Archive for 2024

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday evening, October 17th at 6:30. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 21 COVID-19 cases reported, 46 active lead cases, 11 screenings for sexually transmitted infections with 40 total tests conducted, no cases of Influenza and one animal bite. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 9 total inspections conducted, no recalls, one sewer complaint, and 11 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was one CPR Course, no consultations for Childcare Health, 2 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 21 Title X appointments, 1 Presumptive Eligibility (Temporary Medicaid), and 332 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 538 total appointments other than WIC, 104 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 128 treatment court visits, 163 lab appointments and 147 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 4 family plannings, 1 well-child visits, 17 online appointments, one other well-woman exam, 4 other physicals, 8 SEMO physicals, 17 other visits, and 51 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 150 individual patients, 29 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests and 6 lead tests. Immunizations for September totaled 71 for COVID-19, 52 for Influenza, and 123 other vaccines given. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Fall Health Fair October 11th had 76 participants and the Drive-through Flu and COVID vaccine clinic October 17th resulted in over 100 vaccines being administered. The Board was updated on the initiative to perform a formal Community Health Assessment, and opportunities for three potential new grants. Progress on the DCHC Strategic Plan was discussed, plus the facilities RFQ’s. The Health Center financial reports for September were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After any questions were answered, the financial reports were approved. In new business the Board approved the purchase of 10 bike racks from Focus Welding and 6 benches for the Tiger Trail from Lollis Contracting as part of the BCBH Active Transportation Grant. The Board voted to establish a budget line for IT Management Services and authorized Moser to enter into an agreement with a subcontractor to provide the service. The Board approved the creation of a new position of Accreditation Assistant/CHW pending final contract award from DHSS. After review of interest quotes from several banks the Board approved investing $200,000 in a 1-year CD at the Bank of Salem for 4.25%. The Board went in to closed session at 8:00 and returned to open session at 8:55 having discussed personnel and the RFQ, having taken no votes other than approving closed session minutes. The next regular meeting of the Healthy Women appointment, 4 family plannings, 1 well-child visits, 17 online appointments, one other well-woman exam, 4 other physicals, 8 SEMO physicals, 17 other visits, and 51 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 150 individual patients, 29 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 2 pregnancy tests and 6 lead tests. Immunizations for September totaled 71 for COVID-19, 52 for Influenza, and 123 other vaccines given. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Fall Health Fair October 11th had 76 participants and the Drive-through Flu and COVID vaccine clinic October 17th resulted in over 100 vaccines being administered. The Board was updated on the initiative to perform a formal Community Health Assessment, and opportunities for three potential new grants. Progress on the DCHC Strategic Plan was discussed, plus the facilities RFQ’s. The Health Center financial reports for September were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After any questions were answered, the financial reports were approved. In new business the Board approved the purchase of 10 bike racks from Focus Welding and 6 benches for the Tiger Trail from Lollis Contracting as part of the BCBH Active Transportation Grant. The Board voted to establish a budget line for IT Management Services and authorized Moser to enter into an agreement with a subcontractor to provide the service. The Board approved the creation of a new position of Accreditation Assistant/CHW pending final contract award from DHSS. After review of interest quotes from several banks the Board approved investing $200,000 in a 1-year CD at the Bank of Salem for 4.25%. The Board went in to closed session at 8:00 and returned to open session at 8:55 having discussed personnel and the RFQ, having taken no votes other than approving closed session minutes. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, November 21st at 5:00.

An accident occurred in Reynolds County Thursday night at 7:20 on Highway KK ten miles northeast of Bunker that took the life of a Bunker man. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2002 Lincoln Towncar, driven by 59-year-old Russell Shipp, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Shipp was pronounced deceased at the scene by Reynolds County Coroner Jeffrey McSpadden. The report state that Shipp was wearing a safety restraint. The Lincoln was totaled and towed from the scene by Rowdy’s at trooper’s request.

MoDOT has announced several road projects in and around Dent County for this week. In Dent County, crews will conduct roadside work on Route K from Route E to Route KK. Pavement repair is also planned on Route CC from Route C to Route H. In nearby Phelps County, pothole patching is scheduled for Routes H, P, T, and CC. A culvert replacement project will take place on North Outer Road 44 from the St. James city limits to Route V. Additionally, upgrades to pedestrian facilities continue in St. James on Routes 8 and DD, with completion expected by the end of the month. For all these projects, one lane will remain open with flaggers directing traffic through work zones. MoDOT advises motorists to be cautious and watch for slow-moving equipment in these areas. All work is weather permitting and schedules may change.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Commissioner Wes Mobray was not in attendance due to a prior commitment. In the road report, District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said it was too dry to grade and the work crews would be replacing a crossover pipe on Dent County Road 4290. There was no report given for District 1. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday at the MRPC and most of the discussion was on the concrete problems with the Interstate 44 and some of it will have to be replaced. He said he also attended the South Central County Commissioners Association meeting Friday in Houston. He said the commissioners discussed stories concerning mistreatment of citizens by the National Park Service rangers in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and are creating a plan of action to bring to the NPS to see what can be done.  Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all monthly accounts for September. She said Tuesday will be the first day for “no excuse” absentee voting, Wednesday is the last day to request a mail out ballot, her office will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon on November 2nd for absentee voting or changes to your voter registration, and the last day to absentee vote will be Monday, November 4th from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon at the courthouse. She said so far about 300 people have voted absentee during the “Excused” portion of that voting. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred in Dent County Thursday morning at 7:45 on Highway H on mile east of Lenox. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2000 Ford Ranger, driven by a 17-year-old female juvenile, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch. The juvenile suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private conveyance to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report state that she was wearing a safety restraint. The Ford sustained minor damage and was removed by a private party.

The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages people to enjoy fall foliage through camping, hiking, driving tours, or even floating. In our area of the state, autumn has been slow to arrive. Flowering dogwoods have bright red berries that match the brilliance of their changing leaves. The black, mockernut, and pignut hickories are showing signs of their bright beautiful yellows. Perhaps you may have noticed some dots of purple near the ground: That’s our native aromatic aster that’s so important for late-season pollinators. The best place to see color so far is down by our scenic rivers you may notice some of the bottomland species changing color. Sycamore is either yellow or entirely defoliated. Enjoying the fall colors along the river is a refreshing change after months surrounded by deep greens. Take advantage of the great weather and get yourself and your family outside! For reports on other areas of the state, the conservation department offers weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor

The Dent County Opioid Settlement Committee will be meeting at the Dent County Associate Courtroom at 112 East Fifth Street tonight at 6:00 to establish and approve by-laws, select committee officers, and review the application process before adjourning. The meeting was called by Lt. Rick Letchworth from the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. The meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened Saturday evening at 6:08 in Phelps County on Route D about ½ mile south of Jerome that left a Rolla man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven south bound by 42-year-old Shannon Beam, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Beam was transported by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health. Beam was not wearing a seat restraint at time of the accident. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

An accident happened in Dent County at 1500 Route MM about ten miles east of Salem Saturday afternoon at 4:10 that left a Salem man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 22-year-old Joseph Kirker was operating a 2008 Honda Motorcycle and traveling northbound, when he was apparently traveling too fast and traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Kirker was flown by Arch 6 Helicopter to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Kirker was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle sustained extensive damage and was later towed by the owner. 

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has submitted the following reports for October 5th through the 9th. On Saturday, the 5th, Deputies responded to the 600 Block of Highway H for a reported missing or stolen license plate. The victim, a 26-year-old Salem woman, advised she was missing a license plate off of her vehicle. The investigation is pending. Then on Monday, the 7th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 1700 block of West Scenic Rivers Boulevard. During the course of the stop the operator, a 27-year-old Salem woman, was found to be in violation of numerous motor vehicle laws. The investigation is pending. The next day Deputies responded to the 1200 block of Dent County Road 5130 for a reported domestic assault. During the course of the investigation the suspect, a 22-year-old Salem woman, was arrested for striking a 68-year-old Salem man. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was place on a 24-hour hold. Finally on Wednesday, the 9th, Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 6200 block of South Highway 19. During the course of the stop the operator, a 40-year-old Salem man, was arrested for driving on an expired driver’s license. A summons will be issued, and this case is cleared for arrest. If you have any information on any of the ongoing investigations, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

Green for Life will be providing the Fall Cleanup week for City of Salem residents beginning Monday, October 21st through Friday, October 25th. Residents are asked to have all trash placed at the curb the night before your normal scheduled trash day. EPA law will not allow the collection of yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals or solvents, paint, appliances, or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. If you have questions about the WCA residential Fall Cleanup Week, please call 1-800-926-3953 or 1-417-741-7714.

A Native Warm Season Grass Seed Production Workshop will be held on Friday, October 25th at the Wurdack Research Center in Cook Station at 164 Bales Road from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. This workshop is a great way to diversify your farm operation as attendees will learn about native grass seed production with field demonstrations on harvesting and seed cleaning. Extension specialists will be discussing regulations and testing, harvest methods and financial tracking. The cost is $35 per person. For more information or to register, contact Rachel Hopkins at 573-438-2671 or you can go online at extension.missouri.edu/events. Please make you reservation by Monday, October 21st.