Local News

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held their tax rate hearing for the year 2021 and fiscal year 2022 Tuesday afternoon at noon via Zoom. Chief Financial Officer Doug Hogan presented the assessed valuations for 2020 and 2021 for real estate and personal property. In 2020, the real property assessed valuation was $189,658,299 and personal property came in at $68,611,997 for a total of $258,270,296. In 2021, the assessed valuation for real estate property was $192,139,394 with personal property valued at $70,357,485 for a total of $262,496,879. These assessed valuations come from all of Dent County and portions of Crawford, Iron and Shannon counties. Last year, the tax rate was at 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation which generated $628,294 for capital projects for the hospital which are comprised of the building and campus, property and equipment. The maximum rate allowed by the state auditor’s office is still 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The board approved staying with the maximum rate of 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation for 2021 that will generate $629,992. The hospital approved the resolution that included the tax rate and stipulated the board did not elect to take a voluntary reduction for the 2021 year. The hearing and meeting were then adjourned.

It’s time to saddle up for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 7:30 each evening at The Commons on Highway 72. The gate opens at 5:00 and the Base Enterprise Carnival will be in the barn starting at 5:00 as well. There will be numerous vendors and a concession stand will be available on the grounds. Each nights’ activities will kick off with the Parade of Sponsors Flags prior to the National Anthem. Those attending will have the opportunity to salute our Veterans by wearing your Red, White and Blue attire. In addition to the traditional rodeo events, you will be treated to the calf scramble for kids 10-years of age and under, Blake Skaggs Mini Buckers and the half-time show featuring The Rawhide and Dusty Show. Tickets in advance are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids ages 5 to 11. Advance ticketsare available at the Salem Chamber/VisitorsCenter, and all local banks including The Bank of Salem, Town & Country Bank-Salem, Progressive Ozark Bank, and Riverways Federal Credit Union at both the Salem and Rolla locations. At the gate admission each night will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids 5 to 11. Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy the fun and competition.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2021 Labor Day weekend. It’s everyone’s responsibility to travel safely and observe all Missouri road laws. In Missouri, 18 people died and 463 were injured in 1,041 traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day holiday. This means one person was killed or injured every 9.7 minutes. Troopers arrested 146 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2021 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 this Friday evening through 11:59 Monday night, September 6th. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. Troopers on the roadways will be enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. The public is encouraged to call the + or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

Missouri State Parks invites the public to begin their archery journey by attending hands-on courses at Echo Bluff State Park. Course will be held September 18th from 2:00 until 4:00, and October 16th from 10:00 until noon.  Participants may register for the August course beginning July 3rd. This program is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of archery and atlatl throwing. The Learn2 Aim courses offer two hours of free instruction and are open to ages 10 and older. Registration is required and all slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Missouri State Parks provides the equipment, including bows, atlatls, targets and expertise, in a safe environment. Participants should bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn a historical skill. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians do not have to participate but must be on hand to provide adult supervision. Participants should be comfortable around bows and atlatls. All Missouri State Park rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented event; alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Program.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports. On Tuesday afternoon, August 2nd at around 4:30, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a female subject had stolen approximately $45 worth of merchandise from the store. Contact was made with the suspect and a 25-year-old woman from Salem was arrested and issued a summons for shoplifting. The next day around noon, an officer located a female subject with numerous warrants for her arrest. As a result, a 38-year-old Ellington woman was arrested on eight warrants for her arrest and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Saturday morning, the 7th at approximately 6:00, an officer conducted a traffic stop for a license violation. Contact was made with the operator of the vehicle, and it was confirmed the female driver had a revoked driving status. Consent to search the vehicle was obtained and suspected methamphetamine was located. The 41-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated pending the application of warrants. During the evening of Friday, the 13th near 8:00, an officer was dispatched to the area of Phil Mart for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival the officer observed one vehicle strike another one and ordered the driver of the vehicle out of the vehicle. During the investigation, it was apparent the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated. As a result, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants at the Dent County Jail. During the early morning hours of Sunday, the 15th around 1:00, an officer contacted a subject he knew to have an active arrest warrant. As a result, a 58-year-old Salem man was arrested on a Phelps County warrant and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition. Later that same day around noon, an officer was dispatched to the area of Franklin and Water Streets for a report of a suspicious subject. Contact wasmade with the subject in question and upon further investigation it was found she was in possession of Methamphetamine. As a result, a 36-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. During this time period of August 2nd through the 15th, there were approximately ten reports of property damage and vandalism throughout town at locations that included the Salem City Park and other businesses. Officers and investigators worked through many leads and obtained video surveillance in the crimes and as a result the cases have been resolved and suspects have been identified and questioned. These reports have been sent to the Juvenile Office for further action. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem will be doing curbside yard waste pick-up starting Tuesday, September 7th. Items that will be picked up by the city include limbs and branches that are cut to a length of four feet or less, and grass that is bagged in recyclable leaf bags which can be purchased at the city utility office $2.50 for ten bags. The city will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged, cut, and placed at the edge of the curb or sidewalk. They ask that you do not block the sidewalk or place items in the street. The city of Salem reserves the right to charge for exceptionally large volumes of yard waste or to recommend removal by a private company. Items that will not be picked up include appliances, household trash, tires, electronics, lumber or building materials, furniture, or recyclables. For more information, call the city at 729-4811.

The Missouri Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program that provides benefit vouchers to low-income seniors who are 60-years of age or older is now available in Dent, Crawford and Phelps County through the Mid Missouri Aging Best office. Eligible seniors will receive 10 vouchers with a value of $5.00 each for a total of $50 each year they can be used to purchase fresh, raw, unprepared foods grown in Missouri and that includes fruits, vegetables, honey and cooking herbs. The vouchers may be used now until October 31st or earlier if your local farmer’s market closes before Octobers 31st. You have until September 30th to get your vouchers and they can be used at any Farmer’s Market that is part of the program. The maximum household income to qualify for the program is 185% of the poverty level for a single person with incremental income levels for those with multiple family members. A senior may also qualify if they participate in the SNAP program or Community Supplemental Food Program. Seniors can also name a proxy on their behalf to apply for and purchase foods on their behalf. The program application must be signed by both. For more information about the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Dent, Crawford or Phelps County, contact Aging Best at 573-443-5823. The program is also available in Shannon and Texas counties through the Springfield Senior Age Agency on Aging by calling 417-862-0762.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Road 5630 and spot grading would be done in the Montauk area to fix washouts from the Sunday morning rain. Mobray said a man would be hauling brown rock and a crew would be preparing an area where a bridge on Dent County Road 4210 will be tore out next week. The road will be closed starting Tuesday and is expected to be closed until the bridge is replaced which should be around two weeks. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on county roads 2530, 2540, 2550, 3330 and 3340. He said a crew would be cleaning out ditches on Dent County Road 4330 while materials will be added, brush will be cut, and grading will be done on county road 4260. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles indicated he attended the CCAM meeting at Echo Bluff State Park last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to discuss the commissioner training to be held in February at Columbia. He said the commissioners heard from Representative Ron Copeland that the legislature is considering doing away with the April elections and consolidate all elections until the November General Election. This would create a huge burden on county clerks to get out the number of different ballots that would cover municipal elections, school board elections, bond issues and more in addition to the General Election list of candidates and issues. The costs may become exorbitant. Skiles said county commissioners are not in favor of this and he felt that the clerk’s association would not be in favor of it as well. Skiles reported the courthouse will be closed for Labor Day and the commissioners agreed to meet on Tuesday at 9:00 for their regular meeting. Skiles also wanted to remind everyone to get your tickets for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this Saturday and Sunday at The Commons. Advance tickets are available at all the local banks and the Salem Chamber office and are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 5-11 years of age. The cost at the gate Saturday and Sunday will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for youngsters from 5 to 11 years of age. The gate opens at 5:00 with a carnival in the barn with the rodeo starting at 7:30 each evening. Bonnie Prigge and Kelly Sink from the MRPC attended the meeting and discussed with the commissioners some information about the ARPA funds that are becoming available. Sink brought in a sample investment proposal form for the ARPA eligible activities that include supporting public health expenditures, addressing negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers, and allowing for the investment in sewer, water and broadband infrastructure. This form would document the project submitted for funds. Prigge said the CARES Act funds were for events that were in the past while the ARPA funds are basically looking at events still to come, although some historical data will need to be used. The county talked after adding a much needed bathroom to the courthouse which Sink said would qualify for the funds, and they would also be able to replace some of the income lost due to the sales tax debacle by the Department of Revenue, but that would not occur until next year. The deadline for submission of projects is January 1st, 2023. Any project that would be funded through ARPA must be obligated by December 31st, 2024 and spent by December 31st of 2026. The commissioners also talked with Corky Stack of Stack Design and Consulting Group about improvements to be done to the exterior of the courthouse. Stack and the commissioners signed the agreement for Stack to proceed with work on the project. The next meeting of the county commission will be Tuesday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will hold a tax levy hearing and special meeting today at the hospital library starting at noon. The special meeting will follow the tax levy public hearing at about 12:15 to provide a summary of the tax rate hearing. In new business, the board will set the tax rate for the year 2021 before adjourning. The hearing and the special meeting are both open to the public via zoom. Contact Tonya Akers to get information to Zoom the meeting by calling at 573-729-6626, Extension 4005.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 10:00 in Crawford County on Route YY about a mile east of the Phelps County Line. According to the highway patrol report, a 1992 Toyota Pickup driven eastbound by 56-year-old David Walter of Cook Station, swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway. The Toyota traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a tree and then overturned. Suffering moderate injuries was a passenger in the pickup, 48-year-old Theresa Walter who was taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Walters were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Toyota pickup was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles Towing.

An accident happened in St. Francois County Sunday morning at 2:30 on Highway 67 northbound about a quarter of a mile north of Highway 47. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Ford Escape driven northbound by 21-year-old Jacob Rusk of Salem, struck the backside of a 2019 Nissan Sentra driven north-bound by 21-year-old Breanna Stephan of Herculaneum, forcing the Nissan into the south-bound lanes. Suffering moderate injuries was the driver of the Nissan, Breanna Stephan and she was transported by the St. Francois County Ambulance to the Parkland Hospital – South. Suffering minor injuries were 18-year-old Desiraie Stephan of Bonne Terre and 19-year-old Sebastian Santschi of Park Hills. They were also taken by St. Francois Ambulance to the Parkland Hospital – South. Rusk was not injured in the accident. Everyone was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan was totaled while the Ford Escape had moderate damages. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Marler’s Towing.

There will be a Farm Lease Workshop in Rolla this Thursday from 6:00 – 9:30 in the evening at the Phelps County Courthouse Multi-Purpose Room. Those wishing to attend via Zoom need to contact Rachel Hopkins. The workshop will help people work through a farm lease which can be intimidating and sometimes difficult. The Farm Lease Workshop will cover the different areas that both tenants and landlords need to be aware of such as the current cash rents in Missouri, specific items for a lease, terminating farm leases, recreational or hunting leases, crop or livestock share arrangements and more. Dinner is included. Remember, it’s always easier to work out the problem before it becomes a problem. The cost is $40 per person or $65 per farm couple and a light dinner will be provided. For more information, contact Rachel Hopkins at (573) 438-2671.

Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) announced that Quincey Steelman in 6th grade at Salem Middle School was awarded an honorable mention during the 30th Annual Earth Day Poster, Trash and Graphic Art contest. This year’s contest theme was “Go Green – Keep Our Planet Clean.” Steelman was under the direction of teacher Angela Dingess with the Salem R80 school district. The contest required participants to re-purpose trash into three-dimensional pieces of art or create posters, hand drawn or graphically designed, based on the year’s theme. There were 268 entries from 12 schools in the district and one homeschool group. The contest was open to kindergarten through 12th grade, homeschool, college and university students who reside or attend school in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. A gallery of awarded students art by grade level may be found on our website at ozarkrivers.org/programs-and-services/earth-day/. Congratulations Quincey!

Mayor Kim Steelman has called a special meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen for Thursday night at 7:00 to consider the appointment of an East Ward Alderman who will then take the oath of office if approved by the board. The Aldermen will then choose a President of the Board before adjourning. The meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley was in Crawford County on Tuesday in front of Judge Michael Randazzo in the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court for two cases. In the first case, Brian Weber of Salem pled guilty to a charge of felony assault with a deadly weapon and the distribution of methamphetamine to an undercover drug task force officer. Judge Randazzo sentenced Weber to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as requested by the state. In the second case, Rex Leonard of Salem pled guilty to failing to register a change of address as a sex offender. Randazzo sentenced Leonard to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections under the Section 559.115 program as requested by the state. Leonard requested to be placed on probation without the 120 days, but that request was denied by the judge.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers with schools now back open to be vigilant always, but especially near school zones, playgrounds, bicycle paths, and crosswalks when schools are in session. Expect pedestrian and bicycle traffic to increase near schools on days where the weather is good. When schools are in session, drivers should expect a change in traffic patterns as school buses and parents taking their children to school and many young drivers will join other motorists on the road and affect the morning and afternoon commute. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination. In 2020, no one was killed in traffic crashes involving school buses; however, 152 people were injured. In Missouri last year, 453 traffic crashes involved school buses. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway. Most traffic crashes involving young drivers, under the age of 21, occur during the afternoon between 3:00 and 4:00 when school typically lets out. Many of these drivers are young and inexperienced. It is important to encourage those young drivers to remember driving is a full-time job. Using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. Texting is against the law for anyone under the age of 22. Every driver needs to be aware of the increased traffic during this time and not just in areas around schools. Some of these young drivers are headed to an after-school activity or going to work.

The Dent County Extension is offering a Barn Quilt Class on Thursday, September 2nd at the Creative Arts Center at 202 South Main Street in Salem from 9:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. The cost is $40 and there is a limit of 15 participants for the class. TODAY is the last day to register so call the Dent County Extension Center at 729-3196 or stop by at 112 East 5th Street. Participants will need to bring their own sack lunch.

A two-vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon around 5:15 in Phelps County about a mile south of Rolla in the southbound lane of US Highway 63. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2015 Lincoln MKC being driven by 60-year-old Lana Blankenship of Rolla was making a right-hand turn and was struck from behind by a 2008 Dodge Caravan being driven by 23-year-old Hailey Salts of Vienna. Blankenship suffered minor injuries and was taken by Phelps Health EMS to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage. The Lincoln was able to be driven from the scene. Salts sought her own towing company for removal. The report went on to state that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley has released the following report. In April of 2021, a series of burglaries, automobile thefts and property damage occurred in and around Bunker, Missouri. The incidents that occurred in Dent County were investigated by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. On April 29th, suspect Austin Hill was arrested and charged with these offenses. As a result of the investigation, 13 victims were located and provided services from the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Advocate. On August 2nd, Hill pled guilty to the charges and a sentencing hearing was conducted on the same day. After previously consulting with the victims, Prosecutor Curley asked Circuit Judge Michael Randazzo to consider two options for sentencing. The first option was a 10-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections to be served. The second option was a 14-year sentence in Department of Corrections under Section 559.115. Prosecutor Curley explained to the Judge at the sentencing hearing that a portion of the victims preferred a straight sentence, while other victims preferred a Section 559.115 sentence due to the age of the defendant and his lack of prior felony convictions. Hill requested to be continued on probation. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Randazzo sentenced Austin Hill to 14 years in the Department of Corrections under Section 559.115. In the event Hill is released from Prison under Section 559.115, he will be supervised by Missouri Probation and Parole, ordered to repay his restitution to each victim, and must comply with a litany of probation conditions.

Superintendent Holland from Oak Hill R-1 School has announced that Oak Hill R-1’s first day of school will now be Monday, August 30th. The change was due to the confusion on the amount of days staff needed to quarantine who tested positive and their primary contacts. Holland says there will be no open house.

An accident happened Friday evening, August 13th, at around 8:20. According to the report released by the Salem Police Department a 1993 GMC Sierra, owned and driven by Larry Robinson of Salem was making a left turn leaving Wells Liquor and Package store and pulled into the path of a 2008 Dodge Dakota being driven west by Isaac Westerman and owned by Joseph Westerman of Salem. After the accident the Dodge stalled in the center turn lane. The GMC continued west until the vehicle came to rest in the ditch line. An ambulance responded to the scene to check on Robinson who declined and further medical services. Westerman also declined medical treatment at the scene. Both vehicles had disabling damage with the GMC being towed by Whitakers Towing. The Dodge was towed from the scene by American Muffler and Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. John McIntyre was in attendance and asked the commission about adding a small amount of new chip and seal roads each year and the answer by the commission was the prohibitive cost of maintenance of the roads. The county passed a sales tax a few years back to help pay to maintain the chip and seal roads as money was coming from General Revenue to cover those costs before the tax was passed. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART tax received in August and that came to $62,089.22 which was down $850.78 from last August, but year-to date, the CART funds are up $49,501.24. Williams also gave the sales tax report. In the month of August, the General Revenue Fund and the LEST fund came in at $91,784.55 and that was up $4,262.15 from last August, but year to date, those funds are down $236,139.95. The Road and Bridge Fund received $39,747.15 in August and that was down last August figure of $42,175.68. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is down $127,000.50. The Jail Operating and Trust Funds each received $79,486.42 in August and that is $4,865.23 less than the $84.351.65 received in August of 2020. The jail and operating trust funds are both down $253,737.65 year-to-date. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said that grading would be done Dent County Road 5600, while brush would be cut on county road 5080 and 5085. Mobray also said rock would be added to county road 5590. He also reported that a crew would be applying Ultimate Pavement Material on chip and seal roads and another crew would be replacing county roads. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading would be done on Dent County Road 4330 while brush would be cut on county roads 4050 and 4055. Larson said a limb was done on county road 2530 that was being removed. He also said crews would be servicing the old loader and grader #31. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting Thursday and they reinforced the building of a new bridge on Route TT in Sligo as a top priority. Skiles also said the sidewalks on the east side of Highway 19 are on the list. Skiles said he would be attending three days of meetings at Echo Bluff with the County Commissioner Association to work on the annual training. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of July. She also said all the tax entities need to have their tax rates to the county clerk before September 1st. The commission also approved financing for a new sheriff department patrol car that costs $37,801. The winning bid for a three-year lease from the Bank of Salem at 2.49% with a $200 prep fee. Sarah Hultine Massengale was in to update the commission on upcoming extension programs. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem announces Mayor Brad Nash has submitted his letter of resignation for personal reasons effective Friday, August 20th, 2021. Because of the resignation of Mayor Nash, a special meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen has been called by Alderwoman Kim Steelman and Alderman Kevin James for this evening at 7:00 in City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. After the call to order and roll call, the board will elect and administer the oath of office to a new Mayor. The aldermen will also present Bill #3488 to amend Chapter 110, Article II, Section 110.170 concerning the Board of Aldermen meeting days and times. This bill will edit sub-sections A and B to read as follows: Section A – The board of aldermen of the city shall meet in regular session in the board room of the City Hall at the hour of 6:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month and Section B – If the regular meeting shall fall on a holiday, the regular meeting shall be held at 6:00 PM on the following Thursday. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval and shall remain in effect from the date of passage. The special meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen this evening is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a tax rate hearing Thursday evening before their regular meeting at the district administrative offices. Superintendent Lynne Reed said the real estate assessed valuation increased $206,000 and the personal property in Dent County went up $636,000 dollars. Last year, the operating levy was $2.75 per $100 assessed valuation and the debt service was 45 cents per $100 assessed valuation for a total of $3.20. There was no public input. In the regular meeting, Dr. Herman Blau from the William Lynch Elementary School stated 235 total students enrolled as of August 12th. He said the open house for Tiger Tots will be Monday starting at 4:00 and being staggered by last name first letters, while the kindergarten and 1st grade open house will be Tuesday from 5:00 until 6:30, again staggered by last name first letters. At the Upper Elementary School, they have 338 students enrolled but that number is changing daily. Superintendent Reed said the district is in desperate need for bus drivers and if anyone would be interested to get in touch with the district at 729-6642. The board approved the 2020-2021 Annual Secretary of the Board Report and the tax rate of $3.20 per $100 assessed valuation as presented at the tax hearing. The board approved the Head Start Memorandum of Understanding and Transition Agreement and approved the three-year fuel bid from County Fuels for $2.2566 per gallon for unleaded and $2.3945 per gallon for diesel. The board decided not to revise board policy GBEBC that dealt with students reporting arrests to the school. The board discussed the Safe to Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan for the school year. The board decided temperature checks this year were not needed, that students are recommended to wear a mask but they are not required to do so, and teachers are recommended to wear a mask but it is not required. Superintendent Reed said federal law requires masks to be worn on school busses. If someone tests positive for COVID, they will have to be in isolation for 14 days while those exposed to someone may quarantined for 10 days and come back if they are fever free and symptom free. This does not apply for those who are vaccinated. The board approved the ESSER III Plan and budget where the school will be getting $3.85 million dollars of which 20% must go to learning lost and the other 80 percent can go to salaries. The money that would have been used for salaries will remain in the general fund and the school would be able to transfer the full amount of their annual allotment to Fund 4 for building improvements. The board discussed the Extended Paid Sick Leave for COVID and after a long discussion and different options, agreed to extend the program on a month-to-month basis which will be reviewed by the board. The board approved the FFA National Convention out of state trip and the High School choir out of state trip subject to the change if conditions with the pandemic change before the second semester. Superintendent Reed said she was in support of forfeiting sick leave for support staff who leave the employment of the Salem R-80 district without giving two-weeks-notice. This is a part of board policy GDBDA and she will confer with DESE about their opinion. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened at 10:00 Thursday night in Dent County on Route H about 13 miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 35-year-old Steven Stagner of Salem was riding a 2001 Yamaha V-Star when he failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the right side of the roadway. Stagner was ejected from the Yamaha and was not wearing safety devices. He suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy St. Louis Hospital. The Yamaha was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler and Towing.

Superintendent Holland from Oak Hill R-1 School has announced that due to a number of positive COVID cases and staff on quarantine, they will postpone the opening of school until Tuesday, September 7th. They also want parents to know their open house has been cancelled.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, the Salem License Office in the Crossroads will be closed today through Friday, August 27th. They will reopen Monday August 30th at 8:00 AM.

A two-vehicle accident happened Thursday morning around 7:20 in Dent County on Highway 32 about 12 miles east of Salem. The report released from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Ford Explorer being driven by 83-year-old Rodney Parker of Bunker failed to yield while making a left turn to a 2016 Chevrolet pickup being driven by 42-year-old Andrew Mendenhall of Salem. Parker suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Salem EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Explorer was totaled. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The report went on to state that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accidents.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released several reports for this past week. On Saturday, August 7th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 700 block of North Washington Street to serve a warrant. At that time, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. The next day a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Mildred Street and Highway 32 East. As a result of the stop, a 64-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Tuesday, August the 10th while on routine patrol, a deputy observed a 27-year-old Salem man walking on West Rolla Road near Henderson Street. The deputy knew the man to have active warrants through Dent County. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Wednesday, the 11th of August, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 3000 block of North Highway 19 to serve a warrant. At that time a 58-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Friday the 13th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of South Main Street. During the traffic stop, a 26-year-old man from Salem was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission Rural Opioid Initiatives, the Meramec Region’s Rural Opioid Program and Opioid Affected Youth Initiative, in partnership with Mid-MO Addiction Awareness Group will host an opioid use disorder awareness walk in Steelville tomorrow morning beginning at 10:00. The walk aims at providing awareness for opioid use disorder. MRPC’s rural opioid initiatives work to educate, increase awareness and identify prevention strategies for opioid use disorder throughout the Meramec Region for youth, children, families and adults. Resource information will be available at the walk. Participants will meet at the Steelville Schools Administration Building, 817 Main Street. in Steelville, where sign-ups will be available. The walkers will then travel left onto MO Highway 19 South and proceed through town. There will be a water stop in the community parking lot by Dollar General. Participants will then return to the administration building, following the same route. It is requested that all pets be left at home. Masks and social distancing will be encouraged. From 2015-2019, 41 people in Crawford County died of drug overdoses. Twenty-seven of those were opioid overdoses. When looking at Crawford and its neighboring counties of Gasconade, Phelps, Dent, and Washington, there were 186 overdose deaths for that timeframe with 110 of those deaths being opioid overdoses. Statistics for 2020 are not yet finalized. Persons needing more information on the walk can contact Christa Harmon at 573-265-2993 or by email at charmon@meramecregion.org. Pre-registration is not required.