Archive for 2021

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met in the high school library Thursday evening for their regular meeting. The board heard from the new school auditor, Ken Schultz about the 2020-2021 audit and he gave it a clean opinion as the Salem R-80 school uses cash basis accounting which he said was fairly stated recognizing expenses when paid and income when money is received. Schultz said there is what he called a “caution” paragraph that deals with the unique educational challenges brought on by COVID-19. Schultz said the district had revenues over expenses of $346,746 for the fiscal year after the school had deficit spending the year before of $148,742. He did say the school had additional 2,668,000 in revenues this past fiscal year with most of that coming from the sale of the 2020 General Obligation Bonds of 3.3 million dollars that will help the district save over $123,000 in interest. Schultz talked about fund balances and also talked to the board about the pension plan and where it currently stands. The board approved the audit as presented. Assistant Superintendent John Smith discussed the MAP standards for 2021 data received by the school. The data was not to be used as a performance report or comparison needs. Smith said most school used some sort of hybrid method during the COVID dictated year and he showed the total scores for Salem, the state and then those for the students who were actually attending school in the classroom. The scores showed in almost every case where the students in the classroom faired better than those attending virtually. Smith said MSIP 6 rules will apply as the testing this year will be the new baseline for schools. He said the school is already preparing for the 2021-2022 MAP testing as the Upper Elementary is using a system called Edulastic. This will be discussed more in the new year. Superintendent Lynne Reed said she had some preliminary floor plans for the Tin Gym Project that would be enough to get a bid, but they would not be the final design. As of now, the Tim Gym and the new structure would NOT be attached. She also said she was looking for project leaders for the CSIP programs on student achievement, facilities and teacher recruitment and retention. Board members Steve Patterson and Andrew Wynn were both interested in the facility program, but no one spoke out for the other two programs. Reed also said she would be looking to create a committee for a new elementary school and is going to do a feasibility study on contracting out the school’s food service. In new business, the board was going to discuss the selection of the MSBA Belcher Scholarship Recipient in closed session. The board approved the Missouri United School Insurance Council insurance (MUSIC) for the school that included the same coverage as before and approved declaring surplus property to be sold on deals.com. The board also approved continuing the SRCSP Policy from November before going into closed session.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 12:40 on Highway 63 about three miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Hyundai Elantra driven southbound by 30-year-old Steffen Suggs of Edgar Springs, traveled off the right side of the roadway and went airborne. The Hyundai landed and struck a curb, then became airborne again and struck a large sign. Suggs suffered serious injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health EMS. Suggs was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing.

The City of Salem Utility Committee Chairman Shawn Bolerjack has called a meeting for this evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. At the meeting, the committee will receive project updates from Archer-Elgin Engineering, get an update on the utility billing, discuss the one percent discount, discuss water and sewer rates, get an update on the audit of the utility billing and meter project, receive an update on the utility billing software as well as an update on the Exceleron Prepay Project. The committee will also discuss the city hot and cold weather rules for disconnects before they adjourn. The Utility Committee meeting tonight is open to the public.

This holiday season, keep spirits bright by keeping spirits off the roads. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is urging drivers to avoid driving impaired as they travel to and from holiday gatherings. Statewide, law enforcement will be on the lookout for substance-impaired drivers, with targeted enforcement efforts now through New Year’s Day. There were 60 people killed and 270 seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes between December 10th, 2020, and January 1st, 2021. Fourteen of the fatalities and 44 of the serious injuries involved a substance-impaired driver. Those consequences include fines, jail time or even death. Missouri is on pace to see more than 1,000 fatalities on the highways in 2021, the most in 15 years. Have a plan to arrive to your holiday gatherings and home safely. If you plan to drink, don’t drive. Choose a designated driver, call a sober friend, order a rideshare or spend the night. But never drive impaired. If you feel different, you drive different. Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, focuses on four ways every Missourian can help eliminate traffic deaths – buckle up, phone down, slow down and drive sober.

For City of Salem Utility customers, bills were mailed out on Thursday, December 8th. Anyone who has not received their utility bills for the October 15th through November 15th consumption period is asked to contact the utility office at 729-4117. Due to the delay with bills going out, the due date was adjusted accordingly to December 27th which is stated on the bills.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released results of two court cases heard in Crawford County on Tuesday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo. In the first case heard, Craig Carter of Salem pled guilty to the distribution of Methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Prosecutor Curley sought 1o years in the Department of Corrections under Section 559.115 program due to the distribution of meth. Carter requested probation as he had no prior felony convictions and a limited misdemeanor criminal history. Judge Randazzo granted Carter probation with a suspended execution of his sentence and Carter was ordered to enter drug court over the state’s objection. In the second case, Dustin Norris of Edgar Springs pled guilty to three counts of felony distribution of a controlled substance and one felony possession of a controlled substance charge. Prosecutor Curley sought ten years in the Department of Corrections while Norris sought probation or be allowed to participate in the Section 559.115 program. Norris’ request was denied and he was sentenced to serve his time in the Department of Corrections.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of November. They served 18 summonses to appear in court, performed 110 traffic stops resulting in 86 warning tickets and 12 traffic tickets, plus they also served five fugitive warrants and two city warrants. The department investigated 10 traffic accidents, had 13 ambulance assists, investigated one death report, wrote five stealing reports, and one resisting or interfering with an arrest charge. The department investigated four driving while having a license revoked or suspended charges, investigated two forgery reports, one sexual offense report, one possession of a controlled substance charge, and two reports for the possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. The department also responded to a report of shots being fired, two prowler reports, one exparte’ violation, performed 21 well-being checks, wrote one property damage report and eight stealing reports, and conducted 37 follow up investigations. The department drove 5,539 miles during the month and also served four hours as court bailiff. The department had 609 calls for service and had 8 walk-ins to the station. There were 10 males and 7 females arrested during the month of November.

With the new year upon us, ‘tis the season for taxes. To help farmer’s navigate tax preparation, the IRS publishes a “Farmer’s Tax Guide”. The publication explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming and serves as a guide to figure your taxes and complete your 2021 farm tax return. Also included in the publication are administrative and law changes for 2021. To obtain a copy of “Farmer’s Tax Guide – Publication 225”, visit your local University of Missouri Extension Office at the Dent County Judicial Building on the second floor or call 729-3196. The Dent County Extension Office will be closed for winter break starting December 24th through the January 2nd, 2022. They wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

An accident happened Thursday morning just before 6:45 in Phelps County on westbound Interstate 44 near the 188-mile marker. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2011 Ford Flex being driven by 21-year-old Abigail Bunch of Rolla, began hydroplaning causing the Ford to strike the back of a 2011 Peterbilt by 41-year-old Steven Woothtakewahbitty of Elgin, Oklahoma. Bunch was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Peterbilt sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Ford received moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing. The report went on to state that Bunch was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.