Archive for 2024

A press release from City Administrator Sally Burbridge states that the intersection of West Dent Street and South Henderson Street will be temporarily closed this morning at 7:30 to repair a water main. The city does apologize for any inconvenience and asks that you keep the safety of our crew in mind if you are in the area.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will celebrate the arrival of their new apparatus with a “Push-in Ceremony” tonight at 6:00, weather permitting. Any and all community members that might like to witness such an event here in Dent County all welcome to attend. This type of ceremony dates back to the days of horse-drawn equipment when members had to push the equipment into the bay. Over time, with the invention and adoption of motorized apparatus, the need to manually move the equipment was gone. However, the legacy of the push-in was secured. Now in honor of those crews, many fire departments hold a push-in ceremony when taking delivery of a new apparatus or in this case, new to the Dent County Fire Protection District.

The Salem Memorial Hospital held their monthly board meeting this past Tuesday. Prior to the regularly scheduled meeting, a presentation by Carmen Cooper and Tabitha Stone of the National Rural Health Resource Center was given to the board. The presentation covered SMH’s progress through the Delta Region Health Systems Development Program since their entry in September of 2021. Carmen lead the presentation as she praised SMH’s progress and outlined SMH’s remaining modules required for program completion. The board, lead by Interim CEO Wes Murray, reassured her that while the hospital is in a leadership transition they’re committed to completing the program and will schedule the remaining project modules after the new CEO Brooke Bollman is on-board July 1. Tabatha Stone then spoke primarily to newer board members summarizing the Delta program and answered questions. Following the presentation, the regular board meeting was held with the exception of Wanda Tatom who was not present. In the Administrator’s Report, Interim CEO Wes Murray commented that Hospital Week went very well as he toured and visited several departments. He also said the foundation golf tournament will be held June 7th at the Spring Creek Golf Club. Chief Financial Officer Kayla Chamberlain reported the hospital had a gain from operations of $385,630 with an excess of revenues over expenses of $396,583. Chamberlain reported hospital admissions in April were 73 which included five Swingbed and 34 observation admissions with a total of 218 patient census days. In April, there were 1,468 Outpatient Registrations, 801 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 6,835 Lab Tests, 1,169 Radiology Procedures, 763 Rehabilitation Treatments and 23 Surgical Procedures. There were 596 Emergency Room visits with 54 patients being admitted. A total of 212 ambulance runs were made with 158 patients being transported. She said days cash on hand at the end of April was 27. The clinic had a profit from direct operations for the month of $104,297, and the hospital cash flow statement showed an increase in cash for April of $560,800. In the Chief Nursing Officer report, Emily Hunter was named the “Nurse of the Year” with Stephanie Cooper the runner-up during Nurses’ Week. A number of nursing positions are open including Chief Nursing Officer and anyone interested should check out the availabilites at SMDH.net. In April, there were eight new hires and one person left the hospital employment. The board approved new staff privileges for Andrew Smith, MD in telepsychology; and Christine Orsmby, MD and Selasi Naakhaima, MD in teleradiology. In new business, the organizational chart was updated, discussion on a tax levy increase was tabled, and discussion about an employee salary increase was tabled until after the finance committee meets which will be on June 14th at noon. The board then went into closed session.

Memorial Day weekend brings Missouri to life with busy state parks, lakes, and attractions, along with sporting events, barbecues, and gatherings of friends and family. Our state has a lot to offer, especially when the weather is nice. A little planning will go a long way to making your Memorial Day weekend activities a success. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds everyone to include safety when they plan their holiday weekend. Everyone should expect more travelers on Missouri’s roadways. Drivers are reminded to follow all Missouri’s laws and be courteous. Always wear a seat belt when traveling in a vehicle. This year’s Memorial Day holiday counting period begins at 6:00 this Friday evening, and ends at 11:59 Monday night. Every available trooper will be on the road enforcing Missouri laws and assisting people. Troopers on our roadways will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers. The Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) during Memorial Day weekend. Over the 2023 Memorial Day holiday weekend, 13 people died and 403 were injured in 990 traffic crashes. (Troopers worked 287 traffic crashes involving 12 fatalities and 117 injuries.) For road condition reports, travelers can call 1-888-275-6636. Motorists are encouraged to do their part to make Missouri’s roadways safer. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. Please obey all traffic laws and make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.

As Americans fire up their grills for Memorial Day celebrations, a new study by US Foods settles the age-old hot dog debate and reveals the secrets to crafting the perfect hot dog. This all-American summertime staple has fueled barbecue debates nationwide, especially over ideal toppings. According to survey data, the perfect hot dog is grilled on a white bun, topped with mustard, ketchup, onions, relish, and chili. The study shows 93% of Americans love hot dogs with Chicago-style reigning supreme. Americans are eating an average of 2 hot dogs a month and are willing to spend $5.88 on a hot dog. The most popular sides are French fries, potato salad, potato chips, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Healthy Dent County are teaming up to host a Second Chance Job Fair today from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center at the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Street in Salem. The job fair focuses on employers willing to hire individuals who are justice involved or in recovery from substance-use-disorder. Numerous employers will be attending include Walmart, Royal Oak and Eagle Stop to name a few, as well as the Missouri Job Center, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health and Invent Yourself, LLC who can provide resources to potential employees. This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize. This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize. This project is funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, totaling $1,000,000 awarded to MRPC in 2021.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois gave her report saying the soccer program went well even though the weather was challenging, they were able to get all the games in for the season. Dubois said the Summer Baseball, Softball and T-Ball program has 402 athletes signed up this year which is down from last year. She said her Summer Park Camp this year will be held in June from 8:00 in the morning until 1:00 and is limited to 25 children. Signups for that continue and people can find out more information by going to the Salem Park and Recreation Department Facebook Page, calling Melissa at 573-247-6031 or e-mailing her at salemparks@salemmo.com. The cost per child is $200. Dubois said she is considering holding a “Skills and Drills” Basketball Camp which would be a three-day camp, but she has not finalized all the details as of yet. She said the Al Brown Field Lighting Project is still not completed as the electricians are waiting on a missing piece needed for the transformer. She said the city crews will be building an elevated pad near the creek for the transformer once things dry out. Dubois said there was extensive damage to the pool liner from the hail storms in the area and an RFP has been put out for a replacement liner. She also reported the Tennis Courts have a new sign which was funded by the Salem High School Tennis Team and she thanks them for their support. She said the cracks in the concrete have been repaired but the skate park needs work and a new ramp she is looking at costs $6,700. She said the first park pavilion had the roof replaced by the construction crew, and if anyone has an interest in reserving a pavilion, please call 729-4811. She would also like to install a sign at the Al Brown Fields similar to the one at the Salem City Park on Rolla Road. Dubois also wanted to thank the high school students on their service day for digging and spreading the mulch around the trees at the Salem City Park. City of Salem Finance Director Stacey Houston and City Administrator Sally Burbridge went over the proposed budget with the Park Board. In revenues, Houston added $150,000 for the expected amount of insurance the city is going to get for the pool liner, but also added $200,000 as the cost of the liner. Houston said adjustments had been made for the amount of payroll with the pool being closed, and her initial budget deficit was $50,577. After some discussion, Houston had not made adjustments for the chemicals needed for the pool, plus the need to adjust the cost for electric and water which will be reduced with the pool not being open. Dubois also stated other items that were needed were a new pool filter using glass media, updates to the Al Brown Concession Building, the replacement of the roof at the City Park Concession and Restrooms near the softball fields, new bleachers at Al Brown Fields, and pool lighting repair or replacement. Park board member Luke Heithold asked if the roofs and pool lights had been inspected by the insurance adjuster for damages from the hail and Dubois said only by the construction crew. Heithold said he lives in the vicinity and he and his neighbors are all getting new roofs due to the storm. The park board then requested the city get the insurance adjuster to look at these items and see if there is hail damage that may be covered. Administrator Burbridge said new this year, they will be encumbering funds based on the useful life of park and rec assets for replacement. This would include mowers, vehicles, playground equipment, pool liners, etc. That figure came to just over $38,000 this year that will be set aside for asset replacement. This is different than the reserve funds of 25% of the previous years expenses which is kept aside for a “just in case” event. After more discussion, the park board approved the proposed budget which shows $837,651 in revenues and $849,900 in expenses, plus the $38,328 for the replacement fund using the park and rec fund balance to make up any budget deficit with a contingency. The contingency was that if there is more insurance money coming from other claims, the alderman will take that into consideration when considering the park board budget. The board postponed discussing a three to five year plan, but they did hear a wish-list from Park and Recreation Director Dubois that she would like them to consider when determining the three to five year plan. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5400 and 6633 while brush would be cut on county road 6570. Mobray stated workers were checking the Montauk area for washouts from the rains Friday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3195 while a crew will be hauling asphalt to county road 3210. He said workers would also be patching chip and seal roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the commission received a report back on the hail damage to the courthouse from Alexander Construction and the insurance company. Larson said they are discussing the results of the report at this time. He also said they received the cost of the new handrail for the front of the courthouse and it came to $5,400. No action was taken at this meeting. Larson said he also attended the Tourism Tax Commission meeting Monday night. A concerned citizen who said he fell off his motorcycle due to ruts created by the rains on county road 6090 asked Commissioner Mobray if those ruts could be repaired so he doesn’t fall again. It was also announced there would be no commission meeting on Monday, May 27th as the courthouse will be closed for Memorial Day. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The draft Fiscal Year 2025 through 2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program or STIP, from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, is now in its 30-day public review and comment period. The draft STIP makes available $13.8 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $13.8 billion, the draft STIP details $9.9 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $2 billion per year. It also contains programming details for the remaining $2.4 billion of General Revenue for the Improve I-70 program, which in full includes $2.8 billion for the costs to plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate and repair three lanes in each direction on nearly 200 miles of the corridor. In the past 10 years, MoDOT and its construction partners have completed 4,206 projects with a program value of $11.1 billion, but it was delivered $536 million below budget and 93% on time. The draft FY 2025 through 2029 STIP lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2025-2029 and reflects the transportation needs of communities across the state. The proposed program is now available for public review. In Dent County, there are four projects in the STIP including pavement preservation on Route K from Highway 19 to Route KK, and also on Route J in Salem from Highway 32 to Highway 72; bridge improvement on Route B over Dry Creek; bridge improvement on Highway 19 over Spring Creek; and the upgrading of the pedestrian facilities to meet the ADA transition plan on Highway 32 and 19. Those interested in offering comments can contact MoDOT by email at STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov, by calling customer service at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), or by mail to Transportation Planning, Program Comments, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. The program is also available on MoDOT’s website: modot.org/DRAFTSTIP. The formal comment period ends May 30th, 2024. The summary of comments will be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission following the public review period. After reviewing the summary of comments and the final transportation program, it will be considered for approval at the July 10th Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting at 5:30 in the hospital library this evening. At the meeting, the Board will hear a Delta Program update before reviewing previous meeting minutes. The Board will hear the Administrator’s report, plus the summary of operations for the month of April as well as statistics for the month. The Board will hear about the 340B program, receive the Chief Nursing Officer report, and be updated on Human Resources. After the Chief of Staff’s report, the board will discuss the state and matching funding update as well as the strategic planning update. In new business the board will discuss an organizational chart, tax levy increase, finance committee meeting and employee salary increases. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night is open to the public. To attend the meeting by electronic means, call Hannah Harris in the hospital administration office at 729-6626, extension 4005.

Want to learn to fish? MDC’s Discover Nature – Fishing Program provides a series of free lessons throughout the state. All fishing gear is provided. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/fishing. If you need fishing gear, the Department of Conservation works with numerous libraries and other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. The Salem Public Library and Current River State Park offer the loaner gear. Call them at 729-4311 or 858-3015 for more information.