Your World Today

The Salem Memorial Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the hospital library. In the Administrator’s Report, Interim CEO Jason Edwards reported that Amber Hogan has been hired as the new Emergency Medical Service Director, and Chantel Garrison has been hired as the TorRCH program manager. Lisa Delany will be retiring at the end of March and Misty Atchley has been hired to replace her. The board received the official 2023 audit report from FORVIS. Edwards said a “meet and greet” for the Delta Project is tentatively set for April 23rd and the 9th annual Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament will be held June 9th. In the summary of operations for February, Chief Financial Officer Doug Hoban reported the hospital had a loss from operations of $290,358 with an excess of expenses over revenues of $160,298. The hospital showed an increase in cash of $21,120 which is the third straight month that cash on hand has increased. Hoban reported hospital admissions in February were 86 which included eight Swingbed and 30 observation admissions with a total of 301 patient census days. In February, there were 1,366 Outpatient Registrations, 2,017 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 6,222 Lab Tests, 1,195 Radiology Procedures, 628 Rehabilitation Treatments and 39 Surgical Procedures. There were 607 Emergency Room visits with 65 patients being admitted. A total of 188 ambulance runs were made with 134 patients being transported. Hoban said days cash on hand at the end of February was 23. The clinic showed a net loss of $23,884 for the month, but has showed a $77,389 profit for the fiscal year The 340B plan showed revenues over expenses of $47,007 and the hospital converted three CDs worth $400,000 with an interest rate of .07% to 5.05% for nine months. Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Owen said there still is a need for five full time night time nurses. She said the hospital was represented at the ECC Rolla Career Fair for RN, LPN, Radiology Techs and Surgery Tech students. The hospital is also in the early stages of planning and implementing the Annual Nursing Skills Lab. In Human Resources, the hospital hired three new people in February and six employees left. In the Chief of Staff’s report, the doctors approved the Medical Staff Bylaws with no changes before they approved updated Critical Lab values. Administrator Edwards said the state funding the hospital expected to receive has been delayed again, this time by a Department of Health glitch. They have contacted Representative Copeland for his assistance in getting the matter straightened out. A tentative strategic planning update has been scheduled for May 10th with department leaders, med staff, administration and board members. The board approved the bid from Commercial Bus and Vehicle, LLC for an old hospital ambulance for $2,013. The board then went into closed session.

An accident occurred in Dent County Wednesday morning at 9:40 on Highway 68 and Route U. According to the highway patrol report, an eastbound 2017 Freightliner, operated by 57-year-old Mohamed Gelle of Minneapolis, Minnesota, turned left into the path of a westbound 2005 Dodge Dakota driven by 43-year-old Vada Calkins of Salem. Calkins suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene.

A “Hoppy” Easter Paint Party will be held Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Creative Arts Center at 204 South Main. Come and paint your very own Easter bunny!! This paint party is perfect for kids and adults alike! Kids under 5 must have an adult present! The cost is $10 for children and $20 for adults and that includes all the supplies. A minimum of six people need to register for the party to be held and it will be limited to 25 people. Register online at the SACBA website. Under programs, find the Creative Arts Center, and registrations are on a first come, first served basis.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released several reports. On Saturday, March 9th, a deputy responded to the 200 block of Dent County Road 4155 for the report of a burglary. A 23-year-old Salem woman, told deputies she had returned home to find numerous items missing from her home. Information was taken for a report and the investigation is pending. The next day, Sunday the 10th, a deputy responded to the 100 block of County Road 6680 for the report of a stolen vehicle. The victim was a 28-year-old Salem woman, who told deputies that a family member had taken her car without permission. Suspect information was provided and a 30-year-old Salem woman was later arrested. On Thursday, March 14th, deputies responded to the 8000 block of Route K to located a wanted subject. The suspect, a 44-year-old Jadwin man, was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Finally on Friday the 15th, a deputy responded to the 2000 block of Route HH for a reported burglary. The victim in this case, a 42-year-old Salem man, told officers he had been out of town and returned to find his residence had been burglarized. Information was taken for a report and the investigation is pending. If you have any information regarding any investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

Last Thursday in closed session, the Salem R-80 Board of Education employed Krystle Smith as an upper elementary title math teacher, employed Ashlyn Patterson as an upper elementary teacher, employed Stevee Piatt as Middle School Special Education teacher, employed Jared Patterson as a Middle School teacher as well as high school boys basketball coach. The board approved the recommended Salem R-80 probationary teachers, approved the tenured Salem R-80 teachers and approved the recommended remaining Salem R-80 paid coaches working in the district. The board approved the recommended volunteer coaches, approved the recommended Extra Duty contracts and also approved the recommended Extended Days contracts before ending closed session and adjourning the regular meeting.

Time is running out to make your appointment with the Volunteers from AARP who are conducting free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory. They currently have openings for free tax filing assistance every Friday through April 5th. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163. AARP provides this free tax service to our community and it is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Pverification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on arotection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163.

A special waste collection for residential electronics, appliances, tires and media storage will be held from 9:00 in the monring until noon this Saturday at Cuba Public Works located at 407 Route PP in Cuba. The city of Cuba and Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), with funding through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD), are partnering on the March 23 collection. The collection is for residential items onlyand is open to residents from Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. For the first time, media storage is also being accepted at the collection. Media storage includes records, 8-track tapes, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs, floppy discs, external hard drives and flash drives. Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, and other appliances will be collected free of charge. Free electronics also include computer components, laptop computers, keyboards, hair dryers, VCR/DVD players, cell phones or anything that runs on a cord or battery. Oil and gas must be removed from tanks of any items such as push mowers, weed eaters, etc. All items must be free of debris. Tires on rims will not be accepted. Fees on certain items will be $25 for CRT TVs over 27 inches, projection screens and wood console TVs, $20 for CRT TVs under 26 inches, $15 for flat screen TVs, $10 for all computer monitors and refrigerated appliances with Freon, and $5 for printers, scanners or copiers. Fees for tires will be $2 each for passenger tires, $7.50 each for semi-truck tires and $35 each for tractor tires. For more information on items accepted or the fee structure, please contact Kathryn Hawes at MRPC at 573-265-2993 Ext. 110.