Archive for 2022

An accident happened Friday morning just after 8:00 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 westbound at the 182-mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Dodge Ram being driven by 33-year-old Tommy Snyder of Salem, was stopped in traffic due to a previous accident that had occurred ahead. Snyder was struck from behind by a 2018 Subaru Legacy being driven by 19-year-old Collin Reando of Herculaneum. Three occupants of the Dodge, 27-year-old Joseph Snyder of Steelville, 27-year-old Jeordan Thompson, and 40-year-old Keith Bailey, both of Cuba, all suffered minor injuries and were taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries. The Subaru was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing while the Dodge was able to be driven from the scene. All involved in the accident except for Keith Bailey were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their tax rate hearing and then their regular meeting Thursday evening at the District Administrative Offices. The board approved the tax rate of $3.20 which is made up of the state minimum tax levy of $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation and a debt service of 45 cents per $100 assessed valuation. This is the same as the tax rate for last year. In the regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed said work on the Tin Gym project will begin August 29th with some earth moving. The exterior will be almond with navy blue trim while the interior will be navy blue on the lower half of the walls with white on top with the green turf. She said the HVAC work is about 90% complete and the roofing should be done by the start of school. Power washing was also done to some exterior parts of the upper elementary school and ag building. Reed said an invitation only fundraising dinner will be held at the Salem United Methodist Church Monday night in an effort to raise the funds needed for the Construction Trades Building. The YOP Tax Credits will end September 30th so funds will have to be raised quickly. She also said the cost of building plans was estimated by Corky Stack at about $73,000. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills said Tiger Training was held on August 15th and 16th with 21 teachers who received tours, trained on the R-80 instructional SIS system and the teacher evaluation system. He also reported restraint training was held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Upper Elementary, and on Thursday, there were scenarios run that meeting is both open to the public. featured the city police, deputies from the sheriff’s department, as well as forest service and conservation agents. Next week shooter training will be held at two buildings on Monday and two buildings on Tuesday. The building principals gave their reports and the Upper Elementary has 341 students registered with more still coming in, the Middle School had 266 students and the high school had 633 students. The board approved the 2021-2022 Secretary of the Board Report that showed Fund 4 now with 4.2 million dollars, approved the board policies removing sick days and changing them to personal days as well as phasing out the sick leave pool, and they approved an out-of-state trip for the choir, preferably to Orlando in April for a national competition. The trip will include 18 students and 4 or 5 chaperones. The board discussed a bid for the baseball field that came to over $44,000 for the infield repair, dugout and fence repair. Athletic Director Clay Moody said he has a “Plan B” that would include work on the dugouts by the construction trades program; plus have maintenance do some fence repair and possibly get pads to be installed behind home plate. The board made no motion on the bid, and it died for a lack of a second. The board approved the updated back to school COVID policy SRCSP with some changes based on recent federal guidelines. The board approved contracting with HTK to create preliminary plans for the new elementary school. The board also approved opening an account that parents and staff could deposit funds to pay for their meals. Parents can still pay by check or cash. The board then went into closed session.

The City of Salem will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 23rd at 5:45 in the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss sewer rates for the City of Salem. The meeting, called by Mayor Greg Parker, is open to the public. Following the public hearing, the board will hold their regular meeting at 6:00. They will hear from Chris Robbins at 702 South Warfel who would like to organize a community “trunk or treat” that would be held on 4th Street downtown on Halloween. After the consent agenda, the board will hear Bill #3515 that would create an ordinance amending the cemetery fees charged by the city; hear Bill #3516 that would create an ordinance amending the fees charged for business licenses in the City of Salem; hear Bill #3517 that would create an ordinance amending the annual budget increasing revenues about $160,000 and decreasing expenses by $200,000 with the appropriations being made to the electric reserve, sewer D&R and sanitation funds; and Bill # 3518 that would create an ordinance setting the tax levy for the year 2022 with a tax rate of 67.47 cents per $100 assessed valuation for real estate and personal property within the City of Salem for the General Revenue Fund. The board will hear bids presented by Public Works Director Mark Nash on a sprayer, a welder, cemetery and street vehicle tires, and new pad mount transformer for the Al Brown Fields. The board will also hear a report from Finance Director Stacey Houston before hearing reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge and the aldermen if they so choose. The meeting will then be adjourned. The public hearing on sewer rates and the regular board meeting are both open to the public.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial Hospital District has announced the appointment of Wayne Reid, MBA as the hospital’s new Chief Executive Officer beginning Monday, August 29th. Reid started his healthcare career in the Air Force and brings more than 30 years of hospital operations and leadership experience. He has worked in for-profit and faith-based, non-profit health systems. Prior to his appointment here in Salem, Reid served as CEO of Select Specialty Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia. Additionally, he has worked as Chief Operating Officer for Mercy Health hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky and as well as the Vice President of Ashland City Hospital which is a critical access hospital in Ashland City, Tennessee. Reid, his wife, Tammy, and two of their sons are looking forward to relocating to the Salem area.

The Dent County Commission met for its regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was absent as he was attending Senator Roy Blunt’s Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed District Two Commissioner Gary Larson to serve as acting Presiding Commissioner. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 6110, plus rock would be added to county road 5600 and two graders would be grading that road. He also said brush would be cut on county road 5170. Commissioner Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 3175, plus materials would be added and grading would be done on county road 2240. He reported that he had a backhoe and operator on county road 2070 cleaning out a clogged bridge. Larson also reported he had a man out on vacation and another out on sick leave. Curley reported that bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. Sherman Odom came by to invite the Commissioners to Monday’s Construction Trades and Technology invitation-only fundraising event. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to update the Commissioners on Monday’s delinquent tax sale at 10:00 at the Courthouse. She said she has five parcels of property and one mineral rights for the sale and owners have until sale time to come by and pay their taxes to avoid the sale. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will hold a public tax rate hearing to set the rate on real estate and personal property tax for the year 2022 on Tuesday evening at 5:30 at the City Hall Council Chambers. The assessed valuation for real estate increased from $38,476,523 for the 2021 tax year to $38,739,742; and the personal property assessed valuation increased from $11,174,307 for the 2021 tax year to $14,259,883 for the 2022 tax year. The total taxes for the 2021 tax year came to $49,650,830 and $52,999,625 for the tax year 2022 After adjustments for new construction and improvements, the assessed valuation for taxes for the tax year 2021 came to $48,958,630 while the assessed valuation for the 2022 tax year increased to $49,669,699. The proposed rate for the 2022 tax year comes to 67.46 cents per $100 assessed valuation that will generate $357,535 in fund for the General Revenue Fund. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Creative Arts Center at 204 South Main Street in Salem will host a Scratchboard Art Workshop on Monday from 5:30 until 8:30. Led by Patty Burmeister, come and learn to work in this interesting medium. You will begin working on a black surface and reveal the white surface underneath by etching to create unique textures and a variety of line thicknesses. Cost is $25 with supplies included. Signing up for events is easy! Call or text 247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.

The Salem R-80 Schools will hold open houses on Monday, August 22nd. The William Lynch Elementary School will have an open house from 5:00 to 6:30, the Upper Elementary School from 5:30 until 7:00, and the Salem Middle School and High School will have their open house from 4:00 until 7:00 with food trucks and other activities on the circle drive. The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 24th.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital will hold a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive today starting at 9:00 this morning until 2:00 this afternoon at the hospital library. While supplies last, there will be free t-shirts and also two tickets to the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield. Masks are required at the hospital. Call 417-227-5006 to make an appointment.

Healthy Dent County is bringing a new family program to Salem. The seven weeks of the Strengthening Families program will help you learn tools, skills, and strategies to build a stronger family. This program is designed for all families and provides an opportunity for families to strengthen relationships by opening up the lines of communication. It is fast-paced and offers practical information using videos, discussions, learning games, and family projects. Families who attend have fun while they learn strategies for helping their child make positive decisions in the face of increased peer pressure. This seven-week program will begin on September 13th and run every Tuesday evening through the week of October 25th from 5:00 to 7:30 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Road. A family meal will be provided at each of the seven sessions, along with weekly giveaways and a program completion reward for each family that completes the series. Childcare for younger siblings is also available. This program is supported by a community partnership between Healthy Dent County, Four Rivers Community Health Center, and MU Extension and is free for ALL families of youth 10 to 14 years old. Enrollment forms are available by contacting Healthy Dent County at 573-729-8163 or stopping the Salem Community Center@The Armory.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded nearly $2.4 million in financial assistance to the city of St. James for upgrades to its wastewater treatment system. The project is estimated to total just over $2.7 million and is expected to be completed by August 2023. Among an array of system improvements, the project will include construction of a new wet-weather screening structure, a chemical disinfection facility for wet weather flows and a comprehensive sludge pumping system. All improvements will be made on the city’s existing facility site. The project is expected to result in improved wastewater treatment system efficiency so that it can continue serving the city well into the future. The project’s funding consists of a nearly $2.4 million loan through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, in addition to the city’s local share of $352,017. The total project cost is estimated at just over $2.7 million. The funding provided by the department is estimated to save the city’s ratepayers approximately $733,000 in interest over the loan’s 20-year term. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund finances improvements to wastewater treatment facilities, sewer collection systems rehabilitation and extensions, combined sewer overflow corrections, and security, efficiency, and conservation measures.
Communities who borrow from the fund benefit from the below-market interest rate and from assistance provided throughout their project from a helpful department project manager. The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for qualified communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on wastewater and drinking water funding opportunities, visit dnr.mo.gov

MoDOT’s waiver and special over width permit allows drivers in Missouri to obtain the permit at no cost. Haul hay loads of up to 12 feet and 6 inches in width for blankets. Haul hay loads up to 14 feet in width for single trip permits. Move hay during holiday periods and at night. At night, or when visibility is less than 500 feet, drivers must use a reflective, oversized load sign and clearance lights instead of the normal flags required at the edges of the load. Drivers must adhere to all permit requirements, such as using proper signing and lighting and stopping at weigh stations. Drivers should also be advised that most of the southeastern United States is currently under a quarantine zone for imported fire ants, which can be easily spread through the movement of hay. Farmers and ranchers who believe they have received fire ants in a shipment of hay should call their local University of Missouri Extension agent as soon as possible. To obtain a permit, hay haulers should visit www.modot.org/mce to login to order hay permit or permits, or if you are not a regular user of MoDOT Carrier Express to find the link to obtain a Customer ID and password to have access to the MoDOT Carrier Express online. You will need the make, license plate number and vehicle identification number of the power unit and provide the farm business name and address. MoDOT permits cover movement within Missouri only and are required for each truck. Please call MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services office at 1-800-877-8499 if you have questions.

An accident happened in Crawford County Wednesday afternoon at 1:55 on the Land Town Loop Road about three miles east of Leasburg. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Mack Granite driven westbound by 50-year-old Wesley Littrell of Leasburg, and a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven eastbound by 44-year-old Keith Griffin of St. James, each failed to maintain their lane and the vehicles struck each other. Suffering minor injuries was a passenger in the Pontiac Grand Prix, 31-year-old Patricia Pendleton of Steelville. She sought her own private care. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint. The 2021 Mack Granite had minor damage and was driven from the scene, while the 2004 Pontiac sustained moderate damages and was also driven from the scene.