Archive for 2021

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 in Crawford County on Route M about a mile south of Highway 8 that took the life of a Salem man. According the highway patrol report, 78-year old James Vaughn of Salem was driving a 2003 Ford Taurus northbound when the vehicle went off the right side of the roadway and struck a driveway. The Taurus then overturned and struck a tree, ejecting Vaughn from the car. Vaughn was pronounced dead at the scene by the Crawford County Deputy Coroner Nikki Bussell at 2:18 in the afternoon. His body was released to the deputy coroner. Vaughn was not wearing a seat restraint when the accident happened. The Taurus was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles Towing.

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 December, the hospital had 104 inpatient admissions with 275 inpatient census days. Patients per day in Acute Care came is at 8.9. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $675,770 and expenses over revenues after taxes of $594,991. Total other revenue of $264,519 included funds from the CARES Act and the Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) grant. The hospital has applied for the PPP Forgiveness loan and another $600,000 is expected in tax revenue. There were three payrolls in December that added to the extra expanse. The self-pay has improved, already surpassed what was collected last year with six more months remaining in the fiscal year. During the month, there were 556 emergency room visits to go with 186 ambulance runs with 115 patients being transported, 26 surgery cases, 1,747 outpatient registrations, 284 home health visits, 6,229 lab tests, 1,132 radiological procedures including 591 rehab treatments. Chief of Nursing Debbie Hines gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity at 29 per day. She also stated that the Sleep Study Accreditation is complete and the Dialysis Survey correction plan has been submitted and approved. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported due to COVID-19, the “Dancing with the Salem Stars” fundraiser was cancelled, while the Golf Tournament has been scheduled for June 4th and the Wings and Strings is tentatively scheduled for September 11. He went on to say the hospital has received the TytoCare-school focused telemedicine product and the pilot project with area schools will begin soon. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the Medical Staff’s report that included their request for the board to approve Courtesy and Active Physician privileges for several doctors. The board approved the Courtesy Staff Physicians in open session, and Active Staff Physicians privileges in closed session. Lucas gave the COVID-19 update and said the hospital will continue the “no visitor” policy and that 192 vaccines have been administered to Health Care workers and First Responders. The current positivity rate for Dent County is 22.81% with 17% being considered a hot spot. The hospital is waiting on vaccines to administer as part of the Phase 1B plan. Lucas reported a new generator has been delivered as the final part of the hospital expansion project. Election filing for the District #2 seat currently held by Mike Swyers ended Tuesday with only Sywers filing, so no election will be needed. Ken Campbell with Archer-Elgin Engineers was present to explain the City of Salem Sewer Project. The city is currently finalizing the plans that will build a new grinder pump station for the hospital. It will be located between the hospital and the current lagoon with overhead electric lines running along the fence line. This pump station will collect wastewater generated by the hospital, sized to handle peak flow for the hospital, Seville Care Center and others along Highway 72. This project would take between 180 and 210 days to complete and will begin after bids are awarded in April. Hospital Facilities Manager Todd Workman agrees with the placement of the pump station on the hospital property. The board approved going ahead with the project with the location and drawings that were submitted. The Conflict of Interest Policy was tabled for a future meeting. The board then went into closed session.

An accident occurred in Dent County Monday morning at 7:50 on Route CC about eight miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 17-year-old Chance Bryson of Licking, fell asleep at the wheel allowing the westbound 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass he was driving to cross the center line and strike an eastbound 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The Chevrolet was being driven by 37-year-old Sheena Turner of Salem. Turner suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Salem Memorial District Hospital by EMS for the treatment of her injuries. The report stated that Turner was wearing her safety restraint at the time of the accident while Bryson was not wearing his. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire. The Oldsmobile was also totaled and removed by Jay’s Automotive and Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the Lenox Fire Department.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold its regular meeting tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. Alderwoman Rachel Hinderliter has submitted her resignation due to moving out of the East Ward and she will be recognized for her service to the city. Mayor Brad Nash will then appoint someone to replace her until the next election on April 6th. 2021. In the hearing of persons, Tod Kinerk and Tabitha Utley from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will give the city updates on local chamber activities. Teresa Stark will address the alderman with her concerns about loud music in the neighborhood and citations. After the consent agenda, Alderman Kevin James will give the utility committee workshop and meeting report. City Administrator Ray Walden will update the aldermen on city projects and discuss a recommendation by the communications work group. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, the board will hear Resolution #1-2021 adopting a temporary emergency sick leave policy due to COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration. They will also hear Resolution #2-2021 adopting a City of Salem Marketing and Communications Plan before hearing Resolution #3-2021 that authorizes the mayor to execute property owner’s demolition program agreements. The board will then hear Bill #3471 that would create an ordinance to make an application for a TAP grant through the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to provide funding for new ADA compliant sidewalks serving downtown businesses along 4th Street in accordance with Phase 1 of the city’s beautification plan. In new business, Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois will discuss the need currently for attendance vouchers for Park and Recreation events at the Healthy Dent County gymnasium. The Salem Police Department will also request to destroy records from January through December of 2014 in accordance with the Police Clerk’s Records Retention Schedule manual. The meeting will then be adjourned. The meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen will be open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their January meeting this 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 December 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 election filing. New business will include a “Conflict of Interest” Policy and purchases since the last meeting. The board may vote to go into closed session. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the January 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.

The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department has issued a press release regarding a shooting Saturday night on Lakewood Drive outside of Doolittle. According to Phelps County Sheriff Michael Kim, at approximately 11:30 Saturday night, deputies responded to the 16000 block of Lakewood Drive for a report of multiple gun shots being fired at a party. After deputies arrived, it was discovered that one man had been fatally shot and another had been shot in the leg. Phelps County Deputies along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Rolla Police Department are actively investigating the incident. No further information has been released and no suspects have been taken into custody.

The Salem Police have released reports for early January. On New Years day at 10:24 in the morning an officer responded to the 1800 block of South Oak Street to attempt to locate a subject with an active arrest warrant. Upon further investigation the subject was located and the 23-year-old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Wednesday, January 6th just after 11:05 in the morning an officer was dispatched to the 1200 block of east Third Street for a report of an overdose. Upon further investigation some subjects were seen fleeing the residence. Contact was made with the subjects and a consent search was conducted of the premises. As a result, a convicted felon was found to be in possession of a firearm. The firearm was seized, and a 46-year-old Salem man was arrested and later released to appear in court on a summons. Finally on the morning of the 7th at approximately 11:12 an officer was dispatched to Casey’s on highway 19 for a subject that appeared to be under the influence at the register. After speaking with the subject he was asked to exit the store. A probable cause search of the subject’s car uncovered a capsule suspected of being fentanyl and items of drug paraphernalia. As a result, a 24-year-old Salem man was arrested and later released on a summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

Alderman Kevin James, Chairman of the City of Salem’s Utility Committee, has called a meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 N. Washington to consider Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase 2 Improvements Funding Options. The meeting is open to the public.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 31 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. The 110th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on August 3, 2020, to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on February 16, 2021. Two of the graduates come from the local area. They are Trooper Derek M. Bradshaw of St. James who will report to Troop A and Zone 11 serving Cass County, and Keaton P. Hunt from Rolla who will report to Troop I and serve Zone 1 which includes Phelps and Maries Counties.