Local News – Monday, October 25th, 2021
Due to the steady decrease of COVID-19 active cases and positivity rate in the county, the Salem Memorial District Hospital has re-opened the North Entrance of the hospital. The entrance will be open during visiting hours for visitors and those needing outpatient services. For outpatient needs after hours or on the weekend, please go to emergency room registration. Visiting hours are from 8:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening, Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Masks still must be worn in the hospital at all times. If you have any questions, call the hospital at 729-6626.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 2:42 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 near the 182- mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Hyundai Elantra was being driven westbound at a high rate of speed by 39-year- old Samantha Hadley of Rolla, when she ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Hadley suffered serious injuries and was flown to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by the Phelps Health Air Ambulance. Hadley was wearing her seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the high school library. The board heard from a parent, Jill Stoner, and a student, Amber Hanson, concerning the current mask mandate. In new business, the board heard from Brad Wegman from L.J. Hart as he gave an informal presentation concerning the debt service levy to help the board determine how to fund the building of a new elementary school. The board approved the scope of the project ESP presented for the improvements to the Tin Gym and the locker room renovation without the locker room windows. The board approved the board policy SRCSP with the addition of a test-to-stay provision. The board then approved the 2021C Policy updates with the removal of policy JHDG, and they approved the revised job description for payroll. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed gave her report that showed COVID quarantines were down since the implementation of the mask mandate. She also thanked the public for their support of the Construction Trades Program with their online voting that allowed them to win the Strong Communities Award earlier in the month, and that the YOP 50% state tax credits are still available for that program’s building on campus. The school must raise those funds before the grant funds can be used. Assistant Superintendent John Smith reported on the induction of former Salem Football Coach Bill Schuchardt’s Induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Reed then reported that prior to the board meeting, the McDaniels Bus Lane ribbon cutting ceremony was held. She also went on to report on the upcoming process for the CSIP revision. High School Principal Marty Anderson reported the high school submitted and received a $5,000 grant from the Missouri Workforce Development for the purchase of Work Keys Assessments. Resignations from Brenda Hanning from the Central Office who does payroll, and from Shannon Tyman and Nicole Stafford in Food service were heard by the board. In closed session, a student discipline issue and a personnel issue were discussed. The meeting was then adjourned.
Each year, the Meramec Regional Planning Commission honors residents, local agency representatives and organizations in the Meramec Region who contribute to their communities by volunteering their time, talents, and support. With the cancelation of the 2020 dinner due to COVID-19, award recipients from 2020 were honored at this year’s event. MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge said it was so good to come together in-person and honor our volunteers. At Thursday evenings MRPC Awards Banquet at Linn, Joe Brand of Salem, who was nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles, was recognized for serving the Salem community in many ways. He is currently the chairman of the Salem Housing Authority Commission; a member of the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees; serves on the Advisory Board for Riverways Pregnancy Resource Center (RPRC) as well as teaching men’s classes at resource center. Brand also volunteers as an AARP tax advisor; serves on the Salem Public Library board; is on the Dent County Foundation Committee; and also served 11 years on the Board of Directors for the Salem Memorial District Hospital. He is a member and past president of the Salem Rotary Club. Some 15 other awards were presented to individuals in other communities for their service.