Local News – Monday, October 31st, 2022
Everyone is welcome to come out to Salem’s First Annual Trunk or Treat tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 on Fourth Street between MacArthur and Highway 19. Local organizations and businesses will be handing out treats from their decorated cars and stalls. The street will only be for foot traffic so plan ahead for parking.
The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday, October 13th. DCHC Administrator Zach Moser presented the communicable disease report which included 83 new COVID-19 cases for September. Moser reported the Communicable Disease report will be limited until the new CD Nurse is up to speed. In the diagnostics report, Moser said that 190 blood draw appointments were completed and the DCHC can conduct most tests at reduced cost for those without insurance. There were 92 COVID tests during the month. COVID tests are $10 for rapid antigen test, $35 for COVID/FLU combo test, and $50 for molecular C19 Test. Most people can qualify for free testing and no doctor’s orders are required. Moser said that 160 COVID-19 vaccines were administered, plus 53 Influenza vaccines and 179 other vaccines. There was a total of 640 appointments held during the month, plus 349 WIC appointments. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report and said she conducted 14 inspections and fielded 13 environmental questions. In the Administrators report, Moser said that 238 children are enrolled in the childcare subsidy program. He reported on the DCHC’s involvement in Girls Night Out, the Health Expo and the October 6th flu and COVID vaccination drive through clinic. Jones noted that she and Joan Raulston would be attending the Annual WIC Conference the last week of October. In new business, Moser reported on a new grant from the State of Missouri for $132,336 for 21 months to augment the workforce response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To facilitate the grant, the board approved the creation of one full time medical assistant position and one part time scheduler/clerk position. Moser reported on the “Building Communities for Better Health” Grant which has not yet been awarded. The board approved advertising the position for the Grant contingent upon the DCHC receiving the funding. The board approved changes to the personnel manual to accurately reflect who can receive compensatory time and who is paid overtime. Moser presented a proposal with estimated costs to improve the breakroom with new cabinetry and appliances. The board felt the DCHC Staff was definitely deserving of the improvements and approved the proposal. Dent County Health Center expenses for August and September were approved. The next regular meeting of the DCHC Board was set for Thursday, November 17th.
An accident happened in Dent County at 12:05 Sunday afternoon on Highway 119 about two miles south of Highway 32. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Dodge 2500 driven northbound by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Licking, lost part of the load the truck was carrying in the roadway which was the struck by a 2014 Ford Explorer driven northbound by 36-year-old Marsha Osborne of Licking. At that time, a 2019 Dodge Journey driven northbound by 18-year-old Deszeray Warren of Licking, struck the Ford Explorer from behind. Suffering minor injuries in the accident who were occupants in the Dodge Journey were 19-year-old Kaleb Mashek, 20-year-old Kendra Sullins and 22-year-old Andrew Newdeck, all from Ellington. Mashek was taken by an ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital while Sullins was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private conveyance. Newdeck was transported by the Texas County Ambulance to the Texas County Memorial District Hospital. Mashek and Sullins were not wearing seat restraints while Newdeck was. The Dodge Journey sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The Ford Explorer sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. The Dodge 2500 did not sustain any damage.
An accident occurred Saturday morning around 11:47 in Phelps County on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 2000. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Ford Bronco driven by 56-year-old Dennis Cole of Davisville, was turning from County Road 2000 onto Highway 63 and failed to yield to a 2016 Ford F-350 driven by 63-year-old Rebecca Krueger of Kahoka. Cole and a 54-year-old passenger, Camella Cole of Davisville, both suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene. Both injured parties were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Bronco was totaled and removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The F-350 sustained extensive damage and was towed by Dishman’s Towing.
The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is asking everyone to help tackle the blood needs in their community by donating blood at the blood drive in Salem on Tuesday from 1:00 until 6:00 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 201 North MacArthur. Successful donors will receive a free Kansas City Chiefs T-shirt. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks donors provide all the blood for patients for the local hospitals. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.cbco.org/donate-blood or by calling 417-227-5006.