Archive for 2019

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday afternoon at 3:05 on Highway H four tenths of a mile west of the Salem City Limits. According to the Highway Patrol Report a westbound 2000 Ford Ranger, driven by 27 year-old Trenton Stacy of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway, returned to the pavement. Then the Ranger traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned. Stacy and the passenger 27 year-old Kayla Howard suffered moderate injuries and were transported by Air Evac to Mercy Creve Coeur. The report stated that neither Stacy or Howard were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Police Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles had notified Dent County Clerk Angie Curley that he was sick and would not be in attendance. Curley appointed District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell to serve as Acting Presiding Commissioner. In the road report Purcell said that with less rainfall and drying winds grading would be catching up and the roads would look a lot different in a few weeks. He said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 6350 and materials would be added to county road 6640. Purcell went on to say that grading would be done and materials would be added to county roads 5530 and 6370. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3120, 3180, 3170, 3130, 4300, and 4290, while materials only would be added to county roads 2150, 3120, and 3180. Larson added that materials would be added and grading done on county road 2155. Curley reported that phone bids were taken for 2,000 gallons of gasoline with County Fuels submitting the low bid of $2.139 per gallon. She said that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Curley reminded voters that absentee voting continues in her office through April 1st, and if anyone needs to update their information such as address changes they should come by her office. She also reminded everyone in the Bunker area that on April 2nd Sinkin Township/Bunker Precinct voting has been moved from Bunker High School to Bunker City Hall. Curley noted that polls will open at 6:00 am and close at 7:00 pm and voters need to remember to bring their identification. If anyone needs information about the upcoming election call her office at 729-4144. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports. On Thursday morning, March 14th at approximately 9:00, an officer was contacted reference a sexual assault of a juvenile. Investigation of the report revealed a juvenile female had been sexually assaulted by a suspect from Rolla, Missouri. The report is under investigation. Later that same day at approximately 4:29 p.m. an officer located a 35-year-old female of Salem, Missouri near Fifth and Iron who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after posting and receiving a new date to appear in court. Then on Saturday, March 16th at approximately 1:13 a.m. an officer was dispatched to a one vehicle accident on Missouri 32 near the Ranch Motel. Investigation of the crash led to the arrest of a 51-year-old male of Salem, Missouri for driving while suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that day at 1:00 p.m. an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference a theft. Investigation of the report revealed person(s) unknown took the license plate off of a maroon 2004 Ford Expedition. The report is under investigation. On Sunday, March 17th at approximately 11:42 a.m. an officer was dispatched to Mobil gas station in reference to a theft. Investigation of the report revealed a 47-year-old male of Salem, Missouri had stolen three lottery tickets valued $60.00 and returned to the store to cash one of the stolen tickets for $20.00. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday, March 18th at approximately 3:45 p.m. an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference damage to a vehicle. Investigation of the report revealed person(s) unknown damaged the touch screen valued $2582.00 on a blue 2018 Nissan Versa that was parked near the 500 block of South Warfel. The report is under investigation. On Tuesday the 19th at approximately 12:34 p.m. the School Resource Officer was contacted reference a weapons violation. Investigation of the report revealed a 12-year-old male juvenile student had brought a knife to school in his backpack. Further investigation led to the detention of the student who was released to a parent. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Later that night at approximately 11:15 p.m. an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department reference a stolen license plate. Investigation of the report revealed person(s) unknown took a license plate from a 2001 Ford Explorer. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation ongoing or previously mentioned.

The Salem Police Department did not test the storm siren yesterday as scheduled due to a malfunction in the system. That test will be rescheduled for a later date to be announced.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas introduced Lisa Dulaney, Director of Social Services. She explained about her responsibilities with acute care discharge planning, swing bed, coordinating long term care, and communications with Dialysis Department, ER, and Family Medicine. She said that communication and coordination are her primary responsibilities and she finds her role at SMDH very rewarding. Dulaney’s presentation was followed by the Dialysis Department. Lucas introduced current Director Michelle McWhorter and Brittany Shephard, who will become the director April 1st, when McWhorter retires. They presented power points while explaining the dialysis lab and water filtration system for the department. They noted that they currently have 12 patients and are currently at their maximum number of patients they can serve, plus they have potential patients on the waiting list. McWhorter pointed out that CMS Medicare regulations and standards dictate the amount of time to complete dialysis preparation, the process itself, and prep for the next patient and that’s what keeps the numbers at this level. In the summary of operations for the month of February, the hospital had 101 inpatient admissions with 317 inpatient census days. Patients per day in Acute Care came in at 11.3 in February. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $46,755 and revenues over expenses after taxes of $65,756. Cash decreased for the month by $359,835, which was mostly due to $700,000 in Medicare payments in February. The days in net account receivables dropped from 73 to 66 days last month. During the month, there were 684 emergency room visits to go with 204 ambulance runs with 164 patients being transported, 29 surgery cases, 1,916 outpatient registrations, 303 home health visits, 9,034 lab tests, 1,225 radiological procedures and 545 rehab treatments. Debbie Hines gave the Chief of Nursing report that concentrated on the Community Health Needs Assessment update. She noted that to date there have been 143 online survey responses via Survey Monkey and that paper surveys that were distributed to various locations will be picked up March 31st. Hines went on to say the data will be compiled to analyze and prioritize the health issues identified by the community. She gave an update on the flu season and Salem had a much lower concentration in January versus last year, but the February total of 31 actually exceeded also up from 16 in 2018. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported that the Hospital Auxiliary met on March 5th with nine members present. “Scrubs and Beyond” will be held on April 17th and Shoe Roads Productions will be on September 10th with both fundraisers being held at the hospital library. COO Chris Strickland said the Hospital Foundation will be meeting April 1st to ratify the updated bylaws and that they are still waiting on the IRS Tax Exempt Status update. He said the bands are booked for the “Foundation Benefit Concert and Wing Off” that will be held August 3rd at the Commons. Strickland said the hospital was represented at Montauk State Park on “Opening Day of Trout Season”, at Healthy Dent County’s “Girls Night Out” on March 14th and had two ambulances at the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. Strickland updated the Board on the new Ultrasound Equipment in Radiology and showed power points contrasting the new machine with the existing machine, which has been upgraded and will be used for overflow and backup. Lucas gave the Chief of Staff Report on the Staff meeting March 18th where the summary of operations, Chief of Nursing, Pharmacy and Therapeutics reports were reviewed and discussed. Courtesy Staff privileges were approved and recommended for the Franklin Mayhue, MD and Elizabeth Lambird, DO for the Emergency Department, as well as Oagouke Akinwande, MD, Patrick Carera, Do, and James Nepute, MD for Teleradiology. The Board approved Courtesy Staff privileges for these physicians. Lucas also said the Fiscal Year 2020 committee would be meeting in April. CNO Hines reviewed the CMS critical access hospital survey conducted January 9th. She said six acute care deficiencies, one Emergency Room, and 5 plant operations deficiencies were identified. She said that several plans of corrections, as well as new policies were developed to monitor progress and ensure compliance. Hines said that the plan was accepted and the letter of approval from CMS actually arrived Tuesday and SMDH is now in compliance with CMS. She noted that she was pleased with the survey results since the deficiencies were minor and that the last review of SMDH by CMS was 5 year ago. Lucas said he would get information to the Board members about the MHA Leadership Forum coming up May 16-17. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Airport Board will be meeting this evening at 6:30 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. After the call to order, the board will be developing written policies for hanger rental. Also on the agenda will be the discussion of hanger usage, fuel issues and review the waiting list for hangers before adjourning. The meeting is open to the public.

Sample ballots for the Municipal Election to be held on April 2nd are available at the Dent County Clerk’s Office at the Dent County Courthouse. Elections to be held that day include voting for two members for three years terms on the Oak Hill R-1 School District Board from six candidates who are Natalie Stevens, Phillip Mercer, Shena Terrill, Matthew Sapaugh, Tela Commons and Michael Connors. Also at Oak Hill R-1, there is a board vacancy for a one-year term. Voters will vote from Phillip Thompson, Allison Thompson or Willie Strader to fill that slot. Green Forest R-2 voters will also being voting for two board members for three year terms from four candidates. They are Austin Konkel, Crystal Fleener, Jeremy Patton and Nicole Brooks. At the Iron County C-4 School, there are six candidates for two open board positions. Those running are Shawn Pratt, Teddy Pryor, Tim Brooks, Mark Barton, Dustin Decker and Cleatis Karl Payne. The Bunker R-3 School District will also be elected two directors for their school board for a three year term from these candidates: Gary Skaggs, Joel Steelman and Todd Sutton. Also a few voters will be voting for two directors to serve on the Rolla 31 School District Board for three years from James “Jim” Packard, Shannon Lusk and William “Bill” R E Parsons. The City of Salem will hold elections to fill a seat for East and West Ward Alderman. On the East side, Rachel Hinderliter will oppose Jerry (Jay) Gibbs, Jr.; while on the west side, Harley Elwood-Conaway will be opposed by Kevin James. And the City of Bunker will be holding an election for an alderman to serve a two-year term. Voters will choose from Betty Wisdom, Sabrina Watson and Patricia (Houston) Rowland. The sample ballots are free. If you need to update your voter registration contact the clerk’s office at 729-4144 or stop by their office before April 2nd. Absentee voting is currently going on at the Dent County Clerk’s office and will through Monday, April 1st.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday morning, March 07th at approximately 3:47, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. That evening at 8:13, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of that stop led to the arrest of a 71-year-old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was later released with a new court date after posting the bond on the warrant. Even later that same evening near 11:41, an officer located a 40-year-old male of Salem in the 900 block of South Hickory who had an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. On Friday, March 8th at about 8:34 at night, an officer was dispatched to the area of 600 East Hunt Street in reference to an intoxicated male threatening, yelling and causing a disturbance. That investigation led to the arrest of a 41-year-old male of Salem for disorderly conduct. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information about any ongoing investigation.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 Thursday evening, at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch with a report on Summer School for 2019, health insurance update and facilities update. The Board will review and approve all previous minutes and bills, approve the attendance report, approve the Food Service report, approve the substitute list, and approve Program Evaluations for Climate and Credit Recovery. After the Principals’ Building Reports the Board will address new business including; setting the organizational meeting date and the April regular meeting date, approve MSBA Policy Service Agreement, and set 2019-2020 tuitiion. The Board will hear resignations and then adjourn and move into an executive session. The March regular monthly meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

More than 500 Missouri Lottery players have won Show Me Cash jackpots since sales for the Draw Game began in 2008. Charles Brown of Rolla has now joined five other players to have won Show Me Cash not once, but twice. His second win came with a March 6th jackpot win of $65,000. Brown’s first jackpot win of $279,000 occurred more than five years ago on October 7th, 2013. Show Me Cash is a daily Draw Game with jackpots that start at $50,000 and grow until won. Brown’s win marks the 12th Show Me Cash jackpot won in 2019 and the 554th jackpot won since sales for the Draw Game began in 2008.