Archive for 2023

Tuesday evening, the City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the Hearing of Persons, the board heard from Debbie Murphy regarding a recent FaceBook poll that she conducted asking the citizens if they would like to see a Town Hall meeting held with the Board of Aldermen. With a total of 42 votes, 46% said yes and 2% said no. The survey also asked if citizens would attend if a meeting was held and 34% said they would with 2% saying they would not. She asked how this could be put on an upcoming agenda and Mayor Parker said that citizens cannot request agenda items but the Aldermen can. Alderwoman Sisco stated that the board has been discussing new ways to handle the hearing of persons for future meetings. In New Business, the board approved appointing City Clerk Tammy Koller as the employer delegate at the LAGERS annual meeting. They also approved the bid from Lead Belt Materials for $23,712.00 for 304 tons of cold mix asphalt for street maintenance to patch potholes, repair dig-outs as well as smooth out and level rough areas of streets. The board approved the city providing water and sewer services to the Robbie and Ashley Owen property off Highway 72 with the homeowners being responsible for all hookup fees and premium out of town rates. The board then tabled the request for city water service from Doil and Tammy Richardson, located at 103 W. Dilworth Lane, until Attorney Weber can look into annexation rules. The board approved Resolution 23-2023 for a new DCAWS contract for animal placement which states a maximum of 10 animals per month at $50 per animal. They tabled the three bills from the September 12th meeting pertaining to two properties on Babb Lane and one on Scenic Rivers Blvd, due to lack of a voting quorum because Alderman Sisco abstained from voting and Alderman Duncan was not in attendance. The board approved amending the City Administrators duties per codes to match the current purchasing policies. City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported that all downtown right-of- ways have been approved by MoDOT and bid packets are being prepared. She estimated the construction for this project to be in the Spring of 2024.  Mayor Parker reported that Healthy Dent County will host a Witches Walk at the Tiger Trail on Saturday, October 28th beginning at 9:00 AM. He also thanked the local businesses that are participating in the scarecrow decorations. Public Works Director Mark Nash updated the board on the McDonald’s project and the electric transformer will be set soon. The Al Brown project materials are in and the electrical work on the lights will begin soon. It was also reported that the Salem R-80 Construction Trade underground electric service will begin soon.  Alderwoman Sisco reported that Healthy Dent County will host a Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, November 4th. The Park and Recreation Board is working on a new policy to establish park access hours which they feel will help deter vandalism and vagrancy. Alderman Williams announced a Utility Committee meeting will be held tonight at 6:15 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. A Board of Adjustments meeting will be held on Thursday at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meetings are open to the public. The board then went into closed session. 

An accident happened Monday evening just before 8:30 in Dent County on Route H at Route C in Lenox. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 Toyota Camry being driven by 47-year-old Joshua Williams of Springfield, failed to stop at the stop sign, then slid off the roadway and struck a utility pole. Williams, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has release some reports for the final week of September and the first week of October. First on Friday, September 29th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 block of W. Highway 32. During the course of the stop, a 51-year-old Arkansas man was arrested on an outstanding warrant through the State of Arkansas. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. Then on Tuesday, October 3rd, a deputy responded to the 200 block of Dent County Road 4155 for a reported fire. The victim, a 40-year-old Jadwin man, advised he was staying at a friend’s home when he awoke to smoke filling the residence. Based on the evidence found at the scene, an investigation is ongoing. Two days later on Thursday, October 5th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at S. Highway 19 and Dent County Road 5080. During the course of the stop, it was determined the operator, a 40-year-old Salem man, had revoked driving privileges. Charges will be submitted to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Please call 729-3241 if you have information about any investigation.

The 60th Annual Rose Holland Trout Derby was held this past weekend at Montauk State Park and after cool morning starts, the weather was ideal. The Derby raised $15,490.30 which was $318 more than last year and surpassed the goal of $15,000 with the money going to the American Heart Association. The money came from the silent auction, trout tag sales, the country store, as well as from the “Current Rivers Cruisers” car show which alone raised $1,950. A total of 40 tagged fish caught as there were 722 tags sold Saturday and another 396 on Sunday. During the derby, there were a total of eight lunkers caught and none of them were by area residents. The Men’s Heaviest Trout caught was by Bill King and it was five pounds and four ounces, and the Women’s Heaviest Trout was caught by Lisa Brenneke for the second straight year and weighed in at two pounds and 11 ounces. The Heaviest Brown Trout caught during the tournament weighed in at two pounds and nine ounces by Heston Parsons. Taking First Place in the Kids Heaviest Stringer was Kason Drysdale whose stringer total was right at seven pounds. The Second Place winner in the Kids Heaviest Stringer was Cruz Derousse whose total catch weighed in at six pounds and 10 ounces, while 3rd place went to Logan Fleener with a stringer weighing in at five pounds and ten ounces. Brady Towry took 4th place with a stringer of five pounds and seven ounces. The Slippery Liz I trophy, which is the first tag drawn at the derby, went to Trenton Courtwright and Bill King took the Slippery Liz II trophy. Sixteen attendance prizes were given away. Winners from the Car Show for the “Longest Distance Drive” was Eddie Rush from Mountain View with his 1956 Ford Pickup, and the “Park’s Choice” went to Jim Stevens from Salem for his 1957 Chevy Pickup. A representative of the American Heart Association, Lisa Meagher, expressed the AHA’s appreciation of 60 years of giving in honor of Rose Holland, a trout hatchery manager at Montauk for 24 years who passed away in 1963 from heart disease. Co-cordinator of the derby, Darlene Griffith, wanted to thank all those who attended this year’s derby and all the volunteers who helped make it a great success!

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board will hear from Debbie Murphy who wants to report on results from a survey taken. The board will discuss sending a representative to the LAGERS meeting, bids for cold mix asphalt, and hear two requests for utilities from two couples who have purchased property just outside the city limits that already has City water and sewer lines in the area. The board will also discuss Resolution 23-2023 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Dent County Animal Welfare Society to provide animal control services. Three bills tabled from the September 12th meeting will be read including two rezonings on Babb Lane and one at 1209 East Scenic Rivers Blvd. The board will hear the first reading of Bill #3574 changing the amounts that require a bidding procedure to go from $3,000 to $5,000 before hearing reports of city officials. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts and communications with their attorney. The meeting is open to the public.

The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association in cooperation with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Salem Police Department will be hosting a basic law enforcement training academy starting January 30, 2024 in Salem at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The Academy will be a 700 hour course that will qualify graduates with a Class A peace officer license in Missouri. The class will meet Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-10 pm as well as Saturdays from 8 am-5 pm and some Sundays. This is an eleven month program with a maximum of 25 students and a graduation being held in November 2024. The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Training Academy meets and exceeds the State of Missouri’s minimum basic training requirement for peace officer certification. Graduates will be certified in several areas from report writing to arrest procedures, intake booking to inmate supervision. Driving instruction courses will be held at the Salem airport and firearms training will be held at the law enforcement firing range. The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Training Academy (MSATA) plays a vital role in the training and education of law enforcement and emergency services professionals statewide. Registration is now open and continues through December 30, 2023. Those wishing to attend may download the application form by going to the Missouri Sheriff’s Association website at mosheriffs.com/academy. There are a variety of Tuition Options ranging from VA Benefits, to ETPW/WIOA Grants, to monthly payment plans. For more information contact Gina Kauffman at 573-635-5925 or e-mail gina@mosheriffs.com. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. Major Lenny Pabin from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office will serve as the coordinator for this academy. For questions please call Major Pabin at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports for the last week of September. On Sunday morning near 9:00, September 24th, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of East Scenic Rivers Boulevard for the report of a theft. It was reported that $635 worth of items were taken. This report is still under investigation. That same day, officers arrested 28-year-old Trevon Walker of Salem for having an active arrest warrant. Walker was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. Later on that same day, officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of East Highway 32 for a disturbance. Officers arrived and found a male subject that was highly intoxicated who was causing a scene. Due to other evidence that was obtained at the scene, the 40-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons for disorderly conduct. On Monday, September 25th, officers took a report of a subject passing a counterfeit $100 bill at Wal-mart. This incident was captured on video and it is still under investigation. On Wednesday, September 27th, officers dealt with an intoxicated pedestrian who was threatening people at a residence in the 700 block of South Elmer. As a result of the investigation, a 43-year-old Salem man was arrested and placed on a 12-hour safekeep. Then on Friday, September 29th, officers were dispatched to 300 block of North Russell for a report of an intoxicated female causing problems at a residence and refusing to leave. Contact was made with the woman who was uncooperative and resisted arrest. She also damaged a patrol vehicle once placed in it. Due to the circumstances, the 39-year-old woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Later that same day, officers located and went to arrest 36-year-old Everett Martin of Salem on numerous active warrants. Initially Martin did not comply and resisted arrest, but officers were able to take him into custody. Other charges were also brought against Martin in this incident and he was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information on an ongoing investigation.

Usher in the fall season with this “astronomical” cultural event! Ozark National Scenic Riverways is hosting the “Alley-clipse” and Cultural Skills Demonstrations on Saturday, October 14th from 10:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon supported by the Ozark Riverways Foundation.. Witness a partial eclipse during the day’s festivities! The park will provide eclipse glasses free of charge. The partial eclipse begins at 10:30 am and peaks at 12:00 pm (noon), eventually ending around 1:30 pm. Bring a lawn chair for the show in the sky! As the partial eclipse passes overhead, demonstrators will show off skills of yesteryear. Cultural demonstrations include blacksmithing, moonshining, chair caning, lye soap making, broom making, and candle making. Visitors can try their hand at candle dipping (while supplies last), rope making, corn shelling and grinding, and walking on old-fashioned stilts. You can step back in time at Alley Mill, Alley General Store, and Storys Creek School, which will all be open for visitors. Alley Spring grounds will be decorated in the traditional fall festive spirit, with pumpkins, scarecrows, mums, and corn stalks. A perfect backdrop for fall photography! There will be no food vendors at the event which is free and open to the public. Alley Spring is located five miles west of Eminence on Highway 106. For more information, call (573) 226-3945, or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

An accident happened in Pike County Friday afternoon at 1:30 on Highway 161 at Pike County Road 406. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Freightliner Columbia driven southbound by 61-year-old Robert Scherder of Middleton, Missouri, slowed to make a right had turn when a 2012 Chevy Suburban, driven southbound by 52-year-old Amy Feeler of St. James, swerved to the right striking the side of the Freightliner. Feeler suffered moderate injuries and was flown by Survival Flight to the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. Feeler was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while Scherder was. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The Suburban was removed from the scene by Heartland Towing while the Freightliner was driven from the scene.