Posts by Stan Podorski

Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors has called for a special meeting at 1:00 today in the Hospital Library. After the call to order and roll call the Board will vote to go into closed session, followed by adjournment.

The Salem Police Department will be testing the storms sirens tomorrow morning, October 16th, at 10:00. If there is inclement weather that day, they will postpone to the following Wednesday, October 23rd.

Airport Board President Tyler Naramore has called for a meeting of the Board this evening at 6:30 at the Old City Hall Auditorium. Agenda items include approval of the minutes of the August 19th meeting, an Airport Update, Hangar updates on Leases and Policies, plus other business. The meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Mayor Greg Parker has called a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen for this evening at 5:30 in the Old City Hall Auditorium. The Call to order and roll call will be followed by approval of the agenda. Bill No. 3627, an ordinance to allow the subdivision of 1305 East First Street owned by Michael and Destiny Loveday, will be considered. Also to be considered is Bill No. 3629, an ordinance authorizing the City of Salem to enter into a grant agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the Airport Infrastructure Grant Program for the development of airport improvements at the Salem Memorial Airport; authorizing execution of necessary documents; and prescribing other related matters. The meeting will then be adjourned.

The Salem Library Board of Trustees held their regular meeting on Thursday evening at 5:00 in the library conference room. After approving the minutes from the last meeting, Director Kate McBride presented the librarian’s and the treasurer’s reports. The board welcomed new Trustee Member, Kyle Williams. During old business, Kate stated the north parking lot has been cleared of weeds and overgrowth, and the city has sprayed the lot, as well as the grounds around the building. Kate is going to pursue an insurance claim to replace the ADA automatic door opener that was damaged during the summer when one of the building’s transformers experienced a power surge. The library is still trying to find a way to replace the inoperable light in the parking lot. Kate stated she spoke with Public Works Director, Steve Paine, and City Administrator Sally Burbridge, who stated they will not replace the light. During new business, Kate explained that the south basement flooded during the week of September 23rd. Staff discovered the damage on the 26th. Some boxes with older donated books were damaged beyond repair, and some blueprints and maps were also damaged, but they were able to be salvaged. Foundation Recovery Systems from Springfield will be visiting to assess the damages, and advise on what to do to prevent and remediate any mold issues caused by the flooding. The library will be updating its computer policy, allowing access to residents who are not members, without fees. The Board voted to increase the price of the Interlibrary Loans Program from $5 to $6 to cover the rising cost of postage. Karen Jones, a retired educator from the Salem R-80 district, will be hosting a story time for all ages, on October 18th and again on November 2nd. The library will be participating in the City’s Trunk or Treat event. They received $100 from The Friends of The Library to purchase treats. Kate wanted to remind residents that the library has a breast cancer display of materials and information near the circulation desk, along with a raffle for a free gift basket. The annual fall Book-O-Lanterns competition is also happening, entries can be submitted until Friday the 19th. Voting will be completed by the public, on the Library’s Facebook page. The next Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held the evening of November 14th at 5:00.

Many recognize the southeast region of the state as Missouri’s Bootheel, but did you know it is also at the center of one of the country’s most active earthquake zones? The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) spans more than 100 miles and averages over 200 small earthquakes a year. To prepare for any future earthquakes, registration is now open for the 2024 Great Central U. S. ShakeOut earthquake drill on Thursday, October 17th. Missouri is one of 14 participating central U.S. states that could be impacted by a NMSZ earthquake. Earthquakes occur without warning, so it’s important to prepare now. The ShakeOut drill is a great opportunity to practice so you know what to do when the shaking starts. At 10:17 a.m. on October 17th, hundreds of thousands of Missourians will practice the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique: DROP to your hands and knees, COVER your head and neck with your hands and arms under a table or desk if you can, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Studies show that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury in an earthquake. Experts advise that when an earthquake occurs in the U.S., the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique is the best protection from falling debris. To sign up for the ShakeOut, register online at shakeout.org/centralus. Schools, businesses, community organizations or any other group can register as well as families and individuals. Once registered, participants will receive regular updates on the drill and information on earthquake preparedness and safety. In 1811 and 1812, the NMSZ produced some of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history, and seismic experts agree that similar quakes still pose a risk today. Shaking from another major earthquake in this zone would be felt not only in Missouri but throughout the Midwest, damaging much of the southern and eastern parts of the state, including the St. Louis metropolitan area. To learn more about earthquakes in Missouri and how to prepare, please visit sema.dps.mo.gov/earthquake_preparedness.

The Salem Marching Blue had another successful competition at Mountain Grove this Saturday where they earned 2nd in class! In addition to their placement, the band earned the Superior Award, Outstanding Drum Major, 2nd in Percussion, 2nd in General Effect, 2nd in Visual, and 2nd in Music. For their efforts and accomplishment, the Salem Marching Blue received an EMS escort through town Saturday night. Congratulations to Band Instructor Gannon Craig and all the band members for their outstanding effort. The Salem Marching Blue will wrap up their competitive season Saturday at the Reeds Spring Marching Festival!

An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at 2:15 on Highway 63 near county road 6220 that took the life of a Steelville man. According to the Highway Patrol report a southbound 2008 Honda, driven by 22-year-old Gabriel Peak, crossed the centerline and struck a northbound 2020 Peterbilt, operated by 42-year-old Rajan Taylor of Potosi, Missouri. Peak was pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell and was transported to the Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba by Coverdell. The report stated that it was unknown if Peak was wearing a safety restraint, while Taylor was. The Honda was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage, while the Peterbilt was also totaled and towed from the scene by D & D Towing. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office and the Edgar Springs Fire Department.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks is pleased to announce that the 2025 grant round for the Land and Water Conservation Fund is now open. LWCF grants are available to cities, counties and public-school districts to be used for outdoor recreation projects. For more information about this program, to download the grant application and to register for a grant application WebEx, visit mostateparks.com and search for LWCF Grants. For questions, contact grants management staff at mspgrants@dnr.mo.gov. Deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2024. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is hosting the third meeting in a series of open-forum public workshops to receive input on a regional safety action plan for all road users in the Meramec Region. The third workshop will focus on Dent County and is planned on October 16th from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory Event Center located at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. The upcoming workshop will provide Dent County residents a chance to give input on how to make streets and roadways safer in their county. The MRPC wants to hear from residents on their experiences as road users and possibilities for enhancing safety for all users. In 2023, the MRPC was awarded a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Established in 2022, the SS4A program funds planning and implementation activities to prevent deaths and serious injuries on roadways. There is an online survey available at mrpcsurveys.typeform.com/SS4ADent. The safety action plan is being developed for the Meramec Region, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. The plan is anticipated to be completed by March 2025. For more information, please contact MRPC Planning Manager Anne Freand at afreand@meramecregion.org or Senior Community Development Specialist Orin Pogue at opogue@meramecregion.org, or call 573-265-2993. 

On Friday October 18th from 6:00 to 9:00 in the evening the Creative Arts Center invites you to come and paint your very own Fall Front Porch sign with Danielle Norris! They have tons of stencils to choose from or bring your own ideas from home! The artist will walk you through the steps and work with you one on one to help create your piece. The cost is $30 and all supplies are provided. Make sure to choose the sign style you would like at check out. Class registrations are on a first come, first serve basis with online registrations. Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center. 

Between September 21st and October 4th there were a total of 233 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. Officers conducted 11 traffic accident investigations along with 4 informational reports.  As a result of the calls for service a number of reports were generated. During this time there were numerous reports of construction trailers and equipment broken into and stolen items totaling approximately $17,000. Investigators worked leads and completed an investigation into the thefts successfully obtaining a suspect. At the conclusion of the investigation the suspect was arrested and questioned about the thefts. The suspect later admitted to the thefts. As a result, probable cause statements were forwarded to the Prosecutor’s office where ultimately charges were filed and a 29-year-old male from Salem was arrested and incarcerated on the warrants in reference to the above incidents.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray stated rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5020 while only grading would be done on county roads 5460 and 6575. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk was not in attendance, so Mobray gave the report for District 2 as well. He said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4030. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported on the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Board meeting when grant applications received for recycling or the reduction of waste came to just over $238,262. The total amount of funds available came to just over $143,700. Larson said all but the Community Outreach grant application received partial funding. The outreach still had money from last year. Larson and possibly Commissioner Mobray will be attending the South Central County Commissioners Association meeting today in Houston. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said citizens can pick up a sample ballot for the November election at her office or they can find one on the clerk’s Facebook page. She said “excused” absentee voting is going on now and “no excuse” absentee voting will begin October 22nd with all absentee voting ending November 4th. She said the last day to apply for a mail-out a ballot will be Wednesday, October 23rd. Curley said her office will be open November 2nd from 8:00 in the morning until noon for absentee voting or to update your voter registration which you can also do now in her office. The next commission meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it will be open to the public.

The Utility Committee held their regular meeting on Wednesday evening at 6:15 in the Old Auditorium. After approving the agenda and the minutes from the September 11th meeting, Finance Director, Stacey Houston gave a financial update on the Water, Sewer, and Electrical Funds. Other than interest and grant fund revenue, there have not been any major expenditures in either account. Billing updates were provided by City Administrator, Sally Burbridge. Sally stated that they plan to begin implementing budget billing as early as next week. They have also been sending out old, unpaid notices to customers, and receiving payments on those bills, in an attempt to avoid having to send people to collections. She stated that she will be submitting a collections report next month. Public Works Director, Steve Paine, then provided the Utility Report. He stated they continue to conduct service line repairs, and that they have opened the pre-bids for the construction of the new water tower. The electric crew has submitted an order for 28 new transformers, and has repaired 18 street lights with faulty dawn to dusk sensors. He stated that if any citizens notice any street lights on during the day, to please contact the administration office at 573-729-4811 to put in a work order, and they will repair the lights as quickly as they can. He also wanted to clarify that the City has completed their portion of the Al Brown Field Project, they are currently waiting for the contractor, who is aiding those affected by Hurricane Helene, to return and complete their portion of the project. The Committee then opened the floor to hear questions and comments from the community. A citizen approached the podium asking if the new equipment purchased from Nexgrid would fix the metering issues experienced at his personal residence. Sally explained she did not have an answer for that, at this time, but she has been working with Nexgrid on ideas, though they are not yet ready to bring any information to the public. Committee member, Kyle Williams made a motion to change meeting times to the Wednesday after the second Tuesday of every other month, rather than every month. The motion carried, as a result the next meeting will be in December. A second citizen asked if the city had submitted an insurance claim for the water pump that was destroyed in July, Sally said yes. With no further comments or questions from the public, the meeting was adjourned.

This year’s 2024 Heroes Marathon will include a new feature to honor a veteran family member or friend who was a veteran that has passed by making a donation of $20 or more in their memory. That veteran will then become part of the “Ghost Runners Brigade.” Each of the “ghost runners” will be listed in the Honoring our Heroes Official Race Program under the “Ghost Runners Brigade” and their name will be read by a combat veteran during the event. These veterans may be gone but they are not forgotten. There are several locations in Salem where you can pick up a signup sheet that asks for the veteran’s name, their branch of service and rank if known. Those sign-up locations include the KSMO Radio studios, VIP Realty, Riverways Insurance, Regine’s Kitchen, Southtown Furniture, The Salem News, the American Legion Post #99, B & B Motors, Ridge Runner Pump, Wells Packaging, C&E Auto and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. Fill out the form and mail it to Heroes, P.O. Box 194, Salem, MO  65560 with your check of $20 or more. Signups will be accepted until October 15th. For more information, call 573-729-1394.