Archive for 2023

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. Grant Wilson from Congressman Jason Smith’s Rolla office was in to visit with the Commission. Wilson reported that Smith conducted a Healthcare Round Table series of meetings from Crystal City through the Bootheel where they met with physicians, administrators and the public to discuss governmental regulations and how they affect rural hospitals and healthcare facilities. One point receiving considerable attention was that urban hospitals receive higher Medicare payments than rural hospitals for the same care and procedures. Wilson also said that the impeachment inquiry would start next week and Congressman Smith would be chairing the inquiry. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson noted that he had been questioned as to what the visits by personnel from Congressman Smith’s office has to do with the business of Dent County. Larson said those visits help make sure the county is aware of federal legislation and actions that could affect it. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6580 and 5680. He said two trucks would be hauling rock to county road 5530 and brush would be cut on county road 6410. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk was not in attendance so the District 2 report was given by Mobray. He said grading would be done and rock would be hauled to Dent County Roads 4270 and 4310, grading only would be done on county road 4300, and brush would be cut on county road 6160. Mobray said that in District 2 Chip and Seal patching with the ultimate patching material would be done on county roads 2300, 2250, 2315, 2630, 2640, 2620 and 2070. Larson reported that he attended the Tourism Tax Committee meeting where 2 applications were approved, 3 reimbursement requests were approved, and 1 reimbursement request was tabled until more information is provided. Larson said that the Committee asked if the Commission would put a limit on the amount of dollars per request that the Committee could approve. He asked County Clerk Angie Curley if the Tourism Tax Committee had bylaws and her response was she wasn’t aware of any. She said the only thing she knew of was the ballot language when the tax was approved by the voters. It was pointed out that in the past the Tourism Tax Committee had only partially funded some requests, plus some events might merit the investment of dollars above a limit. Larson went on to report that on Wednesday he attended the South Central Missouri Commissioner’s Association meeting in Houston. He said he serves as vice president of the association and they worked on planning events. County Clerk Curley reported that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment and her office continues to work on the budget for 2024. Commissioner Mobray reported that the FLAP 77 grant funds are in place for the asphalt to Tan Vat. It is 100% funding in the amount of $800,000.00. Mobray said the only cost to Dent County would be $2,319.08 for initial engineering design. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse and it will be open to public.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday morning at 8:15 on M Highway about one mile west of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2013 Chevrolet School Bus, driven by 60-year-old Judy Harris of Edgar Springs, traveled off the right side of the roadway striking a sign. The vehicle returned to the roadway where it traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking an embankment before coming to rest. Harris, and eight juveniles ranging in age from 4 to 12 years of age, suffered minor injuries. All occupants of the bus were transported by private vehicles to Phelps Health in Rolla. Harris was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident, while the juveniles were exempt. The bus sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.

The Salem Memorial Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the hospital library. In the Administrators Report, Interim CEO Jason Edwards reported that Health Partners Management Group (HPMG) is on site for Revenue Cycle Management. The hospital has been awarded the Transformation of Rural Community Health (TORCH) grant with implementation to begin soon. Staff is currently completing the MHA’s Population Health Assessment Survey and preparing USDA documentation for state matching funds. The Long Term Care correction plan has been approved and the 340B re-certification has been completed. Staff is working with FORVIS to create an independent audit assistance program and will start their annual audit of the hospital on September 25th. Chrissy Decker then gave a Family Medicine update. Total visits from January thru August have been 14,189 with co-pays totaling $67,773 and total collections of $89,757. There have been 614 new patients, 311 visits for the Saturday clinic, 86 sports physicals and 155 in transitional care management with 318 patients signed up for Chartspan which resulted in $23,000 in additional monthly billing. Doe Run employees have had 457 wellness visits, 120 physicals and 46 pre-employment services. Upcoming for the clinic include the addition of Dr. Brady Floyd in 2025, a clinic remodeling project, possible weight loss clinic, and PDMP compliance. For the month of August, CFO Doug Hoban reported hospital admissions were 85 which included 10 Swingbed admissions with a total of 311 patient census days. In August, there were 1,622, Outpatient Registrations, 1,161 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 9,026 Lab Tests, 1,357 Radiology Procedures, 738 Rehabilitation Treatments, 46 Surgical Procedures, and 204 Home Health Visits. There were 656 Emergency Room visits with 50 patients being admitted. A total of 219 ambulance runs were made with 137 patients being transported and 82 dry runs. The hospital had an excess of revenues over expenses for August of $3,451 with a gain from operations of $12,117. The 340B plan showed revenues over expenses for August of $44,661. CNO Ashley Sullins said the hospital is looking for full-time nurses in Med-Surg and ER. In the hospital foundation report, the “Dancing with the Salem Stars” fundraiser will be held on February 24th at the high school gym, and the “Volley for a Cure” volleyball tournament will be held on October 21st at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Twenty-five free mammograms will be given out during October. At the recommendation of the medical staff, the board approved staff privileges for Randall Heller, MD and Tracy Hesse, CRNA. The board discussed the revenue cycle and also a new strategic plan that includes administrators, department heads and providers. They also are working on creating a seven-year long range capital plan that will be discussed by the finance committee on October 4th. The board approved using property tax funds to help pay for bonding for the building improvements once the funds are secured. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their regular meeting tonight at 5:30 in the Salem R-80 board room. After approving the agenda, the board will hear the Superintendents report given by Dr. Lynne Reed and Dr. Nathan Wills followed by reports from the principals of William Lynch Elementary, the Upper Elementary, the middle school, and high school. New business to be discussed include approval of the bus routes, CACFP contract and addendum, the final CSIP, MSBA policies, approval of the community engagement plan and names on the scholarship bank account. The board will also consider an overnight trip for FFA. They will hear any resignations before adjourning and moving into executive session to discuss personnel, student issues and real estate. The meeting is open to the public.

The Bees Knees Kids Paint Party with Danielle Norris at the Creative Arts Center will be Friday from 4:30 in the afternoon till 7:00. Bees are very cute and important, one could say they are the bees knees ! Let’s paint some cute Bees! Grab a parent and/ or a friend and let’s paint! All ages are welcome but smaller children under 5 must have an adult present! A minimum of 6 participants is required and a maximum of 25. The cost is $15 for adults and kids are $5 (with a paying adult) or $15 without. Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.