Archive for 2021

An accident happened Saturday evening around 6:00 on Dent County Road 5600 about three miles south of Route N. According to the highway patrol report, a 1987 Jeep Wrangler driven by 28-year-old John Watson II of Salem, failed to negotiate a curve causing the Jeep to travel off the right side of the roadway and overturn. Watson was ejected from the Wrangler and suffered moderate injuries. He was flown by Air Evac to the Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep was towed from the scene by the family.

An accident happened Wednesday night just before 10:00 in Dent County on Route YY about four miles south of Highway E. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Ford Mustang being driven by 33-year-old Lenis Grauf of Salem, was traveling south when Grauf fell asleep. The Ford traveled off the right side of road and struck a ditch. Grauf, who was wearing a seat restraint at the time, was taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Mustang sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened late Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about seven miles south of St. James. The highway patrol report states that a 2007 Hyundai Sonata being driven north by 24-year-old April Crider of Rolla, struck a deer in the roadway. Crider was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Sonata had moderate damage and was removed by a private party. The report went on to state that Crider was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Director’s meeting was held last Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of October, the hospital had 84 inpatient admissions with 244 inpatient census days. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $252,921 and had an excess of expenses over revenues of $251,482. During the month, there were 679 emergency room visits with 60 admissions, plus there were 205 ambulance runs where 145 patients were transported. In October, there were 31 surgery cases, 1,664 outpatient registrations, 8,119 lab tests, 1,281 radiological procedures, 531 rehab treatments and 168 home health visits with 14 home health admissions. The Long-Term Care Center currently has 16 residents with two vacancies. The days in account receivable during the month went down to 65 days from 75 in September, and way down from the 100 days last October. The days cash on hand went down to 53 days which is average for all Missouri Critical Access Hospitals. The hospital had a cash decrease during the month of $53,244. Chief of Nursing Ashley Sullins gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity was 20 per day with an average of almost eight patients per day. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported that as of November 11th, there were ten active COVID cases in Dent County with nine probable cases. It was also reported that a total of 66 people in Dent County have died from complications of the COVID Virus. Lucas said Dent County is currently showing 29.8% of the residents are completely vaccinated and 33.2% have initiated the series. At the hospital, 57% of the staff is completely vaccinated or have initiated the series with 12% more scheduled to receive their first or second dose. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards said the Hospital Foundation’s next board meeting will be January 5th. He said program scope changes for the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program grant have been submitted as some of the schools scheduled to participate are having staffing issues or had previous telemedicine issues and are hesitant to commit. The hospital will not receive the grant if too many schools elect not to use the service. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas said the Cerner Conversion scheduled for November 15th had to be postponed due to mistakes made by Cerner in preparing patient files and has now been rescheduled for March 14th. The Cerner working timeline has Integrated Testing 3 scheduled for January 11th, 12th and 13th for the clinical portion, and January 18th, 19th and 20th for the financial portion. The hospital has submitted their plan of action for the CLIA Survey and have not yet heard back but expect to by next week, and the A & J Consultants will be on site Monday. The board approved the election filing dates for the board seat for District 3 from December 7th at 8:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon on December 28th. That seat is currently held by Dennis Fiebelman. Lucas explained the hospital’s policy on the vaccination mandate for health care workers. He said employees have until Monday to submit exemptions for either medical or religious reasons to not be vaccinated. An Infection Prevention Executive Committee has already begun a review of exemptions submitted. Vaccination clinics have been scheduled for employees on November 30th and December 3rd. Those employees who are non-compliant will be put on 30 days of unpaid leave. If they elect not to comply in that time, they will be terminated due to the federal mandate. The December Board meeting has been set for the 14th at 6:00 at the hospital library. The board then went into closed session.

Happy Thanksgiving from the staff of KSMO Media and Your World Today! Because of the holiday, there will not be a Thursday of Friday edition of Your World Today this week. Our next publication will be Monday morning. Have a great holiday weekend!

Colonel Eric T. Olson, the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there may be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. If so, drivers should remain alert to changes along their normal route. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority. The counting period for the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday weekend will be from 6:00 this Wednesday, through 11:59 Sunday night, November 28th. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E., enforcing all traffic laws, and will be available to assist the public. Drivers should make sure their vehicles are in good condition and that they are well rested before they start driving. Remember: There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line (800) 525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if you witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution #34-2021 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Energy Solutions Professionals for the HVAC/Maintenance project at city owned buildings. Alderman James notes that this project was the best opportunity for guaranteed energy savings while completing some much needed repairs and upgrades to the city admin building, the old city hall, the police station, the Community Center@The Armory, the Park and Rec Building at 3rd Street and North Grand, and the Water and Electric Building on Wines Street. The board approved Resolution #35-2021 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the Department of Social Services for the low-income household water assistance program. Alderman Bolerjack explained that this program can assist families with up to $750 for sewer and water disconnection, arrearages, and reconnection fees. Mayor Steelman noted that this program has the potential to help a lot of citizens. Additional information will be sent out in future utility bill mailings. The board approved Bill No 3495, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign task order number 12 between the city and C.M. Archer Group for engineering design services for Water Well #9 and an elevated water storage tank. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that he will attend a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting at MRPC next week to discuss the county’s transportation needs. The city offices will be closed this week on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mayor Steelman, as well as every alderman took the time to publicly thank all city employees for their dedication to the city and their hard work as evident with projects being completed and citizens taking the time to compliment many employees on their work. City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported that progress is being made on the Certified Site at the Industrial Park and a general housing meeting will be held on December 1st at 3:30 pm at the Housing Authority offices. A housing study will be published in next week’s local newspaper. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the water and sewer department has been flushing hydrants, fixing water leaks and have replaced a couple of water lines. Nash reported an estimate to replace the bridge on 2nd Street came in between $125,000 and $175,000. The board directed Nash to get prices on replacing the bridge with a precast concrete culvert box instead. They also asked for a better way to block off the bridge to motorists. Alderman Kayla Sisco announced that she would be seeking the East Ward Aldermanic seat in April. The board approved the budgeted lease of a Caterpillar Skidsteer from Fabick Tractor Co. for 60 monthly payments of $1,230.11. The board approved closing 4th Street on Saturday morning, December 4th from 8:30 to 10:00 for Healthy Dent County’s Santa Dash. Chief Joe Chase said the Police Department has been approved to receive a $5,721.50 grant to purchase Officer Safety and Equipment Technology. The board then went into closed session.