News – Monday July 15th, 2024

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Brooke Bollman will begin her duties as the hospital CEO later this month. The hospital will announce her start date when it is certain. Ms. Bollman is moving to the Salem area after serving as the CEO of Caldwell Regional Medical Center in Caldwell, Kansas, since 2019. It was originally anticipated that Ms. Bollman would begin her duties on July 1st. The Salem Hospital Board of Directors would like to thank Kayla Chamberlain, the hospital CFO, for her willingness to serve as Interim CEO until Brooke Bollman’s arrival at SMDH.

The Missouri State Oil & Gas Council will hold its quarterly meeting on July 17 at 10:00 am in the Land Survey and Agriculture building, located at 1251 Gale Dr in Rolla. The council is responsible for adopting and amending regulations related to the oil and gas industry in Missouri. Its primary objectives include: Promoting economic development and production of Missouri’s oil and gas resources, ensuring proper management of wastes from oil and gas wells protecting

groundwater aquifers potentially affected by well drilling, and establishing standards for well drilling, operation, and underground storage of hydrocarbons. The public is welcome to attend these meetings, Webex is also available. Those wishing to address the council on any agenda item must notify the department beforehand by emailing council secretary cara.bird@dnr.mo.gov, if attending remotely. In-person attendees can complete a Speaker Request form at the registration table. For more information about the Missouri State Oil & Gas Council and its activities, visit the Department of Natural Resources website or contact the Missouri Geological Survey in Rolla at 573-368-2100.

Governor Mike Parson signed into law what many are referring to as the Veteran Omnibus Bills, Senate Bill 912, and HB1495. In these bills, the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) is charged with creating a new program to aid in the efforts to prevent Veteran suicide. The Veterans Mental Health Program will be the Commission’s fourth core program. MVC also operates the Veterans Homes Program, Veterans Cemeteries Program, and the Veterans Service Program. Governor Parson said that we are proud to be a leading state for veterans, military members, and their families where they can find professional success, affordability, welcoming communities, and, above all, support and respect for their service to our great nation. He went on to say that the legislation we are signing continues our commitment to our nation’s heroes that Missouri will remain one of the best places for veterans and service members to live, work, and raise a family. A special thank you to Representative Dave Griffith and Senator Ben Brown for leading these important efforts to protect, honor, and support Missouri’s military members, both past and present. MVC Executive Director (Ret.) Col. Paul Kirchhoff said that since our inception, the Missouri Veterans Commission has been helping Missouri’s Veterans, and we are honored to be able to help in a new way. He went on to comment that this cause is near and dear to my heart, as I have lost close friends to suicide, and I am not the only one. We are losing Veterans every day, and whatever we need to do to curb that, we are all in. MVC is working on a timeline for the rollout of the new program. SB912 and HB1495 require MVC to review the provisions of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 and all subsequent regulations and then compile an annual report first due on July 1, 2025. MVC will work in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Mental Health to “provide recommendations and make efforts to adopt procedures, programs, treatment options, aid, and other assistance necessary to assist in the efforts to prevent Veteran suicide.” The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, five Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program. The Commission is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care for Veterans, seamlessly integrated with the Veteran community,

emphasizing a culture of transparency and excellence. For more information about Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call 573-751-3779 or visit mvc.dps.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a family fishing event on July 23 at Little Prairie Conservation Area in Phelps County. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at William E. Towell Lake. MDC staff will be on hand to provide assistance and instruction to families new to fishing. Fishing poles and lures will be provided for participants. The event is open to all, but is specifically designed for families. Anglers between 16 and 64 years old will need a fishing permit. Little Prairie Conservation Area is located at 12600 Prairie Lake Road, approximately five miles east of Rolla. While the program is free, registration is limited and required. Interested participants can register online at the MDC website or contact Lance Lewis at Lance.Lewis@mdc.mo.gov for more information. MDC reminds residents that various virtual and in-person programs are available across the state. A full listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.