Local News – Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met April 16th 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. She worked with local officials to enforce “stay-at-home” and social distancing orders. Health Center staff was divided into two teams working split shifts to avoid the entire staff needing to be quarantine in the event of an exposure. Health Center services are being provided by appointment only. Mobray reported that outpatient lab services were provided for 87 clients in March. She presented the draft report from Maloney, Wright and Robbins for the 2017/2018 audit, which showed no findings in each accounting record reviewed. 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. The Health Center has submitted an application to SEMA for FEMA reimbursement. Local Public Health Agencies are reaching out to legislators and the Missouri DHSS as well as the Center for Disease Control to find other funding sources to support local response efforts. Mobray reported that all other programs are being conducted either via phone or mail, or are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 response. Mobray said there have been 443 confirmed cases of influenza reported in Dent County. The Health Center investigated 2 cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, 1 case of Giardiasis and 1 case of Campylobacteriosis during March. The health center expenses were approved before the next regular board meeting was set for May 21st at 5:00. The meeting was adjourned.

Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray wants people to know that you can find on the Dent County Health Center Facebook Page the “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan and What to Expect from Phase 1.” This two page guide lists the plan for a soft opening for the area on May 4th and how some businesses may have to make some adjustments to allow for social distancing. If you have further questions, contact Mobray at 729-3106.

An accident happened in Maries County on Monday afternoon around 5:10 at the junction of Highway 63 and Highway 42. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Chevy Suburban driven by 67-year old Mark Moss of Dittmer, Missouri, turned northbound into the path of the Highway Patrol 2020 Ford Explorer driven northbound by 42-year old Brian Crawford of Rolla, causing the patrol vehicle to impact the driver’s side of the Suburban. The Ford Explorer came to rest in the roadway while the Suburban traveled across the roadway and came to rest in the west ditch. Suffering minor injuries were Officer Brian Crawford who was taken by a highway patrol vehicle to Phelps Health in Rolla, and Mark Moss who was taken to Phelps Health by the Maries Osage County Ambulance. Everyone involved was wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident with Ron Dishman’s Towing of Rolla removing the Highway Patrol Ford Explorer and Plaza Towing of Vienna removing the Suburban. Estimated damage to the Explorer was $30,000 as there were only 8,300 miles on the vehicle. The accident involving an officer was investigated by the Major Crash Investigation Unit Team #4.

A one vehicle accident occurred Monday morning around 6:30 in Phelps County on Route J about two miles north of Duke. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2009 Ford Ranger being driven by 75-year old Charlie Dilmore of Raymondville was traveling south when the Ranger went off the right side of the roadway down an embankment, striking several small trees before catching fire. Dilmore, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was taken by Phelps ambulance to General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Hunters, anglers, and trappers who use the Missouri Department of Conservation’s free MO Hunting mobile app need to perform an update to continue to get the most current regulations and data information, as well as to be able to apply for an elk hunting permit that begins on May1st and will last until May 31st. Both Apple and Android users need to install the update. Apple requires users to have at least the iOS-10 version to use the updated MO Hunting app. Android requires users to have at least Android 5. For more information on MO Hunting, go online to mdc.mo.gov/mohunting.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for Tuesday, April 21st. A deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of Dent County Road 5010. During the course of the traffic stop, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Later that same day, deputies were conducting an investigation concerning a violation of an order of protection. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect was an inmate at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail. The 59-year-old Salem man was fingerprinted and remains in the custody at the Dent County Jail. A probable cause affidavit was forwarded to the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after the investigation. Also on April 21st, deputies traveled to a residence in the 10500 block of South Highway 19 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 34-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. On Thursday, April 23rd, the he was able to post bond and was released. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.