Archive for 2022

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded the Council for a Healthy Dent County with a $500 grant for Project RISE. The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Council for a Healthy Dent County was one of three projects selected for funding. Project RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) is a community support program that replicates the Northwest Project in Springfield. The goal is to provide the necessary tools and education to help families overcome the challenges that have kept them in poverty and begin building and sustaining a thriving lifestyle outside of poverty. This program is available to qualifying residents of Dent County and the funds will be going towards the continuation of administering the program. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at meramecregion.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 33,355 birds during Missouri’s 2022 regular spring turkey season, April 18th through May 8th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 798 birds harvested, Callaway with 614, and Gasconade with 606. Harvest totals in the Salem area included Crawford with 447 birds harvested, Dent with 491, and Iron with 151. Other counties included are Maries with 557 birds taken, Phelps with 616, Shannon with 235, and Texas County harvest total was 648. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,896 birds over the youth weekend, April 9th and 10th, bringing the overall 2022 spring turkey harvest to 36,251. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,795 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 31,800 birds during the regular spring season for a 2021 spring season total harvest of 34,595 turkeys. The 2022 spring turkey harvest was up about 5% from the 2021 spring turkey harvest but is still about 7 percent lower than the average spring turkey harvest during the last 5 years (2017-2021). MDC Turkey Biologist, Reina Tyl saith that our annual wild turkey brood survey indicates that, at the statewide level, hens have been producing one or fewer poults, on average, for the past 6 years. So, the cumulative effect of relatively poor production the last several years has been fewer turkeys and more challenging spring turkey hunting conditions. There were two self-inflicted firearm-related hunting incidents, one fatal and one non-fatal, reported to MDC during the 2022 spring turkey hunting seasons. There were no shooter-victim hunting incidents reported. Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers at mdc.mo.gov.

The City of Salem will hold a Capital Improvement Committee meeting at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on this evening at 6:00. They will review the fiscal year 2021-22 capital improvement projects before discussing the proposed new projects for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents this week and again May 16th through May 20th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. The Environmental Protection Agency will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or if more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special board meeting via Zoom this morning at 8:00. After approval of the agenda the board will accept resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded the Council for a Healthy Dent County with a $500 grant for Project RISE. The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Council for a Healthy Dent County was one of three projects selected for funding. Project RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) is a community support program that replicates the Northwest Project in Springfield. The goal is to provide the necessary tools and education to help families overcome the challenges that have kept them in poverty and begin building and sustaining a thriving lifestyle outside of poverty. This program is available to qualifying residents of Dent County and the funds will be going towards the continuation of administering the program. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at meramecregion.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 33,355 birds during Missouri’s 2022 regular spring turkey season, April 18th through May 8th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 798 birds harvested, Callaway with 614, and Gasconade with 606. Harvest totals in the Salem area included Crawford with 447 birds harvested, Dent with 491, and Iron with 151. Other counties included are Maries with 557 birds taken, Phelps with 616, Shannon with 235, and Texas County harvest total was 648. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,896 birds over the youth weekend, April 9th and 10th, bringing the overall 2022 spring turkey harvest to 36,251. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,795 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 31,800 birds during the regular spring season for a 2021 spring season total harvest of 34,595 turkeys. The 2022 spring turkey harvest was up about 5% from the 2021 spring turkey harvest but is still about 7 percent lower than the average spring turkey harvest during the last 5 years (2017-2021). MDC Turkey Biologist, Reina Tyl saith that our annual wild turkey brood survey indicates that, at the statewide level, hens have been producing one or fewer poults, on average, for the past 6 years. So, the cumulative effect of relatively poor production the last several years has been fewer turkeys and more challenging spring turkey hunting conditions. There were two self-inflicted firearm-related hunting incidents, one fatal and one non-fatal, reported to MDC during the 2022 spring turkey hunting seasons. There were no shooter-victim hunting incidents reported. Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers at mdc.mo.gov.

The City of Salem will hold a Capital Improvement Committee meeting at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on this evening at 6:00. They will review the fiscal year 2021-22 capital improvement projects before discussing the proposed new projects for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents this week and again May 16th through May 20th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. The Environmental Protection Agency will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or if more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special board meeting via Zoom this morning at 8:00. After approval of the agenda the board will accept resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded the Council for a Healthy Dent County with a $500 grant for Project RISE. The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Council for a Healthy Dent County was one of three projects selected for funding. Project RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) is a community support program that replicates the Northwest Project in Springfield. The goal is to provide the necessary tools and education to help families overcome the challenges that have kept them in poverty and begin building and sustaining a thriving lifestyle outside of poverty. This program is available to qualifying residents of Dent County and the funds will be going towards the continuation of administering the program. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at meramecregion.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 33,355 birds during Missouri’s 2022 regular spring turkey season, April 18th through May 8th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 798 birds harvested, Callaway with 614, and Gasconade with 606. Harvest totals in the Salem area included Crawford with 447 birds harvested, Dent with 491, and Iron with 151. Other counties included are Maries with 557 birds taken, Phelps with 616, Shannon with 235, and Texas County harvest total was 648. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,896 birds over the youth weekend, April 9th and 10th, bringing the overall 2022 spring turkey harvest to 36,251. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,795 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 31,800 birds during the regular spring season for a 2021 spring season total harvest of 34,595 turkeys. The 2022 spring turkey harvest was up about 5% from the 2021 spring turkey harvest but is still about 7 percent lower than the average spring turkey harvest during the last 5 years (2017-2021). MDC Turkey Biologist, Reina Tyl saith that our annual wild turkey brood survey indicates that, at the statewide level, hens have been producing one or fewer poults, on average, for the past 6 years. So, the cumulative effect of relatively poor production the last several years has been fewer turkeys and more challenging spring turkey hunting conditions. There were two self-inflicted firearm-related hunting incidents, one fatal and one non-fatal, reported to MDC during the 2022 spring turkey hunting seasons. There were no shooter-victim hunting incidents reported. Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers at mdc.mo.gov.

The City of Salem will hold a Capital Improvement Committee meeting at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on this evening at 6:00. They will review the fiscal year 2021-22 capital improvement projects before discussing the proposed new projects for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents this week and again May 16th through May 20th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. The Environmental Protection Agency will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or if more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special board meeting via Zoom this morning at 8:00. After approval of the agenda the board will accept resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session.

Parks and Recreation board president Greg Sanders has called for a meeting of the board for this evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ at the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road. After the roll call and approval of the minutes from the April 20th meeting, the park and recreation budget will then be reviewed. Also on the agenda will be discussion of the opening date, times, and fees for the Alice Lou Craig city pool and with sports participation fees before the board closes and adjourns the open portion of the meeting. The board may then vote to go into closed session.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. After approval of the consent agenda, the board approved Resolution #15-2022 to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Dent County Commons for the 2022 Fourth of July Fireworks Display at a cost of $1,600. Alderman Kinerk questioned the fee if the city workers are mowing the grass as well. City Administrator Ray Walden will negotiate the contract next year to include the Commons taking care of the mowing. Discussion was tabled for Bill Number 3505, an ordinance amending Chapter 115, Article 22, Section 115.160 that deals with staffing needs that may arise in relation to the position of City Clerk. City Attorney Weber has several edits to make regarding this Bill. Resolution 16-2022 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with Meramec Regional Planning Commission for an updated zoning map at the budgeted amount of no more than $10,000 was approved. The last city map was done in 1987. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois presented a request to update the Disc Golf Course at the city park. Several baskets need to be relocated after the addition of Billy’s Playground. The Aldermen approved using Capital Improvement funds for cost of $3,089. The Summer Park program will be held from July 11-22 at a cost of $200 per child with a max of 25 children participating. The Ozark Actors Theater will host a Kids Camp at the Civic Theater at a cost of $150 for the week-long camp. Don Harkey with People Centric Consulting updated the board on their work with the employee manual updates and strategic planning. The new manual is complete and being reviewed by lawyers and will be presented at a future board meeting for approval. He reminded the board of the four Key Objectives of the Strategic Plan: 1. Enhance the “employer of choice” status that the city has; 2. Improve communications and engagement with citizens; 3. Continue to develop strong community partnerships; and 4. Create a long-term vision for the Salem community. Walden reported that the Spring clean-up continues this week and next week. Healthy Dent County had 5,695 participants in March and 5,885 participants in April at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave an update on the Welcome Home program. There have been thirteen applications completed for residents to participate in this home improvement program. Veteran owned homes are still needed. Public Works Director Mark Nash provided updates on city crew work. Alderman Sisco asked for an update on the new roof at the Armory building. She also requested police assistance with traffic at the city park during summer games. She went on to inquire about the status of the fuel pump at the airport, courtesy car at the airport and status of an insurance claim to a hanger. Alderman Bolerjack reported that a Capital Improvement meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 6:00 PM at the Salem Community Center@the Armory and requested an update on the camera at the yard waste site. Chief Joe Chase explained that the camera originally purchased had to be returned and another company is being sought for another camera. Alderman Williams thanked the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for hosting their recent Gift of Time Volunteer Awards banquet and for all of their work on improving our community. The meeting was then adjourned.

Archery is part of the Women’s Outdoors Program. The class will be held at Echo Bluff State Park in the field by Zoe Lodge on Thursday. During the class women will learn to use a bow, how to throw an atlatl, as well as a Swiss Arrow. For more information or to register contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a beginners-knitting class in May with Terry Phelps. You will be introduced to the basic stitches of knit, purl, cast-on, and cast-off. This 2-week class will be this Thursday and Saturday May 21st from 6:00 till 8:00. The cost is $35, which includes knitting needles & 2 skeins of yarn. Additional supplies will be available for purchase for either larger items or additional projects. The class is available to participants 8 years of age and older. For more information or to register, call 247-0651, message on Facebook or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.