will learn what Alpha-Gal Syndrome is, explore common symptoms and how screening works. The program will also provide practical prevention strategies and helpful tips for grocery shopping and reading food labels to avoid hidden sources of alpha-gal. This event is open to the public. The cost of this course is $5.00 per person, payable the night of the event.