Archive for 2017

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Chief Financial Officer Monica Gargus gave the summary of operations for June that showed the hospital had a loss from operations of $186,361 with an excess of expenses over revenues of $183,000. Much of that loss came from an auditors’ adjustment of $250,000. Inpatient admissions were up from last month but below budget, while outpatient registrations were down from last month but over budget. The hospital also received an insurance rebate during the month. The cash flow statement showed a decrease in cash of $138,134 for the month with days in accounts receivable at 56. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 59 acute care admissions, 722 emergency room visits with an average turnaround time of 125 minutes. Also during the month, there were 205 ambulance runs with 146 patients being transported to the hospital, 14 surgery services, 1,634 outpatient registrations, 229 home health visits, 9,357 lab tests, 1,051 radiological procedures, 233 CT scans, 32 MRI scans, 8 nuclear med scans, 688 rehab treatments, 149 dialysis treatments and 269 clinical visits. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas went over the Emergency Room quarterly surveys for April through June of 2017. A total of 191 surveys were returned and the results about the treatment patients received were at least 93% 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 second quarter were also reviewed and they were excellent with 100% in every category. A total of 69 surveys were returned for the second quarter. In the Chief of Staff report, Courtesy Staff privileges were approved for psychiatrist Bun Tee Co, MD for Long Term Care who will do most of his interviews through Telehealth. The SMDH Foundation will have their “Dancing with the Salem Stars” event on December 9th. The hospital auxiliary will have their Masquerade and Jewelry Sale on August 31st and September 1st at the Dent County Fire Station. The board discussed and then approved sending the City of Salem a letter of intent to be added on their sewer system with the new expansion with a request to the city to assist them if possible, in the elimination of their lagoon. Administrator Lucas said the cost to close the lagoon could cost the hospital between $20,000 and $25,000. The board set the public tax meeting for Tuesday, August 22nd at 5:45 to set the tax llevy for the next year. The board also selected the new officers for the new fiscal year and they are A. J Seay as Chairman, George Gruendel as Vice-Chairman and Sue Terry as Secretary. The board approved the purchase of 25 thin client Dell computers from ParagonMicro for a total of $7,402 before going into closed session.

The 2017 4-H/FFA Expo continued thru Saturday, July 22nd at the Commons located on Highway 72 in Salem. Today the livestock weigh-ins begin at 12:30, Achievement Day events start at 5:00 pm and there will be family entertainment from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Family entertainment will include frog jumping, youth relay races, the nickel scramble, a peewee stick horse race, chicken race, tug of war, turtle races and a pet fashion show. On Friday, July 21st the hog show starts at 7:00 am, the sheep/goat show will be at 1:30, the small animal show is at 3:00 and the beef/dairy show will be at 4:00. Family games will be from 7:00 to 9:00. Then on Saturday, July 22nd the FFA tractor pull will be start at 9:00 am with the Market Sale luncheon at noon followed by the 4-H/FFA market sale at 1:00 and will be broadcast live on KSMO 1340 AM. Everyone is invited out to the 2017 4-H/FFA Expo. Admission is free and there will also be a variety of food available from local food vendors.

As Missourians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by the flooding and severe storms that occurred April 28-May 11, 2017, FEMA and home improvement stores in the state are teaming up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer. Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation specialists will be on hand to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters as well as offer tips and techniques to build hazard-resistant homes. Most of the information and the free publications provided are geared to do-it-yourself work and general contractors. Recovery topics covered include flood insurance, elevating utilities and rebuilding flooded homes. FEMA advisors will be available at Meeks Lumber at 200 West 8th Street in Rolla today through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, July 24th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Tuesday morning, July 25th from 7:00 a.m. to noon.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will conduct their July meeting tonight in the boardroom beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval or the agendas and communications, Superintendent John McColloch will update the Board with the open house dates and times and he will also be giving an update on facilities projects. In new business, the Board will be approving bids for milk, bread, food and supply, fuel and pest control for the upcoming school year. The Board will then set a tax rate hearing and well as their regular August Board meeting date. The Board will be considering the Dent County Preschool Transportation Agreement and a Chromebook Policy/Handbook. The Board may then vote to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The July meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

An accident happened in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 4160 about 9 ½ miles southeast of Rolla that left a woman from Salem with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser driven westbound by 61-year old Cynthia Scritchfield of Salem, lost control of the Cruiser and it crossed the center line striking head-on a 1997 GMC Sierra driven eastbound by 48-year old Paulette Moreland of Cook Station. Scritchfield suffered serious injuries and was taken by Mercy Lifeline Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Moreland suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Phelps County Ambulance to the Phelps County Region Medical Center. Scritchfield was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident and Moreland was. The PT Cruiser and Sierra were both totaled. The PT Cruiser was removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing while the Sierra was taken away by Spurgeon’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Wednesday, July 12th, deputies responded to the 800 block of County Road 6400 for a report of a domestic disturbance. As a result, 55-year old Tammy Inman of Salem was arrested for Domestic Assault 4th Degree. She was taken to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, and released with a summons to appear in court. On Friday, July 14th, deputies responded to the 700 block of County Road 6620 for a report of a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies arrested 52-year old Raymond Williams of Licking. Williams had a warrant from Dent County for Domestic Assault 3rd Degree. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and is being held on a $7,000 cash only bond. On Saturday, July 15th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Route K and Highway 19. As a result of the stop, 20-year old Tristan Gaddy of Salem was arrested for DWI – Drugs. He was issued 5 citations and released. If you have any information about any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department released a number of reports. On Monday, July 10th at 6:54 pm, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 300 block of East Bryon in reference to property damage. The report revealed someone unknown broke the back glass valued $200.00 out of a white 2004 Nissan Altima. On Tuesday, July 11th at 11:31 pm, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The stop led to the arrest of a 26-year old Salem female for driving while suspended. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Wednesday, July 12th at 1:53 in the early morning, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 700 block of West Virginia in reference an intoxicated male causing a disturbance. The report revealed an intoxicated 53-year old Salem male was attempting to gain entry to a residence where he was not welcome. He was sprayed with mace by the resident and continued to cause a disturbance. He was taken into custody for disorderly conduct, issued a summons to appear in court and later released to the Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health Center for treatment. Call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The new 2017-2018 Official Missouri State Highway Map is now available! The map features brighter colors and stronger paper to make it both easier to read and more durable. Also, new interstate interchanges and exit numbers have been added since the last published edition in 2013. The map shows Missouri’s 33,873-mile highway system and is distributed free of charge. The location of truck parking along the interstates is now designated on the map and legend. Missouri State Parks have been updated and include the new Rock Island spur of the Katy Trail. The location of Missouri Conservation Management Areas and National Fish and Wildlife Areas are new to this map. The Kansas City inset map now shows the KC Streetcar line with stations. Other information includes easy-to-locate emergency telephone numbers, reminders about some of Missouri’s traffic laws and contact information for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri Department of Transportation district offices. The map also marks historic sites, hospitals, airports, Amtrak stations, colleges and universities. The cover of the map features a night shot of Kansas City’s magnificent Bartle Hall, a gem in the crown of the city skyline. On the back, the map also features the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, a national icon which opened to the public 50 years ago. To request a free map contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888) 275-6636.