Archive for 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen regular meeting was held Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Julie Malone from the Salem Memorial District Hospital was in to request the closing of 4th Street on October 1st from noon to about 12:15 to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. The alderman suggested that instead of closing the streets on Tuesday, October 1st, the walk would have a police escort instead. Malone agreed to that and the alderman approved the request to hold the walk. The board approved the budgeted purchase of two Dodge Ram pickups for the building inspector and the nuisance officer for $22,407 each by a 3-1 vote. The board approved the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to allow the property at 600 North Main owned by Glen Sapaugh to be used for a used car lot to be operated by Jim Chafin. The board recommended that cars only be allowed on the western half of lots 17 and 18. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank the electric and street departments for the extra work on Friday in clearing trees from the roads and restoring power to virtually everyone in Salem. If you still don’t have power, please call 729-4117. Walden also remind citizens that when the electric goes out, do not open your refrigerator or freezer as they can keep food cool or cold for a long time before they warm up. Walden wanted to remind everyone that last Economic Development Strategic Plan Workshop will be this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room on 4th Street. He said the City Administrative Offices would be closed on September 2nd for Labor Day and the next meeting of the Board of Aldermen would be on Tuesday, September 3rd at 7:00. The board approved Bill #3427 that amended the ordinance for the firing off of fireworks in the city, approved Resolution #20-2019 that stated the city intended on seeking funding through the Community Development Block Grant for the Construction Trades and the new Cybersecurity Technology building. The board went on to approve Bill #21-2019 that would authorize Mayor Brad Nash to sign a contract between the city and Riverways Federal Credit Union for consulting services on their “Welcome Home Program“ for property improvement. The board did not act on Resolution #19-2019 that dealt with the policies and procedures for the hanger rental, hanger usage, fuel pricing and other airport policies. Further discussion between the Airport Board, Board of Aldermen members and Attorney William Camm Seay will be held before the resolution is reintroduced to the board. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police has released some reports. On Sunday morning, August 4th, shortly after midnight, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. An investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 44-year-old female of Salem for the possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Later that afternoon near 3:10, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of West Second Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. The investigation revealed a 21-year-old female of Salem was threatening and acting violent toward the residents. A further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for disorderly conduct and failure to obey a lawful order of a police officer. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday afternoon, August 5th at around 2:00, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a stolen debit card. That investigation revealed the victim received a notice that someone had attempted to use his card to make purchases and it was declined. The victim found that his card had been stolen. An officer went to the locations where the attempts to use the card were made and recovered video surveillance and identified the suspect. The investigation led to the arrest of a 21-year-old male of Salem for the fraudulent use of a credit card. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday morning, August 7th at around 9:46, an officer was dispatched to a traffic accident at the Dent County Health Center. The investigation of the crash revealed a 2001 Chevrolet Truck driven by a 57-year-old male of Salem had run into the Dent County Health building. A further investigation led to the arrest of the driver for driving while being intoxicated, driving while having his license revoked, driving without insurance and not having his vehicle licensed. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. No injuries were reported. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning. Mary Beth Cook was in to ask for a letter of support from the commissioners for the Salem R-80 High School construction trades program for the Missouri Workforce Training Initiative application and Community Development Block Grant application. The commissioners approved the request. In the road report, both commissioners reported they had crews out Friday removing downed trees and limbs from roads from the storm that morning. Doss Road was closed entirely by a downed tree that was removed and two pickup loads of limbs were removed from the courthouse square. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5525, 6250, 6255, 6380 and 6410. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 5015, 5150 and 5160. Purcell went on to say he would attend a South Central Community Action Agency meeting tonight in Winona. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3330, 3360 and 3370 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 2050. Larson also said brush would be cut on county roads 2240 and 2370 and a man would be going to Springfield for more oil for chip and seal road repairs. Chip and seal road overlays are to begin next Monday. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he attended Senator Roy Blunts’ Ag Conference at Sedalia last Thursday and the group heard from Blunt and Representatives Smith and Long. A lot of the discussion was on the Missouri River basin and the flooding there. There was also a discussion on rural broadband coverage and the Feral Hog issue. Skiles said he would be attending a State Emergency Management Agency meeting on Wednesday. Willis Stagner was in and said his son, Randall Stagner, is buying property around the Stagner Cemetery, which he would like to donate to the County as part of the Cemetery for parking. The Commission will contact their attorney for his input and get back to Mr. Stagner. The Commission voted to buy a new brush cutter per State bid. The John Deere 6110M Cab tractor cost is $81,160.60 and the 2019 Tiger BB22 Boom Mower cost is $58,810.60. The Commission will be seeking financing bids. The Commission will also be seeking bids for a new phone system for the Sheriff’s Department as no bids were previously received. Information and bid specs can be obtained by calling the Sheriff’s Department at 573-729-3241. Bids are due to County Clerk Curley’s office by 10:00 in the morning on Monday, September 9th. The Commission had a conference call with Katelyn Kurley of Standard & Poor’s Global regarding the bond ratings for the jail project. Everything looks strong and stable for the future. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday at the district administrative board room. A public tax hearing was held prior to the meeting. Superintendent John McColloch explained the tax rates proposed by the Salem R-80 School District, a political subdivision. He recommended a continuation of the state’s $2.75 minimum operating levy and a $0.45 debt service levy for a total tax rate of $3.20 for the district. The public hearing was then adjourned. In the regular meeting, Assistant Superintendent John Smith reported that 10 new teachers attended the New Tiger Training led by Kristen Stites and Christy Leathers. He also reported on the professional development days held for the staff on August 12th through the 14th. Enrollment numbers were provided by all the principals and William Lynch Elementary has an enrollment of 279 students while the Upper Elementary has an enrollment of 340 students to begin school. At the Middle School, a total of 246 are enrolled while at the Salem High School, there are 582 students enrolled. The board approved the 2018-2019 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, approved the 2019 tax rate established in the public hearing of $3.20 per $100 assessed valuation, approved the Dent County Development Preschool Lease in the amount of $12,600, and they approved the Transportation Agreement with First Student. After going in to closed session to discuss a personnel issue, the R-80 board adjourned.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be meeting tonight for a public tax hearing at 5:45 in the hospital library followed by the regular meeting at 6:00. The board will then hear a department director presentation before getting the summary of operations for the month of July from Monica Stogsdill. Debbie Hines will present the CNO report followed by a report on the hospital foundation. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will present the marketing and community perception report. In old business, the board will get updated on the hospital expansion and renovation projects before any new business is discussed. Both the public tax hearing and regular meeting are open to the public.

Salem City Administrator Ray Walden said the city would be holding special pickups for downed limbs this week for those homes affected by the high winds. Walden said the limbs need to be moved curbside for the city to remove them and they should be cut in lengths of no more than eight-foot, preferably smaller. They do not need to be bundled during this special pickup. The city will monitor the streets for limb pickups.

Two drownings occurred in our area Thursday and Saturday. The first drowning happened in Iron County on Big Creek near Annapolis Thursday afternoon at 1:15. According to the water patrol report, 35-year old Joey Bales of Annapolis, had attempted to swim to an underwater cave and did not resurface. The water patrol was assisted by the Iron County Sheriffs office. Bales was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:10 Thursday afternoon and his body was taken to the Iron County Coroner Morgue by the coroner. The second drowning happened Saturday afternoon at 3:08 in Crawford County on the Meramec River about three miles up river from Garrison’s Canoe Rental. According to the water patrol report, 37-year old Devon Mathews of St. Louis was swimming went he went underwater and did not resurface. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake at 4:33 Saturday afternoon. Mathews body was taken to the Hutson Funeral Home by the coroner. Neither of the swimmers that drown was wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 5:00 in Phelps County on Highway 72 about seven miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Nissan Xterra, driven westbound by 64-year old Dennis Kauffman of Salem, failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the left side of the roadway before going down an embankment, and striking a tree. Kauffman suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health. Two passengers in the vehicle also suffered minor injuries. They were 24-year old Timothy Coatney of Salem and 18-year old Raymond Wallace of Salem. They were both transported to Phelps Health. Kauffman and Coatney were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident while Wallace was not. The Nissan sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners Chairman Gary Brown has called for a public hearing and meeting for starting at 6:30 tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers, 202 North Washington. The purpose of the hearing and meeting is to consider a conditional use permit for a used car lot at 600 North Main Street. The permit has been requested by Jim Chafin of Chafin Auto Sales. Immediately following the Planning and Zoning hearing and meeting, the Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting at 7:00. The board will hear a request from Lisa DuLany of the Salem Hospital to close possibly three blocks of 4th Street around the Courthouse Square for a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 1st. The board will also hear bids for two pickups. One is for the building inspector and the other is for the animal control/nuisance officer. These are budgeted purchases. The board will hear the report from Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and meeting before City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report. The board will discuss Bill #3427 that will amend the current ordinance on events for firing fireworks, then hear Resolution 19-2019 that will adopt policies and procedures on hanger rental, hanger usage, fuel pricing and more for the Salem Municipal Airport. The board will also hear Resolution 20-2019 to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant for the Building Trades Program and the Cyber Security Training facilities at the Salem High School, before they hear Resolution 21-2019 that is a contract between the City of Salem and Riverways federal Credit Union Welcome Home Program consulting services. The board will go into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel before adjourning. The hearing and the meetings are all open to the public.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released information from court day on Tuesday, August 13th in front of Judge Kelly Parker. Curley reported that Michael Vice from Salem pled guilty to the Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class D Felony. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections. Curley also reported that Jerry Thompson of Salem pled guilty to a Class C Felony of Driving While Being Intoxicated, a chronic offender; and also a felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Thompson was sentenced to ten years in the Department of Corrections under the Revised State Statutes of Missouri Section 217.362. Curley went on to report that Dwan Estep of Salem had her probation revoked and was sentenced to serve 15 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state.