Archive for 2018

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening in the city hall council chambers. The board approved the request from Randy League from the Midwest Blue Oval Car Club to close the streets around the courthouse square for the Current River Blue Oval Rally that will be held September 8th. The board postponed a decision on a copier for the police department until Chief Keith Steelman finds out more information on the buyout on the current machine. After the consent agenda was approved, the board heard from City Attorney William Camm Seay about creating a subdivision at 400, 402, 500 and 502 North Water that would be on the back side of the new county jail project. The city approved the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation on the city property on Water Street. The board also heard from Phillip Karr from a citizens group working to renovate the Salem City Hall Auditorium. They would like to replace the old seating in the balcony with larger seats and install fixed seating on the current floor that would be paid for through donations and funds raised through grants. The board approved to move forward with the idea of fixed seating and other renovations. Alderman Chad Heithold reported on the Utility Committee meeting held prior to the regular meeting where they worked on setting the utility rates for the next fiscal year. With the scheduled work to be done on the new projects on Highway 32 and complying with the new DNR requirements, the board recommended for budgeting purposes to recommend new water rates of $5.39 per every 1,000 gallons, up from the current rate of $3.88 per every 1,000 gallons. The recommended sewer rate increase went to $5.56 per 1,000 gallons up from the current rate of $3.93 per every 1,000 gallons. For the average Salem household, there would be an increase of about $7.57 per month for water and $8.65 per month for sewer. Also, they recommended the “out of the city” water and sewer customer increase be proportional to the “in the city” utility customer increase. Street Superintendent Gary Glenn reported on the fuel pump at the airport and that the card reader is not working and there will be someone here to repair it this week. The board approved the annexation of the Al Brown Fields into the city limits, and they also approved issuing trailer court licenses to the Finest Place on East Truman who is in compliance, and the Layman Mobile Court on North Pershing after they correct a few minor violations where they will then be in compliance. The Park Street Trailer Court has not yet submitted their application for the next fiscal year and is not in compliance. The meeting was then adjourned.

Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock wants to remind anyone who still has delinquent real estate taxes from 2015 that you will need to pay them IN FULL by Friday, June 29th during regular business hours from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon. If you fail to do so, then on July 1st, the taxes from 2015, 2016 and 2017 will be declared due by August 24th, 2018. If not paid by then, your parcel will be sold at the Delinquent Tax Sale that will be held August 28th, 2017. Check payments will no longer be accepted so you will need to pay with cash, cashier’s check, money order, debit or credit card. If you are not sure this applies to you or you do not understand how the system works, you need to call the Dent County Collector’s Office immediately so that it can be explained to you. This is very important so do not put it off any longer. Call the Dent County Collectors Office at 573-729-3911 with any questions you may have or stop by the Dent County Courthouse. Also, after July 1st, there will be an additional $25 per parcel added to the tax bill to pay for advertising costs in the Salem News. Remember, only the taxes for 2015 need to be paid IN FULL by Friday, June 29th to give you another whole year to pay the other outstanding years.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will present the Independence Day Parade through downtown Salem on Wednesday, July 4th starting at 6:00 in the evening. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the American Dream.” Those businesses, churches or organizations wishing to be a part of the parade with a float, vehicle, walking delegation, classic car, tractor, or other representative method, need to fill out an entry form from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce office and submit it by June 29th to the chamber office by stopping by 200 South Main Street, sending it in by fax to 729-6741 or by e-mailing the form to chamber@salemmo.com. The parade route will be from the Southwest Baptist University Salem campus at the corner of South Grand and West Franklin to the Dent County Courthouse on the square, downtown. All entries should be at the lineup location by 5:30. If you have questions or need more information about the Independence Day Parade in Salem, call the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 729-6900, drop by 200 South Main Street or e-mail chamber@salemmo.com.

An accident happened Monday morning at 11:50 in Phelps County on Highway M three miles west of Edgar Springs. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2003 Suzuki 1000, driven by 55 year-old Randy Mace of Edgar Springs, was westbound when the Suzuki struck a deer in the roadway causing Mace to loose control and crash. Mace suffered serious injuries and was flown by Arch Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that Mace was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Suzuki was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Randy League from the Midwest Blue Oval Club requested to the use the courthouse lawn and courthouse square for the upcoming Current River Blue Oval Rally to be held on September 8th and the commissioners approved. They also heard from John McIntyre from the Adams Subdivision who wanted to thank the commission for starting the ditch work on the roads in the subdivision. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported to the commissioners the disbursements from the School Savings Account that is funded by penalties, fines and forfeitures. Those funds are reported to DESE by the clerks’ office upon disbursement which this year totaled $82,594.83 for Salem R-80, $12,298.42 for Oak Hill R-1, $21,742.77 for Green Forest R-2, $26,758.98 for Dent-Phelps R-3, $22,209.76 for Northwood R-4, $3,027.05 for Iron County C-4 and $4,341.64 for Bunker R-3 School District. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 5690 and crews will also be replacing five driveway culverts and adding materials on Dent County Road 4170. He said he would be attending a South Central Community Action Agency meeting today in Winona. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2070, 2075, 2510, 2530 and 4300. He also said brush would be cut on county road 2300 in preparation for the Summer Festival at The Commons, and materials would be added to county road 2630. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday and reported one bridge is now finished on Route F and the Dry Creek bridge is now closed to be replaced near Green Forest R-2. He also said MoDOT engineer Preston Cramer said the Highway 32 resurface with microseal has some rough areas that the contractor is going to have to repair. At the MRPC Board meeting, Skiles said the board approved the budget and the new dues structure for the next year for the cities and counties in the district. Skiles also said a webinar on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program will be held on Monday, June 25th at 2:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting for the August Primary would begin June 26th and the last day to register will be July 11th. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports. On Friday, June 8th, deputies investigated a domestic assault that had occurred the previous day. After the investigation, a 39-year old Licking man was arrested for Domestic Assault in the 3rd Degree and Harassment in the 1st Degree. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Monday, June 11th, deputies were tasked with investigating a report of checks being forged. It was reported that several checks were forged and used at three local businesses. This report is still under investigation. Later that same day, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 6690. The driver, a 32-year old Salem woman, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. She was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. On Tuesday, June 12th, deputies assisted the Missouri State Highway Patrol with a safety check at the intersection of Highway C and Highway H in enox. During the check, a 54-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked, possession of marijuana, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. On Wednesday, June 13th, deputies received a report for a theft from a residence in the 2000 block of Highway 19 North. It was reported that a ring had been taken from inside their house. This report is still under investigation. On Thursday, June 14th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dent County 4170. The driver, a 30-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license suspended. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 11:34 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 3120 just to the east of Phelps County Road 3110. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 1978 Honda Express, driven by 62-year old David Hilman of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway, then retuned to the roadway and overturned. The report stated that Hilman was not wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. He suffered moderate injuries and was transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by the owner.

An accident happened Monday morning at 11:50 in Phelps County on Route M about three miles west of Edgar Springs. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2003 Suzuki 1000, driven by 55- year old Randy Mace of Edgar Springs, was westbound when the Suzuki struck a deer in the roadway causing Mace to loose control and crash. Mace suffered serious injuries and was flown by Arch Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that Mace was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Suzuki was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

Saturday night in downtown Salem, 4th Street was full of people at this year’s “Moonlight Madness” to hear featured singer, Mo Pitney. He did not let the crown down playing a number of songs from his new album, classics from Merle Haggard, Roger Miller and Keith Whitley as well as songs from his current album including his top ten single, “Country.” The day was full of music from a number of talented acts and a number of vendors lined 4th Street selling everything from kettle corn to ice cream, pulled pork, lit balloons and more. Congratulations to the Dent County Music Association for a fine lineup at this year’s event!

A St. James man, 44-year old Leaman George Crews, III, surrendered Friday morning in federal court to an indictment charging him with five counts of wire fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud Brewer Science Incorporated of Rolla, Missouri who employed him. The indictment alleges that between May 2nd, 2008 and August 11th, 2017, Crews was employed as the Director of Information Systems for Brewer Science. He was given a Brewer Science credit card to order software equipment on behalf of the company. Instead of purchasing software and computer equipment for the company, Crews used the credit card to fund over one thousand wire transfers to various PayPal and bank accounts. Crews ultimately used the funds for personal expenditures unrelated to the legitimate BSI business, including cash withdrawals and personal credit card purchases. The total amount of loss is approximately $1,851,520. If convicted, Crews faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000 or both on each count. Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. To help vindicate the interests of the victim, the government has also sought forfeiture of real estate Crews purchased with the proceeds of his crime and a money judgment for all of money stolen in favor of the United States. This case was investigated by the Rolla division of the FBI. Lindsay McClure-Hartman is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office recognizes the assistance of Brewer Science in preparing the case. The charges set forth in an indictment are only accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Salem Board of Alderman will hold their regular meeting this evening at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers following a Utility Committee meeting that begins at 6:00 in the council chambers. At the Utility Committee meeting, the committee will review the utility financials to date before discussing the anticipated utility expenses for the 2018-2019 year and any needed rate adjustments to cover those expenses. At the Board of Alderman meeting, Randy League from the Current River Blue Oval Rally will be in to ask for the street closure around the courthouse for their annual event to be held September 8th. The board will then hear bids for a new copier with a five-year lease before going over the consent agenda. In unfinished business, the board will hear a report from the Planning and Zoning Commission from their June 4th meeting that was not reported to the board. This was concerning the subdivision of 400, 402, 500 and 502 North Water Street. City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report that will include an update from Phillip Karr from the City Auditorium Committee who will request approval to repair the fixed seating in the auditorium. Alderman Chad Heithold, chairman of the Utility Committee, will also give a report from the meeting held before the alderman meeting. Mayor Brad Nash will follow with his report. In the introduction and reading of bills, the board will hear Bill #3390 to create an ordinance to annex into the city limits the Al Brown Fields. The board will also approve the annual submission of trailer court licenses before the meeting is adjourned. The Utility Committee meeting and the Board of Aldermen meeting are both open to the public.

The replacement of the Route F bridge over Holt Creek southwest of Salem in Dent County is complete. The bridge and road opened on Thursday, June 14th. While that bridge south of Highway 32 has now been opened, the Route F bridge over Dry Fork is now closed, for a similar replacement. That bridge, located north of Route E, will remain closed until early September, with detours set up to guide motorists around the work area. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorists during the road closure. For more information about these projects or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their June meeting Tuesday night in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda, will be the approval of the minutes from the May 22nd meeting. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will present the summary of operations and statistics, plus discuss the hospital foundation and give an update on the auxiliary and community marketing. In old business the Board will address a finance committee meeting report. During new business the Board will address purchases made for the hospital and the election of officers scheduled for the July meeting. The regular June meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.