News – Monday, June 29th, 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.