Archive for 2017

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their meeting Thursday evening at the boardroom. After approval of the agendas and communications, Superintendent John McColloch updated the Board with a facilities report. He reported maintenance crews were constructing an office space for the technology department in the High School Library just inside the door to the right to be used for repairs that need to be made on ChromeBooks and it will be called the “Chrome Depot”. He stated that all toilets, urinals and sinks were being replaced at the William Lynch Elementary. He went on to say that two HVAC air conditioning units were added with one over the Middle School and the other over the Locker Room. McColloch said Summer School is now complete as William Lynch Elementary started with 106 students, and ended with a total of 93, while the Upper Elementary started with 195 students and ended with 174. The Salem High School had 17 students attend and they were required to attend at least 12 out of 14 days and complete a set amount of course work in order to earn credit. McColloch also wanted to recognize the Transportation Department for receiving a 100% for the school bus inspections and stated that the three new buses will arrive about the 1st of August. The William Lynch Elementary will be holding fall registration for new students on August 7th and 8th. The Salem Upper Elementary wanted to thank their teachers for working so hard and showing gains on the goals they had set last August for MAP scores, as many of them achieved those goals. The Middle School Archery will be competing in the NASP World Tournament in Orlando, Florida July 21 and 22nd. The Salem High School is continuing to meet with prospective internship employers as they would like to add at least five more by the start of the school year. In old business, the Board approved the once a year WADA transfer of $506,155 from the General Revenue Fund to the Capital Projects Fund. The Board then approved the MSBA 2017 policy update as well as approved the Food Service Procurement Plan and District Wellness Policy. The Board then approved a one year lease agreement with the Dent County Disabilities Board for the Developmental Preschool Program at the old Salem Library. The Board accepted the resignations from 5th grade Special Education teacher Christina Whitaker and from Matthew Kamprath Middle School Special Education teacher and 7th grade boy’s basketball. In closed session the Salem R-80 Board of Education hired Kristal Flohr as 5th grade special education, Cole Price for 8th grade special education, Rockey Wade for 8th grade special education and Will Hubbs as 7th grade boys’ basketball coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred Saturday night at 10:10 on Highway 32 about ten miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, an eastbound 2009 Harley Davidson, driven by 44- year old Terry Quinn of Kansas City, struck a deer in the roadway, then slid off the right side of the roadway before coming to rest. A passenger, 33-year old Dana Quinn of Kansas City, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital. Both the driver and passenger were wearing safety devices. The Harley Davidson sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 5:30 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 at 188 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, 18-year old Brice Gresham of Rolla was driving a 2005 GMC C5500 westbound when he fell asleep at the wheel. The GMC traveled off the left side of the roadway and went into the median struck the cable barrier. The GMC then overturned and came to rest in the eastbound lane. Gresham, who was not wearing a seat restraint, was ejected from the vehicle. He suffered serious injuries and was transported to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by ambulance. The GMC was totaled and was removed from the scene by Advanced Towing.

The Scenic Rivers Industries, Inc., also known as the Sheltered Workshop, celebrated their 40th anniversary Thursday at their location on Franklin and Grand Streets. The Sheltered Workshop was created in 1977 by a number of concerned citizens led by Libby Sanders to provide opportunities for those who had disabilities. Administrator Joe Bruno thanked all the employees for their dedicated service who provide quality work on the projects they take on. Bruno also thanked their customers including S & K Manufacturing, National Entertainment Technologies and a new local company called Tiny Paws in Licking. The celebration was made even more special as two employees, Curtis Pryor and Kevin Morton, were honored for having been there from day one and for never having missed a day of work. They were each warded an Award of Excellence Plaque by State Representative Jeff Pogue who also presented a resolution to the Scenic Rivers Industries, Inc. for the work they have done for the last 40 years and moving forward. City Administrator Ray Walden presented a City Proclamation naming June 22, 2017 as Scenic Rivers Industries, Inc. Day in Salem. It is the goal of the Sheltered Workshop to have their employees work hard and find gainful employment in the regular work force. One of those who used to work at the Sheltered Workshop but has moved into the regular work force is Jeanette Pickett who has been working at Royal Oak for the last nine months. She spoke to the crowd about the opportunities she was given at the workshop that allowed her to improve her skills to the point that Royal Oak employed her nine months ago. Ray Bruno thanked everyone for coming and refreshments were served to the crowd. The cake and cupcakes for the event were provided by Price Choppers in Rolla.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital will have a Blood Drive today from 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon. Current inventory levels indicate that several blood types are in short supply. Less than a two-day supply exists for A Positive, A Negative, O Positive and O negative blood types.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Thursday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The purpose of the meeting was to make a decision to open the pool or not. The entire park board visited the pool and were shown the problems with the pool first hand from the leaks in the three seams in the pool, to the corners where the walls and floor met that held an expansion seam that had deteriorated, to the skimmer system that was full of rust and oxidation from the skimmer return pipe. Park Board President Stan Podorski discussed with the board the options of patching the pool for a possible short term fix for about $5,000 to $6,000 that would take at least three weeks to do, the option to use an epoxy three layer system that would seal the pool that would take about three weeks to do after sandblasting for about $25,000 that would last two-to three years, or close the pool and begin work on getting the pool updated and renovated and be open next year. He said that since the water level never got to the skimmer gutter as it was leaking out at a rate of 16-18 gallons a minute or about 22,000-24,000 gallons a day that the filter and pump had not yet been turned on. There was also the problem of possibly not having any lifeguards if the pool re-opened. The board also saw the pump room and the deterioration of the return pipe that was attached to the newer filter pipe. After returning to the Community Center, a long discussion was held on all the options as well as going over information from Westport Pools from St. Louis and Pool Renovations out of Kansas City of what would need to be replaced and what could be added to the pool. Costs to renovate the pool could be as much as one million dollars and City Administrator Ray Walden discussed the program the city is using to fund the improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plan called Certificates of Participation. A motion was made to keep the pool closed this year, start working with pool professionals in creating a plan for updating and renovating the pool and have it open for the 2018 season. The motion was passed unanimously by the board. They also visited the area where the All-Inclusive Playground and splash pad in the park is going to go next to the current playground. Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported the new waiting benches for the tennis courts have been built by the Volunteers for America and will be installed once the holes are augered, probably next week. They will then be painted. He went to say the Volunteers will be painting the basketball court next to the tennis court complete with lines, plus new nets will be put up. He said the wooden bleachers at Al Brown Field will be rebuilt by the Scenic Rivers Industries workers who will also stain the wood and paint the metal starting Monday. He said the swing set and teeter-totter at Carol Midyett Park have been painted and the rotten boards on the picnic table will be repaired by the Sheltered Workshop workers. He reported concessions at the City Park have done very well since the introduction of additional food items. Lydon stated another pitching machine is being purchased for the Parks and Recreation Department that should be more coach friendly. Also the Al Brown old concession stand will be repainted by the Sheltered Workshop personnel, especially the white wooden serving doors and trim. The meeting was then adjourned.

The American Legion Riders from Missouri will hold their Department of Missouri 2017 Legacy Ride starting this Friday at Fort Leonard Wood and stopping in St. James at the Missouri Veteran’s Home. The Riders will then come to Salem and stop at Mobil for a fuel stop before heading to the American Legion Walker-Roney Post #99 for lunch. Some roads may be blocked off by the Salem Police to allow the riders through to their destination. From there, they will make their way through Licking to Mansfield for a fuel and hydration stop. There will be over 100 motorcycles and they will be accepting donations for the Missouri ALR Legacy Fund. 2015 was the first year to do the Legacy Ride and they were able to donate over $64,000 (3rd largest in the nation) to the Legacy Fund. The Riders upped the ante in 2016 to collect and donate over $92,000 (2nd largest in the nation). They hope to top that in 2017!

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will conduct their June meeting on Thursday, June 22nd at the boardroom beginning at 6:00 pm. After
approval of the agenda and communications, Superintendent John McColloch will give an update on facilities and summer school. He will also update the Board with BOE committee assignments and school bus inspections. Principals from the William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School and Senior High will give reports on each building. In old business, the Board will consider adoption of a 2017-2018 budget. Then in new business, the Board will address a resolution for a WADA transfer and then consider MSBA 2017 Policy updates. The Board will then approve the Food Service Procurement Plan and District Wellness Policy. Following resignations, the Board will vote go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personel. The June meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Salem Park & Recreation Board will conduct a meeting tonight at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located 1200 West Rolla Road beginning at 6:00 pm. After a review of the minutes from the previous meeting, Parks & Recreation Director Tye Lydon will update the Board on various items concerning the park and there will be a discussion on the Alice Craig Municipal Pool. The Board will discuss improvements to small parks as well as any other business that may come before the Board. The Salem Park & Recreation Board meeting is open to the public.

Join a Park Ranger and a nature photographer for a guided nature photography lesson this Saturday, June 24th at 9 in the morning. The hike will begin at Big Spring, and participants can expect to explore the nearby area for scenic views. Participants should plan to hike approximately ½-mile. There are few places that offer as many unique photographic opportunities as Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Hiking with a camera gives you a chance to capture unexpected natural wonders and is sure to bring out your creative side. Bring your own camera equipment and try out techniques used by professional nature photographers. Capture picturesque views and learn about the area’s natural history. Participants should come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather, including rain gear in case of light rain. In the event of heavy rain or lightning, the hike will be canceled. In addition, hikers may wish to bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent. This event is free and will be enjoyable for all ages. For more information, call Park Ranger Cathy Runge at 573-323-4806 or go online at cathy_runge@nps.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) continues work on evaluating and repairing river and stream accesses damaged by flooding earlier this spring. Most flood damage occurred to MDC accesses in the Ozarks on the Current River, North Fork of the White River, and the Gasconade River. MDC reports most accesses have already been repaired by removing debris, filling in scour holes, and repairing and replacing ramps, parking pads, and other structures — but some remain closed due to extensive damage. Safe passage to the river is still limited at Myrtle, Hebron, Warren Bridge, Cook, Blair Bridge, and Jerome accesses due to extensive flood damage to roads, parking lots, and ramps and for public safety, these accesses remain closed at this time. To get updates on access closures along with information on other MDC “Places to Go,” log in to this website: nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places.