Archive for 2022

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that on August 2nd, 2022, Harley Higgs of Salem pled guilty to the Class B felony of Voluntary Manslaughter for his role in the shooting death of David Woodall on August 20th, 2021. Judge Megan Seay presided over the case in Crawford County on a change of venue from Dent County. All defendants that commit an offense in a county with less than 75, 000 citizens are entitled to a change of venue as a right afforded by the Missouri Rules of the Supreme Court. At that time, a sentencing assessment report was ordered, and the case was scheduled for a sentencing hearing to be held on October 4th, 2022, following the creation and receipt of a sentencing assessment report to be provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections. On October 4th, 2022, the sentencing hearing was conducted. Assistant Dent County Prosecutor James Weber appeared for the state and argued for a 10-year sentence in the Department of Corrections to be served, based on the loss of life to David Woodall. The defendant, through his attorney Chad Picker, argued for leniency in the form of probation. Over the objection of the prosecutor, Judge Megan Seay placed the defendant on probation for five-years with a suspended execution of a sentence of ten-years with the standard terms and conditions of probation.

The Salem Utility Committee met Wednesday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Finance Director Stacey Houston presented the 1st quarter fiscal year numbers for the electric, water and sewer departments. In the electric fund, the city billed $1,889,383 in September and they collected $1,692,704. The cost of purchasing electric power from July 1st through September 30th went up 13.014% and much of that was due to the new “peak” demand established in July of 12.9 kilowatts. The city paid $1,225,479 for the quarter compared to $1,091,280 for the 1st quarter of the 2021 fiscal year. The water department billed $311,341 and collected $232,400 and the sewer department billed $289,950 and collected $209,455 in September. Houston said some sewer credits will be issued for those who have hose meters who water their lawn and fill their above ground pools. Public Works Director Mark Nash gave his report showing naming numerous water leaks including three main breaks on Roosevelt, plus breaks on Park Street and Pershing Avenue. He said the city had water losses in May of 22% equating to about 6.5 million gallons, in June of 28% coming to about 8.7 million gallons of water, and 22% again in July with an estimated water loss of about 7 million gallons. He said the electric department changed out some poles on the north side of the city, and worked on the WIFI side of the AMI meter reading system on the south side. He said there was also some work on the in-ground transformers for the Al Brown Fields. The committee discussed the Exceleron Pre-Pay and on-line billing system for the utility department that includes diagnostics and usage information. This is being tested by city employees and committee members at this time and Mayor Greg Parker feels this will be a great asset to the residents of the city. The set-up cost is $15,000 and will be $2,000 per month after that. There is also a $6.00 per month charge for those who want to use the prepay option. There was much discussion from the crowd and committee about the fees and the costs of the system versus how many citizens will actually use it. No decision has been made on when the system will go online and how any fees would either be paid by the city or charged to the customer. There was also a discussion on the credit and debit card fees the city currently is being charged and not passing on to the customer, and those costs have amounted to over $31,000 in the last year. With the Exceleron system, those same charges would be over $33,000. Committee Chairman Kyle Williams asked the committee to think about these fees and if they should be charged to customers or paid by the city and bring their recommendation to the November 9th meeting. There was also some discussion that if the city goes with the new Exceleron System and people use the online services that shutoffs and disconnects could be done online. This would challenge the city rules and policies of not disconnecting services on a weekend or holidays and the committee should review and possibly change the rules or restructure them. It was also brought up at the meeting if Waste Management is actually recycling the products they are collecting, or in some cases not even picking up. Williams will try to get information from them on their recycling collection and why some areas are not being collected. The meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem Finance Committee will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the Salem Council Chambers at 202 North Washington Street. Committee members will review the QI Financials, ARPA Fund, General Fund, building permits, and the 4th of July fireworks. The meeting of the Finance Committee tonight is open to the public.

Everyone is invited to the Community Health and Wellness Expo today at the Salem Community Center @the Armory. Doors will open at 4:30 in the afternoon to the public. This is event is to showcase health-care providers and professional and it if FREE to everyone. For more information contact Jackie at 729-8163 or email her Jackie@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The City of Salem was notified Monday by the Stars & Stripes National Museum/Library & Learning Center, that the city has been recognized as one of 30 selected cities and up to 20 smaller communities around the nation this year to be a “Stars & Stripes City.” The recognition is a result of our community’s ongoing embrace and dedication to the principles of informed citizenship, commitment and service both within our community and in our democratic society. The proclamation will be presented this afternoon at 4:15 at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 N. Washington. Stars & Stripes past president and national outreach chair, Jim W. Martin will present the proclamation. The Salem Board of Aldermen invite the public as well civic leaders, business persons and other to join in this opportunity to celebrate our community.

The City of Salem Utility Committee will be meeting this evening at 6:15 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road. Committee members will review the most recent utility financials and the current utility work report and discuss feedback from the recent experience with Excelron. Credit and debit card fees will then be discussed before adjournment. The meeting of the Utility Committee this evening is open to the public.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, the board heard from Steve Evrard and his concern for the condition of the city’s water system. He recently talked with Public Works Director Mark Nash regarding his concerns and is pleased to learn that the city is aware that the water system needs to be a priority. The board then heard from Lisa French and her concerns that the city meeting minutes are not always available on the city website. She wants to see the minutes written to reflect the meetings content more accurately such as the dollar amounts for bids and purchases should be included. She has also asked several questions of the utility committee and has not received a response. Mayor Parker suggested she submit her questions via e-mail. After the consent agenda, the board approved a bid from Welch Construction for $22,000 for the rehab work at 503 E. Rolla Road as part of the “Welcome Home” Project. The board rejected the bids from Smith Construction and Contracting and Titan Outdoor Construction for #4 Parkview Place. These bids were over the allotted program amounts and the homeowner rejected both bids. The board approved the final payment to Godi Excavating for $30,304.25 for work at the Industrial Park Certified Site. The board approved sending City Clerk Tammy Kohler as the employer delegate to the LAGERS Annual meeting in Springfield. The board then approved Resolution No. 34-2022 for the annual membership rate of $3,246.78 be paid to the Meramec Regional Planning Commission. They also approved Resolution No. 35-2022 for Welch Construction to do rehabilitation work for the “Welcome Home” project at a cost of $22,000, as well as Bill #3522 to approve a change order from ESP for a reduction in the contract amount of $10,422 for some tuck and point work on the City Hall that could not safely be completed. The board tabled Bill #3523 for a revised purchasing policy. Temporary City Administrator Sally Burbridge asked for clarification regarding board and committee minutes and how they are approved by committee members before action is taken by the Board of Aldermen. Attorney Weber will look for clarifying ordinances. The board approved rejecting the LWCF Soccer Grant, due to lack of city funds to cover the match for the grant. Mayor Greg Parker reminded citizens of the Fall Clean-Up for this week and next week’s normal trash day service. A Health and Wellness Expo will be held at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory this Thursday beginning at 4:30 pm. Public Works Director Mark Nash gave updates on several departments. The city has listed items for sale on the Purple Wave Auction website. Alderman Kayla Sisco mentioned the SACBA Family Feud fundraiser that will be held on Friday at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. There will be a Finance Committee meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers on Thursday beginning at 6:00 PM which is open to the public. The board then went into closed session.

The Bonebrake Center’s 2022 Mudbugs will be having a campfire this Thursday from 4:00 until 5:00. The program is targeted at 6 to 12-year boys and girls, but all ages are welcome. These activities will be held outside, and kids should be prepared to get dirty. Activities should last about an hour, and they ask that a parent or guardian accompany your children. The cost of the Mudbug event is $1 per child. For more information, call Janet Price at (573) 269-1026 or e-mail bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com.

A three-vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon just before 4:15 in Phelps County at the intersection Highway 72 and Walker Street. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2021 Dodge Charger being driven by 37-year-old Jeremy McCurdy of Rolla was making a right turn when he was struck from behind by a 2007 Saturn Ion being driven by 75-year-old Louise Strauser of Rolla. The collision caused the Dodge to strike the front fender of a 2004 Ford Taurus being driven by 19-year-old Samuel Insall of Rolla. Strauser and McCurdy both suffered minor injuries. Strauser was taken by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Hospital while McCurdy was taken to Phelps Health by a private conveyance. All involved were wearing seat restraints. The Ford and Dodge were able to be driven from the scene with minor to moderate damage. The Saturn was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Rolla Police Department.