News – Wednesday, September 30th, 2026

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.