Archive for 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers for their regular meeting at 7:00. In the hearing of persons First Baptist Church is requesting to have a Fireworks Show on Saturday, October 5th, at 7:30 p.m. for their Fall Fest Spectacular. Included will be a request for partial closure of West First Street and North Grand. Ms. Arlene Martin wants to discuss what can be done about water standing in her yard at 604 South Sligo. Mayor Nash will call for a Public Hearing in order to discuss the setting of the property tax rate for 2019. No votes are to be taken. The board will hear bids for a 2019 Dodge Charger for the police department. Bids will be reviewed for the Tap Grant Project, which is the sidewalk project from the High School to inside the City Park. After the consent agenda, the board will hear City Administrator Ray Walden’s report which will include setting a date for a nuisance workshop that will be open to the public. In the Introduction and Reading of Bills and Resolutions, the board will discuss Bill #3425 that creates an ordinance to levy for the year 2019 a tax of .6522 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Discussion will also be held on Bill #3426 that creates an ordinance to authorize the Mayor to execute a State Block Grant agreement between the City of Salem and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. In new and miscellaneous business Chief Steelman is requesting permission to seek a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) for basic law enforcement safety equipment for officers in the Amount of $9,999.00. The board will also consider approval of the Park Street Trailer Park License Application The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel. The meeting of the city of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

Registration will be held starting today at the Salem schools. At the Salem Upper Elementary, new and current students can register from 9:00 to 3:30 today through Wednesday, August 7th. For more information, call 729-4812. At the Salem Middle School, students who are new to the area and have not been registered in any Salem school district in grades 6 through 8 may register on Monday, August 5th. All students can register on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 6th through the 8th, and on Friday, August 9th. All 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will enroll in the Cafeteria of the Middle School building and a parent or guardian must attend and complete the necessary required enrollment forms and paperwork. For more information, call 729-4261. At the Salem Senior High, seniors will register on Monday, August 5th from 1:00 – 5:00 PM; juniors will register Tuesday, August 6th from 1:00 – 5:00 PM; sophomores will register from 1:00 – 5:00 PM Wednesday, August 7th and freshman will register Thursday, August 8th from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. On Friday, August 9th, anyone who missed registration can register from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. For more information about registration, call the Salem Senior High School at 729-6641. Don’t forget your vaccinations must be up to date before you can register your child. Contact the Dent County Health Center if you have questions about which vaccinations are required for each grade level at 729-3106.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports in July. On Thursday morning, July 25th at about 11:35, an officer located a 32-year-old female of Rolla near Grand and Butler who had three active arrest warrants from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 32-year-old male of Springfield for stealing merchandise valued at $43.85. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same evening at about 11:32, an officer was dispatched to Rolla Road and Macarthur in reference to a suspicious person. That investigation lead to the arrest of a 40 year-old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Camden County. The suspect was incarcerated pending extradition. On Saturday evening July 27th, at approximately 6:03, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to trespassing. A 30-year-old male of Salem was on Wal-Mart property after having been issued a no trespass notice. The suspect was taken into custody for trespassing, issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

A Salem man has won a $1 Million Scratchers Prize. Jerry Armer got a huge surprise and a new reason to celebrate after he stopped to buy a lottery ticket on his 10th wedding anniversary. The Salem man uncovered a $1 million top prize on a Missouri Lottery“50X The Cash” Scratchers game. Armer said, “I didn’t believe it at first. I had to take it back into the store and scan it there.” “And then he called me,” his wife added. “I thought he was just calling me to wish me a happy anniversary! I didn’t believe him either. He had to send me a picture of it. When I got off the phone, I just screamed to my son that we’d won!” Armer Said, “I still can’t believe it. This was my first big win.” Armer purchased the $10 Scratchers ticket at Phil-Mart in Salem.

The Dent County Commission met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that he was a crewman short and that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5170, 5180, 5650 and 4235 if time permitted. He went on to report that materials would be added to county roads 5680 and 5650, plus brush would be cut on county roads 6180 and 4220. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5280, 5300, 5320 and 4405 if there was adequate time. He said that brush would be cut on county road 2080 and two men were working on Loader #3. Larson also reported that two men were patching chip and seal at various locations in preparation for the application of the overlay plus a man was screening brown rock at the Road and Bridge Department. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that on Tuesday he attended the IDA meeting where information was presented about a possible program to improve sub-standard housing in Salem. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley noted that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Commissioner Purcell excused himself from the meeting to go to St. James where he was to meet with Kelly Sink-Blair of MRPC and Kelly Witsett with the Forest Service concerning an application for funds through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for replacement of the Cooley Bridge. Dwight Ramsburg and Nick Smith were in at 11:00 with a Jail Project update. At Monday’s meeting County Collector Shannon Vankirk was in to discuss a letter from the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley regarding the postponement of property taxes for 2019 for the Timber Industries, Inc. property pending a review of the hazardous material inquiry. Tina Whitaker, Dent County Assessor was in and gave her notice that she will retire December 31st, 2019. The next regular meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A teenager from St. Peters was injured on at about 2:20 in the Meramec River about two and a half miles upstream from the Blue Springs Ranch in Crawford County on Saturday afternoon July 27th. According to the highway patrol report, 13-year old Carrie Stalf of St. Peters was swimming in the river and surfaced in front of a 2008 Blazer boat being operated by Shawn Petty of Salem that was headed up river. Stalf suffered minor injuries and was taken by a personal vehicle to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan for treatment. The swimmer was not wearing a flotation device.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Sunday morning, July 21st at about 10:24, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft from a vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown entered a red 2006 Chevrolet truck parked near the 400 block of North Henderson and took $80.00 in cash. The report is under investigation. That night at approximately 7:30, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report revealed a 29-year-old female of Salem had taken several items valued at $52.48 without paying for them. The report is under investigation. Later that same evening at 11:55,
an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of North Jackson in reference to a fight in progress. That investigation led to the arrest of a 31-year-old male of Salem on an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem and a 25-year-old male of Salem for the possession of drug paraphernalia and on an active arrest warrant from Cuba, Missouri. The two suspects were incarcerated on the warrants and the 25-year-old suspect was issued a summons to appear in court for possession of drug paraphernalia. On Monday morning, July 22nd at 10:46, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or psersons unknown took a weed trimmer valued at $129.99 from the porch of a residence in the 600 block of East Third. The report is under investigation. Later Monday afternoon at 1:38, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 33-year-old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $12.88. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have any information about an ongoing investigation.

The State of Missouri will hold its annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday today through this Sunday night at midnight. During this time period, certain back-to-school items will be exempt from the 4.225 percent state sales tax. These items qualify for the sales tax-free weekend: clothing with a taxable value of $100 or less, school supplies that do not exceed $50 per purchase, computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less, personal computers that do not exceed $1,500, computer peripheral devices that do not exceed $1,500 and graphing calculators that do not to exceed $150. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Salem and Rolla did not opt of the sales tax holiday, nor did Dent County. Phelps County did opt out and their county sales tax will be collected. The tax-free weekend was first offered in 2004 to make shopping for school supplies a little easier on the budget.

Victor Baptist Church in Anutt will be having a FREE Back to School Giveaway today from 3:00 to 7:00 and tomorrow from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM. You can pickup school supplies, clothing for all seasons, household items, small appliances, books, games, toys and more. There are no qualifiers, everyone is welcome and everything is FREE!

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundation’s “Wings and Strings” Music Festival will be held at the Commons Saturday, August 3rd with the gates opening at 11:00. The event is sponsored by the SMDH Foundation and JB Malone’s Bar and Grill. All proceeds go to the SMDH Foundation which provides needed capital equipment for the Hospital. The wing-off competition will be starting at 12:00 noon with judging at 1:00 with the winners being announced at 2:00. Those interested in the wing-off can find sign up forms and rules at www.smdh.net. The 1st place winner gets $300 and 2nd place winner will take home $200, while the People’s Choice Award will receive $100. There will be a Cornhole Tournament that begins at 1:00 and teams can sign up as late as 12:30 Saturday afternoon. The band performances start at about 2:00 with Hunter Hathcoat will perform around 2:00, followed by Colin Nash at about 4:00. The evening performances will include Jake Stringer near 6:00, while Porter Union will wrap up the night starting at about 8:00. In addition there will be lots of concessions including snow cones and ice cream, plus food trucks. Admission is $15 for adults, children 7-12 will be $8.00 and kids 6 and under are free. There will bounce houses, face painting and other activities for the kids. For more information about Wings and Strings contact Jason Edwards at 573-729-5917 extension 2110 or you can e-mail him at jedwards@smdh.net.

Get ready for the new school year with the Annual Back to School Fair Saturday, August 10th, at the Community Center at The Armory. The event will be held from 10:00 until 2:00 for preschoolers through the 12th grade. The Back to School Fair is a partnership of community organizations, businesses and resources. Missouri Child Identification Program (MoCHIP) representatives will be on hand providing free child ID kits. Children will also receive haircuts, socks, shoes and underwear. Children must be pre-registered with the South Central Community Action Agency before the event and parents can register their child or children by contacting Sarah Richmond-Arnett at the office at 1405 S. Wines Street now through August 10th. If your business or community group would be interested in participating in the fair you should contact the Sarah at 573-739-3500, extension 10, or by email at sgivens@scmcaa.org.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a report from Friday, July 19th. Dent County Deputies were on routine patrol on Dent County Road 5010 when they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle. However, the vehicle began to travel at a high rate of speed towards Salem. Deputies caught up to the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at the Casey’s General Store on East Highway 32. During the course of the traffic stop, it was discovered that a female had fled from the vehicle before deputies caught up to it. Deputies then traveled to the intersection of Doss Road and East Roosevelt Street. During the course of the investigation, a 26-year-old Salem woman was located and arrested for an active arrest warrant through Crawford County. The female was later transported to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Also arrested during the incident was a 34-year-old Salem man for driving while having a revoked or suspended license, a second or subsequent offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued summons and released. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Saturday morning, July 20th, at approximately 2:54 an officer located a 27-year-old female of Salem in the 500 block of East Dent who had active arrest warrants from O’Fallon and St. Charles County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrants and incarcerated pending extradition. That night at about 8:27, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report revealed a 30- year-old female of Rolla stole merchandise valued at $79.79 and fled the store. The report is under investigation. Minutes later at approximately 9:15, an officer was dispatched to the Casey’s General Store on Highway 19 in reference to someone trying to start a fight with an employee. That investigation led to the arrest of a 39-year-old female of Salem for disorderly conduct. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Still later that night at approximately 11:10, an officer transported a 23-year-old female of Licking from Texas County to Dent County due to an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The Dent County Fire Protection District will hold a Tax levy hearing at the regular scheduled meeting August 6th starting at 6:00 at the Dent County District Fire Station located at #2 South Main. This hearing will be open to the public. The current tax rate of the fire district is .2338% per $100 assessed valuation.