Archive for 2021

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of January, the hospital had 94 inpatient admissions with 326 inpatient census days. The average amount of patients per day in Acute Care was 10.5. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $909,539 and expenses over revenues after taxes of $571,153. The hospital applied for the Payroll Protection Program loan forgiveness through the Bank of Salem for the 2.3 million dollars. The SBA asked for additional information that was provided and the hospital is optimistic the loan will be forgiven. The hospital had a cost report settlement and expects to see retroactive savings in the 340B drug program as the hospital changed wholesale pharmaceutical drug providers and haven’t received all their savings. The total amount of Accounts Receivable has been reduced by almost $200,000 and the days in account receivable went down to 97 days from 98 last month. During the month, there were 532 emergency room visits to go with 190 ambulance runs with 139 patients being transported, 23 surgery cases, 1,654 outpatient registrations, 291 home health visits, 7,681 lab tests, 1,237 radiological procedures including 580 rehab treatments. Chief of Nursing Debbie Hines gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity at 27 per day with between 7 to 12 patients per day. Hines said an additional four beds in acute care will again be available that had been kept separate for COVID-19 patients and the amount of dialysis patients will be increased from eight to 12 per day. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards the Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 4th and sponsorships as well as team entries are being accepted. The Wings and Strings event is tentatively scheduled for September 11th at the Commons and the band “ChristiAna” has been scheduled for the event. He said there were no further updates on the TytoCare-school focused telemedicine product at this time. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas said the hospital instituted their “inclement weather policy” on Monday where those employees not dealing with patients can come to work if they want, but are not required if they are not confident they make it. Lucas gave the COVID-19 update and said the positive test rate now in Dent County is around 2%. Because of that, the hospital revised the visitor policy on February 15th to allow one visitor with Emergency Room patients, but once they are there, that person is not allowed to leave. The hospital also will allow one visitor per day with Acute Care patients and for Outpatient Services and masks will be required. This revision will continue as long as the positivity rate stays below 10%. Lucas said anyone in isolation though is not allowed visitors. He went on to say that beginning in March, the board meetings and med-staff meetings will be held in person as long as the positivity rate stays below 10%. Kasey reported the hospital gave out 200 vaccines at the fire station on February 5th and another 180 vaccines on the 10th as the weather turned bad. They will again be providing vaccines at the Dent County Fire Station on February 18th and 25th for those who qualify through Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Tiers 1and 2. Lucas said there was a total of 1,800 vaccines provided on February 11th and 12th at the Commons. He wanted to commend the hospital and Dent County Health Center staff for their fine effort, and commended the National Guard for their organization of the event. The second doses at the Commons will be on March 11th and 12th, and the second dose for those being vaccinated at the fire station will also be held on various dates in March, 30 days after their first shot. Lucas said the new generator installed during the expansion would be tested on February 23rd and 25th. Lucas discussed with the board the Cerver Conversion as they had meetings with the focus groups for Paylocity and Microsoft Dynamics 365. At this time, the hospital will begin the data entry for the conversion in April and the system will go live with the first paychecks issued in July. The board will review the Conflict of Interest policy and approve it at the March meeting. The finance committee will meet on March 4th at 1:30 to go over the market assessment in preparation for the budget, and the board approved the purchase of a new V-Plow for UTV Maintenance from Midwest Systems Truck Equipment for $3,350. This was a non-budgeted purchase. The board then went into closed session.

An accident at the 187.2 mile marker of Interstate 44 in Phelps County Sunday afternoon at 3:50 left an Oklahoma City couple with serious injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2010 Lexus RX350, driven by 50- year-old William Parker traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Parker and a passenger, 49-year-old April Parker, were both transported to Phelps Health by EMS for treatment of their injuries. The report stated that both occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Lexus was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

A one vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon around 3:45 on westbound I-44 in Phelps County near the 186 mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1998 Chevrolet S-10 being driven by 29-year old Brianna Yelton of Springfield, began sliding and traveled off the left side of the interstate and struck a concrete barrier. Yelton was transported to Phelps Health for the treatment of minor injuries. According to the report, she was wearing a safety restraint the time of the accident. The S-10 had moderate damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.

On Sunday, the City of Salem received word electric providers across the Midwest are seeing an unprecedented demand on the power grid due to extreme weather conditions. Utility providers are being asked to encourage their customers to reduce their energy consumption if possible to help maintain cost effective service to homes, businesses, and critical facilities throughout these exceptional weather conditions. Some ways you can conserve energy is to turn down your thermostat at least 2-3 degrees from your normal setting. Customers who are elderly or who have medical conditions complicated by the cold should not lower their thermostat. You can also limit the use of plug-in electric space heaters and turn down the temperature setting of your electric water heater. It will also help if you seal around drafty doors and windows, change your furnace filters and turn off nonessential lights. Conservation is especially appreciated during the hours of 5:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening. The City of Salem appreciates your understanding during these unprecedented cold temperatures.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen meeting scheduled for this evening has been postponed due to a city ordinance canceling the meeting if Salem R-80 cancels school. The agenda for the meeting included Wendell Light from1300 South Wines who wants to talk about his utility bill. Under bids, the aldermen will hear a bid for a grinder pump at the Salem City Park Little League ball fields. After the consent agenda, the board will hear an update from Planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown on the subdivision of 805 and 807 North Henderson. They will also get an update from City Administrator Ray Walden on city projects. The board will hear Bill #3472 to lease tower space for one year to Wave Internet Technologies; and Bill #3473 to allow Mayor Brad Nash to execute a change order between the City of Salem and Smith and Edwards Construction, Inc for the Waste Water Treatment Facility Phase 1B improvements. This change will add the replacement of pump equipment at the Westwood Grinder Pump Station and the Ballpark Grinder Pump Station as well as extend the completion date. The board will also hear Resolution #4-2021 that would allows the City of Salem to pursue entering into a guaranteed energy savings contract with Energy Solutions Professionals. In new business, the board will appoint a city representative to the Dent County Extension Council before going into closed session to discuss the attorney and client privilege. The meeting will be rescheduled.

Missouri turkey hunters can now apply online for 2021 spring turkey managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website at mdc.mo.gov/springturkeyhunts. Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 15th. Due to limited hunter-education classes and classroom sizes from COVID-19 restrictions, MDC has suspended hunter-education requirements for youth applying for spring manage turkey hunts. Youth who do not have hunter-education certification must hunt in the presence of a hunter who is certified in hunter education. The spring turkey hunting youth portion will be April 10th and 11th with the regular spring season running April 19th through May 9th. Detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in the MDC 2021 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold beginning in March. People can buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC MO Hunting app available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

Agricultural producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)-Classic, formerly known as CSP-General. The Conservation Stewardship Program is a great opportunity for Missouri farmers, ranchers and foresters to maintain and expand on existing conservation efforts according to Scott Edwards, Missouri State Conservationist of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, applications must be submitted by February 26, 2021 to be considered for fiscal year 2021 funding. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities on all the land they operate. The variety of CSP conservation activities offer producers a lot of freedom to select enhancements, practices, and bundles that help meet producer’s management goals. Producers interested in CSP are encouraged to contact the local USDA Service Center in Houston by calling 417-967-2028 or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted on line.

An update to the story yesterday in Your World Today about the accident on Route K at Akers that took the life of 86-year old Virginia Lomax of Rolla. She was driving a Toyota Prius southbound at the time of the accident. It was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

The Mark Twain Beekeepers will be holding a Beginners Bee Class sometime in mid to late March at a location in Salem to be determined by the interest in the class. The deadline to register is this Saturday, February 20th and payment will be due on or before March 13th once the date and location has been determined. The cost is expected to be under $40 and lunch will be provided during the class. For more information, contact the Mark Twain Beekeepers by e-mail at marktwainbeekeepers@gmail.com. You can also contact Gregg Tivnan at 573-689-2254 for any questions you may have.

There are certain streets within the city limits of Salem that have been designated as emergency “Snow Routes.” These streets shall have priority over other streets for the clearing of snow, ice or other debris: Third Street to the west from Highway 19 to Dilworth Lane, and Third Street to the east from Pershing Avenue to Iron Mountain Road; Fourth Street from Pershing Avenue to McArthur Avenue; Sixth Street (Rolla Road) from McArthur Avenue to Pershing Avenue; Jackson Street to the north from Sixth Street (Rolla Road) to the dead end; Tenth Street from Highway 19 to Walnut Hill Drive; Pershing Avenue from Tenth Street to Highway 32/72 East; Center Street from Highway 19 to Craig Industrial Drive and from Missouri Avenue to Dilworth Lane; Carty Street from Highway 32/72 East to Center Street; Craig Industrial Drive from Highway 32/72 to Iron Mountain Road; Babb Lane from Highway 32/72 West to Roosevelt Street; Doss Road south from Highway 32/72 East to the city limits; Roosevelt Street to the east from Highway 19 to Babb Lane and west from Highway 19 to Wines Street; Wines Street from Roosevelt Street to Highway 32/72 West; Missouri Avenue from Highway 32/72 West to Third Street; Park Street from Highway 32/72 West to Sixth Street (Rolla Road); Franklin Street from Pershing Avenue to Highway 72; Dilworth Lane from Rolla Road to Highway 32 West. Remember to remove your vehicle from these routes when an accumulation of ice and snow is expected so that the route can be cleared. Your car or truck could be towed at your expense, or you could be sited for a parking violation.

An accident happened in Shannon County Saturday morning on Route K at Akers that took the life of a woman from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, the vehicle driven by 86-year old Virginia Lomax of Rolla slid off into the Current River. The Shannon County Coroner Samuel Murphy pronounced her dead at the scene at 1:00 Saturday morning. The National Park Service and First Responders assisted the highway patrol at the scene. The vehicle information was unavailable at the time of the report, but it was noted that Lomax was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The body was transported to the Wilson Mortuary in Salem.

National Battery Day is around the corner, February 18th. Please consider the importance of disposing of your batteries appropriately. According to Portable Rechargeable Battery Association (PRBA), over 5.5 billion batteries are produced annually worldwide. Batteries have become a daily part of our lives. They power our cell phones, kids toys, e-cigarettes, electronics amidst other uses. Batteries, especially Lithium ion batteries, have become the leading cause of fires in our Material Recovery Facilities and Landfills and could cause fires in homes. To minimize the fire risk, remove any lithium ion batteries that are kept in drawers, cars, are crushed or damaged in various types of recycling and solid waste equipment. About 8,300 landfill fires in the US and 385 material recovery facility fires were recorded in 2018 in the US and Canada. Locally, batteries are collected through Household Hazardous Waste sites in St. Robert and Rolla. The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District’s website offers a brochure with more information about battery recycling: https://ozarkrivers.org/programs-and-services/household-hazardous-waste. For more information, contact Jill Hollowell at the MRPC at 573-265-2993, extension 109.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their February meeting Tuesday evening in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After the call to order, Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of the operations for the month of January followed by the Chief of Nursing Report from Debbie Hines. A report on the hospital foundation, plus the marketing and community perception report will be given by Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards, which will then be followed by the Chief of Staff report. Lucas will then go over the COVID-19 update and provide an update to the board on the Hospital expansion and renovation, plus the Conflict of Interest Policy. New business will include a report on the Finance Committee Meeting and purchases since the last meeting. The board may vote to go into closed session. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the February meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be conducted by zoom. The meeting is open to anyone to join. For information on how to access the meeting via zoom, please contact Karen Brown by email at kbrown@smdh.net or call her at (573) 729-5917, extension 4005.