Your World Today

An accident occurred in Dent County Sunday evening at 7:00 on Route P approximately a half mile west of Dent County Road 5070. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by 43-year-old Dean Ramey of Bunker, failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway causing the vehicle to travel off the left side of the roadway where it overturned, ejecting Ramey and a passenger, 46-year-old James Hobson of Salem. Both Ramey and Hobson suffered serious injuries. Ramey was transported by Salem Memorial Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Hobson was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. A second passenger in the vehicle, 47-year-old Tenille Hobson of Salem, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial Hospital. According to the report, Tenille Hobson was wearing a safety restraint, while James Hobson and Dean Ramey were not. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Automotive. Dean Ramey was arrested and then released for medical treatment for an alcohol DWI with serious physical injury, DWI with physical injury, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway resulting in a crash, no insurance, failure to display valid plates and no seatbelt.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, both District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said their crews were out checking roads, fixing washouts, filling in bridge approches after the heavy rains of the last few days. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he has been unable to reach John Smith to see if Smith wants to continue as the “At Large Board Member for Profit” at MRPC. He said he will continue attempting to contact Smith. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the commissioners were approving bills for payment. Mobray noted that he had been talked to a constituent that lives between Highway 68 and Route J expressing his concern about the number of heavy trucks crossing from Highway 68 to reach Route J on the way to and from the charcoal plant. The traffic involves Dent County roads 3280, 3290, and 3300. During a lengthy discussion, Larson noted that this has been a perennial problem dating clear back to when he was elected District 2 Commissioner. One of the problems cited was that, even though signs are posted to reduce truck traffic, some drivers have trouble interpreting the signs. Since these roads are in District 2, Gary Polk plans to contact MoDOT to see if they can get some signage that uses symbols rather that written directions. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning in the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial Hospital District board of Directors will be holding a special meeting this afternoon at 1:00 in the Physician’s Office Building Conference Room. On the tentative agenda after the call to order and roll call will be vote to go into closed session.

The Dent County Health Center will be holding their Spring 2024 Health Fair and Vaccine Clinic this Friday from 7:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. No appointments are necessary. Dent County residents can get free basic screenings of Blood Pressure, Height and Weight determination, and BMI Calculation. Rapid Heart Health Screenings are available for Lipid (Cholesterol) and A1C for $34.50. Expanded services will be available for Blood Chemistry for $3.80, Vitamin D for $13.75, Basic Thyroid at $3.50 and Blood Counts for $3.00. Other services available include Rapid Blood Lead Screening for $10.00, plus free Narcan and free STD Testing. Information and scheduling for additional services will be available. No orders are needed for the screenings as the Dent County Health Center has a standing order for health screenings. In order to speed up the processes no insurance will be accepted. Some have asked if the DCHC is still located on MacArthur and the answer is No, we’re located at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard, across from Town and County Bank. To answer other questions about the Health Center Spring Health Fair and Vaccine Clinic feel free to call 573-729-3106.

The Salem Memorial Hospital, through its Board of Directors, announces that Jason Edwards, Interim CEO, and Doug Hoban, Chief Financial Officer have submitted their resignations to become effective May 22, 2024 siting personal reasons. The Board would like to thank Jason for his time, dedication, and service to Salem Memorial Hospital. In 20 years with us, Jason has served as our dietitian, Chief Operating Officer, and, most recently, as Interim CEO. The Board recognizes Jason for taking the reins and providing a steady hand during a time of transition for the Hospital and its staff. Likewise, the Board recognizes Doug Hoban, CFO, who has also provided a crucial service to the Hospital during a difficult financial audit and transition period after the departure of Rural Hospital Group. We wish them both the best in their future endeavors. Prior to these resignations, the Board had started the process of selecting a permanent CEO. The Board will continue this process as planned and hopes to have the CEO role filled with the best candidate as soon as possible. Contingency plans are in place to minimize any potential impact of the departure of these two important employees. The Board is committed to ensuring that Salem Memorial Hospital continues to thrive and serve as the nexus of healthcare in the Salem area. The Board continues to evaluate all options, including partnerships, affiliations, and management agreements to further the goal of providing quality healthcare to the residents of the District. The Board, again, thanks Jason and Doug for their services and looks forward to the many opportunities the Hospital has to improve; for every patient, every encounter, every time.

The Dent County sheriffs office has released several report. On Saturday, April 20th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 1300 block of East Scenic Rivers Boulevard . The operator was a 53-year-old Salem woman who was found to be driving on a suspended and revoked driving privilege. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County jail. On Tuesday the 23rd, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the unit block of County Road 5035. The driver was a 36-year-old St. James woman who was found to be driving on a revoked driving privilege. She was arrested and transported to the Dent County jail. Two days later on the 25th, deputies responded to the Truman Trailer Court in an attempt to serve an arrest warrant. The suspect, a 31-year-old Salem woman, was located and arrested. She was transported to the Dent County jail and incarcerated. The next day deputies responded to the 1000 block of County Road 6230 for the report of a burglary. The victim was a 42-year-old Salem woman who told deputies that a chainsaw was missing from her storage shed. The investigation is ongoing. That same day deputies conducted a traffic stop at Highway 19 and Highway 68. The driver was a 37-year-old Salem man, was found to be a felon in possession of a firearm. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County jail. If you have information regarding an investigation please call the Dent County sheriffs office at 729-3241.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released results from recent court cases in Dent County. On Wednesday, April 17th in front of Judge Nathan Kelsaw, Steven Stagner of Salem pleaded guilty to the possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine; and for a felony charge of driving while having his license revoked. He was sentenced to six years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. Then on Tuesday, April 23rd in front of Judge Michael Randazzo, Amy Jo Jackson of Salem pleaded guilty to a felony charge of driving while having her license revoked and for a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated,a first offense. Jackson was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by the prosecutor. The next case of the day saw Lacy McIntire of Bland pleading guilty to the possession fentanyl. She was sentenced by Judge Randazzo to a seven year suspended execution of her sentenced with five years probation and parole as well as treatment court which is what the prosecutor requested. Judge Randazzo on April 23rd also revoked the probation of James Wallace of Salem as he was ordered to the Missouri Department of Corrections for 120 days under the Missouri Revised State Statute 559.115 program as requested by Prosecutor Curley. Wallace was on probation for two cases for the felony possession of a controlled substance.

The Salem Chamber Singers attended the 2024 MSHSAA State Festival for Solos and Small Ensembles this past Friday. In the Vocal Solo category Corby Ball, Hannah Greener, and Neely Leathers each received gold for their performance as well as Riley Darby and Leay Russell receiving silver. Then in the Vocal SSAA Quartet, Ayva Callicutt, Neely Leathers, Caroline Pryor, Leya Russell got top marks with gold.

Also at the MSHSAA State Festival, Salem Marching Blue soloists Mason Tomnitz and Thomas Harris each took gold playing their euphoniums. Xander During, playing his bass clarinet took silver.

The Salem High School Art Students attended the Rho Tau District Art Show at Liberty High School this past Friday and with seven other schools participating, Salem took first place with 283 points! Individually Salem students took home 17 first place ribbons, 25 second, 16 third, 10 fourth, 22 honorable mentions, and 16 students choice ribbons for a total of 95 ribbons and five Community Choice awards.