PDF PAGES FOR WEBSITE.qxp_Layout 1 1/21/20 8:57 AM Page 1
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
TRENTON
REPUBLICAN-TIMES
Trenton, MO 64683
Check out the Republican-Times on the Internet: www.republican-times.com ©W.B. Rogers Printing Co., Inc.
Ten Pages
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 156th Year - No. 41
WRIGHT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Delivering high quality health care to residents in Grundy County and the surrounding communities continues to be the number one priority of Wright Memorial Hospital which, during 2019, was nationally recognized for its efforts while adding even more services to meet the area’s medical needs. Beginning with being named a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award winner for clinical quality, WMH has added new programs and personnel that hospital officials believe will continue to enhance the patient experience. “We are very proud to receive this award,” WMH CEO Steve Schieber said. “I think it really exemplifies the outstanding quality care we provide to our community but also serves as a commitment moving forward to really maintain that same focus of doing the best we can for this area we serve. “ Programs such as the oncology nurse navigator and Senior Life Solutions were implemented to address needs the hospital felt were essential to better serve the community. The oncology nurse navigator program is the hospital’s newest endeavor and began offering its services at WMH on Oct. 1, 2019. The program is dedicated to easing the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial hardships of living with a cancer diagnosis. The program is offered free to patients using WMH for any cancer-related services and provides resources such as nutrition classes and consultations, assistance with co-pay on oral chemo drugs, fitness/yoga/exercise classes, massages, gas/grocery cards and probably the most important aspect, emotional support. “I think it’s essential that we focus on a condition that really, unfortunately, impacts a great many of us, either personally, or professionally,” Schieber said. “We want to make sure with this particular program that we have all the means available to really address the heart, mind, body, and soul of the individuals suffering with cancer, as well as their loved ones, as they navigate through this difficult time. Trenton native Ashley Ewing is doing a great job as the nurse navigator in the program.” Senior Life Solutions, geared to patients age 65 and over, provides care for individuals with anxiety or depression concerns. Both individual and group support is provided through the program, which is offered at WMH and covers both Trenton, Chillicothe and the surrounding region. Schieber said the success of the program “exceeded expectations,” due in large part to the personnel who provide the assistance to the patients being served. “We’re very proud to have Senior Life Solutions as a service here at Wright Memorial Hospital, covering Trenton, Chillicothe and the surrounding region,” Schieber said. “As many people know, we have an aging population in this region, and for those individuals who are struggling with conditions such as anxiety and depression, I think this has been an important care model that has helped ease their suffering. Robin Dennert and her team have done an excellent job establishing the program.”
GCHD Local Shots Available
Briefs...
Looking Forward To The Future
Vaccines Help In Influenza Fight
Utility Committee To Meet
Quality Health Care Remains Top Priority
AREA SCHOOL BOARDS
75¢ per copy
The Saint Luke’s Health System, of which both WMH and Hedrick are a part, has been added to the Medica for 2020, which Schieber noted gives local patients an Affordable Care Act exchange plan option. Saint Luke’s has been participating with Medica for the past couple of years, but Medica just expanded into the WMH market this year. “We are very pleased that we have made significant progress in allowing patients in this area an opportunity through an exchange product to receive care here locally at Wright Memorial,” Schieber said. “We are committed to ensuring that coverage is extended to our fullservice area. And in the meanwhile, I would encourage any patient to seek care at Wright Memorial, and we will do everything in our power to help them find the financial assistance they need to receive that care.” He said that WMH encourages all patients needing care to contact the hospital’s financial counselors so that they can receive individual attention to confirm the financial impact of their care on a case-by-case basis. A goal for 2019 was the addition of new medical personnel. Dr. Molly Harp, a primary care provider, and Dr. Khannah Smith, an internist whose focus is adult patients with higher acuity issues, joined the hospital staff this year along with Jordan Jones, a physician’s assistant, and Ashley Stuedle, a nurse practitioner, who joined the staff at the Saint Luke’s Health Systems Mercer County Clinic in Princeton. Two more physicians, Dr. Chris Odenhall and Dr. Jessica Snyder, are scheduled to become a part of the Saint Luke’s/Wright Memorial team in 2021. What all of these individuals have in common is a local connection, which Schieber believes is key in keeping WMH staffed and providing needed medical care to Grundy County and the surrounding area. “We are very pleased with the caliber of physicians we’ve been able to recruit to Wright Memorial Hospital and I think this really helps to address the short-term challenge we’ve had regarding patient’s access to care, but also, we have recruited individuals who are committed to the long-term viability of Wright Memorial and are excited to be here to treat the Trentonarea patients,” Schieber said.” The use of hospitalists was also an area in which WMH placed a greater emphasis. Hospitalists are doctors whose sole focus is on care of patients while in the hospital. Dr. Maureen Weber and Dr. Sourab Chopra filled those roles and, according to Schieber, provided “terrific care” to WMH’s patients during their hospital stay. “I think we’ve also had tremendous success with our hospitalists recruiting,” Schieber continued. “We have two extremely talented, young individuals who are very committed to caring for patients within the hospital and keeping patients close to home. That has been evidenced by the significant increase in the hospital census
The Utility Committee of the Trenton City Council will meet in regular session at 6 o’clock tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 21) at city hall. Items on the announced agenda include an update on the electric rate study, a review of monthly financial reports, a director's update and department reports.
First Ward Filing Kevin Klinginsmith of 111 Riverside Drive has filed for the first ward seat on the Trenton City Council, subject to the April 7 election. He is the first to file for the position, currently being held by Lou Fisher. The deadline to file for the council is today (Tuesday, Jan. 21), with filing to be done until 5 p.m. at city hall. Others already filing for the council include Marvin Humphreys, second ward; incumbent David Mlika, third ward; and Duane Urich, fourth ward. Incumbents Brad Chumbley, second ward, and Larry Crawford, fourth ward, have not filed.
IDC, IDA Annual Meetings The Grundy County Industrial Development Corporation and Industrial Development Authority will have their annual meetings on Monday, Jan. 27 in the conference room of Grundy Electric Cooperative. The IDC meeting will be at 5 p.m., with the IDA meeting to follow. During the IDC meeting, five directors will be elected to serve a three-year term on the board of directors. Nominated for the positions are Diane Lowrey, Jackie Soptic, Dr. Paul Cox, Delvin Wilford and Scott Wilson. Proxies have been mailed to members and are to be returned to Board Secretary Diane Lowrey or the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce prior to the meeting or they may be voted in person at the meeting. The IDC board will elect officers for the coming year following the annual meeting. During the IDA meeting, new officers are to be elected.
Chamber Luncheon The Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its quarterly luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the NCMC Barton Ag Campus. Micah Landes, executive director of the North Central Missouri Development Alliance, will be the guest speaker for the noon luncheon, which is open to the public. The cost of the meal is $10 and reservations are required by Jan 24. They can be made by calling the chamber at 3594324 or by email at trentonchambermo@gmail.com.
Bloodmobile At Trenton The Community Blood Center will bring its bloodmobile to Trenton on Monday, Feb. 3. The bloodmobile will be at the North 65 Center from noon to 6 p.m. To make an appointment to donate, persons may go online to savealifenow.org/group and use the group code, TN. ********** 2020 NCMC HOMECOMING “PIRATE FOR LIFE” Wednesday, Jan. 22 Ketcham Community Center NCMC vs. Metropolitan Community College Tailgate at 4:30 p.m. in Sugg Room Women’s Basketball Game at 5 p.m. Men’s Game at 7 p.m. (Royalty Crowned at Halftime of Men’s Game)
See WMH, Page 4
Newtown-Harris R-3
Four-Day School Week Gets Approval The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education took action on several items during its meeting on Monday, Jan. 13. According to Superintendent Lucas McKinnis, the board agreed to adopt a four-day school week for the 2020-21 school year. What four-day alternative will be used (Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday) has not been determined, with a committee of staff and administrators looking at which scenario would best meet student needs. A four-day week would require school days to be extended to meet the state
mandated attendance requirements. McKinnis said staff, students and patrons of the school district had been surveyed about the four-day school week proposal, with all groups in support of the change. He said the community survey results saw 85 percent favoring the move from the current five-day schedule. The decision to explore the four-day option was brought in an effort to attract and retain qualified staff members. McKinnis noted many small/rural school districts are unable to pay
National Weather Service Rain and snow expected during the week with highs and lows staying in the low to mid-30s. The high on Thursday at Trenton was 21, Friday’s high was 33, Saturday’s high was 34 and Sunday’s high was 14 with a low of 3. A total of 2.3 inches of snow fell on Friday with .68 of an inch of rain recorded over the weekend. There was no report from the Government Weather Station near Spickard.
salaries like their large-district counterparts and use the four-day week as an incentive to bring good staff to their districts. He said several schools have already adopted or plan to adopt them next school year. The staff/administration committee will bring a recommendation and additional information to the board at its February meeting, along with calendars for both the Monday-Thursday and Tuesday-Friday options. In other business, the board approved policies addressing bereavement and
maternity disability leave. Homeless Dispute Resolution procedures were adopted and Rachael Spence was appointed as the foster care liaison. The board discussed the terms and conditions of the varsity and junior varsity athletic cooperative agreement the district has with the Grundy R-5 School District. Discussion was also held regarding school board filings, which will be taken until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The next meeting of the board will be held on Monday, Feb. 10.
What’s Inside... The THS wrestling team got a second-place finish in the Plattsburg Tournament on Saturrday. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for results from the event, which featured eight area high school squads.
Trenton Republican-Times “News Every Day...When YOU Want It”
WINTRY
www.republican-times.com
by Abby Oberman, Health Educator Grundy County Health Department As we get further into the winter months, more people have become ill with what they may believe is the flu. Influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu,” is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system - your nose, throat and lungs. Although influenza is commonly called the flu, it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, influenza resolves on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications include: Young children under age six and especially those under 12 months; Adults older than age 65; Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum; People with weakened immune systems; People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes; People who are very obese, with a body mass index of 40 or higher. Though the annual influenza vaccine isn't 100 percent effective, it's still your best defense against the flu. The Grundy County Health Department still has vaccine available for all ages. Flu vaccines are available every Tuesday on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no appointment needed. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling the health department at 660-359-4196. Other things people can do to protect themselves from the flu is to wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an acceptable alternative. You should also cover your cough or sneeze using your arm and avoid crowded places to reduce your chances of exposure. If you're sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides so that you lessen your chance of infecting others. Locally, reported influenza cases in Grundy County are on the rise with six times as many influenza B cases to influenza A cases. Influenza A and B viruses are responsible for flu epidemics each year. Flu activity is high in the U.S. and is expected to continue for weeks. CDC recommends everyone six months of age See Flu, Page 4
What’s Inside Sports .....................page 2 & 3 Local News ....................page 4 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 Comics ...........................page 6 Dear Annie ....................page 7 Crosswords....................page 7 Classifieds ..............page 8 & 9