Local News – Wednesday, May 26th, 2021

A two-vehicle accident happened Monday morning shortly after 11:00 in Reynolds County on Highway 72 in Bunker. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2006 Chrysler Van being driven by 74-year-old Everett Helvey of Bunker and a 2018 Kenworth T800 being driven by 61-year-old Jimmy Privett of Salem, were both exiting a parking lot at the same time when the van turned into the Kenworth. Helvey suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. The Chrysler sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Rowdy’s Towing. The Kenworth received minor damage and was driven from the scene. The report went on to state that both drivers were wearing safety restraints.

At the Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting held on Tuesday, May 18th, the board approved a preliminary budget for review for the Fiscal Year 2022 that will begin on July 1st of this year. The board reviewed the market assessment presented by the Finance Committee who reviewed the last seven years of data in putting together what they felt was an accurate expectation in the new fiscal year. This data included 720 patients for surgeries and other medical needs with an average stay of 3.3 days for 2,400 census days followed by 120 patients using the swing bed with an average length of stay of 10 days for 1,200 census days. The committee also decided on 360 patients during the year being kept for observation for about 1.3 days per patient for a total of 480 census days. For the outpatient volume, the Finance Committee calculated there would be 21,000 outpatient registrations and 7,800 ER visits. The committee estimated 6,338 census days in Long-Term Care with an average of 17.5 patients per day occupancy. With these estimates, the committee calculated increases in the cost for a semi-private room, private room, swing bed, isolation, intensive care and observation would increase around 3% or so while the ancillary and outpatient services would go up about 5%. The cost at Long-Term Care would increase from $165 to $175 per day. The Finance Committee calculated salary increases from 0 to 2%, looked for an increase in the retirement plan and supply costs of 4%, and expected drug costs to increase 6%. Using these figures, the Finance Committee prepared an operating budget that shows the hospital in the next fiscal year with patient revenues of about $26,978,988 and total operating expenses of $27,603,988, showing a loss from operations of $625,000. The committee expects tax revenues to come in at about $625,000 showing a break-even budget for the Fiscal Year 2022. The committee also performed a personnel analysis at the SMDH Clinic, support staff, ancillary services and nursing that includes bringing the local billing of patients back in house. In the Capital Budget, the Finance Committee tallied the capital leases for equipment as well as the hospital expansion costs that ended up being $501,741. The committee left $123,259 as undesignated capital items in case other capital needs arose in the next fiscal year. After discussing the budget, the board approved it as is. The board was also informed that a new doctor will officially be starting at the SMDH clinic in November and that will be Tiffany Bland, MD. She will begin working at the hospital in June.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon around 4:15 on I-44 in Phelps County at the westbound off ramp in St. James. The report released by the highway patrol states that a 2009 Honda Shadow being operated by 65-year-old Angelo Lettieri of Villa Ridge, slid in loose gravel and overturned ejecting Lettieri and a passenger, 29-year-old Christine Golden, also of Villa Ridge. Golden was transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Lettieri also suffered minor injuries and choose to seek his own treatment. The report went on to state that neither were wearing safety devices. The Honda sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

Are you wanting to learn to fish? MDC offers Discover Nature – Fishing Program that provides a series of free lessons throughout the state. All fishing gear is provided. Learn more at dnf.mdc.mo.gov. If you have a need for fishing equipment, MDC works with numerous libraries and other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. Find MDC Rod and Reel Loaner Program locations at the MDC website. For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of MDC’s 2021 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations where permits are sold, or online. MDC’s free MO Fishing app can help anglers find the best places to fish in Missouri, access regulation information, identify fish by species, and more. Anglers can also buy, store, and show fishing permits right on their mobile devices. MO Fishing is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.