Posts by Stan Podorski

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and Healthy Dent County are teaming up to host a Second Chance Job Fair today from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon at the Salem Community Center at the Armory located at 1200 W. Rolla Street in Salem. The job fair focuses on employers willing to hire individuals who are justice involved or in recovery from substance-use-disorder. Numerous employers will be attending include Walmart, Royal Oak and Eagle Stop to name a few, as well as the Missouri Job Center, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health and Invent Yourself, LLC who can provide resources to potential employees. This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize. This event is open to the public. Attendees will be eligible to win a door prize. This project is funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, totaling $1,000,000 awarded to MRPC in 2021.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois gave her report saying the soccer program went well even though the weather was challenging, they were able to get all the games in for the season. Dubois said the Summer Baseball, Softball and T-Ball program has 402 athletes signed up this year which is down from last year. She said her Summer Park Camp this year will be held in June from 8:00 in the morning until 1:00 and is limited to 25 children. Signups for that continue and people can find out more information by going to the Salem Park and Recreation Department Facebook Page, calling Melissa at 573-247-6031 or e-mailing her at salemparks@salemmo.com. The cost per child is $200. Dubois said she is considering holding a “Skills and Drills” Basketball Camp which would be a three-day camp, but she has not finalized all the details as of yet. She said the Al Brown Field Lighting Project is still not completed as the electricians are waiting on a missing piece needed for the transformer. She said the city crews will be building an elevated pad near the creek for the transformer once things dry out. Dubois said there was extensive damage to the pool liner from the hail storms in the area and an RFP has been put out for a replacement liner. She also reported the Tennis Courts have a new sign which was funded by the Salem High School Tennis Team and she thanks them for their support. She said the cracks in the concrete have been repaired but the skate park needs work and a new ramp she is looking at costs $6,700. She said the first park pavilion had the roof replaced by the construction crew, and if anyone has an interest in reserving a pavilion, please call 729-4811. She would also like to install a sign at the Al Brown Fields similar to the one at the Salem City Park on Rolla Road. Dubois also wanted to thank the high school students on their service day for digging and spreading the mulch around the trees at the Salem City Park. City of Salem Finance Director Stacey Houston and City Administrator Sally Burbridge went over the proposed budget with the Park Board. In revenues, Houston added $150,000 for the expected amount of insurance the city is going to get for the pool liner, but also added $200,000 as the cost of the liner. Houston said adjustments had been made for the amount of payroll with the pool being closed, and her initial budget deficit was $50,577. After some discussion, Houston had not made adjustments for the chemicals needed for the pool, plus the need to adjust the cost for electric and water which will be reduced with the pool not being open. Dubois also stated other items that were needed were a new pool filter using glass media, updates to the Al Brown Concession Building, the replacement of the roof at the City Park Concession and Restrooms near the softball fields, new bleachers at Al Brown Fields, and pool lighting repair or replacement. Park board member Luke Heithold asked if the roofs and pool lights had been inspected by the insurance adjuster for damages from the hail and Dubois said only by the construction crew. Heithold said he lives in the vicinity and he and his neighbors are all getting new roofs due to the storm. The park board then requested the city get the insurance adjuster to look at these items and see if there is hail damage that may be covered. Administrator Burbridge said new this year, they will be encumbering funds based on the useful life of park and rec assets for replacement. This would include mowers, vehicles, playground equipment, pool liners, etc. That figure came to just over $38,000 this year that will be set aside for asset replacement. This is different than the reserve funds of 25% of the previous years expenses which is kept aside for a “just in case” event. After more discussion, the park board approved the proposed budget which shows $837,651 in revenues and $849,900 in expenses, plus the $38,328 for the replacement fund using the park and rec fund balance to make up any budget deficit with a contingency. The contingency was that if there is more insurance money coming from other claims, the alderman will take that into consideration when considering the park board budget. The board postponed discussing a three to five year plan, but they did hear a wish-list from Park and Recreation Director Dubois that she would like them to consider when determining the three to five year plan. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5400 and 6633 while brush would be cut on county road 6570. Mobray stated workers were checking the Montauk area for washouts from the rains Friday night. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3195 while a crew will be hauling asphalt to county road 3210. He said workers would also be patching chip and seal roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said the commission received a report back on the hail damage to the courthouse from Alexander Construction and the insurance company. Larson said they are discussing the results of the report at this time. He also said they received the cost of the new handrail for the front of the courthouse and it came to $5,400. No action was taken at this meeting. Larson said he also attended the Tourism Tax Commission meeting Monday night. A concerned citizen who said he fell off his motorcycle due to ruts created by the rains on county road 6090 asked Commissioner Mobray if those ruts could be repaired so he doesn’t fall again. It was also announced there would be no commission meeting on Monday, May 27th as the courthouse will be closed for Memorial Day. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The draft Fiscal Year 2025 through 2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program or STIP, from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission, is now in its 30-day public review and comment period. The draft STIP makes available $13.8 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $13.8 billion, the draft STIP details $9.9 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $2 billion per year. It also contains programming details for the remaining $2.4 billion of General Revenue for the Improve I-70 program, which in full includes $2.8 billion for the costs to plan, design, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate and repair three lanes in each direction on nearly 200 miles of the corridor. In the past 10 years, MoDOT and its construction partners have completed 4,206 projects with a program value of $11.1 billion, but it was delivered $536 million below budget and 93% on time. The draft FY 2025 through 2029 STIP lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies for fiscal years 2025-2029 and reflects the transportation needs of communities across the state. The proposed program is now available for public review. In Dent County, there are four projects in the STIP including pavement preservation on Route K from Highway 19 to Route KK, and also on Route J in Salem from Highway 32 to Highway 72; bridge improvement on Route B over Dry Creek; bridge improvement on Highway 19 over Spring Creek; and the upgrading of the pedestrian facilities to meet the ADA transition plan on Highway 32 and 19. Those interested in offering comments can contact MoDOT by email at STIPcomments@modot.mo.gov, by calling customer service at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636), or by mail to Transportation Planning, Program Comments, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. The program is also available on MoDOT’s website: modot.org/DRAFTSTIP. The formal comment period ends May 30th, 2024. The summary of comments will be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission following the public review period. After reviewing the summary of comments and the final transportation program, it will be considered for approval at the July 10th Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting at 5:30 in the hospital library this evening. At the meeting, the Board will hear a Delta Program update before reviewing previous meeting minutes. The Board will hear the Administrator’s report, plus the summary of operations for the month of April as well as statistics for the month. The Board will hear about the 340B program, receive the Chief Nursing Officer report, and be updated on Human Resources. After the Chief of Staff’s report, the board will discuss the state and matching funding update as well as the strategic planning update. In new business the board will discuss an organizational chart, tax levy increase, finance committee meeting and employee salary increases. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors meeting Tuesday night is open to the public. To attend the meeting by electronic means, call Hannah Harris in the hospital administration office at 729-6626, extension 4005.

Want to learn to fish? MDC’s Discover Nature – Fishing Program provides a series of free lessons throughout the state. All fishing gear is provided. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/fishing. If you need fishing gear, the Department of Conservation works with numerous libraries and 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. The Salem Public Library and Current River State Park offer the loaner gear. Call them at 729-4311 or 858-3015 for more information.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 10:50 on private property on Route J in Oates that took the life of an 11-year-old boy. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Yamaha Viking being driven by an 11-year-old male juvenile, reversed onto a mound of gravel and overturned, with the Yamaha coming to rest on top of the young boy. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington County Paramedic Jamie Lallumondiere at 11:26, and the body was transported by the Reynolds County Coroner to the McSpadden Funeral Home. The highway patrol was assisted by the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Department.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the district administrative offices boardroom. The board heard from Ruben Hovey about the wrestling club and Mrs Russell showed a video of the choir. Dave Dawson from the community addressed the board before they heard the Superintendent’s report from Dr. Lynne Reed and Dr. Nathan Wills. Reed reported the CSIP progress updates were presented to the building principals before Reed and Wills provided information regarding the insurance claim for damages to school property from the recent hail storms. Dr. Wills also informed the board the yearly professional development needs assessment had been conducted, and the school identified focus areas for next year’s professional development. After the building principals gave their reports, the bids for the FEMA storm shelter construction and the Healthy Dent County sponsorship were postponed for a later date. In the regular meeting, the board declared Chromebooks as surplus property and requested bids for purchase. They approved MSBA Policy AI with suggestions from board member Marjorie Piatt, and also approved the contract with Shied Solutions. The board approved the career ladder plan, approved the contract with Show-Me Therapy Services, approved the contract with First Student for ECSE transportation, approved an MOA with the University of Missouri for a College Advisor, and approved the CACFP contract. The board approved out-of-state trips for the Salem FFA, the constructions trades program and the choir before the board failed to approve a ballot initiative for the August 2024 election as the motion failed by a 7-0 vote. The board approved the lease agreement with the Dent County Developmental Disabilities, approved the summer school food service program, and they authorized the solicitation of bids for roof, siding, HVAC, greenhouse repairs and all other replacements from the recent hail damage. The board accepted the resignations of Carilee Ball as the district psychological examiner, Josh Gorman for high school math, Mark Howard for high school social studies and assistant track coach, Jerry Adkins as a high school social studies teacher and Terrie Welch for high school track. Also resigning were support staff members Sherri Reichard as the high school nurse, custodian Dalton Chapman and para professionals Stephanie Grace and Daisy Shalbot. In closed session, the Salem R-80 board hired Megan Blair as a a high school chemistry teacher and head track coach, Charles Overton for 8th grade English/Language Arts, Katherine Culp as a Kindergarten teacher, Alaina Santhuff for SLP-A, Brentnee Miller as a teacher, Elizabeth Robertson as a high school math teacher, Eric Metcalf as a high school history instructor, Hannah Terrill as the upper elementary special education instructor, Shelby Botkin as the Middle School Volleyball Coach and Neal Myers as the Head Golf Coach. The board heard student issues before approving attendance appeals that were recommended by the administration. After real estate was discussed, the board extending Dr. Rachel Green’s contract to 220 days. The board then adjourned the closed and regular meeting.

A one vehicle accident happened early Friday morning at 12:30 in Callaway County on westbound Highway 54 at the Route AE/TT off ramp. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox being driven by 18-year-old Azaleaya Edwards of Rolla, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Edwards, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered minor injuries. A passenger who was not wearing a seat restraint, 18-year-old Deja Whitfield of Jefferson City, received moderate injuries. Both were taken by Callaway County EMS to University hospital in Columbia. The Equinox was totaled and removed from the scene by Tom and Steves Towing.

City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board president Carlos Lopez has called for a meeting of the Board for this afternoon at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. After the call to order and roll call, the Board will hear the Director’s report, consider and approve the budget, and review the 3-5 year plan. The meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board is open to the public.

The Salem Police department has released their report for the month of April. The department responded to seven accidents during the month. Officers responded to two alarms sounding and addressed 33 animal calls, investigated four assaults or fights, two burglaries, performed 22 well being checks and 16 area checks in April. Police investigated 15 domestic disputes, eight verbal disturbances, conducted 53 follow-up investigations, and provided 14 escorts. They investigated two nuisance violations, one report of fraud, took two missing persons reports, and offered assistance to four motorists. The Salem Police wrote five property damage reports, made 14 stealing reports, and responded to three traffic complaints. Officers investigated one sex offense charge, 20 suspicious circumstance calls, 9 suspicious person calls, and five suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve 7 warrants and conducted 48 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 465 incidents in April with the average response time to calls being one minute and 59 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 21 minutes and 50 seconds.