Posts by Stan Podorski

An accident happened on Monday afternoon at 1:34 in St. Charles County on Highway 94 at 3rd Street that left a Salem woman with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 18-year-old Ian Schroeder of Florissant, driving a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Highway 94, apparently fell asleep at the wheel and traveled off the right side of the roadway striking a MoDOT electronic traffic control sign and post. The Silverado’s direction was diverted from the collision and it came back onto pavement on 3rd Street where the pickup began to slide towards the post office striking a yellow parking post and a pedestrian identified as 54-year old Kristian Flett of Salem. Flett suffered serious injuries and was taken by the St. Charles County Ambulance District to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The Silverado sustained moderate damages and was driven from the scene. Schroeder was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident but had no insurance.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board will be holding a meeting today at 5:00 at the Old City Hall Auditorium to discuss a budget adjustment needed to cover improvements to the Al Brown Field Concession stand. The cost of the improvements exceeded the budgeted amount of $9,000 and the Park Board will either approve allocating funds from the previous years beginning balance to cover the difference, or to take the money from the proposed bleacher purchase. The meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is conducting its annual search for a large Christmas tree for use on the governor’s mansion lawn in Jefferson City. MDC is asking landowners, homeowners, businesses, and communities that may have possible candidate trees to contact the Department. MDC is looking for a tree that is about 30 to 40 feet tall. The preferred species for the tree is eastern red cedar, Norway spruce, or white pine. The best candidates will be fully branched on all sides and easily accessible by large equipment. The right tree may either be near the end of its life or may need to be removed for other reasons. Often evergreens are planted too close to homes and buildings and eventually grow too large for the space. MDC Community Forestry Coordinator Russell Hinnah said that most of the trees we find were planted decades ago and have outgrown their space at the end of their life. Hinnah went on to note that donating a tree like that is a great way to share its beauty with thousands of Missourians who visit the mansion during the holidays. Once the tree is selected, MDC staff will coordinate the cutting and delivery of the tree to the governor’s mansion at no cost to the owners. The donor will receive a thank-you from the governor and an invitation to the lighting ceremony, which will take place on Friday, December 6th. Hinnah asks people to take photos of candidate trees and email them to holidaytrees@mdc.mo.gov. Be sure to include a contact telephone number, location of the tree, and several pictures taken from different angles and distances. Candidate tree nominations can also be submitted by mail to: Missouri Department of Conservation, ATTN: Mansion Christmas Tree, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. All entries must be submitted by Oct 10. Full guidelines are available at mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/governors-mansion-christmas-tree-search. For more information or questions, contact MDC Communications Specialist Holly Dentner at 573-751-4115, ext. 3110.

The Power of Hope Equestrian Center will have it’s Annual Charity Barn Dance October 5th at the Power of Hope Barn, located at #3 Farm House Lane Steelville. The doors will open at 4:00 and the band will start playing at 7:00. This year’s barn dance will feature live music by Missouri’s Most Wanted Outlaw Band and catered food by 19/49 Junktion. There will be a silent and reverse auctions with fantastic items up for grabs. The event will feature guest speakers and testimonials from participants whose lives have been transformed by the Power of Hope programs. Dinner and band tickets are $50, while band only tickets are $25. Tickets can be purchased at powerofhopeec.com. All proceeds from the event will directly support programs that continue the life changing equine therapy for children, adults, veterans, and first responders. Funds raised will allow participants to benefit from the therapeutic power of working with the program’s horses.

This City Wide Yard Salem will be held Saturday, October 5th. Copies of the maps will be available at area convenience stores and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, also be printed in the Salem News. Spaces are available on the parking lot behind the City Administration Building at 4th and Iron Streets on a first come, first serve basis.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday, September 19th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 51 COVID-19 cases reported, 41 active lead cases, 26 screenings for sexually transmitted infections with 92 total tests conducted, no cases of Influenza and 5 animal bites. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where 7 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 31 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was one CPR Course, two consultations for Childcare Health, no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 35 Title X appointments, 2 Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid), and 332 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 582 total appointments other than WIC, 150 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 110 treatment court visits, 230 lab appointments and 148 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 9 family plannings, 3 well-child visits, 18 online appointments, no other well-woman exams, 15 other physicals, 14 SEMO physicals, 24 other visits, and 67 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 246 individual patients, 38 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 5 pregnancy tests and 13 lead tests. Immunizations for August totaled none for COVID-19 or for Influenza, and 323 other vaccines given. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that the Girls Night Out participation was successful, plus future events include the Fall Health Fair which will be October 11th and the Drive-through Flu and COVID vaccine clinic will be October 17th. Progress on the DCHC Strategic Plan was discussed. Moser stated that the Accreditation process is expected to address the remaining items except for Board-focused items. He suggested scheduling a strategic planning meeting for later this year. Moser also noted that RFQ’s were published. The Health Center financial reports for August, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After any questions were answered, the financial reports and the report from H & R Block were approved. In new business the Accreditation Letter of Support was reviewed and approved by the Board. The Accreditation Management Software at $100 per year per designated staff member was approved by the Board. The Board went in to closed session at 5:48 and returned to open session at 6:23 having discussed personnel and the RFQ, having taken no votes. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, October 17th at 5:00.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports. On Friday September 20th, Deputies took a report for a theft that occurred in the 7100 block of County Road 5600. The victim, a 35-year-old Kirkwood male, advised unknown person(s) stole multiple items from his property. The investigation is ongoing. Then on Tuesday the 24th, Deputies responded to the 1300 block of North Highway 19 for a reported theft. The victim, a 63-year-old Salem man, advised unknown person(s) stole multiple items from his barn and property. The investigation is ongoing. Also on the 24th Deputies responded to the 100 block of County Road 6690 for a reported wanted subject. The suspect, a 31-year-old Salem man, was arrested without incident and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrants. Finally, on Thursday the 26th, Deputies took a report for harassment that occurred in the 19000 block of Highway 32 East. The victim, a 47-year-old Salem woman, advised unknown person(s) had been harassing her through various methods.  The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information relative to these ongoing investigations please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

The Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners held a public hearing and meeting on Tuesday evening at 5:30 in the Old Auditorium. While reviewing the agenda, The Board modified the third address on the agenda to read 1402 S. Water St, instead of 1102 S. Water St, and removed “Reorganization of Commission”, then the agenda was then approved. The Board heard and approved requests for subdivision of a property located at 1311 E. Third St, and a property located on 1305 E. First St. The Board also accepted the request for conditional use for a home-based, appointment only, gunsmithing business on a property located at 1402 S. Water Street. The meeting adjourned at 5:47.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added where needed and grading done on Dent County Roads 2470, 5015 and 5420. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2570 while only grading would be done on county roads 4283, 4285 and 4287. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 5240 and 5245. Polk went on to say a fallen tree was removed from the Dent County Road 3120. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson discussed two grant programs: one from the MRPC for public food projects and the other from the Missouri Humanities. For more information about the Community Food Projects grant, contact the MRPC at 573-265-2993; and for more information on how to apply for $25,000 from the SemiQuincentennial Humanities Grant, visit mohumanities.org/grants. Grant applications will be accepted from December 1st through January 1st, 2025. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt said excused absentee voting continues at the courthouse. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) and the Viburnum community will once again commemorate the rich mining history of southeast Missouri at the 38th Annual Old Miners’ Days festival October 4th and 5th. The community event includes two fun-filled days of entertainment for all ages and features free tours of Doe Run’s Buick Mine on Saturday. Community activities get underway Friday afternoon at 5:00 with the annual Tiny Tot Contest and Miss Viburnum Scholarship Pageant at the Elmer P. Beard Gymnasium in Viburnum. Saturday events begin at 9:00 in the morning at the outdoor Viburnum Center. Visitors 12 or older may sign up for a free underground tour of a working Doe Run mine. Tours begin at 9:00 and conclude at 4:00. Guests can travel through the Buick Mine shaft over 1,000 feet underground and see the company’s operations, including heavy mobile equipment, the maintenance shop and rock pillars full of valuable ore. Free bus transportation will be provided to shuttle guests the short distance from the Viburnum Shopping Center to the Buick Mine and back. Throughout Saturday, guests will enjoy live music, kids’ games and activities, food trucks and booths, craft vendors, a community parade and much more. In the evening, Inspyral Circus will provide circus-style performances that will inspire and amaze the audience with juggling, acrobatics and other performances. The show begins at 6:30 in the evening in the Elmer P. Beard Gymnasium. Doors open at 6:00. Weekend festivities conclude Sunday morning with a community church service hosted by local area churches at 11:00 in the Viburnum Center. Learn more about Old Miners’ Days, including a full schedule of events, online at oldminersdays.com.

The Cultural Craft Co-op at Shannondale and Timber Lodge, 41277 Highway 19 south of Salem, will be holding their fall workshop October 4th through 6th and the offerings promise to be spectacular. They have talented instructors lined up to teach and share their knowledge with participants. Nearly 20 classes will be offered ranging from toothbrush rugs to blacksmithing to broom making to native American seed beaded bracelets. For more information on what’s being offered, costs of classes, a list of local B&B’s contact Mary Ficker at 573-729-7065 or via cell phone at 573-247-1777. To pre-order meals and lodging contact Shannondale at 573-858-3284.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors held their regular meeting on Wednesday evening in the Doctor’s Library at 7:00. After the minutes from the August board meeting were reviewed and approved, hospital CEO Brooke Bollman gave her report, during which she explained the hospital is continuing to work with Phelps Health to fulfill due diligence requests, focusing on reducing inefficiencies, educating staff members, and conducting compliance evaluations. The Hospital’s 90 day priorities include: growing the Swing Bed Program, funding opportunities, and their affiliation with Phelps Health. During the Statistical Summary of Operations, it was noted that inpatient admissions, Emergency Room visits, and Ambulance Runs are lower than they were in July, while outpatient registrations went up. Total Operating Revenue for the month of August, was about $2.2 million. That amount is about $31,000 less than total operating revenue reported for July. Salem Memorial currently has 17 days of cash on hand. The hospital experienced a decrease in Salary expenditures due to ongoing reduction in staffing. Overall, the hospital experienced a profit of about $5,200. The 340B net revenue for August was $34,860. Tabitha Standfast, the Director for Quality Risk Management, presented the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) report. During the report, she explained that the hospital is looking to fill four RN/LPN Positions in Med-Surg, one RN position in the Emergency Department, and the Long Term Care Director position is still open. There are two ambulances currently being repaired for bad sensors. One will be ready soon, and the hospital is currently waiting for a quote for the second rig. The hospital hired five new employees in August, including 2 CNAs, a Registration Clerk, and a phlebotomist. Eleven employees left the hospital, including the Dietary Director, the Director of Surgery, and an IT Specialist. It is unclear whether the resignations are due to the affiliation with Phelps Health, or not. After the CNO report, the board approved the Quality Minutes. The unofficial second quarter results for the HCAHPS, a survey that measures overall patient satisfaction, has the hospital rated 18%, however, it was noted that only 12 surveys were submitted. The POC QAPI projects are on track or completed for the fiscal year. QAPI is currently focusing on two projects, which are fine tuning their medication distribution process, to eliminate documentation errors, and working on their patient experience and helping the accuracy of registrations. Tabitha stated they are changing their Event Reporting System, between October 2023 and September 2024, there have been 381 events reported, including falls, medication documentation errors, and device and equipment malfunctions. Event Reporting used to be done through The Safety Net. That contract was canceled last month, and all reporting will now be in the Hospital’s SharePoint system, and will be downloaded to the Intranet on a monthly basis. SMH was one of seven recipients to be awarded the Delta System Improvement Program (DSIP) Grant in the amount of $350,000. That money will go towards increasing the Swing Bed volume, improving Transitions of Care, and discharge planning, as well as focusing on the Chronic Disease Coordination and Management Program. The Hospital was also awarded the ToRCH Grant, and an informational meeting about this grant will be held on Monday afternoon at 2:00, in the Community Center at the Armory. The Board will be accepting applications for a new member, to fill the current vacancy. Information on how to apply will be in the Salem Missouri Newspaper. Before adjourning to closed session, the Board set the date for the next meeting for October 29th, however a start time has not yet been announced. 

An informational session will be held today at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory for the ToRCH pilot program that aims to integrate social care supports into clinical care, reducing the impact of social challenges on health outcomes. Through partnerships with organizations including Healthy Dent County, Compass Health, Dent County Health Center, Aging Best, South Central Missouri Community Area Action Agency, and Four Rivers Community Health Center; the ToRCH project is making strides in advancing community health initiatives. The ToRCH Community Leadership Board will be awarding grants to address gaps in available services within the community. These grants are intended to resolve capacity and resource issues that may arise due to the smaller scale of operations. Potential uses for the funding include expanding staffing, securing larger facilities, purchasing necessary equipment, and overcoming logistical challenges. The grant categories are Community Service, Transportation, Behavioral Health Access, Diabetes Prevention, Food Insecurity, Maternal/Child Health, Obesity Prevention, Primary Care Access and Quality of Life The grant application window opens today the with the initial proposal deadline of December 2nd. Additional windows may open if funds remain. The proposals are expected to be awarded by January 6th, 2025. The maximum funding amount is $240,000 and the funds will have to spent by October 31st, 2025. For further information or to request an application, please contact Tabitha Stanfast, Director of Quality, at tstanfast@smdh.net.