Archive for 2023

An accident happened in Dent County Tuesday afternoon around 3:32 on Route C about a mile south of Anutt. According to the highway patrol report, 32-year-old Kyle Keller of Rolla, was riding his 2023 Yamaha Motorcycle northbound when he struck a deer in the roadway and was ejected from the motorcycle. Keller suffered serious injuries and was flown by Mercy Lifeline to the University Hospital in Columbia. Keller was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon around 3:55 on Phelps County Road 5480 about ten miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 70-year-old Gary Hewlett of Rolla was riding a 2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550 ATV northbound when the vehicle went off the left side of the roadway where the ATV struck a fence and overturned. Hewlett suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to the University Hospital in Columbia. Hewlett was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The ATV was driven from the scene.

Increases in maintenance costs over the past 15 years have led to the need for the USDA Forest Service to adjust fees at Mark Twain National Forest’s developed recreation sites. New and increased fees will take effect on January 1st, 2024. Over time, this will also help in making improvements at multiple recreation sites in line with the Forest’s recreation strategic plan. A vast majority of the Forest is free for visitors to access and enjoy, but fees are needed to maintain the sites that offer amenities—things like fire rings, trash service, potable water, electricity, paved parking and more. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain 95% of revenue collected at recreation sites and use the funds locally to operate, maintain and improve the sites. Revenue is reinvested into Forest recreation sites in the form of trash pickups, septic and toilet pumping, painting, cleaning, addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance, conducting patrols, and maintaining highly used trails and campsites. Local areas that will be affected by the price changes include the Red Bluff Campground and day use, Council Bluff Campground and day use and Loggers Lake Campground and day use. For a list of the fees go to www.fs.usda.gov.

The City of Salem Finance Committee will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. After the budget review, the committee will discuss a reserve policy for the General Revenue Fund and also discuss an amended investment policy. The committee will then address questions or concerns before adjourning. The meeting tonight was called by Finance Committee Chairperson Kala Sisco.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will hold the Christmas Parade of Lights in Salem will be held on Saturday, December 2nd starting at 5:30 with this year’s theme: “Winter Wonderland.” The Grand Marshall for the parade this year is the Salem High School’s “Marching Blue.” The parade will run from the corner of South Grand and Franklin at the SBU Campus, east to MacArthur, then north to 4th Street before going east to the Dent County Courthouse square. Entry forms are now available at the office of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 1136 South Main. Forms need to be returned by November 30th to the chamber offices, fax them at 573-729-6741 or e-mail them at chamber@salemmo.com. A full list of the parade rules are available at the chamber office.

Learn the art of creating Stained Glass with a Classical Quilt Pattern with Jennifer Curry at the Creative Arts Center in a 3-week workshop on Tuesdays starting November 14th and lasting through November 28th. There will be two workshops, one from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon and the other from 4:30 in the afternoon till 7:30 in the evening. In this workshop, you will create a beautiful traditional quilt-block style stained fall piece. You will select your own colors and styles of glass, cut and foil each piece, and learn to solder the pieces together to create a 10” by 10” foil project for your home or to give as a gift. Stained glass artist Jennifer Curry will provide the professional materials and equipment. A minimum of 2 people and maximum of 5 people per session. The cost is a $150 for the three week course. Interested persons can sign up for the workshop under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed this Friday, November 10th, in observance of Veterans’ Day, and on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, in observance of Thanksgiving. Also in honor of the actual Veteran’s Day, the post office will be closed Saturday, but UPS and Federal Express will be operating. Most businesses will have normal operating hours, but if you are unsure, call before you go.

The Salem R-80 School District will again salute veterans this year with a Veteran’s Day Assembly on Friday, November 10th. Breakfast for the veterans will be held in the high school cafeteria at 8:15 before they enter the gym around 8:45 and take their place in the special seating area for the assembly. Principal Jody Heavin will say the Pledge of Allegence before the Salem Chamber Singers sing the National Anthem. A former veteran will be the guest speaker and will give a short 10-15 minute speech before the band plays a patriotic number. Following their performance, a slide show prepared by the yearbook staff will be shown. The assembly us expected to last less than hour. All veterans can park in the bus lanes on the circle drive and enter in the front doors to the lobby, or they can enter through the main office doors which are handicapped accessible. All veterans are welcome and if you have any questions, contact the Salem High School at 729-6641.

This week’s is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri. Being prepared is the best way to protect yourself and your families during the winter months. All Missourians are encouraged to take this time to plan ahead and prioritize safety. Have an emergency kit in your vehicle, commit to avoiding travel during inclement weather, understand the risks of prolonged exposure to the cold, and review additional steps you can take to ensure a safe and healthy winter season both at home and on the road. SEMA and the National Weather Service Forecast Offices serving Missouri will be sharing winter weather safety messaging via social media throughout the week with a different theme each day. Often, too little attention is paid to the danger posed by prolonged exposure to the cold. According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, 52 people died in Missouri as a result of low body temperatures due to prolonged exposure to cold weather in 2022. Protect against frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting clothing in several layers. Avoid alcohol, limit time spent outdoors in frigid temperatures and stay indoors if possible. Find more information on hypothermia and nearby warming center locations on the Department of Health and Human Services website health.mo.

Businesses or organizations can show off their holiday display as part of the “Light up the Park 2023” at the Salem City Park. The display will begin the night of December 2nd and last until December 31st. Registration for each display is $50 to cover timers and electricity. The lights and displays will go on nightly at dusk and remain on about six hours after dusk. Those who want to participate in the “Light up the Park” display must have their display set up by Friday, December 1st. Contact Melissa DuBois at 729-6290 or e-mail her at salemparks@salemmo.com to reserve your spot.

The 2023 “Honoring our Heroes” Marathon will be held Saturday, November 18th. There is still time to sign up for the full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, the 10k and 5k runs. Veterans and active duty military families get a 50% discount off the normal registration price. You can register through Friday, November 17th, but the earlier you register the cheaper the fee. There are also “virtual” options available for all of the events. On Friday afternoon, November 17th from 4:30 until 7:00, those running the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay can pick up their packets at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and enjoy a free pasta party. There will also be numerous vendors at the free expo event that Friday evening in the Salem Community Center@The Armory Gymnasium which is open to anyone. For those who can’t make it to the Friday night packet pickup who are running the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay, those runners will need to get their packet early Saturday morning at the Rolla Lions Club starting at 5:00 for the marathon and marathon relay runners, and at 6:00 for the half marathoners. The marathon and marathon relay begins at 7:00 in the morning at the Dent County Commons while the half marathon will begin at Lake Spring at 8:00 in the morning. The route those runners will be going will mostly be on Highway 72 to Lions Club Drive and with the finish in the Lions Club Park. The 10k and 5k runs will be mostly at the Rolla Lions Club Park with the 10k diverting to the Veteran’s Park in Rolla before coming back to the Lions Club Park, and they will start at 8:00 in the morning. This year from 12:00 to 2:00 in the afternoon, you can take part in our “Honor Walk” in Lions Club Park. Get out, cheer on and support these runners who are helping to raise funds for veteran’s organizations. For more information on volunteering to help out or to sign up for the marathon, go to www.heroesmarathon.com. For questions about the packet pickup on November 17th, the pasta party or vendor expo event that Friday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory, contact Jackie at 729-8163.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Membership Banquet Tuesday night, November 14th with the doors opening at 6:00. Dinner will be served at 6:30 featuring lasagna, green beans, salad, bread, dessert and a drink. The entertainment will begin at 7:00 and will feature Chris Stanley with comedy, magic and fun. The event will be held hosted by the Wilson Mortuary at the Wilson Family Center and all chamber members are welcome to attend for FREE, but you must let them know you are coming. Contact the chamber office at 729-6900 to reserve your seat for the banquet or stop by the office at 1136 South Main Street in the Crossroads.

Danielle Norris will be leading a “Hello Winter” Sign & Wine workshop this Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30. If you attended the fall sign class, at this class you can paint the back side of your sign with the winter design. If you didn’t attend the last class, you can just paint the front side with your own winter ideas. Make it your own! You can hand letter it yourself, or add pre cut vinyl lettering. You will end up with a neat personalized sign to display year after year! This class is for persons age 12 and older. If you attended the Fall class, the cost is just $20. If you are a new class participant, the cost is $35 per person and all supplies are provided. Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.