Archive for 2025

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting yesterday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board heard first and second readings of two Bills. Bill No. 3680, an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem for fiscal year 2025. The budget will see an overall fund balance decrease of $518,580.33 due to grant projects that were started later than anticipated, and Bill No. 3681, an ordinance allowing the subdivision of 803 E. Center St, a property owned by Bean Properties LLC. Both of these Bills were approved. The board also approved three bids. A bid for two patrol cars for the Salem Police Department from Behlman Dodge and obtaining the equipment from Scenic Rivers Industries for a total of $92,915.07; a bid from Olathe Fleet in the amount of $282,194.00 to replace a 20 year old double bucket truck for the Electrical Department; and a bid from Bridgewell Resources for 37 utility poles priced at $464 each for a total cost of $17,168.00. During the reports from city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge stated there will be a Leading Your Water Utility workshop on August 26th from 11:00 to 1:30 in the afternoon in the Rotary Room at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. She also scheduled an educational workshop with the Board of Aldermen to discuss vacant buildings in the community. Burbridge also stated that she had a walk through with Archer Elgin and Maggi to identify lingering issues that still need to be addressed in the downtown area.  Mayor Greg Parker stated he is organizing a recycling event with MRPC on Saturday September 13 from 9:00 to 12:00 and is currently looking for people interested in volunteering. Finance Director Stacy Houston gave the financial report for the end of fiscal year 2025, noting that the unofficial ending balance in all city funds is just under $14.2 million, she did clarify that this amount is subject to change pending transfers and adjustments. Public Works Director Steve Paine gave an update on the city’s utility crews, noting that the construction crew is planning to begin an emergency mitigation project for FEMA at the sewer plant, before taking on a project to renovate the parking lot at the Salem Community Center at the Armory to make it more accessible to emergency vehicles. With no reports from the Aldermen, the meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss contracts before adjourning. 

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has submitted the following reports for July 13th through the 19th. On Sunday, the 13th, Deputies responded to the 200 block of County Road 4220 for a domestic assault. A report was taken, and the investigation is pending. Also on the 13th, Deputies took a report of the theft of farm equipment from the 3000 block of Highway N. The investigation is ongoing. Stil on the 13th, Deputies responded to the 22,000 block of Highway C for a property damage report. The victim’s mailbox was damaged by an unknown subject. The investigation is ongoing. Then on Tuesday, the 15th, Deputies arrested a 49-year-old male for failing to register as a sex offender. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail and was placed on a 24-Hour Hold. Then on Wednesday the 16th, Deputies responded to the 2800 block of County Road 4060 for a reported domestic assault. A 28-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Finally on Saturday, the 19th, Deputies responded to the unit block of County Road 3190 for a reported domestic assault. The parties were separated, and a report was taken. If you have any information concerning any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

Representative Jason Smith is reminding those students interested in attending one of the US service academies which includes the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, that you have until October 24th to get your applications in. Applicants are considered on the basis of leadership skills, academic success, physical ability, and extracurricular activities. A committee of Missouri residents review each application and make nomination recommendations to Smith. To receive a nomination packet, contact the congressman’s Farmington office at 573-756-9755 or email Donna.Hickman@mail.house.gov. Students, parents, and educators interested in learning more about academy life and the application process are encouraged to attend Academy Day. The event is from 9:30 in the morning until 12:00 noon on September 13th at the fieldhouse at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. Attendees will be able to meet with representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. To register, please send an email to academyday2025@mail.house.gov.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. After the call to order, pledge of allegiance, roll call, approval of the agenda and consent agenda will be public comments. The board will hear first and second readings of Bill No. 3680, an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem, and Bill No. 3681 an ordinance to allow the subdivision of 803 E. Center St. The board will also discuss and vote on several bills pertaining to patrol cars for the police department, and a bucket truck, and utility poles for the electrical department. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts and sealed proposals, followed by an adjournment.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jones were in with questions about the excavation and work on Dent County Road 2240. The Commissioners explained that it was the new City of Salem well and water tower that’s under construction and that the Commissioners were aware of it. In the road report First District Commissioner Keith Green said his crew was installing a pipe on Dent County Road 4210, commonly called the Maledy Ford Road, plus grading on county road 5600. Green said that after they were finished on county 5600, they would be moving to the Bunker area. He also noted that brush was being cut on county road 5015. Second District Commissioner Jimmy Williams said that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 5310, 3080, 3090, and 3100, plus brush was going to be cut on county roads 3220, 6680, 6690, and 6700. Williams reported that rock was still being added to county road 5310. He noted that a driveway pipe was going to be installed on county road 4380 and rock would be added. Williams said a tree was going to be taken down on county road 2540. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that Wednesday he would be attending the second meeting of the SSR4A, Safe Streets and Roads for All, advisory committee meeting. He also noted that each of the commissioners received an invitation letter from Senator Josh Hawley to the Agriculture Advisory Council meeting at the State Fair on August 14th. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that bills were being approved by the commissioners for payment. The commission is seeking applications for a part-time custodian to work on an as needed basis. The salary would be $15.00 per hour with no benefits. If anyone is interested, they are to contact Presiding Commissioner Larson at 573-368-9099. Applications can be picked up and returned to the Dent County Clerk’s office in the courthouse. The Board of Equalization appointments started Monday afternoon. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

Governor Mike Kehoe Friday announced eleven appointments to various boards and commissions and filled one county vacancy. One of those appointments was Monica Lyle of St. James, who was appointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board. Ms. Lyle is a counselor for the Salem R-80 School District. She previously served as a counselor for the Rolla #31 School District and the director of education for Perimeter of Missouri. Lyle has been highly involved in several professional organizations, including the American School Counselor Association and the Missouri School Counselor Association. Lyle earned a master’s degree in counseling from Missouri Baptist University.

On Friday, July 25th Danielle Norris will hold a “How to Paint your dragon” kids paint party from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening. If you want to learn how to paint a dragon, grab your parents or a friend and head to the Creative Arts Center where you will learn all the tricks and techniques to paint your dragon. The artist will teach you step by step through the whole process and when you are finished, you will have a completed dragon painting. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for kids. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com

The Salem and Dent County 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction was held this past Saturday at The Commons that raised an unofficial total of $249,313.91. Auctioneers Roger Schafer and Brady Hagler auctioned off five pens of market chickens for $3,698.65, six pens of market rabbits for $1,888.78, nine cured meats brought in $3,525.73, 17 market goats sold for $14,455.00, 11 market lambs fetched $14,164.00, 46 market hog sales raised $54,860.00, the 26 market steers raised $146,121.75. Wyatt Dunlap’s Market Meat Chicken Pen as Grand Champion and the Reserve Champion Pen was shown by Mason Dunlap. Hawk Phelps took home the Grand Champion ribbon for his Market Meat Rabbit Pen, and Jenna Murr got the Reserve Champion. Champion ribbon recipients in the Beef Cattle Show were: Chase Simpson’s Angus Heifer, Kacy Chapman’s Red Angus, Morgan Radford’s Hereford Heifer, Brentlee Easter’s Simmental Heifer, and Kohen Garrison’s Charolais Heifer. Kohen also brought home Grand Champion for his Heifer. Reserve Grand Champion ribbon winners were: Chase Simpson’s Heifer, Ella Yates’s Hereford Heifer, and Kacy Chapman’s Charolais Heifer. Market Hog class winners were: Daxton Hutchings and Oliver Hutchings earning Grand Champion and Reserve Champion, respectively. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thank everyone who attended the auction this year for their generosity and support. If you missed this year’s auction you can go back and watch it on either the KSMO YouTube page or Facebook page.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting on Thursday evening at 5:30 in the district office. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills shared an update on the progress of the FEMA building construction, stating they hope to start moving furniture into the building as early as the last week in July. Dr. Wills also stated repairs at the track will begin soon, and while he would like to see these repairs completed before the start of football season, it is more realistic that the track repairs will conclude by next summer. He also gave updates to roof and parking lot repairs as well as an update to the district personnel handbook, amending the leave policy and removing verbiage regarding pay scale. Dr. Wills congratulated Mr. Wofford on being named South Central Regional Teacher of the Year. In new business, the board approved several key items, including the district’s AMI Plan, participation in the Baseline Salary Grant, and a series of Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) policy updates. They accepted a bid from Byrnes & Jones in the amount of $121,000.00 to repair the track and a $100,100.00 bid from B. Fitz Enterprise, to repair the parking lots at the Upper Elementary, the Middle School, and The Senior High School. Changes to the 2025-26 personnel handbook and meal prices were also approved, and the tax rate hearing was scheduled for August 21 at 5:15 p.m., followed immediately by the next board meeting. The board set graduation for May 15, 2026, with a makeup date of May 17. They also voted to pursue a replacement for Steven Patterson’s board seat and approved two new hires: The board then adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel matters. 

The Creative Arts Center is offering “Flat Reed Basket Weaving” with Connie Light on tomorrow evening, July 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30. This class is open to anyone 14 years of age and older. Come and make a white oak flat reed napkin basket approximately 8” square. In this class you will learn a basic basket making technique that can be used as a foundation to many other future basket making projects. No prior knowledge is required.  The cost is $40 per person and all supplies are included. There must be at least two people sign up to hold the class and it will be limited to six. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center. For more information, email salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced another extension of an allowance for heavier-than-normal truckloads of rock, sand and gravel on Missouri highways for flood relief, levees and other public infrastructure flood repair. The waiver allows private and for-hire motor carriers to haul up to 10% more than their licensed weight, axle weight, and/or maximum weight limitation allowed under RSMo 304.180.3 on Missouri highways. The waiver will remain in effect through August 31st. While the waiver is in effect, participating motor carriers must abide by the following limitations. A loaded, gross weight is not to exceed 10% above the gross licensed weight of the commercial motor vehicle. The waiver applies to transportation of rock, sand and gravel only within the state of Missouri. Drivers must obey posted bridge weight limits. When crossing a bridge, the driver must restrict the vehicle speed to no more than 30 mph. Travel under this allowance is only allowed on non-interstate highways. Those taking advantage of the weight allowance cannot operate on any portion of the interstate highway system. Drivers can check the Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org for up-to-date road closure information.