NIOBRARA COUNTY – Niobrara County Commissioners heard from County Coroner Pete Pier concerning a potential agreement between Niobrara County and Forensic Radiology Group, LLC.

According to Pier, the forensic radiology group would conduct a scan of the body, then, with that information, determine what could be used to help others who may need further medical treatment such as donated skin or organs. Donor Alliance is a company that handles organs and skin that are used all over the United States. They collect skin to be harvested or donated for research. Donor Alliance have been using CT scans in the place of autopsies. The images are then sent to a company in South Carolina, which reads the scans and determines the cause of death. Once a determination is made, then a physical autopsy can be done. Pier said that the cost is too high with this company. He requested permission to speak with other facilities to conduct the scan. According to Pier, the county is responsible for the costs of autopsies and he feels that the cost should be renegotiated.

Pier told the commissioners that, through a group called Donor Alliance in Colorado, every death has to be reported in Niobrara County.

The commissioners gave Pier permission to speak with Niobrara Community Hospital about conducting the scans. County Attorney Annie Wasserburger had looked over the contract with the radiology group. She subsequently informed Pier and the commissioners of some changes that would have to be made. Pier will be contacting Niobrara Community Hospital board concerning this matter. Commissioner Elaine Griffith offered to go with Pier to the hospital to speak with them.

Road and Bridge Foreman Fred Thomas told the commissioners that the county shop had been repaired and that Jerry Miller did a good job on the repairs. There was no more water leaking into shop.

The contract with Jim Whetsell of Whetsell Carpentry, LLC, was extended for 45 days to finish out his contract with the county. Whetsell will be working on Cheyenne River Road and 20 Mile Road. He apologized to the commissioners for beginning so late. He explained that there were unforeseen events that had prevented him from beginning his work on time. Whetsell thanked the commissioners for their patience and time.