Our top story in this week’s edition is about a tentative agreement between Capella Healthcare and Huntsville Hospital to purchase the assets of Hartselle Medical Center within the next 45 days.

This is good news. However, if Huntsville Hospital purchases the hospital building here, it doesn’t mean that Hartselle is getting its hospital back.

In a press release issued by both hospital companies, David Spillers said he doesn’t believe Hartselle Medical Center will work as an inpatient facility, he does believe an outpatient facility could work here.

“Certainly we will look at trying to keep the physicians in the community by providing access to the services needed for their practices, such as lab and imaging services, if at all possible,” Spillers said.

Looking at HMC’s daily census numbers, it doesn’t seem like you can have a 150-bed hospital here, but it definitely should be used for something.

Many Hartselle residents fear that HMC will die a death like the old Pineview Hospital, which rotted away and became an eyesore.

I doubt that will happen again due to the diligence of our city, county and state leaders. If this facility does reopen, the people of Hartselle must support it or it will not last.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.