Local News – Monday, June 5th, 2017
Late Friday, the White House approved Governor Eric Greitens’ request for a federal disaster declaration for historic flooding that began in Missouri on April 28th. A total of 48 counties were included in the disaster declaration. A total of 27 counties were included in the program that assists individuals and families. They include in our area Franklin, Maries, Oregon, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Shannon, and Texas counties. Dent County was NOT included for damages to individuals and families. A total of 46 counties were included in the program that assists local governments and non-profits with damage to roads, bridges and public infrastructure along with response costs. They included the already mentioned counties in our area as well as Iron and Dent. Those persons eligible for individual assistance have 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration to contact FEMA. The quicker you register, the quicker you can get FEMA assistance. To register for FEMA assistance, call FEMA’s toll-free number: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week, or go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. In addition to the disaster declaration, the Department of Natural Resources has extended until August 3rd its storm waiver, which gives residents and communities in flood-affected counties additional flood cleanup flexibility. Further information on the waiver is available at dnr.mo.gov/disaster.
An accident occurred at 8:29 Saturday evening in Phelps County on Highway 72 about 9 miles southeast of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Pontiac G5 driven by 79-year old Mary Emory of Salem was traveling eastbound when she crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned. Emory suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the EMS to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. She was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Pontiac G5 sustained
extensive damage and was towed by Dishman’s Towing in Rolla.
An accident occurred at 2:02 Thursday afternoon in Crawford County on Route TT about three miles northeast of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Toyota Matrix driven by 16-year old Katilyn Bourgeois of Steelville was traveling southbound and traveled off the right side of the roadway. Bougeois overcorrected and the Toyota returned to the roadway, crossed the centerline. Bourgeois overcorrected and the Toyota traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and overturned. Bourgeois and a passenger, 15-year old Hayli Davis of Steelville both suffered minor injuries. Bourgeois was transported by the Steelville ambulance to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan while Davis was transported by personal vehicle to Missouri Baptist in Sullivan. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Toyota Matrix was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.
Highway 32 in Dent and Iron Counties will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs. This section of roadway is located from Highway 72 in Dent County to Route KK in Iron County. Weather permitting, this work will take place Tuesday, June 6th and Wednesday, June 7th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
The City of Salem Board of Alderman will conduct a regular meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers located 202 North Washington beginning at 7:00 pm. During the hearing of persons, Chris Garman wants to know why the rules and guidelines are not being followed on dog bites and that the City’s ordinances need to be changed. Teresa Stark wants to talk to the Board about the solar lights and flower holders that were approved in the new cemetery rules and regulations and the county is interested in obtaining a partial release of the City’s interest in the roadway easement commonly known as Iron Street as the counties interest is with the Justice Center project. City Administrator Ray Walden will update the Board on various projects current and future as well as update the Board on the Insituform Technologies USA/Sanitary Sewer CIPP project and the Emergency Utility Reconnect Policy. Mayor Brad Nash will then discuss various items concerning the City of Salem. During the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3332 an ordinance approved by the Board at a previous meeting to initiate a 10-year lease with Healthy Dent County will be presented. In new and miscellaneous business, Parks & Recreation Director Tye Lydon is requesting approval to purchase baseball uniforms for the summer ball program in the amount of $3,272. This is a budgeted item and Progressive Ozark Bank is sponsoring in the amount of $2,000. Mayor Nash wishes to appoint members to the Tree Commission with the Board’s approval and with the Board’s approval he will appoint a committee to evaluate the qualifications for consultants for the old middle school property. The Board will then vote to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing real estate and contracts. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.