Local News – Monday, February 5th, 2018

Salem Vision 2040 is a series of public meetings tonight starting at 5:00 until 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Come bring your friends and share your ideas of how you would like to see Salem improved. People of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in the visioning process. If you live in or near Salem your ideas are welcome. This is the first of four public visioning meetings that will take place between now and May as the city kicks off this year long collaborative visioning process to improve the community. Snacks and coffee will be provided during the sessions. This event is sponsored by the City of Salem in partnership with University of Missouri-Extension and Center for Community Studies, Hammons School of Architecture, Drury University.

The Licking Police Department has reported they have taken escaped prisoner John Toy Long in custody Saturday afternoon at about 4:50 in the afternoon. Licking Police Corporal Pat Burton apprehended offender Long from South Central Correction Center at the corner of Route VV and 137. They appreciate everyone's help in finding Long who escaped on January 28th.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 7:00 in the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The Board will review bids for removing bio solids out of the reed beds. After the consent agenda, City Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon will report on the Park Board meeting that will be held prior to the Board of Aldermen meeting at 6:00, City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report which will include an update on Economic Development Position Recruiting Services. Mayor Brad Nash will give his report followed by the introduction and the reading of Bill No. 3359, an ordinance to authorize the Mayor to Execute Amendment #1 to State Block Grant Agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for additional funds for land acquisition to acquire property within the Runway 17 Runway Protection Zone; Bill No. 3360, an ordinance to authorize the Mayor to execute a State Block Grant agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for Constant Current Lighting Regulator on Project 17-066A-1; and Bill No. 3361, an ordinance to authorize the Mayor to execute a State Block Grant agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for obstruction removal (tree clearing) on Project 17-066A-2. In new and miscellaneous business, the board will discuss a City Hall Rental Fee Amendment before going into closed session. The regular meeting this evening is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff's Department has released some reports. On January 31st, deputies took a report of theft. MODOT reported that a battery was stolen from a Genie Boom lift parked at the intersection of Highway 19 North and County Road 3330. The battery is described as a 31-Series 1000 cranking amp battery. This report is still under investigation. On February 1st, deputies conducted a traffic stop in Wagner Cemetery on Dent County Road 3223. The driver, a 25-year old Salem man, was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons to appear in court, and released. If you have any information regarding the theft, please contact the Dent County Sheriff's Department at 729-3241.