Archive for 2020

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports. On Wednesday, April 15th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of East Truman Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 37 year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a motor vehicle upon a highway without a valid license. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Then on Friday, April 17th, deputies responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Highway W for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 69 year-old woman was the reported victim. The total value of the property that was stolen is approximately $1,000.00. This report is still under investigation. Finally, on Sunday, April 19th, deputies responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 6370 for a report of a disturbance. During the course of the investigation, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and harassment in the 1st degree. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and incarcerated. The 21-year-old is currently being held on a $50,000 cash or professional surety bond at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail. Please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241 if you have any information relative to any investigation.

A one vehicle accident happened Friday afternoon around 4:15 on Gibbs Street near Warfel. The report from the Salem police department states that a 2003 Chevrolet S-10 owned and operated by Aden Melton was traveling west on East Gibbs and stated he was having mechanical issues with the vehicle. The S-10 traveled off the right side of the street striking a concrete culvert and overturned in the street coming to rest on the driver’s side. Melton, who was not wearing a safety restraint, received minor injuries. The S-10 sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

In challenging times, Missourians come together. The University of Missouri Extension and communities across the state are showing up for each other and working together in innovative and engaging ways to bring the resources of the University of Missouri to the people who need them. While the Dent County Extension office is closed during the statewide stay-at-home order, Dent County residents can still reach our local faculty and staff by calling 729-3196 or emailing our office at dentco@missouri.edu. Updated program announcements are available on our Dent County Extension Facebook page or by visiting extension.missouri.edu/events. Although in-person programs are postponed, the MU Extension continues to offer a range of research-based and relevant programming in online formats. An example includes the MU Soil Testing Lab. It is still open and accepting soil samples. Samples should be submitted directly to the MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab, 23 Mumford Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Visit the lab’s website at soilplantlab.missouri.edu for detailed instructions and to generate a UPS shipping label. Make sure that you Include a completed sample information form. Forms are available for download. If you are a local food producer looking for new outlets to market your food to consumers during this time enter your farm information on the new Missouri Food Finder to help customers find your local food products at mofoodfinder.org. Youth and families looking for new activities should check out the MU 4H QuaranTIME programs at the Missouri 4-H Facebook page. A number of activities are available include cooking, ChickWatch, 4-H demonstrations and more! For questions or more info about the programs listed or resources at the Small Business Develop Centers website at sndc.missouri.edu, contact the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196 or email dentco@missouri.edu.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a total of $1,030,000 to 23 Missouri school districts and one Missouri school bus transportation company to replace 52 older diesel school buses. The funds are part of $11.5 million to replace 580 buses for 157 school bus fleets in 43 states, each of which will receive rebates through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act funding. The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage. The only school in the area to receive the money is the Rolla 31 Public Schools. They will receive $100,000 for five buses. Applicants replacing buses with engine model years 2006 and older will receive rebates between $15,000 and $20,000 per bus, depending on the size of the bus. Since 2008, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program has funded more than 1,000 clean diesel projects across the country, reducing emissions in more than 70,000 buses.

On Monday, April 20th in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in front of Judge Megan Seay, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reported that James Judd of Winfield, Missouri, pled guilty to tampering with a motor vehicle. Judd was sentenced to serve five years in the Department of Corrections and the sentence was executed. Curley also reported last week that Lacy Carpenter, Jr of Rolla was scheduled for trial for Statutory Sodomy in the 1st degree on June 16th. Carpenter was recently found deceased in his home in Rolla. Although Curley has been unable to locate any obituary details, his family confirmed that Carpenter passed away. No further efforts to prosecute will continue as a result.

The Salem Memorial District Board of Directors will hold a special board meeting conference call today at 1:00 to discuss the SBA Payroll Protection Program Board Resolution. To access the meeting, call Karen Brown at 729-6626.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library as well as through an online conference using Zoom. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the summary of operations for the month of March where the hospital had 115 inpatient admissions with 318 inpatient census days. There were 1,700 outpatient registrations, 1,306 cardiopulmonary procedures, 9,407 lab tests, 1,294 radiology procedures, 701 rehabilitation treatments, 12 surgeries, 241 home health visits and 839 emergency room visits. There were a total of 210 ambulance runs in March with 172 patients transported and 38 dry runs. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $394,226 and had expenses over revenues after taxes of $370,011. Hospital Administrator Lucas said the contractuals in nursing, coding and billing services as well as architectural and construction expenses led the way as well as bad debt expense. Lucas said the hospital received $570,000 in direct aid for the COVID-19 expense to the hospital and that money does not have to be paid back. The hospital also will get an advance payment from CMS of about three million dollars which is about 120 days of normal receivables. This is just in case the hospital needs it and the money after 120 days will be used to cover the billing to CMS. Lucas was questioned about the job Truebridge is doing in getting the collections up-to-date and he said the first month they were trying to figure out how Salem does their billing. He said after that they have been making progress and hopes to see results with the over 90-day due VA account that has more than 1.1 million dollars outstanding. Lucas said the cash on hand has risen to 43 days from 35 last month with a positive cash flow in March of $545,496. The Acute Care Staffing and Acuity report showed an average of 10 patients per day, but the patient total went down drastically after the coronavirus alert was put out in late March. Director of Nursing Debbie Hines said there were 147 cases of the flu in the month of March after 135 in February. This flu season there have been 309 confirmed flu cases. Hospital Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards said the Hospital Foundation still plans on having their golf tournament on June 5th and the Wings and Strings is still scheduled for September 12th. Edwards said the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grant meeting with the Program Field Representative Chris Collins happened on April 17th and the Certificate of Authority was completed. Edwards said with the schools currently closed, this will slow down the process, but the schools will still work with the hospital on the project. Edwards reported the support group meetings have all been postponed for the time being, but will start again after things get back to normal. In the COVID-19 update, there have been 27 tests given in Dent County with two tests pending. Sixteen of those tests have been at the Salem Hospital. They now have a drive through testing site where you can call the hospital if you have symptoms of the coronavirus to be tested. They will tell you where to park your vehicle and staff will come to your car to take the test. The staff has their own supply of masks, goggles and faceshields, they are required to wear homemade masks at work and are encouraged to wear masks outside of the work area. The hospital has a surge plan and they have daily briefings with the directors and staff to be ready. Administrator Lucas said he would schedule a finance committee meeting for the second week in May and then probably have another meeting before the board of directors meeting on May 19th. Lucas discussed the hospital expansion and renovation with the board and said the financing for the MRI has been approved and the footings for the MRI building have been poured with water and sewer lines installed. Concrete will be poured when the weather allows and remodeling is going on in the old maintenance area and the old medical records area. Currently, the administration office has been moved to the Physician Office Building 3 basement. Lucas stated the new board members swear-in would be at the June 16th meeting after the June 2nd Municipal Election. The Board approved the purchase of new blanket warmer for Acute Care from Steris Corporation that came in over budget at $9,592 before the board went into closed session.

A one vehicle accident occurred Tuesday afternoon shortly before 1:30 in Iron County on Highway 32 approximately 2 miles east of Bixby. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2003 Harley Davidson being ridden by 43-year old Lawrence Hamrick of St. James was traveling west when he ran off the right side of the highway and overturned. Hamrick was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health for treatment of minor injuries. The Harley sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by a private party.

Master gardener Thom Haines wants everyone to know that the Salem Community Garden behind the Salem Methodist Church is open and plots are available. The first plot is free and a second plot will cost you $10. This is a great stress reliever when working with your hands in the earth. Whether you have never done gardening before or you are master gardener, everyone is welcome to come and grow your own vegetables or fruits in the plots that have already been laid out. If you would be interested in having a plot at the Salem Community Garden or have any questions about the garden, contact Haines at 573-247-7592 or Sarah Massengale at 729-3196. Haines stated the Saturday morning workshops held once a month are currently not being held due to the need of social distancing.