Commissioners Hire Employees During Meeting

The Roosevelt County Commissioners hired five employees during their weekly meeting on Tuesday, April 26.

The hirings included Melanie Armstrong to the health department as a community health worker/ RN. Armstrong has 18 years of experience in med-surg nursing, ER, oncology and other areas. She has been a traveling nurse during the past four years.

According to a letter to the commissioners from Patty Presser, health department director, one of Armstrong’s first tasks will be to coordinate with other local medical, behavioral health and public health agencies to bring the Meadlowlark Initiative to Roosevelt County.

The Meadowlark Initiative brings a new standard of pregnancy care to the state by offering routine screening and treatment for substance use disorders as part of prenatal and postpartum care.

“This would benefit mothers, babies and families,” Presser wrote. “Also, she will develop a sex education/ sexually transmitted infection prevention presentation for high school students throughout the county.”

Janice Wemmer-Kegley was hired to a part-time position for the clerk and recorder’s office. Commissioners noted that the office hasn’t received any applications for the two full-time positions.

Also hired were Christian Birdhat for the detention center, Edith Yellowrobe to Aging Services and Bonnie Wemmer as immunization nurse/backup communicable disease nurse for the health department.

Commissioners approved a task order for Barlett & West for the county’s east end right of way project. The six-step process will cost $186,409.

“It’s good to get the process going,” Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said.