Posts by Stan Podorski

The Salem R-80 School District held its regular meeting on Thursday evening at 5:30 in the Administration Building. Before the start of the meeting, newly elected members, Sammi Parker and Phillip Mercer, were sworn in. The Board also elected its officers, with Dru Howard retaining the presidency, Parker becoming vice-president, Andrew Wynn appointed secretary, Jason Green selected as treasurer, and Marjorie Pyatt named as MSBA Delegate with Mercer chosen as alternate delegate. After approving the amended agenda, and consent agenda, Shannon Phelps introduced the Salem Upper Elementary Musical cast members: Aubrey Jones, Peter Culp, Isaac Hinderliter, and Joshua Culp and invited board members to the upcoming shows. Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills delivered a comprehensive report addressing various CSIP Goals and updated the board on several operational matters including FEMA building construction, insurance, budget concerns, roof repairs, HVAC status in the Construction Trades Building, bus fleet management, student surveys, and a tornado warning debrief. During the new business portion, the board heard the first reading of the MSBA Board Policy Updates and approved several motions unanimously, including: declaring Bus #12 and old choir attire as surplus property, the 2025-2026 Career Ladder Plan, contracting with Alcorn Therapy and Consulting for Occupational/Physical Therapy Services, and renewing health insurance with no increase. The Board also approved the I-Ready agreement through Curriculum Associates. Personnel changes were also noted, including Tammy Herpich’s transfer and Madison King’s resignation from a custodial position. The Board then moved into a closed executive session to address student and personnel matters.

The City of Salem’s Parks and Recreation board convened its regular meeting on Thursday evening at 5:00 in the Community Center at the Armory. After approving the amended agenda, and consent agenda, the Board deliberated and approved bids for fence repairs at City Park and Al Brown Fields. J&M Construction & Fencing LLC was awarded $3,500.00 to replace the bent cross brace and repair existing fence and tension wire on the Red and Green ball fields The same contractor received approval for $14,500.00 to repair and replace damaged fencing and posts at the Al Brown Sports Complex. These expenditures will be funded from the prior year’s balance, which currently stands at approximately $439,000.00, with potential FEMA reimbursement eligibility. Additionally, the Board authorized use of City Park for July 4th Fireworks viewing, stipulating that no parking will be permitted on park grounds, though vendors and activities will be available for spectators. The Board also approved rate adjustments for the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool, increasing daily admission to $6.00 for all patrons and family passes from $200 to $220 for families of four, with each additional member costing $45. Fees for parties, individual passes, aerobics classes, and swimming lessons will remain unchanged. Finally, the Board voted to amend its bylaws to update the designated meeting location from the Community Center at the Armory to the Old City Hall Auditorium.

The 10th Annual Veteran Affairs Day jointly hosted by American Legion Post 99 and All-American VFW Post 6280 on Friday, from 10:00 to 2:00. The event will be located at 2522 Hwy 32 West in Salem. 

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance and District 1 Commissioner Keith Green was selected as the acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax monies received in April. The General Revenue Fund and Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund each received $97,415.85 which is $1,194.61 less than for April of 2024. Those funds year-to-date are both down $724.27 from last year. The Road and Bridge Fund received $48,545.37 in April and that is up $5,159.35 over April of 2024; and year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $12,156.31. The Dent County Jail Operating and Trust funds each received $97,474.81 in April and that is up $10,281.13 over April of 2024. Year-to-date, the jail funds are both up $24,396.67. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Green and District 2 Commissioner Jimmy Williams said the road and bridge guys are off today due to the Good Friday being a legal holiday. Both commissioners said over the last week numerous culverts have been installed, replacing damaged culverts. Rock was added to those areas and patch grading done where needed. Commissioner Green said the fuel tank at the Road and Bridge Department was cleaned out thoroughly and is ready to be refilled and guys did some maintenance work on the equipment and at the shop. Commissioner Jimmy Williams says he has two dump truck down that will have to have service at Gahr Equipment in St. James. He also said the old John Deere brush cutter is not operational. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she attended the Missouri association of Counties board meeting where the board heard from Trent Watson who is the MAC legislative consultant. They also talked about NACO activities and head from Travis Elliott who gave legal updates. On Monday last week, Curley, Treasurer Denita Williams, Commissioner Jimmy Williams and Presiding Commissioner Larson all attended the MAC Legislative Day in Jefferson City where they visited with legislators. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Public Water Supply Annual Water Quality Report has been released and there were no violations that occurred for the calendar year 2024. All levels of contaminants found in the water were lower than required by government regulations. If you would like to see the City of Salem Annual Water Quality Report, a copy can be found at the City of Salem Administration Building at 4th and Iron Streets, at the Salem Water Department Office or at the KSMO Radio studios.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows young turkey hunters in Missouri harvested 4,428 birds over the past youth weekend, April 12th and 13th. Top harvest counties were Osage with 107 birds harvested, Gasconade with 105, and Texas with 94. Harvest totals in our area included Crawford with 61, Dent with 56, Iron County total was 12, Maries with 86, Phelps had 49 birds harvested and Reynolds County total was 23. Young hunters checked 3,721 birds during the 2024 spring youth weekend. This spring’s harvest of 4,428 birds is the second highest harvest since the youth season began in 2001. Get more information by county at mdc.mo.gov. The regular spring turkey season runs April 21st through May 11th.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen convened for their regular session on Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium, located at 202 N. Washington Street. Following roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and invocation, the Board approved the agenda with the removal of Resolution 7-2025. Mayor Greg Parker presented former East Ward Alderman Shawn Bolerjack with a recognition award for his distinguished service. After certification of election results, three officials were sworn in: Alderman Nathan Kinsey (East Ward, Unexpired Term), Alderman John Whelan (West Ward, two-year term), and Alderman Rick Letchworth (East Ward, two-year term). The Board subsequently elected Alderman Letchworth as president. Mayor Parker’s reappointments to various municipal bodies, including the Planning and Zoning Board, Utility Committee, Parks and Recreation, and Airport Board, were approved with Alderwoman Cathy Dent casting the sole dissenting vote. The Board unanimously approved the High School Senior Parade road closure request, maintaining the traditional route; J&M Construction and Fencing’s $40,650.00 bid for fence and gate replacement at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, to be funded from the sewer reserve fund which currently has a balance of $125,000.00, with potential FEMA reimbursement; Sunbelt Solomon’s $11,055 proposal for eleven transformers at $1,005 each, with $7,500 to be transferred from the equipment maintenance fund into the transformer fund to facilitate the purchase. The Board discussed and approved several resolutions, including: Resolution No. 13-2025, authorizing the Mayor to sign the Quit-Claim Deed transferring ownership of 306 E. Second Street to Sherri Harweger; Resolution No. 14-2025, approving the three-year Tower Lease Agreement with Wave Internet, which renews a longstanding arrangement that will generate $1,200 annually for the Water Department’s Rents and Royalties line item; and Resolution No. 16-2025, declaring support for the preservation of the Federal Tax Exemption of Municipal Bonds. During City Officials’ reports, Mayor Parker announced that the Carry the Cross event would take place at the Crossroads Friday morning from 7:00 to 11:00 today. City Clerk Tammy Kohler reminded citizens to remove all decorations from cemetery graves to facilitate staff cleanup and preparations for Memorial Day. City Administrator Sally Burbridge presented the Public Works report, while Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois explained that playground repairs cannot commence until temperatures consistently remain above 40 degrees for a two-week period. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released the following reports for April 9th and 10th. On Wednesday Deputies arrested a 61-year-old Salem woman on an active felony warrant. The woman was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Also, on Wednesday Deputies arrested a 56 year old Edgar Springs woman on an active felony warrant. She was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. One more arrest occurred on the 9th when Deputies conducted a traffic stop on South Maple Street. During the course of the stop, a 26 year old Salem man was arrested for a drug offense and transported to the Dent County Jail. Then on Thursday the 10th, Deputies took a Property Damage report. The victim, a 36 year old Salem man, advised the window was broken out of his truck. The incident was determined to be weather-related. Also, on the Thursday Deputies arrested a 36 year old Salem man on an active felony arrest warrant. The man was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. If you have any information on an investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.