It’s that time of year again to increase awareness regarding school bus stop arm safety! Dexter Police Department reminds all drivers to be extra cautious when driving during morning and afternoon hours when school buses are on the road.
Displayed yellow flashing lights on school buses does not mean hurry up to beat the red lights! The yellow lights mean the school bus is approaching a bus stop to load or unload children. Be alert, there could possibly be little brothers and/or sisters at the bus stop waiting for their siblings to get home from school and they are not watching for you. Please be prepared to stop!
Displayed red flashing lights, crossing arms, and/or stop signs, on school buses mean all drivers MUST stop and yield to all pedestrians. It's the law and you will receive a ticket if you do not stop.
"Dexter School buses are equipped with digital cameras that record in a high clear resolution," commented Sergeant Forshee, Dexter Police (SRO) School Resource Officer. "Those cameras and recordings are used in identifying vehicles, drivers, and used for prosecution of offenders who fail to stop for school buses."
"At the beginning of 2022 school year, the Dexter Police Department issued approximately 30 tickets for failure to stop for school buses while loading/unloading students in the school’s first semester alone," continued Sergeant Forshee. "This is a big safety concern for our children! We will be on patrol and you will get a ticket if caught failing to stop for any school buses while loading/unloading children."
Further, be cautious of all pedestrian traffic in and around the schools when travelling in the area.
"We have two new crosswalks near Dexter Public Schools this year to help with the pedestrian traffic," stated Sergeant Forshee. "One is located at the corner of One Mile Rd and Brown Pilot Rd. The second is located on Grant Street in front of the high school."
"Our student’s safety is our number one priority! Please do your part to help keep our children safe as they travel to and from school this year."
Dexter Public Schools begin their 2023-2024 academic year on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
"Please allow extra time to get to and from school during the morning and afternoon hours," commented Tim Fowler, Dexter R-XI Schools Transportation Supervisor, "Also slow down as the speed limit is 20 mph around the school campus."
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Saint Francis Healthcare System is proud to announce the successful completion of robotic bronchoscopy utilizing the Ion endoluminal system. The first two procedures were completed on Monday, August 21, by Hussein Asad, MD, interventional pulmonologist at Cape Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, a Saint Francis Medical Partner.
"This marks a significant advancement in minimally invasive medical techniques and underscores Saint Francis's commitment to providing state-of-the-art healthcare to its patients and community," Asad shared.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. According to the American Lung Association, only 16 percent of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage.
Utilizing the Ion system, Saint Francis is able to offer minimally invasive biopsies for the detection of lung cancer. The flexible robotic end reaches far into the peripheral lung, where more than 70 percent of nodules exist. By navigating to difficult-to-reach areas of the lung, providers can better diagnose lung cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.
"The successful completion of the first robotic bronchoscopy at Saint Francis Healthcare System represents a remarkable leap forward in our ability to provide the best possible care for our patients," said Justin Paletta, MBA, Director of Operations (Medical) for Saint Francis. "By harnessing the power of robotics, we can offer less invasive procedures, shorter recovery times and, ultimately, better outcomes for our patients."
Yearly low-dose CT screenings are recommended for individuals aged 50 to 80 who currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years and have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history. If a low-dose CT detects a lung nodule, a biopsy follows to determine if the nodule is benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
To schedule a low-dose CT screening, please speak to your primary care provider or call 572- 331-5111. For more information, visit sfmc.net/pulmonology.
About Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Intuitive (Nasdaq: ISRG), headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and a pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. At Intuitive, our mission statement is we believe that minimally invasive care is life-enhancing care. Through ingenuity and intelligent technology, we expand the potential of physicians to heal without constraints. Intuitive brings more than two decades of leadership in robotic-assisted surgical technology and solutions to its offerings, and develops, manufactures and markets the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system.
Saint Francis Healthcare System is guided by our Mission to provide a ministry of healing, wellness, quality and love inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ. Founded by Franciscan Sisters in 1875, our priority remains the same: serve all who enter with dignity, compassion and joy. Serving nearly 713,000 people across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas, our focus is on patients' outcomes, experience and value.
Anchored by Saint Francis Medical Center, a 306-bed tertiary hospital, and supported by nearly 3,000 employees and more than 250 providers in ten communities, the Healthcare System is a driving economic force in the region. Major services include the Cancer Institute, Emergency and Level III Trauma Center, Family BirthPlace and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Heart Hospital, Neurosciences and Orthopedics.
The Stoddard County Commission meeting began with Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
Water District #4 - Board members present Clarence Smith and Oscar Tallmage, Water Superintendent David Tarkington and concerned citizen Randy Long (former board member)
Randy Long, customer and concerned citizen, had put in a second request of $253,000 in ARPA funding in April while he was a board member.
"The original water lines were put in around 1974," commented Long. "We are trying to replace all the old water lines, a new pump house and a well. We applied for a USDA loan in March 2021 and had $1.57 million available. The original pump and well went up in price in the two years it took the USDA to get the loan to us. In order to finish the 6" water lines on AD we need that money. If we get this $253,000 will get us pretty close to doing all of AD."
"We contacted your engineer, John Chittenden, Waters Engineering, on Tuesday during a work session," commented Mathis. "He told the Commissioners that the water district did not need that $253,000 so we cut agreed to cut that ARPA money and give to others."
Clarence Smith, President of Water District #4 Board, stated, "Our board disagrees and John didn't have the authority to take away what we as a board asked for, not him."
Commissioner C.D. Stewart also commented, "As we looked to make cuts and kide of distributed the money across the county and I think each water district got some monies and I think we have distributed the money fairly."
Water District #4 did get previously approved for $247,000, but are not approved for their second request of $253,000 in ARPA funds.
The Commissioners made other cuts as well during their work session as over 7 million in requests were made; however they only have 5.2 million in APRA funds to distribute. The funds were distributed based on their decision and need and not in the order the requests were made over the past two years.
Katelyn Lambert, Bootheel Regional Planning Commission
Castor Township - Dale Moreland came in and signed the contract, still need the Commissioners' signature on the contract now. He brought in bid specs, advertisement twice in the paper, meeting minutes to accept Causey Asphalt. The ARPA funds approved were for $200,000.
Motion to sign the ARPA Funds contract between Castor Township and the Commission made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All voted yes and motion passed.
"Duck Creek Township has all their paperwork in order as well," stated Lambert.
Motion to sign the ARPA Funds contract between Duck Creek Township and the Commission made by Commission Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All voted yes and motion passed.
Dave Wyman, City of Dexter
"We brought the change of the agreement last week to the meeting and a letter would need to be drafted showing that we are not bidding out the meters, but utilizing a sole source procurement," stated Wyman. "The city is still honoring their commitment to the hotel project and will be paying for the water and sewer project out of the city's finances."
The city did review the plans for the hotel, all 100 pages and found them to be in good order. Lambert from the BRPC did send the letter to the attorney and it is sufficient for the sole source procurement.
Wyman is taking the city of Dexter contract to the Mayor Banken to get his signature, now that the Commissioners have signed it as well.
Motion to allow the City of Dexter to change their ARPA request from the hotel water and sewer project to the purchase of ultrasonic water meters in the amount of $800,000 made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
City of Bell City - David Scherer
" According to Ray Patterson, the original owner, he had the tanks removed and the dirt tested and the area refilled," stated Scherer. Scherer is waiting on the paperwork to show proof it was done so they can build on top of it.
"We took $50,000 off the Bell City ARPA request during our work session on Tuesday," stated Mathis. "This now takes your request down to $203,170.00.
Motion to approve a request for the Bell City Fire Department for $203,170.00 in ARPA funds made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Scherer stated he would get the process started by putting bids in the paper and getting with Mrs. Lambert to start the procurement process.
Water District #5
Paperwork for $15,864.00 of requests from the ARPA funds was submitted by David Cooper to Mrs. Lambert last week.
Motion to approve the payment of $15,864.00 request for Water District #4 made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Water District #2 - Bill Knoderer, Donnie Wondel, and Dan Schlosser
Water District #2 requested $115,460 in ARPA funds.
Motion to approve the approval of $115,460.00 in APRA funds for meter replacements for Water District #2 made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
Mr. Knoderer will get with Mrs. Lambert on the procurement procedures.
City of Essex
Motion to approve the funding for $50,000 in ARPA funds to the city of Essex for their street project by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion passed.
EMA
There was $428,000 in ARPA funds were originally requested by his predecessor. There were certain radios that were being needed. "We have discussed decreasing the funds to only a few radios distributed throughout the county. Advance bought enough for their city, Dexter and Bloomfield also have some radios as they are $6,800 a piece basically," stated Stewart.
Motion $62,981.59 and not the $428,000 originally requested in ARPA funds to the Stoddard County EMA to purchase radios made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes and motion was passed.
City of Bloomfield
No update on where the city of Bloomfield is at the current moment. They have requested $450,000 to replace water lines.
City of Advance
Motion to change in scope for the city of Advance from the Annexation to their Infiltration and Inflow Project made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All three voted yes and motion passed.
The contract for the $714,000 in ARPA funds requested was made available and the Commissioners are signing today.
Beau Bishop, EMA Director Quarterly Update
The EMPG 3rd Quarter Grant claims for the operating period of January 1, 2023 thru march 31 2023 were submitted and approved. On March 8, 2023 were reimbursed $8,170.57 for this claim.
The EMPG 4th Quarter Gran claims for the operating period of April 1, 2023 thru June 30, 2023 were submitted and approved. On August 21, 2023 were reimbursed $8,828.98 for this claim.
The reimbursement received from he FY2022 EMPG Grant Cycle (EM Salary, Benefits, Operating Expenses and Equipment) totaling $30,678.70.
FY2023 EMPG Grant was submitted July 26, 2023 with a projected Federal reimbursement of $36,882.17. We are currently waiting on Application approval.
Stoddard County has provided COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting services at multiple buildings owned by the county, to help protect the citizens and employees from the spread of COVID-19. From August 2022 thru December 2022, the county paid $14,523 for this service. From January 2023 thru May 11, 2023, the county paid $11,443.00 for this service. Stoddard County emergency Management filed for FEMA Public Assistance under FEMA - 4490 - DR-MO, which was made available to help recover costs for such activities.
For the August - December, 2022 period, we were reimbursed $13,070.70.
for the January-May 11, 2023 period, we were reimbursed $10,298.70
HMPG Siren Grant Update: Currently working through the States Procurement Process.
HMPG Generator Grant Update: Grant approval was received. Grant agreements have been signed by appropriate parties with original signatures on file at Stoddard County Emergency Management and SEMA. Beginning the Procurement Process.
June 7th - 9th Bishop attended the 2023 Central States Hazmat Preparedness Conference in Kansas City. As a direct result of the conference, currently working with the Bootheel LEPD to obtain a list from the Missouri Emergency Response Commission, of all registered Tier 2 facilities within the 8 county LEPD coverage and incorporate those locations into a mapping software for better situational awareness during a possible emergency situation that might impact those locations.
On August 1, 2023 we transitioned to NWS Chat 2.0 on the Slack Platform. NWS Chat is used by Emergency Managers, Law Enforcement, Fire, Media, etc. for direct communication to the National Weather Service during severe weather. the old NWS Chat was a stand alone product that was becoming old and outdated. The National Weather Service upgraded to the Slack platform which is web based and more robust than before. Another added benefit is the availability of the Slack app for mobile phones, so users can now have access to it from anywhere, not just a desktop or laptop computer.
Mr. Bishop will be attended the August 22nd - 25th Missouri State Emergency Management Conference in Columbia, Missouri and then August 30th - September 1st he will be attending the MFSMA Annual Conference at the Lake of the Ozark.
Motion to approve the August 14th regular meeting minutes made by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Jarrell. All three voted yes an emotion approved.
Motion to enter in closed session at 10:56 a.m. made by Commissioner Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart. All there voted yes and motion passed.
The Commissioners will be back in session on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 9 a.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Government building in Bloomfield.
Route Z in Stoddard County Reduced for Pavement Repairs
Route Z in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
This section of roadway is located from Route W to County Road 789 near LaValle, Missouri.
Weather permitting, work will take place Monday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area.
For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODO
You never realize how much stuff is accumulated over the year, but this is an estate sale you don't want to miss out on Friday and Saturday in Bloomfield!
Located 700 Cate Drive, Bloomfield. Off J Highway just past the Bloomfield Schools, Reed Street
Hours 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Items for sale - Lots of tools, collectables, (glassware, pictures, milk glass, crystal, lamps) some furniture (day bed, chest of drawers, rocking chair, coffee table, end table)
Don't miss your chance on these wonderful treasures!!
