Local News – Thursday, June 24th, 2021

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley has released the results of the final sentencing of Eric Hines who in April was found guilty of one count of Statutory Sodomy in the First Degree by a jury. He requested a jury sentencing and they recommended 75 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The final sentencing hearing was held Tuesday after the completion of a Sentencing Assessment Report prepared by the Missouri Department of Corrections. At the final sentencing hearing, Prosecutor Curley recommended incarceration in prison for a term of 75 years as recommended by the jury. The defendant argued for leniency and continued to deny that he committed the offense. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing the Judge sentenced the Defendant to 75 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The charges against Hines stem from a police investigation from 2019 and 2020 from a disclosure by the victim who was under the age of 14 to a family placement provider. He was formally charged on July 22nd of 2020 and Hines remained incarcerated from the time of his arrest through his trial. Judge Michael Randazzo presided over the trial that began April 9th and over the next few days, the state presented evidence regarding the law enforcement investigation, child advocacy center forensic interviews, testimony from the victim, and the adoptive mother of the victim. Prosecutor Curley applauded the Salem Police Department, the victim advocates, the victim, and her family. If you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse, please tell a parent, school counselor or a law enforcement officer. They are here to help.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of May, the hospital had 78 inpatient admissions with 225 inpatient census days. The average amount of patients per day in Acute Care was seven. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $978,124 with expenses over revenues after taxes of $971,357. During the month, there were 699 emergency room visits along with 179 ambulance runs with 131 patients being transported, 35 surgery cases, 1,732 outpatient registrations, 164 home health visits, 7,577 lab tests, 1,235 radiological procedures including 543 rehab treatments. Days in account receivable during the month went down to 82 from 88 in April and days cash on hand is at 113. The hospital had a cash decrease during the month of 535,105. It was reported that as of June 11th, the hospital found out from the Bank of Salem their Payroll Protection Program loan of 2.3 million dollars will be forgiven, but they cannot officially show that on the books at this time. New Chief of Nursing Ashley Sullins gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity at 16 per day with seven patients per day. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards said the Golf Tournament was a huge success with around $15,000 being raised. They had 26 teams plus had more sponsors this year. The Wings and Strings event is scheduled for September 11th at the Commons and Jason Stringer has been scheduled to perform at the event. He said the TytoCare-school focused telemedicine product has been evaluated and tested in house. The hospital is requesting advanced reimbursement from USDA to buy the equipment and the hospital hopes they can have the program in place by 2022. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave the COVID-19 update and said with the increase in positivity rate in Dent County, CMS is requiring the hospital test ALL Long-Term Care residents and staff. He said there would be no changes to the visitor policy at this time. Lucas said the hospital auxiliary will hold their first meeting in over a year on September 7th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at noon. Lucas reported the renovation work is finishing up and the Cerner Conversion continues. He said Paylocity went live June 14th and they are working through the issues. He said work groups have been set up to work on the different departments. The board approved the fiscal year 2022 operating budget which was a breakeven budget showing net operating revenue and expenses of almost 27 million dollars. The board also approved the capital budget that expects to have $625,000 of income of which only $123,259 remains for capital purchases after the current payments for capital leases and hospital renovation. The board then approved the purchase of a four-ton air conditioning unit for the surgery department from Victor Heating and Cooling for $14,500 before the board went into closed session.

The Dent County 4-H will be presenting “Montauk’s Nature At Night,” June 30th at Montauk State Park. The evening begins at 5:30 with supper and a chance to get to know each other followed by various activities, including crafts and a tour of the mill. A park ranger will then lead the group on a night walk beginning at 9:00. This may turn into a late-night event so participants are encouraged to wear closed toed shoes and bring a jacket. The cost of the program for 4-H members is $10 and you can register in person at the Dent County Extension Office at 112 East 5th Street. For more information, call Amy Glenn at 729-3196.