Archive for 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the Dent County Fire Station for a regular February meeting. Daniel Black of Black’s A-1 Septic was not able to make it to the meeting due to the weather and postponed addressing the board until the March 4th meeting. City Administrator Ray Walden presented a request from Wes Hester for some of the city hours that are allowed by the MRPC for use for grants or to assist organizations. This is to allow his public not-for-profit cybersecurity organization as recognized by the state of Missouri receive a 501 C 3 tax exempt status through the IRS. He has been working through the Dent County Community Foundation. The board agreed to allow three hours for his use. The board approved the bid from Central Tank Coatings from Elgin, Iowa of $246,500 to perform miscellaneous repairs to the water tower on Wines Street before stripping, blasting, cleaning and repainting the entire exterior and interior of the 150,000 gallon Horton Water Sphere water tank. This is a budgeted expense as the city set aside $266,450 for the project of which over $264,000 remained. After the consent agenda was approved, City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Gary Brown reported the commission approved the consent agenda that included minutes of the Planning and Zoning meetings of July 16th and January 22nd, and the Planning and Zoning Hearing of January 22nd. Brown said the commission then rescinded the previous motion from the last meeting as it was not correct. The commission discussed the subdivision of the tracts at 5400 West Scenic Rivers Blvd and there was concern about the property without having a copy of the Shirley R. Gollhofer Trust at the meeting. It was determined that the necessary paperwork needed to be at the next commission meeting before proceeding. The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was then adjourned. Administrator Walden reported the MRPC would be having a “Meramec Morning” at the Salem Community Center@The Armory on Wednesday, February 27th at 10:00 for people to congregate and find out the services available in their community and in the Meramec Region. This event is open to the public. Walden also said there would be a meeting held at the old Middle School Gym on Monday morning at 10:00 for a tour of the facility to determine the future of the site. The board postponed Bill 3408 that dealt with the subdivision of the property at 5400 West Scenic Rivers Blvd until the next meeting. They approved Resolution 4-2019 that allows Mayor Brad Nash to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Donald Maggi, Inc. for the installation of water lines on Park Street and along Highway 32 and Highway 72. The board also approved Resolution 5-2019 that allows Mayor Nash to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and Central Tank Coatings to do the work on the water tower on Wines Street. The board then went into closed session to discuss contracts and real estate.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Wednesday, February 6th deputies traveled to the 900 block of Dent County Road 5070 to search for a female with active warrants through Dent County. During the investigation a 49-year Salem female was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. On Saturday, February 9th, deputies traveled to the 2900 block of Highway 19 North for a report of a domestic incident. During the course of the investigation, deputies spoke to a 39-year old Salem male and a 31-year old Salem female. As a result of the investigation a Missouri 12 hour rule was issued and the female was transported away from the residence. If anyone has any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting at 6:00 Thursday evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch with a report on free and reduced lunch count, the January membership, the Agriculture Education Advisory Committee, an athletic update and annual performance report. The Board will review and approve all previous minutes and bills, approve the attendance report, approve the Food Service report, approve the substitute list, and approve Program Evaluations for Differentiated Instruction and the At Risk /Alternative Program. After the Principals’ Building Reports the Board will address new business including; approval of 2018-2019 School Calendar, consider MSBA 2018 D Policy Updates and consider Promethean Projector purchase. The Board will hear resignations and then adjourn and move into an executive session. The February regular monthly meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Salem Rotary Club will be holding their annual Pancake Day this Saturday from 7:00 until 11:00 in the morning at the Salem Middle School Cafeteria. This fundraising event is all-you-can-eat with the money raised going toward scholarships and community projects. Tickets are available from Rotary Club members or you can buy them at the door. The cost for adults is $6.00 and children are $3.00 each.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports for February 2nd. On that Saturday, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Brown Heating and Cooling on Highway 68. During the course of the traffic stop, a 26-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. Later that day, deputies traveled to the 500 block of Dent County Road 2590 for the report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance at the residence. During the course of the investigation, a 26-year-old Salem male was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s office for a 12 hour safe keep. Also on that Saturday, deputies received a report of a firearm being stolen from a residence on Dent County Road 2080. This report is still under investigation. Later that day, the Bunker Police Department contacted the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and requested deputies assist their officer with an harassment call near the 100 block of Dent County Road 5610. During the course of the investigation, a 34-year old Bunker male was arrested for the possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, and two counts of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The man was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and was released. If anyone has any information regarding any investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

The Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners of the City of Salem will meet at 6:30 Tuesday at the Dent County Fire Protection District Training Room, #2 North Main Street. After the call to order and roll call the consent agenda will be approved including minutes of the Planning and Zoning meeting of July 16th, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Public Hearing of January 22nd, 2019 and the Planning and Zoning meeting of January 22nd, 2019. In old business the Commission will discuss the subdivision of 5400 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard Tracts A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H and zone each tract accordingly. The meeting will then be adjourned.

An accident happened Friday morning at 11:55 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 6030 about 6 miles north of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Nissan 350Z driven northbound by 23-year old Melanie Fowler of Edgar Springs, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned before the Nissan came to rest. Fowler suffered minor injuries and was transported by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Fowler was wearing her seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.

An accident happened in Osage County on Highway 63 about 1500 feet south of Route E Friday afternoon at 12:44. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 GMC 1500 Pickup driven northbound by 76-year old Gabriel Baybe of Licking, lost control of the pickup causing the vehicle to cross the center line and collide with a 2007 Ford Escape driven southbound by 17-year old Sophia Cummins of Freeburg, and then collide with a 2018 Toyota Rav4 driven southbound by 70-year old Leora Counts of Vichy. Baybe suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Osage County Ambulance to the Capital Region Medical Center. Counts suffered minor injuries while her husband, 72-year old Junior Counts, suffered moderate injuruies. They were both taken by the Osage County EMS to University Hospital. The GMC and Ford Escape were both totaled in the accident and were removed by Owen’s Towing, while the Toyota sustained moderate damages and was removed by 4J’s Towing. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened in Phelps County Friday afternoon at 1:10 on Interstate 44 near the 185 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Chevy Cobalt driven westbound by 21-year old Ashley Fairley of Rolla, began to slide and turned eastbound into the westbound lane where the Cobalt was struck by a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze driven westbound by 26-year old Marguerite Jones of Rolla. Fairley suffered minor injuries and was transported by the Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage in the accident. The Cobalt was towed by Dishman’s Towing while the Cruze was driven from the scene. Everyone involved was wearing their seat restraint.