Archive for 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.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5630, 5650, 6370, and 6400, plus the backhoe would be removing debris and repairing rip rap on county road 5670. He went on to say that crews were cleaning culverts on county roads 5680 and 5550. Purcell noted that his district experienced very few downed trees from Saturday’s storm. He also stated that his crew continues rebuilding and repairing flood damaged roadways. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5280 and 2150, plus patch grading would be done on county roads 3220, 4010, and 2083. He noted that materials would be added to county roads 2083, 2150, and 3220, while brush would be cut on county road 4050. Larson said that his crew was out Saturday evening and all day Sunday opening up closed roadways and all roads are now open, but they do have to go back and complete some of the openings. Larson noted that the debris is not the county’s property since the trees blew down off of private property. Larson went on to say that it is very, very difficult to determine who the property owners or lessees are in order to notify them of downed fences. He said that when possible his crews will notify people, but it is difficult and time consuming when public safety is the priority. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to compliment City of Salem utility crews and Intercounty Electric crews for their dedication and commitment to getting power restored. He added that on Wednesday he attended the business and economic round table with Congressman Jason Smith. Skiles said that the primary topics were the rural need for broadband, frustration with the lack of cell phone service, and health care availability and costs. Deputy County Clerk Crystal Pilkington noted that the Commissioners were approving bills for payment. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams came in to report CART receipts for May at $59,008.06. She noted that year-to-date receipts are up $6,358.63, which is a 2.34% increase. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

There will be an informational meeting held at Montauk State Park on Saturday June 3rd. The meeting will be held at the campground amphitheater from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Input from the public is important to the department. These informational meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Staff from the park will be on hand to provide information about the park and answer questions. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its operations.

The Salem Police Department released reports involving counterfeit money, assault, property damage, and a fight in progress. On Monday, May 22nd at 1:52 in the early morning, an officer located a 37-year old Salem male in the 800 block of South Water who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. That same morning at 4:30, an officer located a 28-year old Salem male in the 600 block of South Jackson who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was taken into custody on the warrant an incarcerated pending a court appearance. At 5:20 that same morning, an officer located a 39-year old Salem male in the 700 block of South Orchard who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Then at 11:46 that same morning, an officer was detailed to the Mobil convenience store located at the junction of Highways 32 & 19 in reference to counterfeit money. The report revealed an unknown male passed a counterfeit fifty-dollar bill when paying for merchandise. The report is under investigation and will be forwarded to the United States Secret Service. On Tuesday, May 23rd at 3:38 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to the Misdemeanor Probation Services in reference to a 40-year old Salem male who had violated the terms of his probation. He was taken into custody and incarcerated for 5 days shock time. On Wednesday, May 24th at 11:29 in the morning, an officer responded to the 300 block of East Fourth in reference to an assault. The report revealed a 71-year old Salem male had assaulted a 33-year old Salem male. Later that afternoon at 5:21, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to property damage to a vehicle. The report revealed an 18-year old Salem male had punched a 1994 Ford truck several times causing damage totaling $934.40. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That night at 10:44, an officer was detailed to the McDonald’s restaurant in reference to a fight in progress. The report led to the arrest of three males of Salem for disorderly conduct. The 19, 20 and 22 year-old suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation ongoing.