Archive for 2021

Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray and Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards from the Salem Memorial District Hospital reports the news of expanding the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility is very exciting and they are eagerly anticipating this next phase of response. However, this does not mean that vaccine is widely available yet. The Dent County Health Center along with Salem Memorial District Hospital, and some local pharmacies, are approved COVID-19 vaccinators. The Department of Health and Senior Services determines how the vaccine allocations from the federal government are distributed each week. Although they have requested vaccine, the Health Center and the Salem Memorial District Hospital do not currently have vaccine available and they have no guarantee of a vaccine availability date. They will continue to order vaccine weekly and hope that the order is filled soon. There is a plan in place to get vaccine out to those eligible as soon as it is received. While some local public health agencies and rural hospitals in Missouri have received small amounts of vaccine, the majority of vaccine is being sent to larger hospital and pharmacy systems. In addition to their efforts to secure vaccine locally, there is a tentative plan for a National Guard Mass Vaccination Site to be held in Dent County in February. The Health Center hopes to have more information on that plan very soon. There have been opportunities to get vaccinated outside of Dent County and they encourage residents to take advantage of those opportunities if they are available to you. The health center wants to be transparent in this process and they will continue to keep you updated. The Dent County Health Center and Salem Memorial District Hospital will utilize our Facebook pages, as well as SMDH’s website and local news media to share information as time progresses.

As part of an Environmental Assessment, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public meeting to discuss a proposed project to improve the Route 19 Round Spring Bridges over the Current River and Spring Valley in Shannon County. The virtual public meeting will be held Thursday evening, February 4th from 5:00 until 7:00 with formal presentations beginning at 5:00 and 6:00. The same presentation will be delivered at both 5 and 6:00 to provide attendees with multiple opportunities to join the discussion. Throughout the online meeting, there will be breaks for attendees to ask questions or share comments. Attendees can join the virtual public meeting online by going to www.RT19VPM.com. The goals of the project are to improve the condition and functionality of these aging structures as well as maintain local and regional connectivity. Although funding is not yet secured for the project, MoDOT is exploring alternatives for replacing or rehabilitating each structure through the study. The Environmental Assessment will include a detailed overview of alternatives for each structure and will ultimately result in a recommendation for a preferred alternative at each bridge location. Properties eligible for protection under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act which include publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife/waterfowl refuges and historic sites in public or private ownership are found within the project study area. The public is invited to comment on potential uses of these properties and ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate uses. Additional information on these properties and uses will be made available in a future public meeting. The public is invited to offer comments or concerns about properties listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (historic properties) found within the project area and potential effects on them. Known historic properties include the Current River Bridge, the Spring Valley Bridge and the Three Bridges Historic District. Comments will be accepted through Thursday, February 25th. For more information or to request a hard copy of the meeting materials, please contact MoDOT Project Manager Pete Berry at (417) 469-6242 or Consultant Project Manager David Kocour at (816) 256-8584.

The University of Missouri Extension, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, will be presenting a 2021 Selling Local Food in Missouri series that will feature four distinct session providing producers with the information they need on how to sell their food and agriculture products in Missouri. Sessions will provide participants with the most up-to-date information on rules and regulations they need follow to sell their products to consumers in Missouri presented by speakers from the University Extension and Missouri Department of Agriculture. The first session will be March 2nd and will explore resources that producers need to sell local food. The second session will be March 9th where producers can learn the state regulations you need to know to sell your meat and poultry locally. The session will also include best practices from a successful livestock producer. The third session will be held March 16th where producers can learn the state regulations you need to know to sell your produce and/or eggs. The fourth session to be held March 23rd will concentrate on the state regulations you need to follow to sell value-added products, such as canned products, baked goods, etc. The cost of each session is $15, or sign up for all four session for $40. For more information or to register, call Leslie Bertsch at 314-400-2115 or send an e-mail to bertschl@missouri.edu. You can also register online at extension.missouri.edu/events.

The Salem R-80 School Board held a special meeting Tuesday evening and unanimously voted to end the hybrid model of learning that has been in effect at the Salem High School since last October. Students will begin attending school with in-seat classes five days a week beginning on Monday, February 1st. The mask mandate has been in effect for students in the district since the beginning of the 2nd semester.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting Thursday, January 21st, at the Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported that incumbent Bob Parsons was the only one that filed for the Board position so no election will be held. She updated the Board on the current Covid-19 status in Dent County. Mobray said that to date there have been 907 confirmed cases and 162 probable cases that have been investigated. At meeting time, there were 29 confirmed active cases and nine probables. Sixteen deaths have been confirmed and she noted that confirmation of deaths through the Bureau of Vital Records can take several weeks so the numbers are reported as deaths are confirmed. Mobray went on to say that the Health Center is working closely with SMDH to secure vaccine for Dent County and mass vaccination clinics will be held as soon as possible. The Health Center will release information to the public through Facebook and local media outlets as more is known. She went on to report that 414 Flu shots have been administered to date and are still available and are being given by appointment. The Health Center is able to bill private insurance and Medicaid. Flu shots are free to adults that are uninsured. Mobray said the season-to-date total of reported influenza cases remains at one. In closed session the Board discussed and set salaries for 2021. Mobray presented the 2021 Budget for Board review. She reported that the Health Center remains fiscally sound with ending year revenues over expenses of $46,370.79. Mobray said that $51,461.63 in assets were purchased and $11,679.82 in principal payments were made in Fiscal Year 20. She noted there was a decrease in cash available of $2,143.15 from December 31, 2019. After much discussion the Budget was approved and December 2020 expenses were approved. The next regular meeting of the Trustees was set for February 18th at 5:00. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened in Phelps County Wednesday morning at 9:25 on Highway 63 at Yancy Mills. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 69-year-old Ronnie Hood of Licking, began sliding on the roadway and struck an unknown northbound pickup pulling a trailer that was passing in the passing lane. The Chevrolet came to rest in the roadway, while the unknown vehicle continued northbound. Hood suffered minor injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health. The report stated that he was wearing his safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet sustained minor damage and was removed by a private party.

Missouri state park and historic site indoor spaces, including visitor centers, nature centers, museums and offices, will remain closed through Sunday, February 28th. Outdoor spaces and amenities, including day-use areas, lodging, campgrounds, boat ramps and trails, will remain open and available under normal offseason status, unless otherwise designated. While safety, stewardship and service are all very important to Missouri State Parks, safety is the top priority. Visitors should come prepared and view the online park and site status map before heading to the park for any weather-related closures that may impact their visit. Contact information of staff will be posted on signage throughout the park for visitors who may have questions or need assistance. Campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis at most Missouri State Parks campgrounds and some offer reservations during the offseason period. For more information on camping, visit mostateparks.com/activity/camping. Out of a continued abundance of caution, interpretive programming at parks and sites has been postponed. Many parks and sites have virtual alternatives and are providing other opportunities, such as virtual tours, lesson plans and online programming for visitors, educators and families. Learn more about what is being offered at each location by calling the park or site office or following Missouri State Parks on Facebook. When visiting a Missouri state park or historic site, visitors are strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others amid ongoing public health concerns. Come prepared with hand sanitizer and bottled water, avoid large and congested crowds and please stay home if sick. Face coverings are encouraged when social-distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and may be required by local orders. For more information, please contact the Missouri State Parks Division at moparks@dnr.mo.gov.

An accident happened in Crawford County at 7:50 Wednesday morning on the South Outer Road about two miles east of Cuba. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by 72-year-old Patrick Leonard of Bourbon, crossed the center line of the roadway causing the front of an eastbound 2002 Lincoln Navigator to strike the left side of the Ford. The Lincoln was driven by 42-year-old Amanda Beauchamp of Cuba. Leonard suffered serious injuries, while Beauchamp suffered moderate injuries. Both were transported by the North Crawford Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident. The Ford was removed from the scene by Patriot Towing of Sullivan, while the Lincoln was removed by Miles and Sons of Steelville.