Archive for 2021

An accident happened early Tuesday morning just before 12:30 in Crawford County at 324 Long Spring Road. According to the report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol a 2001 Ford Focus being driven by 20-year-old Katie Wilson of Steelville was being pursued when she traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Wilson suffered minor injuries and was evaluated at the scene by personnel from the Steelville ambulance district and she was released. According to the highway patrol arrest report, Wilson was charged with a misdemeanor for resisting arrest, possession of marijuana of 10-grams or less, possession of drug paraphernalia, exceeding the posted speed limit by 26-miles per hour or more, failure to drive on the right half of the roadway and failure to maintain financial responsibility. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles & Sons Towing. The report stated that Wilson was wearing a safety restraint.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening for their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Kim Steelman was not present so Board President Kevin James presided. After the consent agenda was approved, the board approved Resolution 29-2021 to allow the mayor to sign the contract with Cintas for the uniform rental service for city employees. In reports, City Administrator Ray Walden said members of the city attended the MRPC Annual Volunteer Awards Banquet and Dinner last Thursday where Joe Brand was saluted for volunteering on numerous committees, volunteering with AARP for tax preparation and more. Walden said the city appreciates all Mr. Brand has done and continues to do in the community. Walden stated the Salem Water and Sewer Department has been recognized as one of the top five in the state by the Missouri Rural Water Association. He said the city administration staff is working with the auditor to complete the fiscal year audits. Walden said Healthy Dent County is still recruiting families for the Project Rise program. To find out the requirements for a family to qualify for the program, call 729-8163. Walden said the Project Rise information as well as a survey to find out if people want the pre-pay option for their utilities will be included with the next utility bills. Public Works Director Mark Nash said a sewer main was crushed at the Dent County Jail and has been repaired, and the street department is patching the areas that had water mains repaired a few weeks back. He said the fire hydrants are being flushed on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are being checked at that time. He also said the electric department is looking at removing some C.T. monitoring as the new meters can handle larger loads. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Sally Burbridge said the city is ready for the clearing of the certified site out at the industrial park. She did a final check with fish and wildlife to make sure the city can now go out for bids on the timber and clearing. She has not yet heard back. She also reported she has been updating a lot of the city’s economic development pages on the website. In the alderman reports, Alderman Greg Parker said Waste Management picked up 79 tons of extra trash during the Fall Cleanup Week. He also wanted to thank all the city employees for the job they do. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack gave a report on the Utility Committee meeting last week. With Christmas falling on Saturday and Christmas Eve already a city holiday, the board approved after a city employee survey, to also close the city offices on Thursday, December 23rd. The swearing in of City Clerk Tammy Koller was tabled for the next meeting. The board then went into closed session.

Halloween isn’t just for children. Many adults enjoy dressing up and visiting haunted houses or attending gatherings of friends. If you are driving to a costume party, make sure your costume doesn’t hamper your vision. If you attend a Halloween party that includes alcohol, designate a sober driver for the trip home. Alcohol, even in small amounts, slows reaction time and dulls the senses. Driving after you've had alcohol could have a sad and possibly deadly result. All drivers should stay alert when driving on Halloween. Young children excited by Halloween could dart in front of a vehicle. Slow down and drive with extra caution. Motorists picking up and dropping off trick-or-treaters may result in an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, therefore affecting traffic patterns. Please be courteous and stay alert for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers─when you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone! Trick-or-treaters are reminded to watch for traffic while they are out and about this Halloween. Remember to look both ways when crossing the street. Use sidewalks wherever possible when you're walking around a neighborhood. Please trick-or-treat while it is light outside. If you do go out after dark, increase your visibility by using a flashlight. An adult should always accompany small children, and older children should stay in groups. Parents, please remind children to approach only familiar houses that are well lighted. Talk with them about never entering a stranger’s house or vehicle. Consider trick-or-treating with your children for their safety and because it’s a fun way to spend an evening. Give some thought to safety when choosing a costume. Consider using make-up rather than wearing a mask, which can obstruct a child's vision making it difficult to see an oncoming car. A light-colored costume is easier for drivers to see at night and adding reflective tape to dark costumes makes them visible. Flame resistant costumes are the best ones. Remember, trick-or-treating hours in the City of Salem are from 6:00 to 8:00 Halloween evening.

An accident happened Tuesday morning at 3:40 in Jefferson County that left three people with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Ford Ranger driven northbound by 18-year-old Justin Craft of Desoto, attempted to avoid a deer and traveled off the road, overturned and struck a mailbox. Two 17-year-old male juveniles from Rolla and Craft suffered moderate injuries. The Ford Ranger was totaled in the accident and was towed from the scene by Northwest. One 17-year-old male from Rolla was taken to SSM Health St. Clare by the Valle EMS, the other 17-year-old male from Rolla was take n to the Mercy Hospital South by Valle EMS. Craft was taken to Mercy Hospital South by the Big River EMS. No one was wearing a seat restraint.