Local News – Wednesday, February 8th, 2018

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. After approval of the consent agenda, Sewer and Water Superintendent Jack Emory presented bids for the removal of bio solids out of the reed beds. Godi Excavating was approved as the lowest bidder to do the job using his equipment at a cost of $5,200. Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported on the Park Board meeting held prior to the Alderman meeting. Youth basketball was up 35% this year and a player code of conduct has been created for next year’s sporting season. The Park Board approved a healthy concessions policy that would have 60% healthy food choices in all concession stands. Healthy Dent County will purchase up to $10,000 in needed equipment to ensure fresh healthy foods, this includes refrigeration coolers, panini presses, blenders, etc. The youth soccer season will run April 7th through the 28th and all games will be played on Saturdays at Al Brown Fields. Signups are going on now thru February 23rd. A Summer Kick-off event will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at the City Park to celebrate the grand re-opening of the city pool and new splash pad. This free event will include food trucks, free admission to the pool, and a free movie night at the pool. A summer camp will be held at the park this year with all age group of children. The camp will have different themes throughout the summer. New signs at the park entrances, new pavilion signs and security cameras at the park will be implemented in the near future. The Park Board has committed $50,000 towards the construction of a new gymnasium as part of the NAP grant received by Healthy Dent County. Church League Co-ed slow pitch softball will be held on Mondays in April with signups going on now. The Alderman approved submitting an application to place a Freedom Rock at the park entrance. This will be a large rock, with a painting depicting a tribute to veterans. The Park Board recommended moving forward with the pool house renovation using Duggan Construction and Westport Pools. This project was to be done as a change order to the original pool contract with Westport Pools, but City Attorney Camm Seay needed additional documentation before he recommended the action to the board. This motion was postponed. City Administrator Ray Walden thanked citizens for attending the Drury Visioning project held Monday evening. The next session will be February 26th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The city will conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the new trash bins. The current ordinance states that bins must be placed at curbside no more than one day prior to pick up and must be removed one day after pickup. Bins are not allowed to be left curbside on a continual basis. The board approved hiring a recruiting service for a total of up to $7,500 to fill the Economic Development Director position. The next alderman meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20 and city offices will be closed Monday, February 19th because of the Presidents Day holiday. The aldermen approved Bills No. 3359, 3360, and 3361, ordinances required in order for the City to receive additional funds from the State Block Grant for work done at the Airport. The board approved a $50 fee to be added to the City Hall Rental agreement to allow renters to decorate the day before their scheduled event. Immediately following the adjournment before the board could go into closed session, a group of concerned citizens asked to speak to the Mayor regarding their high utility bills.

ATTENTION: All interested drivers for the DAV/VFW Veteran’s Van will need to attend the driver orientation that will be held Tuesday afternoon, February 13th from 5:00 to 6:00 at the American Legion Post. If you would like to become a driver, need more information on the driver orientation or have any questions, please contact Richard LaBrash at 729-1394.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday morning, January 26th at approximately 11:42, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of North Jackson in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown broke the back glass, valued at $250.00, out of a 1996 Ford Taurus that was parked in a garage. The report is under investigation. Later that day at approximately 12:56 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to the fraudulent use of a credit card. That investigation revealed a male suspect used a stolen credit card to make purchases valued at $53.09. The report is under investigation. Still later that evening at about 9:15, an officer located two suspects that had active arrest warrants from Texas County at a residence in the 700 block of West International. One suspect, a 38-year old male of Houston, Missouri was taken into custody on the warrant as well as possession of a controlled substance and for investigation of credit card fraud. The other suspect, a 39-year old female of Salem, was taken into custody on the active arrest warrant. Both suspects were incarcerated pending extradition and application for warrants. That same night at approximately 11:26, an officer located a 23-year old male of Salem in the 900 block of North Pershing who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.