Archive for 2019

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in for the Commissioners to sign off on the budgeted transfer of $40,000 from the Inmate Security Fund to the LEST Fund. She also reported that she attended the Missouri County Treasurers Association meeting Sunday and Monday where she was elected 1st Vice President and will move up to President of the Association next year. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said he had a crew in the Bunker area hauling oversize rock to Dent County Road 5610 in order to stabilize a bluff that’s caving off. He went on to report that brush was being cut on county roads 6090 and 6100, plus he has a Cat grader down with control issues. Purcell said that a service technician had worked on the grader twice, but the issues have not been resolved. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 2160, 4030, and 6140, while brush would be cut on county roads 2050 and 2060. He noted that work was continuing on a loader to replace worn pins and that Truck #116 was being serviced, plus he had man screening brown rock at the Road and Bridge Department. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported Judy Apperson would be recognized for her service to Dent County at the MRPC Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner Thursday night in Waynesville. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a couple of reports. On Tuesday October 15th, the sheriff’s office was notified of
a burglary which had occurred in the 11000 block of West Highway 32. A deputy traveled to the area and discovered a weed eater had been stolen from a residence. Then on Thursday the 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of South Highway 19. During the traffic stop, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If you have any information regarding the theft please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Onondaga Friends Association will partner with area grottoes to host geology tours of Onondaga Cave, Saturday, October 26th. These first-come, first-served cave tours will leave every half-hour from the visitor center. The first tour begins promptly at 5:00 and the last tour will depart at 9:00 that night. To ensure you preferred tour time is available, it is highly recommended that you make advanced reservations especially if you are planning a group event. Reservations and advance payment can be made by visiting onondagafriends.org. If you plan on camping at the park, be sure to make your camping reservation early by visiting mostateparks.com or by calling 1-877-422-6766. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, cool temperature (57 degrees F) and high humidity (nearing 100%). Participants are encouraged to dress in layers of warm clothing and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots. Onondaga Cave State Park is located 7 miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off of Interstate 44 on Highway H. For more information about this and other events, contact the park at 573-245-6576.

Officials at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Poplar Bluff announced a one-day flu clinic will be held at VA clinic at Physicians Office Building 1 on the campus of SMDH TODAY from 8:00 in the morning until 4:00. The CDC says that people at especially high risk for flu complications include adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, young children, and those with asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and children with neurological conditions. Whether you get your shot to protect yourself, those you love, or high-risk individuals (or all three), the time to get your flu shot is now. Veterans who receive their flu shots outside of VA health care are asked to report their immunization to their primary care physician. Those unable to attend the flu shot clinic may still receive them through a primary physician or the Dent County Health Center.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library. Hospital CEO Kasey Lucas said it was a busy month of September for the hospital with 115 admissions with an average of 13 acute care patients per day. He also there were 2,102 outpatient registrations, 1,963 cardiopulmonary procedures, 8,560 lab tests, 1,409 radiology procedures, 806 rehabilitation treatments, 37 surgeries, 272 home health visits and 869 emergency room visits. There were 272 ambulance runs for the month with 188 patients transported and 84 dry runs. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $72,033 and had revenues over expenses after taxes of $74,451. Reviewing the operating expenses, Lucas pointed out contractual services for floor RN’s brought in a large expense in September as did the purchase of supplies. The days in net accounts receivable has jumped to 73 from 59 due to the audit adjustments as the number of days the hospital has cash on hand dropped to 43. The Hospital Auxiliary was a part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk with over 100 walkers in attendance on October 1st. Their next meeting will be held on November 5th at noon at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported the Hospital Foundation will be holding their “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on January 25 at the SHS Gym and they have 13 couples signed up. They will also have a Golf Tournament on June 5th and a Wings and Strings event on September 12th. Foundation Advisory Board members Judy Thompson and Dennis Fielbelman decided to stay on the board for another term. Edwards reported the hospital had 75 people come through their booth at the Rose Holland Trout Derby at Montauk State Park on October 5th. The hospital continues to do their CPR training and first responder training with the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District. A Stroke Support group is meeting quarterly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 at the hospital library, and a Diabetes Support group is meeting the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm at the hospital library. Edwards wants to promote the diabetes support group more to make more people aware of the meeting. After reviewing the SMDH Emergency Department and the SMDH Family Medicine patient satisfaction surveys which all showed very good results, the board discussed the expansion update. Alexander Construction began work on the Long-Term Care renovations on September 16th while the window replacements in the patient and resident rooms to be done by Cahill Construction will be held off until the spring. The board discussed the issuance of revenue bonds to pay for the hospital expansion and the Request for Proposal letter is to be sent this Friday and due back on November 11th. At that time, the finance committee will be meeting. The board approved the purchase of new hemodialysis unit from Fresenius for $15,141 to replace an old unit. They also approved going with the bid from Town and Country Bank for the lease/purchase amount of $165,876 for a new ambulance with an interest rate of 3.05% with a 36-month term that will require a monthly payment of $4,827.27. The board approved the board meeting dates of Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 PM and Tuesday, December 10th at noon to work around the holidays. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday evening, October 10th near 11:17, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Carty in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 26-year-old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. On Saturday night, October 12th at approximately 9:40, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That traffic stop led to the arrest of a 32-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday night, October 13th, at about 9:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Gertrude in reference to people using illegal drugs and a suicidal person. That investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male of Washington, Missouri for the possession of heroin and methamphetamine. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.