Local News

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated Dent County received between seven and eight inches of rain in the last six days. Crews were out over the weekend to work on making sure roads were passable and open. He said they will be adding materials, patching and grading on Dent County Road 4160 while county road 5525 will get materials and be graded. Other roads to get attention will be county road 6670 that will be graded while county roads 5520, 6250 and 6255 as well as many other roads will receive patch grading. Crews will be out checking on other roads as well to make sure they are drivable. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said his crews were also out over the weekend checking roads for damage. He said materials will be added to Dent County Roads 4010, 4030, 5200 and 5270 and many others as work will be done on those roads to put them back in shape. Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles will be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting today at St. James, and will also be attending the “Meramec Morning” Wednesday morning starting at 9:00 at the Salem Community Center at the Armory. Interested citizens, local officials, non-profits, businesses, schools and community leaders are encouraged to attend. The MRPC will share some information about the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and ask those attending to share what is happening in your city and county, especially as it relates to economic development. Skiles also wanted to remind everyone to get their 2018 County Assessment forms in by Thursday or be faced with penalties. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting for the April 3rd election is continuing in her office and you must have a reason why you are voting early. Also, you must bring in a picture ID to vote. At the last meeting, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley came in to discuss a Burlington Northern easement request and will get back with the commission after he reviews it. He also discussed the county’s health insurance and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a report for Friday, February 23rd, deputies responded to a residence on Dent County Road 4170 for a report of stealing. The victim reported that her vehicle was broken into and items were taken from inside. The items taken included checks and $80 worth of coins. This report is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding this investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Friday afternoon, February 16th at approximately 5:45, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of East Fourth Street in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took two bicycles valued at $151.49 from the yard of a residence. The report is under investigation. That evening at 6:06, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of West Franklin in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke out a bedroom window of the residence that was valued at $80.00. The report is under investigation. On Saturday morning, February 17th at 12:37, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year old female of Salem for failing to comply with ignition interlock device requirements. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening at 11:19, an officer transported a 76-year old female of Salem to the New Hope Psychiatric Facility in Sullivan on a mental commitment order. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident happened Sunday morning at 10:45 in Dent County on Highway 68 at Route U. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire driven eastbound by 16-year old Hailey Corkell of Salem pulled into the path of a 2014 Ford Escape driven southbound by 75-year old Shirley Lyons of Cook Station. Lyons suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Both Corkell and Lyons were wearing seat restraints. The Pontiac was driven from the scene while Ford was towed by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

Time is running out if you want to help the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History reach their required goal in their quest to get an endowment match. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks selected the Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation to participate in this program that will reward them with $5,000 for their perpetual endowment fund provided the Bonebrake-McMurtrey Foundation Board could raise $10,000 by February 28th. According to Libby Sanders, the board has been able to raise $6,000 of the $10,000 that is required, but they only have until Wednesday to raise the money needed. Sanders said she feels confident the Salem Community will come through, but knows the time is getting close. If you would like to make a contribution or donation so they can reach their goal, please contact the Bonebrake Center. You can drop by 601 North Hickory Street, call 729-3400, or e-mail them at bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com. You can also contact any member of the Board of Trustees. Members of the Board are Carilee Ball, Jamin Bray, Mike Godi, Bonnie Gray, David Massengale, Austin Mitchell, Nancy Moenster, Libby Sanders, Jason Stotler and Stephanie Strader. This opportunity is one that shouldn’t be missed! If you have questions or need more information, contact Libby Sanders at 573-247-0279.

Remember, the Salem Vision 2040 second meeting will be held this evening, February 26th, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. At this meeting, the students from the Center for Community Studies will present a variety of vision sketches based on the information gathered from the first meeting that dealt with community visioning as well as the discussion with those interested in the community that were present. These “What If” ideas are intended to create discussions and broaden the community’s awareness of potential improvements. Come and bring your friends as people of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in the visioning process for your city.

An accident occurred on Thursday at 5:50 in the evening in Texas County on Highway 32 about 5 miles west of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Mitzubishi Fuso Truck driven by Ryan Nash of Salem traveled off the roadway into a ditch and overcorrected, coming to rest on its side in the roadway. The Mitzubishi sustained moderate damage and was towed by Whitaker’s of Salem. Nash suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by private vehicle. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

Teacher candidates from the Southwest Baptist University campus at Salem recently began their student teaching this semester in area elementary, middle school and high school classrooms. Those student-teachers are: Samantha Callahan, Sara Anderson, Ashlyn Cook, Diana Welch, Meagan Stuckmyer, Megan Hammonds, Mary Ellen Arts, Kayla Hemken, Micheal Fleetwood and Chris James. The SBU Salem campus provides quality higher education close to home for residents of Dent counties and the surrounding areas. Classes are taught in the afternoon and evening, making a degree at SBU-Salem attainable for people who are in the workforce but pursuing higher education to open new employment opportunities. For more information about the SBU-Salem campus, contact Chris Welch at (573) 729-7071 or salem@SBUniv.edu.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 6500, the Cedar Grove Road, which is commonly called White Oak Hollow. He also noted that materials would be added to county road 6410, while his crew was also out cleaning culvert inlets and crossovers with pitchforks and shovels in preparation for the next rain event. Purcell said that on Monday he attended the Tourism Committee meeting where three proposals were submitted and approved, plus one reimbursement request was submitted and approved. He added that on Tuesday he attended the South Central Community Action Agency meeting in Winona. Purcell said the Agency received a clean audit with no recommendations, plus he learned that funds are still available for weatherization and renovations for those who qualify. He said those needing more information should call (573) 729-3500 and talk to Sarah. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he had a backhoe cleaning areas on Dent County Road 2340, plus materials would be added to that roadway. He said he had a man replacing signs on county roads 2340 and 2360. Larson went on to say that his crew was patching washouts and hauling materials to numerous areas. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that last Thursday he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting at MRPC Headquarters in St. James where he learned that traffic fatalities are down for the MoDOT District that Dent County is part of. He also reported that he attended the GRO meeting this past Tuesday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind Dent County voters that absentee voting is going on in her office for the April 3rd Municipal Election from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. She noted that the last day to mail out an absentee ballot for the April election is March 28th at 5:00 pm and that her office would be open Saturday, March 31st from 8:00 am until 12 noon for absentee voting. Curley added that the last day to register to vote for the April election is March 7th by 5:00 PM. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will Monday in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Vision 2040 second meeting will be held Monday evening, February 26th, from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. At this meeting, the students from the Center for Community Studies will present a variety of vision sketches based on the information gathered from the first meeting that dealt with community visioning as well as the discussion with those interested in the community that were present. These “What If” ideas are intended to create discussions and broaden the community’s awareness of potential improvements. Come and bring your friends as people of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in the visioning process for your city. At this meeting, those attending will hear the various vision strategies explored by the students before informal one-on–one discussions with the students occurs to review their ideas. Finally, their will be a group discussion of the likes and dislikes pertaining to what was seen and the chance for the group to provide advice or feedback for further development. If you live in or near Salem your ideas are welcome. This is the second of four public visioning meetings that will take place between now and May as the city kicks off this year long collaborative visioning process to improve the community. Snacks and coffee will be provided during the sessions. This event is sponsored by the City of Salem in partnership with University of Missouri-Extension and Center for Community Studies, Hammons School of Architecture, Drury University.

The State Funeral for World War II Veterans has announced the appointment of eight distinguished leaders to the Missouri Board of Directors. They are Joe Driskill of Jefferson City, Paul Schuerenberg of Poplar Bluff, Joseph Podorski of Chesterfield, Gary Grigsby of Warrensburg, Dave Pace of Salem, Paul Pryor of Boss, Samuel Paul Winfield of Salem, and Billie Krewson of Licking. These members will serve with Missouri State Chairman, Richard LaBrash of Salem and Bill McNutt, the co-founder and chairman of the State Funeral for World War 2 Veterans, in the effort to convince the President of the United States to designate a single state funeral for the last Medal of Honor holder from World War 2 as a final salute to the 16 million men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces from 1941-1945. Petitions are available all over the City of Salem, Dent County and surrounding counties. If you would like to join this effort to salute our Greatest Generation, please sign a paper petition or go online to www.worldwar2salute.org where you can sign a petition online.

Starting this week, WCA will begin picking up recycling twice a week on Wednesday and Thursday. This week they will be on the west side of Salem and those people who live on or north of Center Street to the west of Highway 19 will have their recycling picked up Wednesday. Those people who live south of Center Street and to the west of Highway 19 from this week forward will have their recycling pickup up on Thursday. This change was needed due to the incredible participation of Salem residents in the recycling program. Next week, the same will apply for the east side of town with the north-east quadrant getting their recycling picked up on Wednesday and the south-west quadrant will be getting their recycling service on Thursday.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released some reports. On Sunday February 11th, deputies traveled to a residence on Scenic Rivers Blvd and made contact with a subject with a warrant. The 31-year old Salem man was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail and where he later bonded out. On Wednesday, February 14th, deputies traveled to a residence in the 2000 block of Highway 19 North and searched a residence for an individual with a warrant. The 33-year old Salem woman was found hiding in a closet and she was taken into custody. She was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail on a capias warrant. On Thursday, February 15th, deputies took a trespassing report on Dent County Road 6245. It was reported that a small road was cut through the woods and a tree stand was placed on the victim’s property. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, February 16th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on North Main Street and 7th Street. Officers received the consent to search the vehicle as well as the occupants were granted and items were found that tested positive for methamphetamine. The driver, a 36-year old Salem man, and a passenger, a 52-year old Salem woman, were arrested and charges are being sought for possession of a controlled substance. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 at the hospital library. In the administrator’s report, the board will receive information on the summary of operations for the month of January followed by the Chief of Nursing report. There will also be a report on the Hospital Foundation followed by the auxiliary report. In old business, the board will get a report on the Finance Committee meeting and discuss a Home Health bylaw change. In new business the board will go over purchases. The regular meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be Tuesday at 6:00 pm in the hospital library and the regular meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Friday morning, February 9th at approximately 11:45, a 29-year old female of Waynesville who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem, turned herself in to an officer at the Salem Police Department. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new court date after posting bond. That same night at approximately 7:10, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 41-year old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that night at approximately 10:52, an officer located a 21-year old male of Salem in the 1100 block of South Missouri Highway 19 who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Salem Area Arts Council is sponsoring “Art Across the Ages” from March 5th through March 30th, 2018 at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC) in Salem to celebrate Youth Art Month. Young people and adult artists from all around the Dent County area are encouraged to submit their work for display during this time to show how artistic talent can be found in many forms and artists can be of any age. Additionally, a “Meet the Artists” public reception with refreshments will be held on Monday evening, March 5th from 7:00 to 8:30 to open this fun and exciting exhibit celebrating art that crosses the generation gap. Artists can make arrangements to drop off their artwork during the last week of February by calling (573) 247-0279. This is a wonderful way to display the amazing talent found within this area, and artists of all ages and art of all media are encouraged to participate. All school art teachers are being invited to submit examples of their student’s work. For more information, please feel free to call the representative of the Salem Area Arts Council at 247-0279. The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is located at 202 South Main in Salem.

The 2018 Court Warming was held Friday night between the Salem JV and varsity basketball games at the SHS gymnasium in front of a packed house. The 2018 Court Warming Queen is Carrilee Holliday who was crowned by last year’s queen, Kirsten Strebe. Carrilee’s court was comprised of seniors Trista Heavin and Alyssa Bowers, junior Hailey Corkell, sophomore Jana Cook and freshman Reggie Parks. Congratulations Carrilee!!

Missourians can now sign up to receive automatic text and email alerts each time the status of their state tax return is updated. The Missouri Department of Revenue is always looking for opportunities to improve our processes in order to better serve Missouri taxpayers, so instead of having to wait on the phone or check online every day to see their status, customers who opt into email or text alerts will be informed as soon as something changes. To enroll in alerts, customers only need three pieces of information: their Social Security number, filing status and anticipated refund or balance due. Return information will be available 48 hours after filing electronically or four weeks after mailing a paper return. Customers will receive easy-to-read graphics that indicate the current status of their return, the return processing steps that have already been completed, the next steps that the Department will take and the refund issue date, if applicable. To access the Missouri Return Inquiry System and sign up for automatic text & email alerts, go to dor.mo.gov/returnstatus/.

The Salem Police Department has released the following reports. On Friday morning, February 9th at approximately 11:45, a 29-year old female of Waynesville who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem, turned herself in at the Salem Police Department. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new court date after posting bond. That night at approximately 7:10 p.m. a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 41-year old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that night at approximately 10:52, an officer located a 21-year old male of Salem in the 1100 block of South Highway 19 who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information about an ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday night, February 20th at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center. The Board will hear from Nikki Riley, the spokesperson for “We Refuse to Pay” citizens group concerning high electric bills. The board will then hear bids for the Waste Water Treatment Plan Phase 1 improvements Intermediate Pump Station. Jeff Meadows from Archer-Elgin Engineering will present those bids. After the consent agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report which will include discussion to approve an agreement with BHMG for engineering services. Mayor Brad Nash will give his report followed by the introduction and the reading of Bill No. 3363 that would authorize the mayor to execute addendum NO. 1 agreement between the City of Salem and Hydro-Kinetics Corporation for Waste Water Treatment Plant Phase I improvements on the intermediate pump station. The board will also hear Bill No. 3364 which would create an ordinance to authorize the Mayor to sign and execute an agreement between the City of Salem and BHMG for engineering services for an AMI Request for Proposals for the electric and water utilities. In new and miscellaneous business, the board will go into closed session to discuss contracts and real estate. The regular meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen Tuesday night is open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in attendance with eight different budgeted transfers to various funds for the commission to approve. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Road 2480 while only grading would be done on county roads 5070, 5150, 5420 and 5500. He also said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5630. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 3165 and 4260 while only grading would be done on county road 2020. Larson stated brush would be cut on Dent County Road 3180. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported he attended the Salem Area Community Betterment Association Annual Meeting Monday and two new board members have been added: Jenna Deason and Bob Gravely. He wanted to remind everyone the SACBA Annual Trivia Night will be held March 16th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. He said attended a Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Thursday afternoon. At the last meeting, Donald Dodd, President of the IDA Board, said the board had three board positions open that were three year terms. Willing to serve again on the board are Sherman Odom and Joan Sample while a third person for the position will be considered by the IDA Board. Once they find a person they would like to nominate, they will bring their recommendation to the county. There was also some discussion on the new construction work going on Highway 32-72 West. Public Administrator Sherida Cook attended the meeting to discuss her request for a pay raise for her part time employee in the budget. The budget the commissioners approved did not contain any raises for part-time employees for that office. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone that the courthouse will be closed on President’s Day on Monday. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday, February 22nd at the courthouse at 9:00 and it will be open to the public.

A citizens’ response to an active shooter event training will be held at Oak Grove Baptist Church Saturday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The training is open to citizens, law enforcement officers and anyone concerned with community safety. The training will be presented by Joe Weber of Weber and Associates and will cover active shooter situations and ways to enhance citizens’ chances of survival when confronted by an active shooter. As active shooter events become more frequent, the need for preparation has become more critical. While law enforcement is trained to address active shooter events they rarely take place in the presence of law enforcement. The lack of law enforcement present to protect and assist citizens make it important to provide people with tools to protect themselves until law enforcement arrives. This type of training is referred to as CRASE, which stands for Citizens’ Response to Active Shooter Events. This class is FREE of charge since it is hosted by local law enforcement as a service to the community and lunch will be served by the church. Please contact Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman at 729-4242, Sheriff Bob Wells at 729-3241, or Joe Weber at 729-4429 if you plan on attending so they can get a head count, or if you have any questions about the class.

Echo Bluff State Park will host a Great American Backyard Bird Count event from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at the park’s amphitheater. Participants will take a brief hike in the park’s day-use area to identify and count different types of birds. Participants are encouraged to bring cameras and their own binoculars. A limited number of binoculars will be available along with some field guides for identifying birds. Echo Bluff State Park is located on Hwy 19, about 25 miles south of Salem and approximately 14 miles north of Eminence. For more information about the event, call Connie at Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-1224. 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 Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released some reports. On Monday, February 5th, deputies took a report of theft from a residence on Route EE. It was reported that a small Sentry Safe containing jewelry, silver dollars, documents, and a harmonica was taken. This report is still under investigation. On Wednesday, February 7th, deputies responded to a fight in progress near the intersection of Route J and Highway 72. Deputies approached a vehicle parked near the intersection and spoke with three occupants. A firearm was discovered laying next to a 29-year old Salem man that deputies knew to be a convicted felon. The firearm was seized and he was placed under arrest. It was then discovered that it was a shotgun that had the serial number tampered with and the barrel was modified to be only 14.25 inches in length. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of an illegal firearm. He is being held in the Dent County Jail on a $50,000 cash only bond. On Friday, February 9th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 6370. As a result, the driver, a 26-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving without obtaining a new driver’s license after having his license Revoked or Suspended. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. If you have information about any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular board meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the Board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch who will report on the free and reduced lunch count, January membership, student recognition and the Bridges Program. The principals from all the schools will give their reports. In new business the board will approve the 2018-2019 School Calendar and consider purchase of Promethean Interactive Flat Panel. The board will accept resignations before adjourning and then go into closed session. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting Thursday will be at the District Administrative Office at 6:00 and the regular meeting is open to the public

This afternoon at 1:00 on the RFD-TV Channel, Dent County’s own Pinecrest Campground will be featured on the program “Best of America by Horseback.” Hosted each week by outdoorsman, Tom Seay and cowboy singer, songwriter and poet Del Shields, this weekly series captures the beauty of America by horseback. The show introduces trail riders to scenic locations they can visit, plus they incorporate informative and educational information about the location’s trails, camping and lodging facilities, amenities, history, as well as additional activities to participate in while visiting. This segment was recorded last fall at Pinecrest where you will see the campground facilities and ride the trails with them through the Ozark hills. Pinecrest is family owned and operated by Ethan and Marie Tuttle and is located on Route YY. They offer the best of the outdoors world including camping, trails for horseback riders, fishing, hiking, floating, kayaking and canoeing. If you can’t watch it live, make sure you record it for viewing at a later time.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission and Phelps County Public Housing Agency Family Self-Sufficiency program will host a free workshop this Friday, in St. James on “Tackling the Tough Skills: Communications.” This workshop is the third in a series of five that will cover topics such as attitude, responsibility, communication, problem solving and preparing for the workplace. All the workshops are held from 10:00 in the morning until noon at Phelps County Public Housing Agency located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. Christy Saylor, the Missouri Ozarks Community Action county projects coordinator, will be presenting the program. Free training classes are a part of MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help prepare families by making them aware of the resources available to assist with self-sufficiency. Workshops are offered at no cost to the participants. For more information or to RSVP, contact Savannah Vandegriffe at 573-265-4200 ext. 132. Free training classes are a part of MRPC and Public Housing Authority’s efforts to help prepare families by making them aware of the resources available to assist with self-sufficiency. Each participant who attends will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card, as long as they meet income qualifications. The next workshop will be March 9th on problem solving at MRPC.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting Tuesday evening at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory with Alderman Powell attending via video. Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon presented a construction change order for renovation of a new pool house that totaled $418,981.82. This would be paid out of the Certificate of Performance over the next 20 years using park sales tax funds. Attorney William Camm Seay could not advise the alderman to approve the proposal due to legal issues. He wanted the project to be bid out as stated in city ordinances. The board did not approve Bill No. 3363, an ordinance that would have changed the utility bill due dates back to the 20th of each month with disconnection on the 27th. The current utility bill due dates are the 5th of each month. The previous ordinance to change the date to the 5th was thought to decrease the amount of disconnect notices that would go out since some checks are received on the 1st of the month. This has not been the case, in 2015 there were 16 bills subject to cutoff each month and in 2017 the number rose to 52. The alderman will look at changing the due date back to the 20th after either giving 3-6 month notice to customers of the forthcoming change, or wait and change it after the new automatic metering system goes into effect. The bill failed with a vote of 2-2 with Mayor Nash casting the final negative vote. The board did approve Resolution No. 1-2018 a resolution adopting a policy on budget billing, payments plan and a helping hand assistance fund. This resolution will allow customers to sign up for budget billing after 12 months of continuous service with no late or disconnect notices. The plan will be based on the average of the current month’s bill, plus the previous 11 months. Customers may also sign up for a payment plan where a past due amount is spread out over a 3 month time frame. At least 50% of the bill is due at the time of the payment arrangement. The resolution also creates a fund where customers could designate a set amount, or round up to the nearest dollar to help those that need assistance paying their utility bills. This fund will be administered by the Salvation Army or other non-profit organization to be determined. The board then adjourned.

In November of 2017 at the city’s request, WCA started offering a curbside recycling pick up to all residents in Salem and it has been an overwhelming success! Using data based off of other similar recycling programs, WCA orginally anticipated a participation rate of 30 to 40%. The residents of Salem have really adopted and excelled with recycling and WCA is happy to report that they are seeing participation in Salem at 70 to 80%! They are happy to announce that due to the incredible participation, WCA is going to be increasing the number of days they pick up recycling in town. Starting the week of February 19th, WCA will start collecting recyclables on Wednesdays and Thursdays! Recyclables will still be collected every other week, just like it currently is, with everything west of Highway 19 picked up one week and everything east of Highway 19 picked up the other week. The only change to the recycling pickup will be whether you’re recycling will be picked up on a Wednesday or a Thursday. If you live on or North of Center Street, you will have your recycling picked up on Wednesday. If you live South of Center Street, you will have your recycling picked up on Thursday. WCA would like to thank the residents of Salem for the care you have shown for our planet by diverting the flow of trash into a landfill and putting your waste to good use by recycling it!

The 2018 Salem High School Court Warming will be held this Friday night at the SHS Gym in between the junior varsity and varsity basketball games between Salem and Willow Springs. The senior queen candidates include Carrilee Holliday, Trista Heavin and Alyssa Bowers. Their court will consist of junior Hailey Corkell, sophomore Jana Cook and freshman Reggie Parks.