News – Thursday, August 28th 2025

On Monday August 25th Patrolmen #115 and Sergeant #105 responded to the 900 block of South Warfel for a stolen vehicle. After a thorough initial investigation, they identified the suspect as Johnny L Barton. The officers worked to track the whereabouts of Barton and with the assistance of the Rolla Police Department, the vehicle was located abandoned. Patrolmen #116 and Detective #106 conducted a thorough follow up investigation and located Barton and took him into custody, with assistance from the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Barton was transported to the Dent County Jail and is awaiting formal charges. A Probable Cause Statement was filed with the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley filed a Felony Complaint in the Circuit Court of Dent County. The Honorable Judge Kelsaw issued a $50,000 CASH/SURETY BOND warrant for the following: tampering with a motor vehicle 1st degree, operating vehicle Without a valid license. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a workshop prior to their regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 5:30 in the Auditorium at 202 N. Washington, to discuss a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code regarding vacancy registration procedures for abandoned or vacant properties within the city. Under Section 4, properties that are reported or appear to be vacant will be investigated, and if they meet the criteria outlined in the amendment, owners will be notified by the Code Official and assessed a vacancy registration fee at their expense. Section 5 specifies that fees may not exceed $200 per six months for residential properties, and $0.05 per square foot for commercial properties, with charges beginning in the second calendar quarter after notice is issued. Property owners will have 30 days from notification to file objections or appeals. Failure to pay the required fees may result in additional fines. The proposed amendment will be reviewed by City Attorney James Weber before being presented to the Board of Aldermen for a vote and potential ratification. Following the workshop, the Board of Aldermen convened their regular meeting. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board authorized several street closures: 5th Street, Iron Street, and 4th Street up to the Library for the Dent County Historical Society’s anniversary celebration on October 10 from 8:00 to 7:00 in the evening; 4th Street, McArthur, and 3rd Street up to the High School for the School Kickoff Parade on the Friday before the football game; and the road at the Al Brown fields, requested by Michael Conners, for a musical concert on September 13 from 9:00 to 11:00 at night. The board also appointed Carolyn Christesen to the Library Board of Trustees. The board then conducted first and second readings of several ordinances: Bill No. 3683, levying a 2025 property tax of 67.80 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on real estate and personal property within the city for general revenue purposes; Bill No. 3685, reducing fees associated with the Abatement on Consent agreement between the city and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, allowing time for improvements to the wastewater treatment system while maintaining compliance with environmental standards; and Bills No. 3686, 3687, and 3688, regarding annexation, and zoning classifications to a 14.36-acre property owned by Brady Adams into the City of Salem. All ordinances passed unanimously. In other business, the board approved a bid from Table Rock Alerting Systems in the amount of $88,900 for the city’s storm siren system. The city had previously applied for, but was denied, funding through the Community Development Block Grant and lost necessary funding from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Program. The city had budgeted $25,000 for the project as a grant match, and the remaining $63,900 will be covered from prior-year funds. The board approved both the bid and the corresponding budget adjustment. After receiving reports from city officials, the meeting was adjourned.

Missouri Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers, businesses, and consumers that beginning today, sales of child and adult diapers, qualifying feminine hygiene products and incontinence products will be exempt from both state and local sales and use taxes. Businesses that sell any of the qualifying items under this exemption will report the sales as a negative adjustment on their sales or use tax return and will no longer need to report these sales as part of their taxable sales. Businesses and consumers can review the Department’s FAQs page for guidance on which products qualify, as well as other common questions: dor.mo.gov/faq/taxation/business.

Need fishing gear? The Missouri Department of Conservation works with your own Salem Public Library as well as other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. Call the Salem Public Library at 573-729-4331 or stop by at 403 North Jackson Street.  You can find other locations that offer the Department of Conservation Rod and Reel Loaner Program locations at mdc.mo.gov/fishing and search for the rod and reel loaner program.