Archive for 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. Kristen DeLuca from K. DeLuca Audit Services, LLC gave the aldermen a report on the city audit that showed that the city received an unmodified opinion that says the financial statements accurately reflect the financial position of the city. The audit shows the city finished the 2018 fiscal year with almost 26 million dollars in assets and a net equity position of over 15 million dollars. The audit showed a positive change in net position of $1,134,030 that includes a major investment ongoing with the sewer treatment plant, new sewer lines, the AMI system and more. Overall, the city is in very good financial condition. Public Works Director Mark Nash discussed with the alderman the bids for the 2006 Ford F-250 with Knapheide Truck Equipment and KRANZ Body LLC. Once the options were selected, the bid from Knapheide came in at $8,903 which came in about $195 less than the KRANZ bid. The board approved going with the Knapheide bid. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden reported the Salem Community Center@The Armory had 3,672 participants for the month of January. He went on to say that numerous requests for proposals are currently out including the AMI system, the old Middle School Property, and for security improvements at the Salem City Administration Building. Walden said the auditorium updates are still being done and citizens can purchase seats for $250 each. The city continues to work with Everything Cinema for the screen for the stage and the ceiling tile grid is in place. Walden said the city offices would be closed on February 18th for President’s Day, so the next Aldermen meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 19th. Walden also reported that he, Nuisance Officer Jared Brown and City Attorney William Camm Seay got together to discuss nuisance matters and to put together information for a public workshop to be held in the near future. The board approved the re-appointment of Joe Brand and Claire Underwood to the Salem Housing Authority Board to four-year terms beginning February 17th. The board could not discuss Bill #3407 that deals with the subdivision of the property at 5400 Ranch Motel Drive. There seems to be some confusion about the proper parcel description and what was actually recommended by the Salem Planning and Zoning Commission to the board. There was also some question as to what Tom Gollhofer originally requested and that will be reviewed before moving forward. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate.

The Spring Creek Artisans Hearts Day will be held this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon at the historic Bonebrake Center in Salem. The Artisans will be featuring the work of our newest artist, Sohia Delatt, and will feature the dulcimer music by Carol Spurlock. You will find unique handcrafted gifts at Heart’s Day! A wide variety of handmade items will be available from original paintings, wood carvings and turnings, pottery, baskets, fiber art, quilts, stained glass, wire wrapped jewelry, cards, metal sculpture, gourd art and Holiday items will be on sale. We will have beautiful and unique Valentines created by Upper Elementary Art Students on display. Come enjoy cookies and apple cider, while shopping. Register to win the door prize, a beautiful turned wooden bowl by Missouri Hands Artist Davis Spurlock. We have several new artists creating beautiful and original work. Come check it out Saturday at the Bonebrake Center starting at 9:00 AM!

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge was in to provide her report of economic activity this past month in Salem and in the county. She did mention the City of Salem has launched a new Facebook Page for city and community daily postings and reminders. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the budgeted transfers that need to be made to a number of funds that were already approved in the budget. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated that materials were going to be added and patch grading done on Dent County Roads 5410, 5520, 6400 and 6410. He said brush would be cut on county road 5600 and some patch grading will also be done on many Dent County Roads in the 2400’s. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated that materials would be added and patch grading done on county roads 2020, 2110 and 2530. Larson said crew members were working on brush cutter #6 and if they can get it working on time, they will cut brush on county road 2070. Larson reported work crews would be removing a tree that overhangs Dent County Road 2530. It is not blocking the road at this time, but does hang low. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles stated he attended the MRPC Day at the Capitol last Tuesday. He said the MRPC representatives had the chance to visit with numerous legislators about the MRPC legislative priorities. Skiles said there would be no commissioner meeting Thursday as the commissioners will be attending their mandatory training. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said those who are not registered and would like to vote in the April election will need to register by March 6th. She said February 19th would be the first day for absentee voting for the Municipal Election. Curley went on to report she was working on the county Financial Statement. Mary Beth Cook, Coordinator of the Dent County Community Foundation, came in to discuss the possibility of a supporter of the foundation using a couple of MRPC hours to secure their not-for-profit status. Commissioner Darrell Skiles was going to check with the MRPC before any vote was taken on allowing those hours to be used. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday, February 11th at 9:00 at the courthouse and that meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a number of reports. On Sunday, January 20th, deputies checked on a stranded motorist near the 100 block of Route Z. During the course of the investigation, a 28-year old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through Dent County. The male was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. On Tuesday, January 22nd, deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Hunt Street and 4thStreet. During the course of the traffic stop, a 40-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended. The male was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, fingerprinted, issued summons and released. On Thursday, January 24th, deputies traveled to the 100 block of Dent County Road 5460 for a report of a burglary. During the course of the investigation, a male subject fled on foot from the residence towards an open field. Several items including legal papers, $25.00 in US currency, a small Christmas village and an antique milk bottle were found to be stolen. This report is open and still under investigation. That same day, deputies traveled to the 2000 block of Highway 32 east for a report of a runaway juvenile. During the course of the investigation, the juvenile was located at a residence near the 100 block of County Road 4170. The juvenile was transported back to her residence. On Saturday, January 26th, deputies received a report of a van being stolen near the 100 block of County Road 4155. During the course of the investigation, the stolen vehicle was located on Dent County Road 4210. During the traffic stop with the stolen vehicle, a 45- year old Salem woman was arrested for stealing a motor vehicle, possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, operating motor vehicle on a highway without a valid license, and domestic assault 2nd degree. The female was transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office Jail and incarcerated. if anyone has any information about an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

There will be a Craft night this Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00 at Echo Bluff State Park. The craft at this workshop will be basket making. The workshop costs $25 and it covers all supplies. Call 844-322-3246 for information.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, Auditor Kristen DeLuca of K. Deluca Services, LLC will speak to the board regarding the 2018 fiscal year audit report for the city. Bids will be brought back to the board for their consideration of the purchase of a Utility Body for a 2006 F-250 due to an internal error regarding a misplaced bid and the lack of bid specs for comparison at the last meeting. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report on items concerning the city. In new and miscellaneous business, the Board will hear from Mayor Brad Nash as will bring to the board his recommendation of the appointment of Joe Brand and Claire Underwood to the Salem Housing Authority Board for four year terms. In a reading of bills and resolutions, the board will discuss Bill #3407 regarding Tom Gollhofer’s request to subdivide his property of 5400 Ranch Motel Drive into 4 parts. This has already been recommended by the Salem Planning and Zoning Commission. The board will then go into closed session to discuss real estate. The regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center board of trustees met Monday, January 28th at the Dent County Health Center. Administrator Kendra Mobray reported that incumbent Shirley Larson has filed for the open board seat that will be expiring in April. No other person filed for the open seat; therefore Larson will be unopposed for the four year term in the upcoming April election. Mobray also reported that Boyce & Bynum laboratories will soon become Quest Laboratories. Quest is unable to guarantee reduced pricing at this time. Health Procurement Services (HPS) contracts with Labcorp Laboratories and is able to provide labs at a lower cost than what Boyce and Bynum has provided to date. A motion was passed to enter into contract with HPS for lab services. Outpatient lab services were provided to 42 clients in the month of December. Mobray reported that there have been 32 confirmed cases of influenza reported in Dent County. The health department still has minimal flu vaccine available and will vaccinate patients on a walk-in basis until the supply is exhausted. Mobray reported the health center ended the fiscal year on December 31st with revenues over expenses of $36,855.51. The 2019 budget was presented to the board for review, and after much discussion, was approved. The next regular board meeting was set for February 25th.

An accident occurred Friday evening at 6:15 in Phelps County on Highway 63 five miles south of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2001 Buick LeSabre, driven by 50-year old Timothy Frayer of Rolla, was stopped waiting to make a left turn when a 1997 Dodge Truck, driven by 20-year old Brenton Daniel of Cabool, struck its rear end. A 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 36-year old Derrick Sherlock of Springfield, was passing by in the opposite lane when it was struck by flying debris. Frayer and a passenger in the Buick, his 17-year old daughter Cassandra Frayer, and Brenton Daniel all suffered minor injuries. Daniel refused treatment at the scene, and was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Both Timothy and Cassandra Frayer were transported by the Phelps County Ambulance to Phelps Health, and were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Silverado was driven from the scene, the Dodge was removed by a private party, and the Buick was towed by Ron Dishman’s Towing.