Local News – Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

An accident happened in Dent County Monday morning at 2:29 on Highway 119 at Route E that took the life of a Salem teenager. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Pontiac G6 driven westbound by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Salem, experienced a mechanical failure causing the Pontiac to travel off Highway 119 from Route E into the wood line, striking a tree. According to the report, a passenger in the Pontiac, 18-year-old Danny Luebbers of Salem, was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Deputy Coroner Gina White. His body was taken to the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Another passenger, a 15-year-old male from Salem, suffered moderate injuries as did the juvenile driver. The 15-year-old boy was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Ambulance while the 16-year-old driver was taken by a privately operated vehicle to the hospital. It was unknown if the juveniles were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident while the report indicated that Luebbers was not. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Police Department.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Thursday, May 16th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were four COVID-19 cases reported, 40 lead cases, 19 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, two cases of Influenza and nine animal bites. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there where seven total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 23 environmental questions were fielded. A townhall meeting and informational session was planned for May 30th at 7:00 in the evening to provide information and answer questions about the new Consumer Food Safety Regulation. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there were 3 CPR Courses, no consultations for Childcare Health, one Show-Me Healthy Women appointemnt, 33 Title X appointnments, two Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid) and 340 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 512 total appointments other than WIC, 144 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 125 treatment court visits, 185 lab appointments and 52 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, nine family plannings, two well-child visits, 10 online appointments, nine other physicals, 21 SEMO physicals, 12 other visits, and 75 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 195 individual patients, nine appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, four pregnancy tests and no lead tests. Immunizations for April totaled four for COVID-19, three for Influenza, and 90 for other vaccines, including the new RSV vaccine and new formulations of pneumonia vaccine. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that letters and invoices for the first food inspection fee have been mailed out and regulations and fees become effective July 1st. Moser recapped recent events including the Health Fair which had 64 attendees, five total trainings that sent staff around the country, at no cost to DCHC, plus two vaccine clinics in April. He discussed a number of maintenance issues which included replacment of a toilet, the completed installation of a larger generator, and the expectation of an insurance claim due to the April 18th hail storm which damaged the outdoor electronic sign and possible parts of the building. Moser also discussed progress on the Strategic Plan. The Health Center financial reports for April, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After these questions were answered, the financial reports and the report from H & R Block were approved. In new business the draft of the Financial Audit was presented. The Board requested time to review the audit befoe granting approval. The preliminary report was an unmodified opinon with no material weaknesses or findings. Moser made the Board aware of a list of changes that could be made to the building and potential long-term facilities planning. Board member Bob Gravely asked about the opioid settlement money for Dent County. Moser confirmed that Dent County, through the Commissioners, has received money, but has not spent it. The Commission will be using MRPC to evalute uses of the money. The Board went in to closed session to discuss personnel. The only motion in closed session was the approval of the April 18th closed session minutes. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, June 20th at 5:00.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 4:35 in Phelps County on Route BB and Phelps County Road 3130. According to the highway patrol report, a 2106 Ford Fiesta driven eastbound by 22-year-old Hope Olguin of Rolla, stopped to make a left hand turn and was struck from behind by a 2007 Toyota Yarris driven eastbound by a 16-year-old female juvenile of Rolla. Olguin suffered minor injuries as did two passengers in her vehicle: 20-year-old Jason Archuletta and 20-year old Miahann Warrick of Rolla. Everyone was taken by a personal vehicle to Phelps Health for treatment. Everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt. The Ford Fiesta had minor damage and was driven from the scene while the Toyota Yarris sustained moderate damages and was towed from the scene by the owner.