Local News – Thursday, January 4th, 2018
Volunteers for AARP will be conducting free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory computer lab this year. This free tax filing assistance will begin on Friday, February 2nd and continue every Friday until April 13th. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you need to bring to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification – Picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration or; birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; Year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments for the AARP can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163.
The vendor who provides the Missouri State Parks online survey services will be performing maintenance this Friday beginning at 7:00 that will last approximately 12 hours. During this time, citizens will be unable to submit comments about the proposed Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds County through our online surveys. Therefore, Missouri State Parks is extending the comment period through January 6th. They apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Missouri State Parks held a series of public meetings in early December to discuss the future of three different state park properties. The three properties, which have not been developed and are currently closed, are Ozark Mountain State Park in Taney County, Bryant Creek State Park in Douglas County and Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds County. The meetings also kicked off a month-long comment period originally set to close on Friday, but it has now been extended through Saturday at midnight. For more information and to complete an online survey, go to mostateparks.com.
The Salem Police Department has released a couple of reports. At approximately 10:43 in the morning on Friday, December 22nd, an officer was sent to a residence in the 900 block of North Park reference a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took $1900.00 cash from inside the residence. The report is under investigation. On Thursday morning, December 28th at about 1:06, an officer was contacted in reference to a theft from a storage unit located at Highway 32 and Sligo. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke into a unit and took items valued at $750.00. The report is under investigation. If anyone has information about any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.
The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) will hold a blood drive in Salem TODAY from 8:30 this morning until 2:30 this afternoon at the Salem High School Agriculture Building. O negative, A negative and B negative blood is in short supply, with less than a two-day reserve level for those types. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and present a valid photo ID. For more information, contact Heather Johnson (573) 729-6641.