Archive for 2017

Missouri students took first place on the world archery stage when Sarcoxie High School finished first place in the 3D Challenge at the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) World Tournament and 3D Challenge July 21st thru 22nd in Orlando, Florida. More than 3,390 student archers in grades 4-12 from more than 200 schools in two countries participated – including 205 Missouri students from nine schools. Missouri student archers participated through the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP), which is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in partnership with numerous schools and supporting organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and also promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for more than 135,000 Missouri students from 620 schools in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. Missouri students also showed off their skills in the individual portion of the tournament and 7th grader, Irvin Johnson of Salem took third place in the middle school males division with a score of 295 out of a possible 300. Congratulations Irvin on a job well done.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of June. During the month, they wrote three equipment repair orders, 14 summons to appear in court, 24 warning tickets, and 23 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 10 accidents, one armed criminal action, four assaults, one burglary, one report of disorderly conduct, five reports of domestic violence, one report of driving while intoxicated and/or drugged, one report of driving while intoxicated, two reports of driving while having a revoked and/or suspended license, two reports of fraud, and one report of harassment. The department also investigated one report of a peace disturbance, three reports of property damage, three reports of resisting and/or interfering with an arrest, five reports of stealing, one report of a towed vehicle, and one 96 hour commitment. They also investigated six reports of possession of marijuana. The police department received 1,080 calls for service during the month, handled 90 walk-ins to the station, and redirected 46 calls to the animal control officer. They spent 28 hours in court testifying, six hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 8,075 miles and arrested 21 males and 9 females during the month of June.

The public will have an opportunity to learn to kayak at free weekly clinics at Current River State Park south of Salem. The kayak clinics will be held on Friday, July 28th and August 4th. The clinics will be from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm so expect a full day of learning and being on the water. The instructors for the clinics are certified by the American Canoe Association and all equipment will be provided. The morning session will be conducted on the lake with an optional afternoon session on the Current River paddling from Current River State Park to Round Spring. The clinics are free but space is limited so pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact the park at (573) 751-1224 or (573) 323-4235.

Customer traffic continues to increase at the Missouri Job Center Affiliate site in Salem. The office is located in the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located 1200 West Rolla Road. Sue Nardi, Career Consultant is available to assist customers Monday through Thursdays each week. Sue is available to assist job seekers with registration, resume development, completing on-line applications and job search. Additional services now available at the Salem Job Center include assessment to issue the National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC). The NCRC is a nationally recognized certification issued by ACT WorkKeys. Communities throughout the nation, including the Meramec sub-region in Central Missouri recognize the NCRC as validation of skills when considering job seekers for employment. Four levels of certification can be obtained. Bronze level confirms entry level abilities in “Reading and Understanding, Graphic Literacy and Applied Math”. Levels increase to confirm more advanced skills with Silver, Gold or Platinum certification. NCRC is a valuable tool for job seekers to use in demonstrating their skills and abilities to employers. NCRC allows employers to better match workers to specific jobs based on their assessed skill and competency levels. ACT WorkKeys Assessment is offered free of charge. Pre-screening will be conducted to ensure adequate skills to obtain an NCRC; the actual NCRC test is approximately three hours and testing dates can be scheduled. Call Sue (573) 578-5573 or stop by the Salem Community Center to learn more about MO Job Center Programs and Services.

Montauk will host a Kid’s Trout Tournament August 5th from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. This tournament, sponsored by the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge, is limited to kids 15 years old and under. There will be two age categories, 11 and under and 12 to 15. Registration will be at the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge. Two prizes will be awarded in each age group, for trout and stringer of trout, by a random drawing of all entries at 2 p.m. in the lodge. Gift Certificates will be awarded to winners. Other prizes will be awarded courtesy of the Ray Parker Memorial.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening in the Council Chambers for their regular meeting. The board approved the request from Randy League from the Midwest Blue Oval Car Club to close 4th Street, 5th Street and Iron Street around the courthouse square for their car show on September 9th. The board approved the purchase of a Kabota Zero Turn Mower to replace an old mower from Wayde’s Equipment from Cuba for $9,653.12, approved the purchase of two servers from Automated Business Systems for $11,324.79 that will replace a server bought in 2011 and allow the city to incorporate the Content Management System through the Encode bookkeeping system on the other, and they approved the purchase of a new copier for the city administrative office from ABS for $6,045 that will replace the old copier. City Administrator Ray Walden said the budget for the servers was $15,000 and the money remaining will be used to pay for the copier and a budget adjustment will be made at the next meeting for the remaining $2,369 for the copier. City Clerk Mary Happel reported the Finest Place Trailer Court has moved the vehicle that was there and has received their license. She said she also received the application from the Park Street Trailer Court. The board approved their application once it is verified they have completed any needed cleanup and repairs. Administrator Ray Walden said the Economic Development Position has been reposted with the new salary amount and the selection committee has been meeting regarding the consultants for the middle school. Walden was asked to revisit the Holiday Pay Policy of the city and presented it to the board that allows employees to get time and a half if they have to work on a holiday. The old policy was approved. Walden presented a new fund raising policy for the board to review that makes any person or group who wants to raise funds for a city project would have to bring their fundraiser to the board for final approval. The board approved the new policy. Mayor Brad Nash wanted to thank the water department for their response to a water leak in front of the Oak Grove Baptist Church and correct the problem. The board approved bill #3335 that allowed the mayor to execute an agreement to purchase real estate from the Wanda Park Trust to be used for a runway protection zone for the Salem Memorial Airport, and approved bill #3336 that changes ordinance #3333 which changes the monthly commercial manufacturing averaging from 400,000 to 350,000 gallons of water per month. The board postponed any action on Bill #3337 about the purchase of real estate from MFA due to an error in the description. The description will be corrected and brought back to the next meeting. The board set the public tax rate hearing for Monday, August 21st during the board’s regular meeting. The board approved allowing the Salem Police Department to apply for the yearly block grant from the Department of Justice before going into closed session.

Echo Bluff State Park is celebrating its one-year anniversary Saturday, July 29^th with activities and a bluegrass concert. The public is invited to the free anniversary party, which will be from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the park south of Salem. Games and a birthday cake will be offered from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Lost Mine Shelter. This will be followed by a concert by the Baker Family, a local bluegrass band. The concert will be at 8:00 in the amphitheater. Missouri State Parks is celebrating 100 years in 2017. Visitors can experience all the park system has to offer with the Centennial Passport. Visit mostateparks.com/passport for more information. Echo Bluff State Park is located on Hwy. 19 approximately 25 miles south of Salem and 1-44 miles north of Eminence. For more information about the event, call the park at (573) 751-1224. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways will offer a “Fish with a Ranger” clinic on Sunday, July 30^th beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the river access adjacent to the Alley Spring Campground.  The clinic will be conducted while floating and will conclude at the Joshua T. Chilton Memorial Boat Landing in Eminence.  Participants should have a valid Missouri fishing license and provide their own vessel, transportation, fishing equipment and personal gear.  The floating distance is approximately 6.5 miles and is expected to take most of the day. The Jacks Fork River offers some of the finest fishing for smallmouth bass and goggle eye in the state.  Bring your canoe or kayak and join a Park Ranger to learn lure selection, fish identification, casting techniques, regulations, and catch/release practices.  Maybe even swap a few “fish stories” along the way! Contact Ranger Josh Chilton at (573) 226-3945 for more information. In the case of inclement weather, the clinic may be canceled.  Watch our Facebook page for updates.  For more information about the Riverways or other upcoming programs, call (573) 323-4236.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, in partnership with the City of Rolla, Environmental Services and the St. Robert Transfer Station, and funded in part by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, encourages the safe disposal of household hazardous waste-products containing ingredients harmful to human health and the environment. The collection centers are open to households in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Examples of hazardous household items include: used oil, anti-freeze, batteries, CFL and fluorescent bulbs, toxic, poisonous or flammable chemicals and they NO LONGER ACCEPT LATEX PAINT. For more information in St. Robert call (573) 336-5155 or visit their website www.saintrobert.com and click the trash and recycle link or in Rolla at (573) 364-9568 or their website www.rollacity.org/recycle. Be sure and call ahead as these waste collections are by appointment only.