Archive for 2022

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Wednesday evening at 5:40 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Mayor Greg Parker and Alderman Shawn Bolerjack and Alderwoman Kala Sisco also attended the meeting. Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois reported the Flag Football program had a total of 154 registrations of which 39 children were for cheerleading, 45 were for 1st and 2nd grade flag football and 59 were for 3rd and 4th grade flag football. There were 11 more children registered for 5th and 6th grade football, but there will not be enough people for that upper level. Youth Basketball signups will be held beginning in mid-October. Dubois said the disc golf course is now complete with concrete “tee” pads, but she did say that a bridge is being requested for the far north side of the park to go from hole 7 to 8 and back to hole 9. The “Movie in the Park” sponsored by Intercounty Electric was a success as about 75 people attended and Dubois said she was able to purchase a lightly used popcorn popper from Govdeal.com for $262. The pool closed on August 20th and the kiddie pool pump will probably need to be replaced to feed water to those kiddie features. She also said the pool house flooring is looking rough as some stains will not come out. She plans on trying a heated power wash, and if that doesn’t work, she will look into different types of flooring that can be cleaned. Dubois said the “Light Up the Park” is scheduled to be held December 3rd through the 31st at the Salem City Park and asked the board if they had any new ideas such as having pictures taken with Santa or the selling of hot chocolate. No decisions were made. Dubois also said the pavilion rentals continue to be strong this year with 27 from August 1st through the end of September. Reservations can still be made at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Dubois also handed out a sheet showing totals for Youth Soccer and Summer Ball programs from 2019 through 2022. She also showed the numbers for Flag Football and Youth Basketball for the years 2018-2021. The Park Board discussed adding a new member to fill a vacancy and will recommend to the board of aldermen adding Stacy Jones at the alderman’s next meeting on September 15th. Mayor Parker said Alderman Tod Kinerk has submitted his resignation and he plans to ask the alderman to approve his appointment of Amanda Duncan to replace Kinerk at that same meeting. That would again leave the park board one member short. The board wanted to have a full board before electing officials so that was postponed until the next Park Board meeting provided Mayor Parker appoints a new member. The Park Board then went into closed session.

Missouri ‘ShakeOut’ earthquake drill is coming October 20th. Last year’s 4.0 southeast Missouri tremor reminded many that New Madrid Seismic Zone is an active earthquake zone and importance of ‘Drop, Cover, Hold On’ exercise. On November 17, 2021, southeast Missouri experienced its largest earthquake in 30 years. The magnitude 4.0 quake was centered near Poplar Bluff and was felt throughout the region, St. Louis and seven other states. It served as a reminder of the power of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of the country’s most active earthquake zones, which is centered in the Missouri Bootheel. To prepare for future earthquakes, registration is now open for the 2022 Great Central U. S. “ShakeOut” earthquake drill on October 20th. Missouri is one of 14 participating central U.S. states that could be impacted by a New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said that last year’s 4.0 earthquake reminded us that Missouri is home to a large and active seismic zone and that Earthquakes occur without warning, so it’s important to participate in the ShakeOut drill and practice now, so you know exactly what to do when an earthquake occurs. At 10:20 the morning of Thursday, October 20th, hundreds of thousands of Missourians will practice the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique, which includes dropping to your hands and knees, covering your head and neck with your hands and arms under a table or desk if you can, and holding on until the shaking stops. Studies show that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injuries in an earthquake. Experts advise that when an earthquake occurs in the U.S., dropping, covering and holding on is the best way to protect yourself from falling debris. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri, is one of the most active earthquake zones in the country, averaging more than 200 small quakes per year. In 1811 and 1812, this zone produced some of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history. A major earthquake in this area would be felt not only in Missouri, but throughout the Midwest, and could cause widespread damage in southern and eastern Missouri, including the St. Louis area. To learn more about earthquakes in Missouri and how to prepare, visit sema.dps.mo.gov.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reports on a case heard in front of Judge Megan Seay in Crawford County Wednesday. His report indicates Joseph King of Salem pled guilty to failing to register a new residential address in Dent County as a sex offender within the three days allowed by Megan’s Law. King was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.

Montauk State Park will be hosting Veteran’s Free Fishing Day this Saturday. This free fishing day is sponsored by Project Healing Waters in partnership with Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri State Parks to provide veterans free access to trout fishing. Veterans can pick up their free trout tag from the Project Healing Waters booth located in the park. For more information, call 573-548-2201.

Parks and Recreation Board Members Amanda Duncan, Angie Curley and Crystal Pilkington have called for a meeting of the Board for this evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road. After the call to order and roll call will be the review and approval of minutes, the Parks and Recreation Director Report, the election of officers, and a closed session, followed by adjournment. Except for the closed session the meeting will be open to the public.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that five people died in traffic crashes, one person died in a boating crash, and one person drowned during the 2022 Labor Day holiday weekend. The Patrol investigated four of the traffic fatalities while the Springfield Police Department investigated one traffic fatality. The 2022 counting period for the Labor Day holiday was from 6:00 Friday evening, September 2nd, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 5th. The Highway Patrol investigated 276 traffic crashes resulting in 97 injuries and four fatalities. The patrol also made 113 DWI arrests and 66 drug arrests. On the area waterways the patrol investigated seven boating crashes involving 3 injuries and one fatality. The patrol also made five boating while intoxicated arrests and investigated one drowning and made 8 drug arrests. The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatal traffic or boating crashes after this news release was published, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a boating or traffic incident.

The Salem Nutrition Center needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels for the month of September. If you have an hour to give, that would help make a difference in their client’s lives to receive much needed meals. Please consider helping the seniors of Dent County! Call Jody Schaefer, the lead Senior Center Administrator with Aging Best at 729-2373 with any questions or concerns!

The Missouri Prairie Foundation and the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will hold a native plant sale on Saturday, September 24th, at 601 N Hickory Street in Salem from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Native plant vendor, Gaylena’s Garden, will sell native wildflowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs, and trees. Five percent of plant sale proceeds will be donated to the Bonebrake Center. Shoppers can stroll through the sale and purchase plants. Gaylena’s Garden will accept only cash or checks at the sale. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own crates or boxes for bringing their purchased plants home. Shoppers can also pre-order plants and have their orders ready for pick up at the event. When placing your pre-orders, please include your phone number and note that the order is for the Bonebrake Center sale in Salem on September 24. You can see the list of plants at the Gaylena’s Garden Facebook page and email your order to gaylenasgarden@gmail.com by Friday, September 23rd, at noon.

The Dent County Health Clinic located at 1010 East Scenic River Blvd will have 50 doses of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine available this Thursday, September 8th. Novavax is a non-mRNa Covid-19 vaccine, that uses traditional vaccine technology. Call the Health Department today for more information at 573-729-3106.

Nature Journaling is part of the Women’s Outdoors Program. The class will be held at Echo Bluff State Park in the Bluff Top Pavilion on Thursday. During the class women will learn tips and tricks of journaling, explore water-colored pencils, and tonal paper. Please bring your own journal if you have one. For more information or to register contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

Salem has an increased risk of flash flooding when the spring and summer rains begin. In the past, severe flash flooding has caused damage to homes and property. However, major flooding can occur at any time of the year and cause millions of dollars of damage over a widespread area. The city of Salem participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that ensures the availability of flood insurance for homeowners, tenants, and businesses. It also brings with it some requirements in order for the city to participate. While severe flooding usually comes in cycles, it is not limited to certain decades or areas, warns the National Weather Service. Since January 1990, Missouri received 35 disaster declarations involving flooding that exceeded local and state response capabilities, marking the most recent for the flood events that occurred in July 2022. Each year, Missouri communities experience numerous localized flooding events that do not merit a federal disaster declaration. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Salem has had 13 flooding events between 2001-2020. Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) serves as the floodplain administrator for the city of Salem and is available to answer questions. The NFIP is managed by FEMA and delivered to the public by insurance companies. If there is not a federal disaster declaration that includes aid for individuals, flood insurance is the only financial protection for personal losses. Flood insurance is not provided in the basic homeowner’s, business, or tenant’s policy. Flood insurance must be purchased under a separate policy through your local insurance agent in participating communities. Salem residents need to know that a floodplain development permit may be required if they are planning construction, remodeling or substantial improvements to structures located within a floodplain. This includes rehab work to homes that have been flooded. For more information on permits, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.