Local News – Thursday, August 27th, 2020
The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met August 20th at the Health Center. Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray updated the Board on the Health Center’s response to COVID-19. She reported she met with local school administrators to discuss all the schools re-opening and has been in frequent communication with them since the meeting. Mobray noted that she presented COVID training to the staff at all the rural schools on Tuesday, August 18th and Wednesday, August 19th. She reported to the Board that there are currently 9 active cases in Dent County and 21 cases released from isolation, 1 case has required hospitalization. Mobray went on to say that to date the Health Center has isolated 30 laboratory confirmed cases and that case numbers are bring released on Facebook every Monday and Thursday. She said Health Center clients are being seen by appointment only. Mobray said that no realtors submitted bids for to list the MacArthur facility. The Board voted to list the property with Elwood Real Estate. Mobray reported that outpatient lab services were provided for 115 clients in July. Health Center Staff was present at Senior Registration on August 10th giving required immunizations to seniors, and immunizations continue to be available by appointment only. In contract updates she noted that the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cares contract was received, signed and sent back to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Mobray said that all seven staff members have had to work overtime the last few weeks to complete case investigations and contract tracings, plus as cases increase, the staff time dedicated to COVID will increase as well. The ELC Contract, which runs through March of 2022, will allow for one additional part-time employee to assist with response efforts. The Board voted to offer a temporary part-time nurse position. Subsequent to the Board meeting, an internal employee decided to take the part-time position and a full time nursing position will be advertised. WIC appointments and communications continue to be conducted via phone and mail. Roma Jones, Assistant Administrator, reported that the transition from WIC checks to cards has been successful so clients are being asked to come into the office to pick up their eWIC card by appointment only. This process will continue through September. Mobray reported that the first SHOW-ME Health Women’s clinic is scheduled for August 31st from 8:00 until 12:00 noon. In collaboration with SMDH, Sandra Headrick, FNP, will see qualifying patients at the once monthly clinic. Uninsured and under-insured women ages 35-64, that meet income guidelines, can receive “well woman care” at no cost through the program. The Health Center investigated two animal bites, ten cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, one case of Erlichia Chaffeensis, and one case of E. Coli in July. The Board voted to adopt the tax-rate for the coming year of 0.0959 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The health center expenses were then approved and the next regular board meeting was set for September 17th at 5:00. The meeting was adjourned.
The City of Salem’s Finance Committee will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the Community Center@ the Armory, 1200 West Rolla Road. The committee will hear preliminary 2019-2020 fiscal year end financials and anticipated year end budget adjustments before addressing the 2020-2021year to date sales tax and utility revenue and capital projects status. The finance committee will also be discussing city engineering before discussing the preliminary financial objectives for the 2021-2022 fiscal year before adjourning. The meeting of the city of Salem’s finance committee is open to the public.
A Rolla woman was injured in an accident in Oregon County Tuesday morning shortly before 6:00 on Highway 142 about 20 miles east of Thayer. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2013 Ford pickup being driven by 26-year old Angelica Otero was traveling westbound when she ran off the right side of the road. Otero then overcorrected and traveled off the left side of the road before striking a tree and a house. Otero was transported by Oregon County Ambulance to Ozarks Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. The Ford was totaled and was removed from the scene by Wickers Towing.
An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday morning just before 7:30 on Phelps County Road 6120 about three miles west of Highway 63. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 37-year old Kayla Woods of Edgar Springs was westbound when she traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and then overturned. Woods suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Lucas Towing.