Local News – Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

Do you have your tickets yet for the upcoming 9th Annual Salem Area Chamber of Commerce pro rodeo, sanctioned by IPRA/ACRA/MRCA and produced by Outlaw Rodeo Productions? The rodeo will be held this Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd beginning at 7:30 each night at The Commons on Highway 72 North with the gates opening at 5:00 for family activities. There will be a number of events held including team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, calf scramble, and Blake Scaggs Mini Buckers! Advanced tickets are available at the Bank of Salem branch, both locations of Town and Country Bank, Progressive Ozark Bank and the Salem Chamber of Commerce office at 1136 South Main in the Crossroads Shopping Center. Ticket prices in advance are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-11, while at the gate, ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Wear red, white and blue to honor our veterans!! The weather will be great so come on out and enjoy the rodeo!!! If you have any questions, contact Tabatha at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at (573) 729-6900.

During the week of August 12th to August 18th there were a total of 118 calls to the Salem Police Department for service. Officers conducted 15 traffic stops for various traffic violations with four resulting in a summons or arrest, plus they conducted three traffic accident investigations along with three informational reports. On Sunday afternoon, August 13th at approximately 1:45, officers conducted a traffic stop and found the driver to have an active capias warrant from the Rolla Police Department for no insurance. As a result, 40-year-old Alisha Mcafee of Salem, was arrested and incarcerated pending extradition to Rolla. The next evening around 8:00, officers were dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of shoplifting. It was reported that three subjects were involved in shoplifting from the store as per video surveillance. An investigation was completed and the suspects have been identified with numerous priors for stealing. Once located, the subjects will face charges for stealing and burglary. At 11:00 in the evening of Tuesday, August 15th,officers conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highways 19 and 32. As a result of the stop, a 50-year-old Salem woman was found to be intoxicated while operating the vehicle and was arrested for a DWI. Contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation.

A new hands-free cell phone law that effects every driver in Missouri started this past Monday called the “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law” that prohibits hand-held cell phone use while driving. This new law states that Missouri drivers, while a vehicle is in motion, are prohibited from physically holding or supporting a cell phone with any part of their body; manually typing, writing, sending, or reading text-based messages; recording, posting, sending or broadcasting video, including video calls and social media posts; and from watching a video or movie. The new law allows drivers to place or receive voice calls utilizing voice-operated or hands-free functions that can be engaged/disengaged with a single touch or swipe; talk on the phone, hands-free, utilizing features like built-in phone speaker, in-car Bluetooth, or ear bud/headset; send or receive text-based communication through voice-to-text features; or to utilize cell phone GPS navigation and music or podcast functions. The bill contains specific exemptions for drivers communicating in emergency situations, emergency first responders and other emergency roadside workers, and for-hire drivers. The “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law” will also make it illegal for school bus drivers to use an electronic communication device while the school bus is in motion or while loading or unloading passengers. Under the penalty provisions, a first-time violation will result in a fine up to $150, the second violation is $250 and the third violation can be up to $500, for repeat convictions within a two-year period. Additional penalties can occur, misdemeanor or felony charges, if the distracted driver causes a crash that results in significant property damage, serious injury or death. Penalty provisions will not be enacted until January 1st, 2025 to allow adequate time for public education. This law is a secondary offense meaning police will have to pull you over for something else like speeding to enforce the new hands-free law. Missouri is the 28th state to require hands-free phone use.

A three vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at 4:40 on Route M about five miles southwest of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Infiniti being driven southbound by 72-year-old Patsy Conaway of Steelville, struck the back of a 2013 Ford F-150 that was parked and stationary in the road causing the Ford to also strike a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox that was also parked and stationary in the road. Conaway suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Steelville Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. All three vehicles sustained moderate damage and were removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The report went on to state that Conaway was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board will review Resolution No. 27-2023 that would authorize the mayor of the City of Salem to accept permanent sidewalk easements for the Sidewalk Construction Project No. TAP-9901 (520). The Board will then go into closed session. The meeting was called by Mayor Greg Parker.