Archive for 2023

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Thursday evening for a special meeting at the fire station. After the call to order, Board President Craig Smith announced that the meeting was being held on short notice due to the necessity of the meeting, and with the phone lines and internet systems being down Wednesday, communications had been hindered to provide any timely notice. In new business, Dave Wells was nominated to be the custodian of records and budget manager. The nomination was accepted and Wells will include those duties to his current duties as secretary- treasurer. The board then briefly went into closed session. Coming back into open session, the board accepted the resignation request of Chief Brad Nash to step down as the district chief. A motion was made and carried to assign Assistant Chief Dennis Floyd as the interim Fire Chief. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Hospital Board held a special meeting Friday afternoon in front of a large crowd of hospital employees to discuss the revised COVID vaccination booster policy recently approved by the board, and to discuss employee health insurance. The issue was revisited after the hospital had an employee townhall meeting with members of the board in which there was much discontent about the policy. The CDC is not mandating the booster and surrounding hospitals were also not mandating the booster. All the board indicated their original intent was to protect the patients and staff. Each board member had a chance to speak and Dr. Price seemed to sum it up best when she said the board approved the policy without taking into consideration those staff who do not deal with patients at all, or those with limited access to patients. She also said the board intended to allow any staff member who did not want to take the booster, not for just religious or medical exemptions, but also for any reason, which was not how the policy was interpreted. After a discussion, the board revised the policy as they are NOT mandating any employee to have to take the COVID booster, but they strongly encourage it and if the employee wishes to be vaccinated, the hospital will pay for it. It was brought up about adding a masking provision, but the hospital’s current masking policy was sufficient to cover what was needed. Interim CEO Jason Edwards talked about the health insurance for the employees. He has been in conversation with the management team which recommends the hospital changing insurance brokers, but at this late time, that can’t be done. The hospital is self-insured that is backed by a re-issurance broker which is currently IMA. The hospital has had a lot of claims which has driven their rate up. The anticipated cost for 2023 to the hospital is about $2,094,000 and with employee contributions expected at $366,470, the hospital will be responsible for the other $1.7 million dollars. Those costs in 2024 are expected to go up to $2,832,851 which is a 35.3% increase. The board discussed raising the employee contribution just over 20% to help pay for the raise in rates that would still leave the hospital responsible for 2.39 million dollars. After some discussion, the board elected to leave the current employee contributions at their current level with the hospital picking up any additional costs which appears to be close to $738,603. The board also approved looking for a new broker, preferably one they can talk to in person before deciding which one to go with, or even explore other options. This will probably not happen until the middle of 2024. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon in Texas County on Highway 137 about two-and-a half miles north of Raymondville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 GMC Pickup driven northbound by 28-year-old Lydia Beyer of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Beyer suffered serious injuries and was transported by the Texas County Ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. Beyer was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive in Houston.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will hold the Christmas Parade of Lights in Salem this Saturday starting at 5:30 with this year’s theme: “Winter Wonderland.” The Grand Marshall for the parade this year is the Salem High School’s “Marching Blue.” The parade will run from the corner of South Grand and Franklin at the SBU Campus, traveling east to MacArthur, then going north to 4th Street before going heading east to the Dent County Courthouse square. If you can’t make it to the parade, KSMO Media will video stream the parade from 4th and Jackson beginning about 5:45. The video will be available on KSMO Stream Facebook Page, KSMO YouTube Page and at ksmoradio.com. There is no charge to watch the video stream. Following the parade Saturday night, the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center located at 202 South Main Street will be open from 6:30 until 8:30 for those who want to enjoy the incredible “Trees and Trains” exhibit titled ‘ A Snowy Tree Lot.” If you can’t make it Saturday night, the “Trees and Trains” exhibit is available for viewing from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. If you need more information, call the ONCRC at 729-0029.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said his workers would be cutting brush on Dent County Roads 2430 and 2440, doing shop work on grader #38, and would be cleaning out a crossing on county road 6500. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said his crews would be adding materials and grading Dent County Road 3050 while only grading would be done on county road 3020. Polk said brush would be cut on county roads 3120 and 3180 and a grader blade was being changed out. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson wanted to remind everyone to enjoy the Salem Parade of Lights Saturday starting at 5:30 from SBU and ending up around the Dent County Courthouse which is expected to have its new Christmas lights in operation. Larson also reported Dent County Emergency Management Director Brad Nash has resigned his position immediately and the commission will have to find his replacement. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she is working on the budget and that election filing will begin on Tuesday for the municipal elections, school boards, the hospital board, the health center board and fire protection district boards. Filing will end on Tuesday, December 26th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday at 9:00 and it is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 School Board recently received the second round of test results for lead content in the water. This test was conducted to determine where the lead content was emanating. The re-test used a flush method by running the water for 30 seconds prior to collecting a sample. Some water outlets were not re-tested as they were determined to be outlets not used for drinking water or food preparation. Signage was placed on those water outlets not re-tested to illustrate that they are not to be used for drinking or food preparation. The hydrant near the track is the only water outlet that re-tested above the 5 parts per billion threshold on the second round of testing after flushing. A total of 27 outlets were re-tested using the flush test method which indicates that supply lines are not contributing substantive amounts of lead into the water supply, but rather the outlets themselves are at fault. Some of the older faucets may have been manufactured before the lead/copper rule went into effect. The district is currently working to remediate the affected water outlets and will re-test in January. The Remediation Plan Recommendations by Get the Lead Out LLC for test points at or above 5 pbb lead content are permanent signage stating that the outlet is “Non-Potable Hand Washing Only”, the removal or replacement or the unit, or the installation of point of use filtration systems that have have lead reducing filters. Also, those sinks that have aerators should be checked to ascertain if the aerators are dirty, have scale build up, calcification or other blockages that could be trapping contaminants. If any are noted, then it may be worthwhile to clean or replace the aerators and retest after a thorough flush. Additionally, with the number of sinks that passed flush testing, sediment filtration is recommended to be installed in-line with the water main at the building entry points. If you desire further health information, call the Dent County Health Center at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Blvd in Salem or call 573-729-3106.