Archive for 2019

The Salem Park and Recreation Department announces the Opening Day Ceremony for the Baseball, Softball and T-Ball participants and their parents will be held today at the Blue Field. From 4:30 to 7:00, participants in the program are welcome to come and get a free hamburger or hot dog along with a bottle of water FREE at the Salem City Park Concession stand. The ceremonies will begin at 6:00 that will include the throwing of the first pitch by former City of Salem Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon, the presentation of colors by the American Legion, the National Anthem will be performed followed by the individual players on each team being announced to the crowd on the Blue Field as they run from 3rd base to home plate. A team photo will also be taken on the Red Field. Parents can find their children after the team photo in front of the Red Field on the concrete pad. Parking for the event is available in the city park by the T-Ball Fields, swimming pool, at the Salem Community Center@The Armory as well as directly across the street from that building, and off Park Place Drive by the Red Field. Please do NOT park on the grass at the Salem City Park. In order to make traffic flow better and avoid congestion for those in the Salem City Park, one-way traffic through the Salem City Park will be implemented for the Opening Day Ceremonies and continue on game nights. The Salem Police Department is asking everyone to please enter your vehicle through the main entrance to the Salem City Park off Route J and exit through the back gate on Thomas Avenue to North Park Street.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday at the hospital library. Two directors were in attendance to provide the board with reports on their departments. Ashley Sullins gave the report on the Home Health Department from the period of October 2018 to March 2019 which showed an overall rating of 93% satisfaction. She said her department showed a profit of $143,260 during that period. Sullins also presented the star rating comparison of the home health providers in the area and Salem was the highest with a four star rating and a patient satisfaction rating of five. Bobby Sullins from Radiology gave his report on trends and went through each service to show the growth in his department from nuclear med to body density and all other areas. He stated the Radiology Department billed over a million dollars for the first time last July and they have accomplished that number in eight of the last nine months. He is looking forward to having an in-house MRI by 2020 so that even more demand can be met immediately. In the summary of operations for April, Chief Financial Officer Monica Stogsdill reported on the gain from operations of $80,328 with an excess of revenues over expenses of $88,328 for the month. In April, there were 103 patients admitted to the hospital and the amount of acute care patients per day for April came in at 10.5. A large amount of medical and surgery patients occurred during April with 314 in-patient census days being reported. The cash flow statement showed a decrease in cash of $4,752 for the month with days in accounts receivable dropping to 55. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 780 emergency room visits, 216 ambulance runs with 152 patients being transported to the hospital, 32 surgical procedures, 1,776 outpatient registrations, 334 home health visits, 7,978 lab tests, 1,417 radiological procedures and 834 rehab treatments. She also said the hospital did not get enough HCAHPS surveys to get star rated as there were 95 responses for the MBQIP Patient Engagement Quality report. They must have 100 to get a star rating, but all the categories were either better or comparable to the state and national averages. The days cash-on-hand for the hospital stands at 62 year-to-date and that is consistent with the Critical Access Hospital state average of 65 for Critical Access Hospitals and above the rural hospital average of 60. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave a report on the Hospital Auxiliary meeting as they had eight members present to discuss fundraisers. They will not meet again until September 3rd. Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland reported on the hospital foundation and said there is still time get a team registered for the Annual Foundation Golf Tournament to be held on June 7th at the Spring Creek Golf Club. He also said the “Wings and Strings” fundraiser on August 3rd is progressing nicely. He said there is a new Stroke Support Group and it continues to grow. He also stated Nutritionalist Jason Edwards will be starting a Diabetes Support Group next month. The board approved Courtesy Staff privileges for Shukri Abdullah, MD and Gerald Garwood, DO, for the Emergency Department. The Finance Committee met and the board will be able to review the budget before voting on it in June. The budget shows an average increase in rates of about 4% across the board. They expect expenses to increase between zero and 4% in salaries, 4% in the retirement plan, 4% in supply costs and 7.5% in drug costs. The capital budget was also reviewed for the upcoming fiscal year that includes capital purchases of $544,947 and lease obligations that total $225,151. The operating budget showed a slight reduction of patients expected in the Emergency Department with an increase in Acute Care patient admissions. Total net operating revenue in the 2019 fiscal year is expected to be about $26,893,788 while the expected expenses at $26,828,854 that would leave an expected gain from operations of $64,934 and an excess of revenues after tax revenue at $564,934. The Finance Committee then approved Phase 1 of the hospital expansion which will address needs specified by the Life Safety Code and also create a new general entrance, create an MRI room and move materials management and more. The board approved the purchase of a disinfection system for ultrasound probes from Phillips Healthcare and Nanosonics for $8,275 before going into closed session.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening at the Council Chambers of City Hall. In the hearing of persons David Doyle has been cutting the lawn of the vacant property next to his to keep the mouse population down, and wanted to know if the city could pay him to keep the property from being cited for a nuisance violation. He was told he would have to be a licensed contractor which basically means he would need to have a business license from the city and have liability insurance. City attorney William Camm Seay said he would try to help him by contacting the property owner and letting them know it would be better for them to employ him to cut the grass than pay the new nuisance fees for a violation. William Parsons of 4th Street Mall requested street closures on Saturday for a Summer Fest to be held on the 4th Street east of the City Administration parking lots to the Roberts-Judson Lumber Company on Water Street between 3rd and 4th Street. He said there would be a talent show, bounce house, about 20 vendors and more. The event will begin at 10:00 in the morning and wrap up at 11:00 that night. The request was approved. Harold Tubbs felt that the Airport Board and the Park and Recreation Board were not being treated equally after the city determined a hanger price in closed session without conferring with the airport board. He also said the city is not maximizing the profit on their fuel charges as their credit card fees they pay are too high, and the Airport Board has requested a courtesy car at the airport for visitors and none has yet been provided. The board approved the state bid for a new copier for the police department from Corporate Business Systems. The new machine will be a Konica Minolta Bizhub C308. After the consent agenda was approved, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission Gary Brown reported on the public hearing and meeting of the commission. He said they voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Aldermen to rezone the property at 600 South McArthur from residential to commercial. Brown also said they will hold a workshop on a new Planning and Zoning Map and Amendment 2 that deals with the selling of medical marijuana and how that is to be zoned. City Clerk Mary Happel explained why Bill # 3416 was included in the meeting as she stated there were some errors that were made in the ordinance and some omissions had to be included to bring it up to date. City Administrator Ray Walden said the Opening Day Celebration for the City of Salem Summer Ball programs will be Thursday at the Salem City Park starting at 4:30 with free food for the players and parents of the ball programs, with the program beginning at 6:00. He said an Economic development Workshop would be held on May 30th at 5:30 at the Dent County Fire Station and everyone is welcome to attend. He said a “New Neighbor Night” will be held at the Main Street Café on June 4th from 4:00 until 6:00 PM and everyone is welcome to find out more about Salem. Walden reminded everyone that bags of grass or leaves as well as bundles of branches are picked up FREE by the city every First Monday of the month. Limbs and branches need to be no longer than four feet in length and all bags and bundles MUST be placed curbside and not on sidewalks or in the street. He also said the City Administrative Offices would be closed on Monday, May 27th for Memorial Day. City attorney Seay mentioned that the city needs to schedule public workshops to discuss the new nuisance violations and charges, and he requested that be done when all the alderman schedules allow. Walden stated the board is waiting on Archer-Elgin Engineering to provide setup fees for the dumping of waste from port-a-potties into the city waste water system. The board approved Bill #3414 that allows the mayor to execute an agreement with H.W. Lochner, Inc for the providing of professional services for the Salem Memorial Airport Project. The estimated project cost is $849,000 with the city’s portion coming to $84,900. They also approved Bill #3415 that allows the mayor to execute an agreement for the middle school demolition with Donald Maggi, Inc of Rolla for a cost of $292,002. Bill #3416 created a new ordinance that updates the laws on ATV’s and UTV’s within the City of Salem and the board approved its passing. The board approved Bill #3417 that approved the plat of the Scenic Rivers Plaza Subdivision while they postponed any decision on Resolution 12-2019 as a revised contract was submitted just before the meeting that had not been reviewed by the board. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Monday afternoon, April 29th, at about 4:50, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of East First Street in reference to a female creating a disturbance and shouting profanities. The investigation led to the arrest of a 47-year old female of Salem for disorderly conduct. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and was released. On Tuesday night, April 30th, near 11:37, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of East Center in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took a game system valued at $353.82. The report is under investigation. On Wednesday afternoon, May 1st, at about 4:15 an officer located a 30-year old male of Salem in the 100 block of Westwood Drive who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody a short distance away for the active arrest warrant, possession of a controlled substance, and resisting arrest. The suspect was incarcerated on the warrant and pending additional charges. On Thursday morning, May 2nd, at about 9:47, an officer took a report of a lost or stolen license plate valued at $13.50. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident occurred Sunday night at 11:00 in Phelps County that took the life of a Lee Summit, Missouri man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2018 Nissan Altima, driven by 21-year-old Justin Tieman, was traveling northbound on Phelps County Road 8010 about three miles north of Rolla when tThe Nissan traveled off the left side off the roadway, struck a driveway and became airborne. It then struck a couple of trees and returned to the roadway. The report stated that Tieman was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and was ejected from the vehicle. Phelps County Coroner Andy Davis pronounced Tieman deceased at 11:25. His body was transported to Rolla Cremation and Memorial. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 11:06 in Maries County on Highway 42 about three miles west of Highway 133. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, driven by 18-year old Clayton Pippin of Dixon, failed to yield at a stop sign and turned into the path of a westbound 2005 Buick Lacrosse, driven by 56-year old Steven Macey of St. James. A passenger in the Buick, 15-year old Lakota Macey of St. James suffered serious injuries and was transported by Miller County Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that all occupants of the vehicles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was towed by a private party. The Buick also sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Plaza Towing.

A one vehicle accident occurred Tuesday afternoon, April 30th, at approximately 2:24. According to the report released from the Salem Police department, a 1999 Nissan King Cab being driven by James Jessen of Salem, was traveling south on Highway 19 during a rainstorm. As the vehicle passed 10th Street, a witness stated that there was a guest of wind and the vehicle veered off the left side of the road and crashed into the concrete bridge support and overturned. The Nissan came to rest partially upside down with the rear of the truck against a tree approximately nine feet off the ground. Jessen received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Nissan was totaled in the accident and towed from the scene by Whitaker Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 6010 and 6040 while only grading was going to be done on county road 5600. Purcell went on to report that a crew would be cleaning the debris away from a bridge on Dent County Road 6080 because of the expected rains this week. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4280 and 4290. He went on to report that grading only would be done on county roads 2403, 2380, 3200 and 4410. He also said two men would be coming to the courthouse to remove a dead tree from the courthouse lawn. At 10:00, Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells was in attendance for the bids that were received for the lease purchase of a new 2019 Chevy Tahoe on the state bid of $22,170.00. The county had traded in a 2013 pickup against this truck. Two bids were received: one from Town and Country Bank and the other from the Bank of Salem. The bid from Town and Country Bank was the lowest at 2.89% with two annual payments to be made and no additional fees. The Commission approved accepting the Town and Country Bank bid. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners 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 will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 tonight at the hospital library. After approval of the minutes of the April 16th meeting, there will be a Department Director Presentation. Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of operations for the month of April; the board will also hear the report from CNO Debbie Hines, get the report on the hospital Foundation from COO Chris Strickland and hear the auxiliary report from Lucas. The board will also hear the marketing and community perception report from Chris Strickland on their involvement with different events. In old business, the Board will review the report from the FY’20 Finance Committee. In new business the board will discuss and review purchases. The board may then vote to go into closed session before adjourning. The regular meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

This Friday and Saturday, May 24th & 25th, Veterans and Auxiliary members of your local American Legion Post 99 will be conducting their annual poppy drive at the intersection of Highways 32/72 & 19, Country-Mart and Wal-Mart. The poppies are made by disabled veterans, and the proceeds of donations received will be used to help local veterans and their families. The Ladies Auxiliary of Post 99 thank you for your generosity and ask that you please wear a Poppy to show your support, honor and remember the sacrifices that our service men and women have made throughout the years that assure us of our continued freedoms and rights.

This Wednesday from 9:00 until 11:30, there will be a daytime stained glass workshop at the Creative Arts Center in Salem. Led by artist and art teacher Amber Pryor, all materials are provided to make a project. The cost is $25 per person and registration is limited to eight people. Call 247-0279 to register or information.