Local News – Tuesday, June 9th, 2020

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Due to a previous commitment District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that he had two operators out so grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Road 6190, plus patch grading would be done on county road 6435. He went on to say that ditch work would be done and a crossover pipe installed on county road 5450. Purcell also noted that brush would be cut on county road 6280 and shop maintenance would be done. District 2 Road Foreman Sam Gorman reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2050, 4010, 4020 and 4380. He also said that materials would be added to county road 4380 and brush would be cut on county roads 3223, 3260 and 3280. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to remind residents that the Dent County Sheriff’s Office would be giving tours of the new jail Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM. He said groups would be limited to about five people. Skiles said that there are just a couple of very small final details to be completed at the jail and he was very complimentary of the job done by Septagone and construction manager Dwight Ramsburg. Skiles said on Thursday he would be attending a number of meetings in St. James including Meramec Regional Enhancement Corporation, the Transportation Advisory Committee, Public Health Advisory Board, MRPC External Relations and MRPC Board Meeting. Skiles reported for Dent County Clerk Angie Curley and stated that she and the treasurer balanced on all accounts for the month of May, and the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to report May collections were $136,257.10, which is up $21,876 from May of 2019. She also wanted to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes for 2017 that they will need to pay hem in full by June 30th. To find out why this is so important, call the collector’s office at 573-729-3911. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met May 21st at the Health Center at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray updated the Board on the Health Center’s response to COVID-19. She has conducted numerous meetings with local officials, briefings with community stakeholders, weekly calls with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Governor Mike Parson, radio interviews and responded to 100’s of phone calls, messages, emails, etc., answering questions about COVID-19 and Governor’s orders. Nurses have worked diligently to communicate with numerous hospital infection preventions staff to follow pending tests, quarantined patients, and executing contact tracing. Health Center Staff returned to normal schedules after Memorial Day. All services are still being provided by appointment only at the Health Center. Employees are wearing masks and clients are encouraged to do the same. Dent County has had 1 confirmed case of COVID-19, the patient is compliant with quarantine, and as of the meeting no close contacts have developed symptoms. Mobray reported that outpatient labs were provided to 62 clients in April. A drive through school shot clinic will be scheduled during the month of June and the date is to be determined, plus shots are available daily by appointment. Also, nurses will give required immunizations at senior registration. Kindergartners must be up-to-date on immunizations to start school in August. Eighth graders are required to have one dose of meningitis and one dose of T-Dap. Seniors are required to have two doses of meningitis unless the first dose was administered to a student who was 16-years of age or older, in which case only one dose is required. At least one dose must be given after 16-years of age. The Dent County Health Center currently bills most insurance companies and offers state vaccine for uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid clients. To make an appointment for vaccinations or for questions please call the Health Center at 573-729-3106. In contract updates she noted that the Pubic Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) funding for FY20, which runs through June 30, 2020, has been exhausted as of March 31st with a deficit of $6,702.02 due to COVID-10 response. Local public heath agencies have been instructed to track expenses for COVID response and bill their county for reimbursement from CARES Act funds. The Health Center investigated 1 case of E. Coli in April. DCHC expenses were approved, the next regular board meeting was set for June 18th at 5:00, and the meeting was adjourned.