Archive for 2019

This Saturday will be the Community Wide Yard Sale in Salem as yard sales will be occurring all over town and out in the county. Maps for the location of local yard sales will be available at the city administration building and the Visitor’s Center. A central sale location will be held at the city administration building on Saturday. You can still reserve a space on the city parking lot at 4th and Iron Street for $8.00 per space by calling 729-4811. Those spaces are reserved on a first come, first serve basis. A list of the reserved spaces with names will be taped to the building door the morning of the City Wide Yard Sale. Don’t forget that the following two weeks in the City of Salem will be the Spring Clean-Up Weeks where an unlimited amount of trash can be placed curb side to be picked up including refrigerators, washers, dryers, and more. Remember, tires, car batteries, oil and paint cannot be picked up. If anyone has questions about what can be or cannot be picked up, they are welcome to contact WCA.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages homeowners and landscapers to avoid planting Callery pear trees this spring. Though these trees bear beautiful white flowers in the springtime, looks can be deceiving. The Callery pear tree is often found for sale as Bradford pear, Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze, or Aristocrat. It is a highly invasive species that multiplies quickly, flourishes in a variety of poor growing conditions, and reduces biodiversity by crowding out native Missouri plants. The trees were introduced as ornamental landscape trees in the 1960s and became popular because they were inexpensive, grew relatively fast, and provided beautiful blooms. However, the species has since become notorious for its poor branch structure, cross pollination problems, and that stinky smell. Forestry Field Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah says that the different varieties of these ornamental pear trees were planted close to each other, which allowed them to cross pollinate and take over natural areas. But they’re also a poor landscaping choice because they don’t do well in storms, often losing limbs or splitting apart. MDC urges Missourians to remove pear trees and plant native trees instead. Hinnah continued, the best plan is to select species native to Missouri and there are several great options. Serviceberry trees produce similar showy white blooms in the spring and have small red fruits that attract wildlife. Other great alternatives include American plum, hawthorn, eastern redbud and Missouri’s state tree, the flowering dogwood. Hawthorns provide bountiful fruit and attractive fall color. Dogwoods thrive in shady areas but can be difficult to grow. To learn about native trees for landscaping, planting tips, backyard tree care and more, visit mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/tree-care.

Come to Echo Bluff State Park for a Dark Sky Astronomy Program this Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30. Everyone can meet on the “Sky Porch” at Bluff Top Pavilion parking lot. The Dent County Astronomers will have their scopes set up and ready to view constellations and the Milky Way. Learn about how light pollution obstructs our view of the sky in cities and towns around the world and what we can do to keep our skies dark. Be sure to dress for the weather as it can still get chilly this time of year. This event is free and open to the public. Echo Bluff State Park is located on Highway 19 about 25 miles south of Salem and approximately 14 miles north of Eminence. For more information about this and other events at the park call 573-751-1224.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Saturday afternoon, April 20th at about 1:50, an officer was dispatched to the area of Third and Henderson Streets in reference to damage to a vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke the rear door glass valued at $200.00 on a blue 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The report is under investigation. On Sunday night, April 21st at about 7:59 in the morning, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1800 block of South Oak in reference to an assault. That investigation revealed a 22-year-old male of Salem has assaulted a 20-year-old female of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for domestic assault, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and property damage. He was incarcerated pending an application for warrants. On Monday, April 22nd near 5:00 in the afternoon, an officer transported a 40-year-old male of Cape Girardeau to the Osage Beach Center for Cognitive Disorders on a mental commitment order. On Tuesday, April 23rd at about 3:00 in the afternoon, an officer transported a 40-year-old male of Salem from the Pulaski County Jail to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated pending a court appearance on an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge invites the public to the fourth economic development strategic planning workshop at the Community Center@the Armory in the main meeting room starting at 5:30 and lasting until 7:00 on Thursday, May 2nd. The topics at this meeting will include gateways and signage assessments as well as residential housing and development, plus any additional discussion on the first 12 sections that have already been addressed. Anyone wishing to review the draft document in advance of the meeting which is highly recommended may review and download the document at www.grosalem.com/economic.html or pick up a copy at the City Administration Building, 400 N. Iron St., Salem, MO. Basic refreshments will be served at the meeting.

The Current River State Park will host a special summer kick-off event this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon to help people get ready for making the most of the season. During the summer kick-off event, participants can meet local vendors and outdoor enthusiasts who can help them discover the many different ways they can create outdoor adventure and make memories in and around the park. There will be many adventurous activities to experience including hiking a trail, kayaking or fishing on the lake, learning about archery and shooting a bow. The Current River State Park is located on Highway 19, about 23 miles south of Salem, and approximately 15 miles north of Eminence. For more information about this and other events at the park call 573-751-1224.

Camping forms for livestock exhibitors will be available on the State Fair website starting at 9:00 this morning. Please note that the State Fair website typically experiences very high traffic volume on the morning the livestock exhibitor camping forms go live. State Fair staff is working with our webmaster and site host to be diligent in our efforts to accommodate the hits that the site often experiences during this time. We appreciate your patience and understanding should any situations arise. If you have questions about the status of your camping form after you have submitted it, please email campgrounds@mda.mo.gov. These reserved exhibitor campsites will open Sunday, August 4th. They are only available for livestock exhibitors, commercial vendors and persons with disabilities. Complete camping rules and more information are available on the Fair’s website.

Missourians can experience fun, family-friendly activities throughout the state park system during the month of May in celebration of Kids to Parks Day. Organized by the National Parks Trust, Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide celebration of the great outdoors and is designed to connect kids and families with their local, state and national parks and public lands. By discovering and exploring parks and public lands, kids across the country can learn about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and the history of our country. Typically, Kids to Parks Day is one day in May. The official day this year is May 18. However, this year, as a way to ensure everyone can participate in this nationwide movement, the National Park Trust is expanding their efforts and including any event in May that invites children and families to get outdoors. Kids to Parks Day events being held in state park are located at parktrust.org/kids-to-parks-day/. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4210, 5600 and 5615. He said grading would be done county roads 6540, 6550 and 6670 while materials would be added to county road 5460. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2120, 2520, 2570 and 4430. Larson said only materials would be added to county road 4437 while brush will be cut on Dent County Roads 3140 and 3150. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley presented the lease/purchase agreement from Town and Country Bank for 2.84% for three years for the 2019 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab bought on the state bid from Don Brown Chevrolet for the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. The state bid price for the 2019 Silverado is $32,945. The commissioners all signed the lease/purchase agreement. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An estimated 350 black bears call southern Missouri home, and as the spring season gets underway, these magnificent mammals leave their winter dens in search of food. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reminding Missourians to be proactive and “Be Bear Aware.” MDC Resource Scientist and Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee said it is imperative that residents remove bear attractants from their property, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste. Conlee noted that intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous as it makes the bears comfortable around people. It can also lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for a meal. Food is usually a bear’s main motivator, but that also means it can be a main source of conflict. MDC offers the following tips to avoid attracting black bears to possible food sources: Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container until trash pick-up day. Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside. Don’t leave pet food outside. Feed pets a portion at each meal and remove the empty containers. Refrain from using bird feeders in bear country from April through November. If in use, hang them at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from any structure. Keep in mind that even if a bear cannot get to the birdseed, the scent could still attract it to the area. Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources. Keep campsites clean and store all food, toiletries and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. Do not keep food or toiletries in a tent, and do not burn or bury garbage or food waste. While black bears are generally a shy, non-aggressive species and bear attacks are rare, follow these tips when outdoors in bear country: Make noise, such as clapping, singing or talking loudly, while hiking to prevent surprising a bear. Travel in a group if possible. Keep dogs leashed. Be aware of the surroundings. If there is evidence of a bear, such as tracks or scat, avoid the area. Leave bears alone! Do not approach them, and make sure they have an escape route. The American black bear is the only species that resides in Missouri and is one of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri, some reaching up to 500 pounds. MDC research shows most of the black bear population resides in the southern third of the state in the Missouri Ozarks, but Missouri’s population is growing and bears are moving into areas north of Interstate 44. Black bears are currently a protected species in Missouri. MDC asks the public to report bear sightings and post photos online at mdc.mo.gov/reportbears. The online report helps MDC staff obtain complete and accurate information. Sightings reported by the public allow MDC to track expansion of the black bear population and respond to nuisance issues.

The Salem Upper Elementary School will hold their 32nd Annual Serendipity on Thursday, May 2nd where the students will be introduced to a number of different interests, activities, hobbies, jobs, trades, crafts, skills and more in a fun environment from professionals and enthusiasts. This community event involves numerous volunteers that include emergency responders, teachers, businesses, different sports, hobbyists, artists as well as people from the US Armed Forces, Department of Conservation, Salem Memorial District Hospital, US Forest Service and many others. Serendipity, the gift of finding value in things not sought for, allows each student to attend three, 50-minute activity sessions of their choice. Serendipity, created by Anne Rouse and Becky Mitchell, won the Success Link Award in 1999.

The Salem Public Library is accepting photo submissions for the “A Universe of Stories” Teen Photography Contest between May 1st and June 7th. You can visit the library at 403 N. Jackson or call 729-4331 for more information. Details about the contest are also available on the library’s Facebook page.