News
The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library and began with the audit report from Eddie Marmouget from B K & D. Marmouget said that for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2012, the hospital had a loss from operations of over $797,000 and an excess of expenses over revenues of $362,518. Marmouget indicated that current assets were down $611,490 for the year and total assets were down $582,183. He said that the hospital had cash on hand to operate for 48 days which is better than last year when it was 45 days of cash on hand, but he would like to see the hospital have close to 90 days. He stated that with recent purchases, the hospital average age of their plant assets went down from 10.5 years last year to 9.2 years this past year. Marmouget stated that the hospital actually had an increase of cash of $210,059 and that there were no material weaknesses with the audit. Marmouget said that the hospital has gone the extra steps to get expenses under control and revenues are flat in the industry. He also explained about some potential reimbursement changes that could be coming down in 2013. These include the reduction or cost sharing for post acute care, clinical lab and home heath co-pays will rise leading to less money from Medicare, the Home Health rebasing will occur in 2013 instead of 2014 and he expects cuts in provider based reimbursement. He also warns of an increase in the physician shortage in the next few years. Marmouget indicated that 40% of the Missouri population lives in rural areas but only 25% of the state’s physicians practice in rural areas, and the types of physicians needed in rural areas continue to be primary care, general surgeons and psychiatrists. He did indicate the potential for income growth would be there as the number of people turning age 65 and older continues to grow. Combined with the potential shortage of physicians and increase in patients, Marmouget feels that health care costs will continue to increase. Overall, Marmouget said the hospital’s financial situation is solid and they continue to offer health care at a very affordable rate with the average gross revenue of $7,777 per discharge and $4,057 operating expenses per adjusted discharge which are both far below the average rural Missouri charges. He wanted to thank Controller Becky Cunningham and her staff for their assistance in preparing the audit.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce the businesses and individuals nominated for the 2012. Crowley’s Home Works, Godi’s Excavating, LLC and the Salem Coin Op Laundry Inc were nominated for Business of the Year (1-10 employees); M.F.A. Co-Operative Association and Pizza Inn were nominated for the Business of the Year (11-25 employees); and Progressive Ozark Bank and the Southwest Baptist University received nominations for the Business of the Year (25-50 employees). The Mark Twain National Forest, the Salem R-80 School District and the Salem Memorial District Hospital were nominated for the Non-profit Organization of the Year Award and the Customer Service Awards nominees are: Becky Smith with the Salem R-80 School District and Treeva Blair with US Foods. The Awards Dinner is being co-sponsored by The Bank of Salem and Air Evac Lifeteam and features US Representative Jo Ann Emerson as the guest speaker on Thursday, November 1st. The awards dinner will be in the Gathering Place at Grace Community Church located at 600 South Water Street beginning at 6:00 PM. Banquet tickets can be purchased for the dinner at the Chamber Office/Visitors Center at 200 South Main, for $20 each.
An accident occurred on Sunday, October 14th at 2:16 in the early morning on Magnolia Drive in Salem. According to the Salem Police report, a 1989 Ford Probe driven by Thomas Burnell and owned by Lisa Anne Kerns of Lake Havasu, Arizona was traveling west on Magnolia Drive at a high rate of speed with no headlights on. The Ford attempted to slow for a turn and began to skid. The Ford continued straight leaving the roadway and struck a mailbox, became airborne, landed, slid into a privacy fence before coming to a stop. Burnell, the driver fled on foot. No injuries were reported. The Ford Probe sustained moderate damage. There was moderate damage to the mailbox, the landscaping, and the fence.
The Salem, Missouri Air Evac Life team base has been selected as the company's 2012 Region 1 Base of the Year. Region 1 consists of Air Evac Lifeteam bases in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri. The Base of the Year Award is presented to the base in the Air Evac Lifeteam system that best exemplifies the company's mission, including community service, education, and scene work. Glen Buckner, Base Clinical Lead for the Salem, Air Evac Lifeteam base, has been honored with the company's 2012 Region 1 Flight Paramedic of the Year award. The Flight Paramedic of the Year is presented to the paramedic who works as a team player, demonstrates a desire to increase knowledge and skills, and actively pursues opportunities to promote Air Evac in the community.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol released their arrest reports. On Sunday, October 21st at 10:10 in the evening in Dent County, 30 year-old Richard Ellerman of Salem was arrested and charged with a felony warrant from Phelps County for Possession of a controlled substance. He is being held in the Dent County Jail on bond. On Monday, October 22nd at 5:14 in the evening in Dent County, 21 year-old Bradley Gilmore of Salem was arrested and charged with domestic assault in the 3rd degree. He was held in the Dent County Jail on a 12-hour hold.
Sports [TOP]
The Salem Tiger football team will face Logan-Rogersville in the first round of District play Thursday night starting at 7:00 at the Salem High School Football Field. Admission to the game will be $5.00 per person six years of age and older, and no passes will be allowed.
The St. Louis Rams have released offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, who was benched for Sunday's game against Green Bay after starting the previous five games at left guard. St. Louis filled the roster spot by signing offensive lineman Chris Williams, a former first-round draft pick who was released by the Chicago Bears last week.
As Missouri Tiger basketball closes in on a new season, guard Phil Pressey has been named the Preseason Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. Missouri will open up the season on November 10th, when they host SIUE.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Clark Harmon of Salem, age 84, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Pleasant Point Cemetery in Steelville.
Funeral services for Wanda S. Garrison of Licking, age 66, will be held today at noon at the Boone Creek Baptist Church in Licking. Visitation will be from 10:00 until time of service. Interment will be in the Ashley Creek Kell Cemetery in Montauk. Memorials may be made to the Licking Bridge Builders. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.
Funeral services for Edith Virginia Schroeder of Cook Station, age 72, will be Friday at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00. Memorials are suggested to the Edith Schroeder Family.
Weather [TOP]
