Archive for 2022

An accident happened in Reynolds County Thursday afternoon around 3:15 on Route KK about five miles east of Bunker that left a Bunker man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2017 Jeep Cherokee driven eastbound by 24-year-old Alec Hill of Bunker, slid through the intersection of Route KK and Route TT. The Jeep crossed the roadway and impacted the ditch. Hill was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla by a private vehicle. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Jeep sustained moderate damage and was secured at the scene.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon around 12:36 in Reynolds County on Highway 72 about four miles east of Bunker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Toyota Corolla being driven by 49-year-old Michael Murray of Bunker, was traveling westbound and slid off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch. Murray suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Washington County EMS to Salem Medical Clinic. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing.

The Board of Alderman of the City of Salem regular meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 North Washington. The meeting agenda includes a financial update for the city through November 30th before four bids are heard about a municipal financial advisor for services related to a bond issue. The board will discuss the bids before approving one to be the municipal financial advisor which the administration recommends Piper Sandler & Co. If the board decides to go with them, then Resolution No. 50-2022 would authorize the major to enter into an agreement between the City of Salem and Piper Sandler & Co. to provide those municipal financial services. The board will then hear reports from Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash as well as any aldermen who wish to give a report. The board will then go into closed session to address personnel issues and contracts. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

A one vehicle accident happened Thursday afternoon close to 1:40 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 westbound at the 257-mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2013 Scion TC being driven by 22-year-old Kendall Rodriquez of Cuba began to slide and struck a guardrail. Rodriguez suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Meramec Ambulance to SSM Health St. Clair Hospital. The Scion sustained extensive damage but was able to be driven from the scene. The report went on to state the Rodriquez was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Memorial Hospital will be holding a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive from 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon at the hospital library. Call to schedule your appointment at 417-227-5006 and all donors will get a free T-shirt. For more information, call the hospital at 729-6626.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday, December 15th. No meeting was held in November due to lack of a quorum so the majority of the reports were for both October and November. DCHC Administrator Zach Moser presented the communicable disease report which included 39 new COVID-19 cases for October and 51 for November. Moser reported the new Communicable Disease nurse has been working through a backlog of elevated blood lead cases. He said 14 were closed in November. Two sexually transmitted infection screenings were conducted in November. The Health Center conducts free screenings for common sexually transmitted diseases. Moser noted that influenza cases have increased early in the season and 66 total cases were reported in November. In the diagnostics report, Moser said that 184 blood draw appointments were completed in October, while 141 was the count for November. The DCHC can conduct most tests at reduced cost for those without insurance. There were 23 COVID tests in October and 41 in November. COVID tests are $10 for rapid antigen test, $35 for COVID/FLU combo test, and $50 for molecular C19 Test. Most people can qualify for free testing and no doctor’s orders are required. Moser said that 184 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in October, plus 141 in November. He reported that 300 Influenza vaccines were administered in October and 108 in November, plus free flu vaccine is still available at the Health Center. The two-month total of other vaccines was 127. There was a total of 759 appointments held during October and 524 during November. WIC appointments in October totaled 340 and 345 was the November total. Moser noted that 130 urine drug screenings have been conducted on behalf of the Dent County Treatment Court since October. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report and said she conducted 14 inspections and fielded 18 environmental questions. In the Administrators report, Moser said that 273 children are enrolled in the childcare subsidy program and $298,143 grant funds has been provided so far toward the program. He said a survey was conducted with the Dent County Childcare providers and 56 new children have been added to daycare rolls since the implementation of the program. The Program Goal was 50. Moser reported that the Health Center participated in the Parade of Lights Christmas Parade and won first in the non-commercial category. He noted that insurance collections of $13,000 in October and $16,000 in November showed sustainability of the NP program. Moser reported on the breakroom improvements that he completed. The Board expressed their thanks to Moser and were glad to provide the improvements for the staff. Moser reported that the slowness of DHSS to reimburse grant expenditures made it necessary to temporarily transfer $300,000. The DHSS reimbursement is expected in January. He asked for authorization to cash a Bank of Salem CD if necessary to cover expenditures. The Board authorized the transaction. In new business, Moser reported on a new grant from the State of Missouri for $132,336 that started October 1st which is meant to augment the workforce in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moser reported on the Building Communities for Better Health Grant, which was awarded to DCHC and is to start January 1, 2023. He also reported that the Health Center expects to be awarded Title X grant of $58,000 to support family planning activities. Moser presented changes to the Personnel Manual changing the way sick and vacation time accrues, plus slight changes to the COVID leave policy. The Board approved both changes. Moser reported that in October, DCHC revenue surpassed one million dollars for 2022 so all board members, the administrator and candidates for the Board must now file a personal financial disclosure. Possible purchases were reviewed. Moser reported that the Missouri Immunization Coalition has offered to pay for a secondary vaccine/medical grade refrigerator. The Coalition approved 30” glass door model for $6,422.86 was approved by the Board. Moser reported that the nursing staff has recommended the purchase of a blood lead screening machine and tests. Two quotes were presented, and the Board approved the $2,767.50 quote from Cardinal. The scope of services offered at the Health Center was discussed at length with no motions being made. The Board went into closed session to discuss personnel. The Board returned to open session after approving the 2023 employee compensation plan, which is based on employees receiving a prorated cost of living adjustment based on amount of time they have been employed at the DCHC. Dent County Health Center expenses for October were approved, while November expenses were not available at the time of the meeting. The next regular meeting of the DCHC Board was set for Thursday, January 19th.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Monday, December 26th in observance of Christmas with normal operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27th. Public examination stations will also be closed on Monday, January 2nd, 2023, in observance of New Year’s Day with normal operations resuming on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.