Archive for 2017

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6090, while only grading would be done on county roads 5530, 6380 and 6400. Purcell said a man would be picking up old tires left on a road. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that his district received about 8/10ths of an inch of rain that allows for grading to be done on Dent County Roads 2620, 2630, 3180, 4280, 4283, 4287 and 4290, while materials will be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4285. He also said brush would be cut on county road 2300. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended a special transportation meeting at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to address transportation needs citizens in Dent County have to get the proper medical attention they need. Skiles said the Missouri Foundation for Health funded a pilot project in 11 counties called HealthTRAN that is administered by the Missouri Rural Health Association. HealthTRAN partners with existing transportation services to provide a convenient travel mode for individuals who can’t afford transportation on their own for medical needs. This would include low-income individuals, those with disabilities and senior citizens. The project is available in Shannon County, but it currently does not serve Dent County. The Missouri Foundation for Health is looking at assessing needs in other counties including Dent County to expand these services. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would be attending the Salem Chamber, City and County website meeting today at the Salem Community Center@The Armory as they continue to work on the new site. The commission also approved renewing their current insurance policy through MO-PERM for 2018. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Monday afternoon at the hospital library. Chief Financial Officer Monica Gargus gave the summary of operations for September that showed the hospital had a loss from operations of $17,567 with an excess of expenses over revenues of $14,262. Much of that loss came from additional expenses to the 340B program and hospital foundation. Inpatient admissions were below budget, while outpatient registrations were almost right on budget. The cash flow statement showed a decrease in cash of $204,276 for September with days in accounts receivable rising to 63. Gargus said there was an issue with Medicaid not paying for some specific services that is system wide that caused the days in accounts receivable to go up 10 days from last September. Statistics for the month of September showed inpatient admissions at 47 with impatient census days at 193. There were 802 emergency room visits, 217 ambulance runs with 162 patients being transported to the hospital, 27 surgical procedures, 1,963 outpatient registrations, 183 home health visits, 9,232 lab tests, 914 radiological procedures and 580 rehab treatments. This month, the quality improvement committee reviewed and discussed projects for Surgery, Human Resources, Long Term Care, Pharmacy and Medical Records. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported the dates for the Health Screenings at the Salem Community Center@The Armory for 2018 and they are February 7th and 8th, May 23rd and 24th, and September 19th and 20th. It was also announced that balcony tickets for the Dancing with the Salem Stars presented by the Hospital Foundation are now available for $15 in advance. They will be $20 at the door. It was also reported there are four 4-top tables and four 6-top tables that are still available for groups that are on the floor. The 4-top tables are $200 and the 6-top tables are $300. Please contact Ruth Ann Parker at 729-5414 or 247-8600. Lucas said the hospital auxiliary meeting had 11 members attend on October 3rd and the last fund raiser for the season is the holiday wreath sales that are going on until Halloween. He then went over the Emergency Department quarterly surveys for July through September of 2017. A total of 156 surveys were returned and the results were at least 96% and 100% in most categories from being treated professionally as were the explanation of the findings by the doctor. The SMDH Family Medicine Clinic Survey results for the same time period were also reviewed and they were excellent with 100% in almost every category. A total of 89 surveys was returned for the period. The board approved the annual bylaw review with no changes needed. The board set the next meeting for Tuesday, November 14th at 6:00 at which time the annual Hospital Audit Report will be given before going into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released reports from last week. On Monday, October 16th, deputies responded to a call from 8-up Ink to report a theft. They reported that tattoo equipment and ink had been taken from the business. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, October 20th, deputies responded to Dent County Road 4155 for a report of domestic assault. After a short investigation, it was discovered that a 29-year old Salem man had assaulted a family member. He was arrested and charged with Domestic Assault in the 3rd Degree. He was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail on a $10,000 cash only bond. On Saturday, October 21st, deputies responded to the 2000 block of Dent County Road 6220 in reference to a report of a trespasser. Dent County deputies made contact with a 40-year old Salem man matching the description of a trespasser. He was arrested on a Capias warrant and was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center, located at 202 S. Main here in Salem is currently accepting applications for exhibits for the 2017 Trees and Trains. Trees and Trains has been a time- honored tradition in Salem for the past 12 years and is visited each year by over 4,000 people. This year the exhibit begins with an open house on November 19th, and will remain open through December 24th. Applications and guidelines can be picked up at the ONCRC at 202 S. Main or by calling 573-729-6384, or 573-453-6091. They can also be requested by emailing mbcook16@gmail.com. The deadline for submission is November 10th. There is no charge to exhibit a tree or display, and all are invited to do so.

An accident happened in Phelps County Friday afternoon at 3:50 on Highway 63 about two miles north on Route W. According to the highway report, a 2017 Nissan Versa driven southbound by 53-year old Pamela Barnum of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck several mailboxes before hitting a tree. The Nissan then overturned and caught fire with Barnum trapped inside. She was removed from the Versa by passing citizens. Barnum suffered serious injuries and was flown by Arch Helicopter to the University Hospital in Columbia. It is unknown if Barnum was wearing a seat restraint when the accident happened. The Versa was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla. The highway patrol was assisted by the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday October 13th at about 2:12 in the afternoon, an officer was sent to the Salem Middle School in reference to a weapons violation. The investigation of the report revealed that a 12-year old male juvenile of Salem had brought a knife to school. The juvenile was detained and the knife was confiscated. It was later released to his parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that evening at 6:30, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to the theft of two bicycles. That investigation revealed that a person or persons unknown took two 20-inch bicycles valued at $140.00 from the yard of a residence in the 700 block of South Pershing. The report is under investigation. Earlier that same day at approximately 5:54 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a fight that had occurred in the store. The investigation of the report revealed that a 34-year old male of Salem had assaulted a 32-year old male of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspects who were issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening at 11:26, an officer was conducting a narcotics investigation at a residence in the 1800 block of South Oak. As a result of the investigation, a 22-year old female of Salem was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance and a 26-year old male of Salem was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance and delivery of marijuana. The two suspects were incarcerated pending the application for warrants. On Saturday, October 14th near 12:34 in the morning, an officer made contact with the driver of a suspicious vehicle near Carty and Highway 32. The driver of the vehicle, a 26-year old male of Salem, was taken into custody for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. That same evening at 8:25, an officer was sent to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 32-year old female of St. Louis for the possession of methamphetamine, stealing merchandise, and trespassing. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. About 30 minutes later that same night at about 9:00, an officer transported a 35-year old female of Salem to SSM Behavioral Health in De Paul, Missouri due to a commitment order. On Sunday afternoon, October 15th at about 1:54, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1500 block of Highway 19 in reference to a burglary. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown took items from a residence valued at $1700.00. The report is under investigation. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, you are urged to call the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular board meeting this afternoon at noon at the hospital library. In the administrator’s report, the board will receive information on the summary of operations for the month of September followed by the Chief of Nursing report. There will be a report on the Hospital Foundation followed by the auxiliary report. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will go over the Patient Satisfaction Survey results for the Emergency Department and the SMDH Family Medicine. In old business, the board will discuss the Annual Bylaw Review before discussing purchases for the hospital in New Business. They will also announce the Hospital Annual Audit report will be presented on Tuesday, November 14th. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The regular board meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be this afternoon starting at 12:00 noon at the hospital library and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Area Arts Council invites everyone to their meeting Tuesday night at the Creative Arts Center to help develop, plan and coordinate arts activities in Salem starting at 7:00.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated chip and seal repair would be done on Dent County Roads 4235, 4255 and 5610. He said maintenance would be done on county dump truck #121. Purcell said he attended a Tourism Tax Commission meeting Monday night where two proposals were submitted and one reimbursement was approved. He also attended a South Central Missouri Community Action Agency meeting on Tuesday at Winona. Purcell said funds are again available to Dent County residents in the LIHEAP program which stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Applications are now being accepted for the LIHEAP program and you must fall within the income guidelines to qualify. Purcell went on to say funds were still available in the Home Repair Program through the SCMCAA for persons in Dent County, but those applications are due by November 1st. For more information on either of the programs, please call Sarah at 6729-3500 ext 10. Again, there are income parameters for each program that must be met. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said workers would be grading on Dent County Roads 2090, 3160 and 4290, while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2240. Larson went on to say that brush would be cut on county road 2330. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles attended a Transportation STEP meeting at the Salem Community Center@The Armory Thursday morning. Skiles did indicate the commissioners had signed off on the September Collectors Report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she participated in the discussion Wednesday on the new website for the city, county and chamber. There is still some work being done before the new website is unveiled. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports from last week. On Monday morning, October 9th at about 3:46, officers were in the 400 block of South Askins in an attempt to arrest a subject with an active felony warrant. The subject, a 33-year old male, was located and arrested without incident. He was released to the custody of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office on the warrant, which had a $10,000 bond for the charge of tampering with a motor vehicle in the 1st degree. On Wednesday, October 11th, Salem Police Officers were detailed to the Fourth Street Mall in reference to a burglary report. Upon arrival, officers investigated the scene. The reporting party said that entry was gained into the building and that property valued in excess of $900.00 was reported stolen. Salem Police were able to gather evidence of a possible suspect. The report remains under investigation at this time. That same day, officers were dispatched to Wal-Mart, in reference a shoplifting report. A 77-year old female subject was subsequently arrested after stating that she had taken items that she thought were cute and could be given to her grandchild. The woman was arrested and processed and released on summons for a misdemeanor theft charge. On Thursday evening, October 12th at about 8:52, an officer was sent to an apartment on Oak Street in reference to a stealing report that occurred in the 1000 block of West Coffman. Officers spoke with a 24-year old male subject that reported two phones and two blue tooth speakers as being stolen. The value of the property was in excess of $300.00 dollars. A suspect was identified and the report remains under investigation. On Friday, October 13th at 1:00 in the afternoon, Salem Police Officers were detailed to the 100 block of North Park Street in reference to the theft of prescription drugs. Officers arrived and conducted an investigation. A 31-year old female subject was arrested for her part in the theft and on a related assault that had occurred after the theft. A 30-year old male subject fled the scene, but was located by the Salem Police Department K-9 Unit. He was tracked to an abandoned house in the 800 block of West Center Street where he was arrested as well. Both subjects were transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where they were incarcerated pending warrant applications from the Dent County Prosecutor. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigations. Any information provided to the police will be kept confidential.