Archive for 2024

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation Board will hold a workshop Monday at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. After the call to order and roll call the Board will be updated on the City Pool and address 3-5-year plan goals. The meeting was called by Parks and Recreation Board President Carlos Lopez.

The Dent County Health Center will host a Town Hall Meeting on lead poisoning at the Salem Community Center at The Armory on Thursday at 5:30 pm. The event aims to educate residents about lead exposure risks and prevention, particularly for children. Health officials stress that any amount of lead is toxic in a child’s blood, with irreversible effects. They recommend annual testing for children ages 1-3, noting that Missouri has above-average blood lead levels nationally and is the country’s top lead-producing state. The meeting will cover lead exposure sources, health impacts, and ways to reduce risk. Topics include proper protective equipment use and hygiene practices for adults who may inadvertently bring lead home from work. The event is open to the public and limited to 50 participants due to space constraints. Light refreshments will be provided, and free lead testing will be available. For more information or to register, visit https://bit.ly/DCHClead/ or call 573-729-3106.

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting Tuesday, July 16th. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 5 COVID-19 cases reported and the new strain is circulating, 41 lead cases, 21 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, one case of Influenza and 4 animal bites. The environmental report showed there where 7 total inspections conducted, no recalls, no sewer complaints, and 12 environmental questions were fielded. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was no CPR Course, one consultation for Childcare Health, 3 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 23 Title X appointments, 2 Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid) and 326 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 402 total appointments other than WIC, 118 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 118 treatment court visits, 155 lab appointments and 20 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed 4 Show-Me Healthy Women appointments, 4 family plannings, 2 well-child visits, 12 online appointments, 2 other well-woman exams, 7 other physicals, 22 SEMO physicals, 11 other visits, and 54 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 210 individual patients, 3 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, 21 pregnancy tests and 9 lead tests. Immunizations for June totaled none for COVID-19 or for Influenza, and 44 for other vaccines, including the new RSV vaccine and new formulations of pneumonia vaccine. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that there will be a Lead Poisoning Townhall meeting that is open to the public on August 1st at 5:30 at the Community Center @ the Armory and Back to School Festival Teacher Immunization on August 3rd from 9:00-12:00. Activities of the DCHC included staff attendance at the National NACCHO IPC Summit and Administrators’ Training in Jefferson City. Progress on the DCHC Strategic Plan was discussed. The Health Center financial reports for June, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed and were approved. In new business a table of CD rates was presented from all four local banks. The Board moved to purchase a $250,000 12-month CD from Progressive Ozark Bank at 4.75%. The Board also approved the creation of an Administrative Assistant/Marketing/Public Relations/Accreditation Coordinator position. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, August 22nd at 5:00.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released information on a number of cases heard in front of Judge Michael Randazzo on Wednesday, July 24th. In the first case heard, Rocky Barton of Salem pled guilty to the felony possession of a controlled substance and sodomy in the 2nd degree. Barton was sentenced to twelve years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley. The case of Trent Corbett of Waynesville was heard where he pled guilty to felony driving while having his license revoked. Corbett was sentenced to four months in prison as requested by the prosecutor. In the last case heard, Joshua Black of Salem pled guilty to felony charges of driving with a revoked license and the possession of a controlled substance, fentanyl. Black was sentenced to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections under the Section 217.362 long term drug treatment program.

An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 1:20 in Dent County on Highway 32 near County Road 5110. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2013 Harley Davidson, operated by 82-year-old James Shull of Salem, went off the left side of the roadway striking a tree and ejecting the driver. Shull suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy St. Louis. The report stated that Shull was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Monday night, July 22nd, at the firehouse with Mary Martin from American Midwest Insurance and Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance in attendance to discuss the insurance policies for the fire department. The bid from Midwestern Insurance through VFIS was for $23,686.00 while the bid from Town and Country Insurance through Provident came in at $24,494. The board then heard from both Mary Martin from Midwestern Insurance and Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance before discussing both policies and the best coverage for the department as well as firefighters. After the discussion, the board elected to stay with the current policy through Town and Country Insurance by a 2-1 vote with one board member abstaining. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred in Phelps County Wednesday night at 10:35 on County Road 8260 one and six tenths of a mile east of Highway C. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2008 Ford Focus RS, driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Rolla, traveled off the left side of the roadway, went down an embankment, and overturned. The driver and a passenger, another 16-year-old male juvenile, suffered minor injuries and were transported by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health. The report went on to state that both juveniles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing.

Last Friday’s judging at the 4-H and FFA Expo began with the Poultry Show. Judge Brad Buttram from Hollister, Missouri selected Hank Phelps’ Market Meat Chicken Pen as Grand Champion and the Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Waylon Smith. Phelps also took home the Champion Cockerel and Champion Cock and Hen Pair. The Intermediate Showmanship Award went to Baylee Parks and Karlie Jex won the Junior Showmanship. Six pens of Market Meat Rabbits competed with Hank Phelps taken the Grand Champion for this species as well. Charlee Duncan’s pen took home the Reserve Champion Award. Rabbit Breeding stock classes were won by Jenna Murr, Hank Phelps, and Evelyn Bethel. Junior Rabbit Showmanship went to Jenna Murr and Charlee Duncan won the Intermediate Showmanship Award. The Beef Cattle Show began with the Breeding Division. Judge Ethan Drake chose Everliegh Dillon’s heifer as the Grand Champion Hereford and Levi Gilliam’s Cow/calf Pair as Reserve Champion Hereford. Grand Champion Ribbons and Banners went to Rhett Simpson’s Simmental Heifer, Kohen Garrison’s Charolais Heifer, Greta Vogel’s Cross Bred Heifer, and Brentlee Easter’s All Other Breeds Heifer. The Market Steer Show saw 40 steers compete for championship honors in 8 market classes and one light weight class for those that didn’t meet minimum average daily gain requirements. Market class winners were Brady Schafer, John Cunningham, Ray Cunningham, Brantley Thompson, Kohen Garrison, Kallen Garrison, Kennedy Chapman and Makena Faulkner. The Grand Champion Banner and Ribbon went to Kennedy Chapman. Her brother Kacy Chapman’s steer, which stood second in their class, was brought into the ring and walked away with the Reserve Champion honors. The Champion Average Daily Gain Award went to Brady Schafer’s steer, while the Reserve Champion ADG went to Kash Howard. Very competitive showmanship competition resulted in the Junior Beef Showmanship for ages 8-12 being won by Rhett Simpson, the 13-15-year-old Intermediate Beef Showmanship was won by John Cunningham, and the senior division for 16-19-year-old went to Ray Cunningham. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Map is now accessible through internet browsers on mobile devices. The update allows the map to be displayed on mobile devices without having to download the Traveler Information Map App. The map provides the traveling public with traffic updates, road conditions, closures, and more. Customers can now access this information through their mobile device’s browser. The mobile app version will still be available for download and will provide the same up-to-date information.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the Old City Hall Auditorium Tuesday night. Before the start of the regular meeting, Mayor Parker opened a public hearing to discuss the proposed increase in sewer rates for the city of Salem. He stated the main reason for the increase was the rising costs associated with operations and maintenance of our sewer system. Additionally, the development of an updated Capacity Management Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) plan is a significant factor. The plan outlines essential improvements and best practices for the maintenance and monitoring of the sewer collection system. As well, the plan calls for increasing the number of staff in the sewer department. The proposed increases are as follows: the base rate will increase from $6.00 to $12.00; the volume rate per thousand gallons will increase from $8.48 to $9.85; and for customers outside of city limits (both residential and commercial), the base rates will increase from $12.00 to $24.00, and the volume rate per thousand gallons will increase from $10.64 to $12.35. For the properties without a water meter, the monthly sewer rates will increase from $79.19 to $91.94, and each additional unit will increase from $52.84 to $61.35. Mayor Parker then opened the hearing to hear any public comments for the sewer rate increases. A citizen approached the podium and asked if the board would be answering questions on this topic, to which the board clarified that this was just a hearing to hear concerns and no questions would be answered at this time. With no other citizen comments, the public hearing was concluded, and the regular meeting was called to order. During public comments, a citizen stated having witnessed a city employee smoking a cigarette on a city property just that morning. The citizen cited Salem’s smoke free ordinance section 240.040 that prohibits smoking on all outdoor property owned, leased, or operated by the City of Salem. He went on to cite section 240.070 that states enforcement by the city administrator, code enforcement officer, or police department. He was concerned that if the city is enforcing this ordinance at the city park during baseball games and other activities held at the park, it should be enforced at all city properties. The board then moved on to bids for the Salem TAP 9901 Downtown Project which includes downtown sidewalk improvements. TAP funding was approved by the city on June 1st, 2021, in the amount of $346,780.37. On March 26th, 2024, the board approved additional funding from MoDOT in the amount of $129,837.63, for a total grant amount of $476,618.00. Sally Burbridge explained during this recent round of bids, the lowest bidder, UDT Construction for $508,944.00, was disqualified for not meeting all of the bid requirements. After conferring with MoDOT, it was recommended that the city move forward with the second lowest bid by Maggi Construction at $582,944.00. The Board then voted 3-0 to approve the bid from Maggi Construction. In New and Miscellaneous Business, Resolution #16-2024 which authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between City of Salem and Meramec Regional Planning Commission for floodplain technical assistance at a cost of $4,000.00 (which is the same as last year’s contract), was passed in a 3-0 vote. Resolutions #17-2024 and #18-2024 were approved for construction and utility easements for a new water line feeding from the new city water well and tower northwest of town, as well as a utility easement after construction between the city and Mr. & Mrs. Moser and Kenneth Tyler Sherrell. The Board heard the first readings of Bill #3617, an ordinance establishing rates for electric services provided by the City of Salem; Bill #3618, an ordinance establishing new rates for sewer services provided by the City of Salem; Bill #3620, an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem beginning July 1st, 2023; and Bill #3622, an ordinance of the City of Salem and the MO Highway and Transportation commission for the city to provide funds to aid in the shoulder resurfacing at Route J and MacArthur street locations. The board read the first and second reading of Bill #3619 authorizing the mayor to sign an MPUA Mutual Aide Agreement, and Bill #3622, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with Donald Maggi Inc. for downtown sidewalk improvements for the TAP 9901 Downtown Project. During the reports of city officials, Sally Burbridge acknowledged that 6% of the 4,870 new meters are not reading accurately. The city is aware and has a man working to read these manually. Utility Director Steve Paine reported the city’s wastewater treatment plant is continuing to conduct smoke tests to look for problem areas within the main line. Testing is expected to be completed this week. The trunk line extends from Schwarz Auto to the Sewer plant. The results of the smoke tests will be compiled and presented at a later date. There will be interviews to fill two open positions at the sewer plant. The pump and wiring that was damaged by lightning will be repaired near the hospital. Stacy Houston gave an update on the end of fiscal year report. The city is below budget due to several ongoing projects that have yet to be completed or reimbursed. The board then went into closed session.

Judging kicked off a few minutes after 7:00 Friday morning at the 2024 4-H and FFA Expo where nearly 50 head of market hogs and 13 breeding hogs competed. The seven market hog class winners were Oliver Hutchings, Toby Hayes, Blake Manthey, Delilah Shelton, Wyatt Martin, Lola Clancy, and Justin Fleener. Judge Ethan Blake from Mountain Grove selected Blake Manthey’s 288-pound barrow as Grand Champion Market Hog and Wyatt Martin’s 330-pound hog as Reserve Champion. In the swine breeding stock competition class winners were Westyn Ragsdale, Daxton Hutchings, Oliver Hutchings, Delilah Shelton, James Garcia, Brentlee Easter, and Hayden Ragsdale. Daxton Hutchings’ gilt was selected as Grand Champion and Oliver Hutching’s gilt took Reserve Champion. As usual there was a lot of competition for the Showmanship Awards. Daxton Hutchings won the 8–12-year-old Junior Division, Bryce Martin won the Intermediate age group for 13–15-year-olds, and Wyatt Martin took the Seniors’ division for ages 16-19 years old. Those younger than 8 can show in a non-competitive Pee-Wee Clinic. Exhibitors in this division were Lynlee Easter, Cora Shelton, and Hadlee Tilley. The Sheep and Goat show followed the swine show with 19 head of sheep and 24 goats competing. Market Lamb class winners Tierra Warden, Audrey Barnett, Reagann Chambers, Henley Headrick, Preslie Strader, and Edlyn Cunningham. Strader’s 128-pound lamb was selected as Grand Champion and Joleigh Nash’s 115-pound lamb was Reserve Champion. In the breeding sheep division Preslie Strader’s ewe was chosen as the Grand Champion and Joleigh Nash’s was Reserve Champion. Showmanship winners were Joleigh Nash in the Junior Division, Stetson Mobray in the Intermediate and Preslie Strader won the Senior Division. There was only one Pee-Wee Sheep exhibitor and that was Trevor Brand. In the market goat show class winners were Harley Camden, Kynlee Garrison, Clara Ball, and Payton Parks. Garrison’s goat was selected as Grand Champion and Clara Ball exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Goat. In the breeding goat division class winners were Sawyer Camden and Kynlee Garrison. Garrison’s 7–12-month-old doeling was selected as Grand Champion and Porter Seay’s 7–12-month-old doeling was named Reserve Champion. Goat Showmanship Awards went to Junior Kynlee Garrison, Intermediate Clara Ball and Senior Porter Seay. Participating in the Pee-Wee Goat Clinic were Wyatt Shaw and Haddie Simpson.

To celebrate 35 years of river conservation, Stream Teams United and the Missouri Stream Team Program are hosting the 2024 Watershed Celebration at Meramec State Park on Saturday, July 27th. Missouri Stream Teams from around the state are invited to attend the festival, which also celebrates the 25th anniversary of Stream Teams United, a non-profit partner of the program. The Missouri Stream Team Program is a volunteer-led effort to conserve Missouri streams. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the program focuses on education, stewardship, and advocacy for Missouri stream resources. In 1988, a small group of anglers became fed up with unsightly trash disrupting their fishing in Roubidoux Creek in Pulaski County. These conservation-minded Missourians decided to clean this section of stream, thus forming the first Missouri Stream Team in 1989. The Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association, Stream Team #1, is still going strong 35 years later. The program has since grown to more than 6,000 Stream Teams around the state with more than 135,000 volunteers. MDC Engagement Specialist Cara Coates Coates says the ongoing work of more than 6,000 Stream Teams and their volunteers have made significant positive impacts on the health of Missouri’s streams over the last 35 years. That work includes volunteers giving more than 3.5 million hours of time, removing more than 14,127 tons of trash from Missouri waterways, planting 405,794 trees along streams, conducting 35,049 water quality monitoring trips, and stenciling 21,741 storm drains. As part of the Missouri Stream Team Program celebrations they invite all Teams to attend the 28th Annual Watershed Celebration at Meramec State Park on Saturday, July 27. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes lunch provided by the Missouri Stream Team Program, kids games and crafts, tubing on the Meramec River with complimentary shuttle and other activities including free camping offered to Stream Teams Friday and Saturday evenings on a first-come, first-serve at Group Site A at Meramec State Park. Registration is required to estimate attendance. To learn more about Missouri Stream Teams and how you can participate, visit mostreamteam.org.

Tomorrow afternoon from 2:00 until 3:30 at the Bonebrake Center, children and their parents can attend the next Mudbugs program, Critter Condos. The children will look at some different animal homes, an maybe try their hand at making some insect-friendly houses. Plus the long-awaited annual Mudbugs FAIRY HOUSE building will be held by special request! The suggested donation is $2.00 per child and additional donations are always welcome. All funds raised go to the Bonebrake Center. The Mudbug Programs are geared for children from ages 6-12, but all ages are welcome! For more information, contact Managing Agent Janet Price at moonshadowmomentsllc@gmail.com.