Your World Today

The Dent County Fire Protection district board of directors met Wednesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station. After the roll call, a motion was made that the board go into closed session to discuss personnel. After coming back into open session. the board stated that Savannah Nash had been interviewed and accepted to the district as a probationary firefighter and may start her duties immediately. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday for their regular meeting at the courthouse. District 1 and 2 workers worked on Wednesday, Juneteenth and were off Thursday. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said the chip and seal work is now scheduled to begin no earlier than the middle and not later than the end of July. Mobray said the guys had been doing a lot of chip and seal prep to get the roads ready. Presiding Commisioner Gary Larson reported on the Tourism Tax Committee meeting he attended on Monday. He reported there were six reimbursements that were submitted and one request which was approved. Larson also said the Dent County Annex building will be treated for pest control as approved by the commission. Mobray said the Board of Equalization for Dent County is scheduled to meet on July 15th if there are requests to do so regarding real estate . Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer said if there is a person with problem with their assessment, they need to speak with her first to see if a solution can be made. If there is anyone who needs to addresss the Board of Equalization, they need to submit their application by July 1st. At the last meeting, the commission received a petition to establish a speed limit of 35 mph for county road 6490. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.

The weather and calendars have reached summer, and that makes it a great time to think about ways we, and our families, can keep up with healthy routines while enjoying all that the season has to offer. While it’s hard to find a time of year that feels more relaxed than summer, it can also have some unique challenges that can make it more difficult to keep up with, or build on, our healthy behaviors. During warm weather get outside for walks or bike rides in the early morning or evening when it’s cooler. When we’re out walking or playing with our family, it’s easy to get behind on hydration. So, it’s good to keep water bottles filled and in reach for when we need them. Our parks and other open areas are great places to enjoy physical activity. The trees and shade can provide a break from the heat, and studies have found that just spending time in green spaces can have many mental and physical benefits. Summer cookouts are a favorite summer activity. Save space on the plate for healthy options. It’s important to enjoy foods that make summer feel like summer. But those aren’t always the healthiest options, so be sure to save space on your plate for healthy, and still tasty, options, like watermelon, grilled corn and grilled chicken breasts. Instead of sugary drinks or beer or hard seltzers, try unsweetened fizzy waters and the growing number of good alcohol-free beers or similar options. When outside in the summer pick a 30 SPF or higher sunscreen that you like and use it regularly. Most sunscreens today provide good protection. Chemical sunscreens help absorb the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. Mineral sunscreens help block UV rays. Both types are safe to use. So, pick the ones you like and keep them handy when heading outside. To get the full protection sunscreens offer, it’s important to use enough. Apply about one ounce and reapply about every two hours, or after swimming or exercising.

A Flat Reed Basket Weaving class will be held Saturday, June 22nd from 1:00 to 3:00 at the creative Arts Center with Connie Light. The class is for people 14 years of age and older. Come and make a white oak flat reed napkin basket, approximately 8” square. In this class you will learn a basic basket making technique that can be used as a foundation to many other future basket making projects. You will finish the basket in class, so you can take it home that day. No prior knowledge is required. To register, go the SACBA website and find the Programs tab. Find the Creative Arts Center and click to register for the class. Registrations online are on a first come, first serve basis. The cost of the class is $40 which includes all supplies. A minimum of two students need to sign up and the classs will be limited to six students.

Do love to kayak? Do you love birding and journaling? On Sunday, June 30th at Current River State Park starting at 9:00, you can combine all three and take them to the next level! If you never birded or spent time journaling before? No problem. This is still the class for you. Bring your lunch and some snacks, and for a kayaking trip on the Current River. During our journey, we will make multiple stops to enjoy, explore, discover and connect with our natural surroundings. As part of this awesome class, you will receive a nature journal starter kit and a unique experience. The float will start at Current River State Park and will conclude at Round Spring, approximately four miles away. Kayaks and life jackets will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. You are also encouraged to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and plenty of water, and wear closed-toe shoes. No glass bottles or alcohol will be allowed. This class is free, but there is a limit of 10 participants, and registration is required. Participants must be at least 16 years old, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. To register, or for more information, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov. Current River State Park is located at 11053 Dent County Road 19D.

This past Tuesday night, the Salem Memorial Hospital Board held their regular meeting in the hospital library. During the Administrator’s Report, Interim CEO Wes Murray noted that SMH’s service prices are significantly lower than those of surrounding hospitals. He said efforts are underway to overhaul the Charge Master. Murray also reported active recruiting measures are being taken to find a Speech Pathologist to improve the Swing Bed patient service and retention. He also mentioned the hospital is currently applying to administer vaccines to children, particularly those without insurance or on Medicaid. A review of cost-cutting strategies included significant reductions or the complete removal of various service contracts and marketing expenses, alongside a focus on departmental efficiencies. It was discussed that these cost-cutting measures, though unpopular, are not necessarily permanent but are currently necessary. The board then reviewed the Summary of Operations for the month of May. Admissions for Medical/Surgical, Swing Beds, and Observation were all down compared to May of last year and were at or below the 2024 average. Outpatient registrations were down by 389 compared to this time last year. The number of long-term care residents remained at 17. Emergency room visits were consistent with this year’s average at 626. The hospital’s total assets stand at $12.5 million, reflecting a net decrease of $3.7 million compared to May 2023. The Cash Flow Statement showed a monthly cash flow decrease of $145,061, though Days Cash on Hand remained steady at 27. The 340B Program continued to show positive revenue, outperforming expenses in four out of the five recorded months this year. In the Chief Nursing Officer Report, several current openings were noted, including five full-time RN/LPN positions, the Chief Nursing Officer position, and a Long-Term Care Director. It was mentioned that applications were low, and there is renewed interest in restarting the Student Nursing Program. In May, there were eight new hires and twelve departures. The Matching Funds obligation to receive the remaining State funds, secured by Representative Ron Copeland, was achieved in May. The Strategic Plan and Tax Levy Increase remain tabled by the board. The budget approval process is still ongoing as the board went into closed session. The next scheduled meeting will be held on July 16.

The Salem Police department has released their report for the month of May. The department responded to 19 accidents during the month. Officers responded to ten alarms sounding and addressed 26 animal calls, investigated three assaults or fights, four burglaries, performed nine well being checks and 11 area checks in May. Police investigated 11 domestic disputes, 11 verbal disturbances, conducted 33 follow-up investigations, and provided 15 escorts. They investigated two nuisance violations, three harrassment charges, two reports of fraud, took one missing persons report, and offered assistance to three motorists. The Salem Police wrote two property damage reports, made ten stealing reports, had five parking complaints and responded to eight traffic complaints. Officers investigated a shoplifter report, one sex offense charge, 16 suspicious circumstance calls, eight suspicious person calls, and five suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve four warrants and conducted 46 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 446 incidents in May with the average response time to calls being two minutes and nine seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 23 minutes and 19 seconds.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their regular meeting this evening at 5:30 in the Salem R-80 board room. After the consent agenda is approved the Board will hear communications followed by public comment by Kyla Slayer from ROAR. Reports from Dr. Reed and Dr. Wills will be heard before the principal reports are heard from William Lynch, the Upper Elementary, the Middle School, and the Senior High. Clay Moody will then give an update on athletics and activities followed by reports on Special Education and Technology. In new business, the board will review and accept roof repair bids, approve the resolution to transfer 7% WADA from Fund 1 to Fund 4 for the purpose of paying ineligible costs of the FEMA building, Signature Bank lease purchase. The board will then approve participating in the State Baseline Salary Grant of $40,000 per teacher, approve amending the 2023-2024 budget to reflect actual expenditures and revenues, approve the 2024-2025 budget, approve a revision of Board Policy JG-R2, plus approve payment of customary bills that may need to be paid between this board meeting and June 30th, 2024. The Board will hear resignations and then adjourn into Executive Session to discuss student issues and personnel. The Board will then return to open session to adjourn. The Salem R-80 School District meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Finance Committee Meeting will be held tonight at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to discuss, review and recommend the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget for the City of Salem. The meeting is open to the public.

Do you have your tickets for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Music Festival this Saturday at the Commons? The concert will feature the Crowe Boys from New Orleans with opening act, Devon Sutterfield from Salem and St. James. The gates open at 6:00 and the live concert begins at 7:00. Sutterfield was featured recently on “The Voice” while the Crowe Boys have had success on the Internet with their single “Where Did I Go Wrong” and “The Simple Truth Hurts.” Tickets are available for $30 and are available at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and online at croweboys.com. There will be food trucks, a beer garden and more! To find out about the concert or tickets, contact the Salem Chamber of Commerce at 573-729-6900.

The City of Salem wants to remind everyone that the new Servline Protection Program for city water lines will begin July 1st and will offer up to $2,500 coverage per occurrence against high service bills that are caused by unexpected leaks. The cost of the program for residential customers is $2.35 per month and $2.50 per unit per month for Residential Master Metered Multi-Habitational customers. Commercial customers will be charged $6.50 per month for a single occupancy and $13.00 per month for a multiple occupancy location. All eligible City of Salem customers are automatically enrolled in this optional program, so if you don’t want it, you have to opt out and you only have until June 30th to do so. Otherwise the charges will appear on your utility bill when the program goes live on July 1st. Call 1-844-952-0741 to find out more information about the program including a copy of the full terms and restrictions, or to opt out of the program and decline protection. Those who keep the program can cancel at any time, but if you wanted to re-enroll, you would have to wait 30 days to do so. If a water customer declines the coverage by opting out, they will be accepting full responsibility for all excess water charges caused by the leak. If a customer has the coverage and they have an exceedingly high water bill caused by usage due to a qualifying leak or line break, the City of Salem’s leak loss protection program covers the utility bill once the active cause of the leak has been repaired. Again, if you want to “opt out” of the Servline Protection Program for your city water service, call 1-844-952-0741 before July 1st.

As more Americans plan July 4th celebrations, the Division of Fire Safety is reminding Missourians to put fireworks safety first this Independence Day. Public fireworks displays not only offer the best sights, they are the safest, but if folks choose to use consumer fireworks, please handle them with extreme caution and do not allow children to use fireworks. Remember, within the city limits of Salem, the discharge of fireworks is legal for individuals 18 years of age or older, or those under the supervision of a parent, guardian or person 18 years old or older between the period of July 1st and July 6th. By ordinance, those discharging fireworks may only do so between the hours of 8:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night except on July 4th when the hours shall be 8:00 in the morning until midnight. Only Class 1.4G fireworks in unmodified form shall be discharged. Fireworks sales at seasonal retailers are legal in Missouri starting June 20th and lasting until July 10th. Please keep in mind that July 4th is not only the busiest day of the year for fireworks, it is the busiest day of the year for fires. About 40 percent of Independence Day structure fires are the result of fireworks, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Across the U.S. in 2022, fireworks started an estimated 18,500 fires according to NFPA. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2022, eleven peopleacross the United State died as the result of fireworks, with victims ranging from 11 to 43 years old; 10,200 people were treated for injuries in hospital emergency rooms nationally with children under 15 years of age accounting for 28% of the 2022 injuries. The Product Safety Council also said that about 43% of selected and tested fireworks were found to contain illegal components that could cause severe injuries. In Missouri, about 250 people go to emergency rooms each day with fireworks-related injuries in the 30 days around July 4th. Missourians who choose to use consumer fireworks should only use fireworks in a large open space that has been cleared of flammable materials, make sure to have a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire, only light fireworks one at a time; never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned, and dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can. For questions or concerns about firework safety, firework rules, or firework dealers, contact the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930.

An accident happened in Dent County Monday morning just after 10:00 on Highway 32 about 17 miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chrysler Sebring driven westbound by 31-year old Dallas Agers of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a fence. Agers suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial Hospital. The Chrysler Sebring sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. It was unknown if Agers was wearing a seat restraint.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a Hand-stamped Copper Jewelry making class on Friday evening from 6:30-8:30 with Leann Light. The class is open to all children 14 years of age and older. You will learn how to stamp on metal, add texture (if you wish), make a chain and assemble your necklace. At the end of the class, you will take home a custom stamped, one of a kind, piece of jewelry created entirely by you. All tools and materials will be provided. You can choose up to three metal discs and add a charm or crystal, or both, all on a 20 inch stainless steel chain. The cost of the class is $50 and that includes all your supplies. at least two people need to sign up for the class which will be limited to no more than six students.To register, go the SACBA website and find the Programs tab. Find the Creative Arts Center and click to register for the class. Registrations online are on a first come, first serve basis.

On Thursday, the Mudbugs will spend time outdoors at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History exploring the grounds trying to find evidence that Bigfoot has returned. The activity will last about 1 hour and targets kids between the ages of 6 and 12 or so, but all ages are welcome. All events are held at the Bonebrake Center from 2:00 until 3:30. A donation to the Bonebrake Center of $2.00 per child is appreciated. They ask that a parent or legal guardian accompany your children (in case any emergency medical situations should arise). For more information, e-mail Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com. Don’t forget to check them out on Facebook!