News – Tuesday, July 8th 2025

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 consider appointments of Carrie Sutterfield to the MRDC Board and Sherry Lea to the Housing Authority. The second reading of Bills No. 3673 through No. 3677, all pertaining to establishing rates for electric services provided by the City of Salem, will occur followed by reports from city officials. The Board will then go into closed session pertaining to legal actions, litigation, and/or confidential or privileged communication, followed by adjournment.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet this evening at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the consent agenda, which includes review of minutes, financial report and approval of bills, and budget review. The monthly reimbursement report will be considered. In Old Business the Board will consider truck purchases, radio grant, and Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease. New business will include bank accounts for bond. Chief Floyd will then report followed by the setting of the date for the next meeting. The Board may go into closed session, if needed, followed by adjournment. In their last meeting the treasurer reported that strong local support was reflected in the fact that bonds had been sold to the Bank of Salem for $190,000, Progressive Ozark for $330,000, Edward Jones in the amount of $275,000, and $570,000 to Town and Country Bank. Bills, payments, and statements were reviewed and approved. In old business insurance coverage for the department was discussed with American Insurance bid of $25,995 and Town and Country Insurance bid of $28,441. The Board approved the bid from American Insurance. Brush truck purchases were discussed relative to several different skid units and trucks. Nothing was decided since the units were not readily available. A motion was made and carried to send a payment of $20,000 to hold 2 trucks, which would save $30,000.

An accident occurred Sunday afternoon at 4:30 on Dent County Road 5610 eight miles west of Bunker. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2025 CAN-AM Defender HD10, driven by a 12-year-old male juvenile from Mocksville, North Carolina, travelled around a corner, began sliding, and overturned. A 14-year-old male juvenile from Bunker suffered serious injuries and was transported by Bunker Fire Department to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that both juveniles were wearing safety devices. The CAN-AM was removed by a private party.

These reports were released from the Dent County Sherriff’s office for June. On Sunday June 22nd deputies responded to the 200 block of County Road 4170 for a disturbance call. A 39-year-old Salem woman was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Later that same day deputies responded to the unit block of County Road 4220 for an animal complaint. The investigation is ongoing. Then on Thursday June 26th deputies conducted a traffic stop at the roadside park on N. Highway 19. An occupant of the vehicle was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. The investigation is ongoing. The next day Friday June 27th deputies conducted a traffic stop on W. Highway 32 near Highway 72. The operator was arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked driving privilege and transported to the Dent County Jail. If you have any information on an ongoing investigation, please contact the sheriff’s office at 573-729-3241.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and the city of Salem are seeking public input to assess community needs and wants to increase active transportation networks in Salem. The public is encouraged to take a short survey on how individuals utilize transportation and identify safety concerns with the roadway systems at https://mrpcsurveys.typeform.com/SalemATP. The MRPC received a grant from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to create an Active Transportation Plan for the city of Salem that will focus on dedicated bicycle routes and accessible support parking. According to Senior Community Development Specialist Orin Pogue, active transportation is vital to encouraging and increasing physical health, connectivity, and community activity. For more information, please contact Pogue at opogue@meramecregion.org or Planning Manager Anne Freand at afreand@meramecregion.org; or call 573-265-2993.

At the Creative Arts Center on Saturday, July 12th from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon, take a treasured Little Golden Book and personalize it with additional pages, pockets, and tags with Gail Phelan. The “Altered Little Golden Books” class is open to anyone 10 years of age (with a parent) to adult with a minimum of four people signing up to a maximum of eight people. Students will use brightly colored papers, buttons and fabric to embellish and expand our Little Golden Books which will be available or bring your own. Students will add hidden places for notes and stickers. The cost is $20 per person and this includes all supplies. 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.