Local News

The University of Missouri Extension economists urge farmers to complete the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 Census of Agriculture. The census should arrive in farmers’ mailboxes this month. It can be returned by mail or securely submitted online. MU Extension economist Ryan Milhollin says federal, state and local governments as well as agribusinesses, trade associations, researchers and others use the data to serve farmers and rural communities. The USDA conducts the survey every five years. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial data for every county in the U.S. The law requires a response. Even if you are no longer farming, please return the census form you receive. Otherwise, USDA continues to follow up with mailed questionnaires, phone calls or visits from a USDA enumerator. Milhollin says information from the Census of Agriculture shapes programs, including MU Extension programs that benefit many farm groups. It gives a picture of the economic impact of agriculture in the country. This data strengthens numerous farm groups, large and small, helping policymakers see emerging trends such as young and beginning farmers and ranchers; women, veteran and minority farmers and ranchers; specialty crops; and organic production. You can find the survey online at agcensus.usda.gov. For more information, call 888-424-7828 (toll free) or contact Robert Garino at 573-876-0950.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways comment period on the Preliminary Alternatives for the Roads and Trails Management Plan has been extended a month until January 15th for comments from the public. Hard copies of the plan are available for public review at the Salem Public Library at 4th and Jackson Streets. You can also view the plan online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/OZAR_RTplan where you can submit your comments. Maps will also be available for review at the park headquarters in Van Buren, located at 404 Watercress Drive, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The Preliminary Alternatives include detailed maps illustrating a No-Action Alternative and two Action Alternatives. A Preliminary Alternatives Newsletter accompanies the maps and provides a description of each alternative. The comments will be analyzed to determine possible changes and help inform the selection of the National Park Service’s preferred alternative. The preferred alternative will be presented in the Draft Roads and Trails Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, which is expected to be released for public review and comment in approximately 18 months. The public is encouraged to provide comments online or through the mail to: Roads and Trails Planning Team, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, P. O. Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965.

Winning classes that brought the most candy from William Lynch, Salem Upper Elementary, and North Wood schools recently enjoyed a visit from Bandit, the USO therapy dog. Bandit is a 6-year old European Blue Great Dane and his job is to comfort our troops, and at times he travels the nation to work with wounded warriors. He has been recognized the last four years as one of the top 25 hero dogs in the country for his service. In 2017, National Geographic published the book “Loyal” where they picked Bandit as one of the world’s 31 top extraordinary dogs. His chapter within the book is filled with stories from military service members and what he means to them and their recovery. The special visit was a “Thank You” from the USO for the continued candy donations from the annual SpookBACKular event. For the last 4 years, students and the community have donated a portion of their candy to this event. Who really needs that much candy lying around? This year students from Salem and North Wood Schools donated over 150 pounds of Halloween candy to the USO of Ft. Leonard Wood.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met Tuesday afternoon for their regular December meeting. The summary of operations for the month of November showed the hospital had a loss from operations of $35,869 with an excess of expenses over revenues of $34,155. Inpatient admissions were above budget as were outpatient registrations. The cash flow statement showed a decrease in cash of $754,532 for November with days in accounts receivable at 61. The hospital is still waiting on a $300,000 United Health Care Medicaid payment but they feel they will see at least some of that payment by the end of the calendar year. Statistics for the month of November show inpatient admissions at 59 with impatient census days at 216. There were 760 emergency room visits, 214 ambulance runs with 157 patients being transported to the hospital, 29 surgical procedures, 1,533 outpatient registrations, 196 home health visits, 7,267 lab tests, 934 radiological procedures and 575 rehab treatments. Days cash on hand for the hospital for this fiscal year currently stands at 74. In November, the quality improvement committee reviewed and discussed projects for Rehab, Medical Records and Business Office, Dietary, Home Health, Radiology and the Lab. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported the Hospital Foundation raised approximately $12,000 from the “Dancing with the Salem Stars” fundraiser held Saturday night at the Salem City hall Auditorium. Their next event will be a golf tournament to be held on June 8th, 2018. He also stated the hospital auxiliary had 16 members attend their December meeting which ended up being a Christmas lunch social. Their next meeting will be held January 2nd at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Tuesday begin the election filing period for the District #5 board member who currently is Ray Bruno. People can sign up at the hospital for District #5 through January 16th, 2018. The board approved lock box changes adding Linda Maledy and Amber Price. Lucas explained to the board about a concrete project budgeted in 2017 for some repair and alterations at the hospital for the sidewalks between Professional Office Building 3 and the hospital entrance as well as the sidewalk between the entrance and the circle curve to remove the step, and also to provide additional handicapped cut outs in the curbing at the hospital. A pre-bid meeting will be held February 5th at 9:00 at the hospital main entrance with the bid date set for February 21st. The board of directors approved the purchase of a digital X-Ray Room and Readers from RadSource at the hospital for $226,485. This is being done to comply with new requirements set by CMS for the radiology department as they will go from computed radiography to digital radiography. Lucas said the hospital will do a five-year lease purchase agreement that will cost about $4,000 per month. By financing the project locally, the hospital will save about $21,000 in interest. The bid also includes an extended four-year warranty and other additions for an additional $76,000 that will be paid out of a different fund and not capital projects. The board then went into closed session.

A 2018 Planning meeting for “I Heart Salem” will be held Thursday, December 14th from 5:00-6:00 PM at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The “Goal of the Event” is to outline the 2018 calendar of events for “I Heart Salem.” The group has expressed some ideas, but they want to hear from you too! They also want to try to build more partnerships and share volunteers and projects, so if you represent another group that has some clean-up or housing projects scheduled on your calendar, “I Heart Salem” wants to know how we can help! Please plan to attend if you can or send a representative from your organization if you can’t make it! We’ll have some light snacks available. For questions or more information, please call Sarah Massengale at 729-3196.

The Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army Welfare Secretary Sherry Lea reports that ALL of the Angels on the Angel Tree were adopted as of 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. For all those who have adopted an Angel. For all those who have adopted an angel, please remember to have the items you have collected for your Angel at the Salem Community Center@The Armory by 4:30 this Friday!

The second annual “Dancing with the Salem Stars” was held Saturday night at the sold out Salem City Hall Auditorium to benefit the Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundation. A total of 13 couples competed in this years’ fundraiser that raised funds for improvements to patient rooms. The winner of the competition this year was Mary Happel and Tyler Wofford who danced to “Footloose” with 2nd place going to Linda Maledy and Stan Podorski for their Jive Swing. Diane and Larry Sensintaffar were named the People’s Choice by those in attendance. The total amount raised will be announced at the Salem Hospital’s Board of Directors meeting Tuesday afternoon.

An accident happened Friday morning at 9:35 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Houston. According to the highway patrol report, a southbound 2006 Saturn Vue, driven by 55 year-old Paul S. Merritt of Viburnum, traveled off the roadway and struck a rock embankment and overturned. The report stated that Merritt was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident and suffered serious injuries. He was transported by Mercy Life Line to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Saturn was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing.

The Sons of the American Legion Post 99 are conducting the fourth annual adopt a vet program to provide resources for 150 American Veterans so they can enjoy Christmas. While the Veterans at the St. James Veterans Home receive the finest medical care and attention they do not have money for the things that we all take for granted at Christmas time. Money raised goes to provide a banquet that each Veteran can invite their loved ones to for Christmas dinner, complete with all the trimmings. Each Veteran will also receive gifts that they may enjoy their Christmas. As in the past, local representatives collect donations on behalf of the 150 Veterans residing at the Veterans home. Thanks to the generosity of the citizens of Dent County each veteran has been sponsored for the last three years. The cost to sponsor a Veteran is $50.00. The Veterans will also receive a small gift of a custom “United States Veteran” hat, letter of honor, and a pair of camouflage jersey gloves. All are provided with soft candies as well. Saturday evening, December 23rd at 2:00, there will be live music by Second Time Around and everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the company of these fine Veterans. Kids are needed to serve as Santa’s helpers. To donate to the Adopt a Vet Program, contact Richard LaBrash at 573-729-1394 or call John at 573-729-3710.

Captain James W. Remillard, the commanding officer of Troop I, announces that sometime during the month of December, troopers assigned to Troop I will be conducting a DWI saturation patrol in Crawford County. Troopers assigned to these special enforcement operations will patrol those highways where in the past a higher number of alcohol-related arrests and traffic crashes have occurred. Captain Remillard would like to remind motorists that they can report highway emergencies and serious traffic offenses to the nearest troop headquarters by dialing *55 on a cellular telephone.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams was in to get signatures for the budgeted quarterly transfers from the Senior Citizens Fund to the holding account. The payments from the holding account will be $12,500 to the Salem Nutrition Site and $6,250 to SMTS. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that due to the frozen ground there would be no grading so crews will be servicing equipment including work on truck #73 and a full service on dump truck #123. He noted that his crew would also be attempting to solve an electrical problem on dump truck #119 and the brush cutter would be working out on Dent County Road 5615. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said his brush cutter would be finishing up on Dent County Road 2150, plus grading was also on hold in his District. He went on to say that his crew would be doing full service on grader #31, doing some shop maintenance, and replacing missing road signs. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles noted that he appreciated those from Salem and Dent County that attended the MRPC Strategic Retreat Wednesday at The Community Center @ The Armory. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that she balanced with the collector and assessor on all monthly collections, abatements and add-ons for the month of November. She also noted that bills were being approved for payment. Curley said she attended the MRPC Retreat on Wednesday and really enjoyed the presentations and speakers. She talked about numerous examples of real life experiences that were shared by presenters at the Retreat. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their December meeting Tuesday evening at the fire station. Bills were reviewed and approved and the budget was reviewed that showed the district balance in General Revenue was $65,430.03 compared to $48,705.00 last year. Reimbursements were distributed in the amount of $20, 207.50. In the monthly reimbursement report, there were a total of 32 calls for November that included: one structure fires, one flue fire, 11 brush fires, one landing zone prep, five calls for first responders, seven calls for vehicle accidents, three mutual aid calls, one haz-mat call and two calls for training. Total calls to date for the year are 260, with an average cost per call of $77.72. In old business, there were no updates on the USDA grant for the firehouse work to be done on the parking lot and roof. Chief Brad Nash reported that a Right to carry Policy for Firefighters is still a work in progress. The Board then set their next meeting for Tuesday, January 2nd at the fire station beginning at 6:00 pm before adjourning.

The Spring Creek Artisans Christmas Fest will be held tonight from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. and tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the historic Bonebrake Center in Salem. You will find unique handcrafted Christmas gifts for everyone on your gift list. A wide variety of handmade items, from original paintings, wood carvings and turnings, pottery, baskets, fiber art, quilts, stained glass, wire wrapped jewelry, cards, metal sculpture, gourd art and Christmas items will be on sale. Come enjoy Christmas cookies, hot apple cider, and holiday music while shopping. Register to win the door prize a beautiful handcrafted wreath by Joanne and Russ Biros. We have several new artists creating beautiful and original work. Come check it out.

The Doe Run Company’s (Doe Run) mine rescue teams received high honors at the 35th annual mine rescue competition at Missouri University of Science and Technology. The Maroon Team placed second in the mine rescue field event, which simulates a mine emergency at the Experimental Mine in Rolla, Mo. In addition, the Maroon Team earned 2nd and the Gray Team received 3rd in the first-aid competition. A total of 24 industry professional and student teams competed in hands-on simulated mine disasters, first-aid and first-responder scenarios. Earlier this year, Doe Run’s Gray Team won the overall championship at the Northern Regional Mine Rescue Contest in New York, and the Maroon Team won the overall championship at the Colorado Regional Mine Contest.

This year the Victorian Musical Christmas will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 7:30 at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History. This inspiring event features the Salem High School Chamber Choir under the direction of Elaine Russell. Reservations are REQUIRED for this event and it sells out fast! Reservations can be made by calling 739-3400 and leaving a message. Appetizers will be served at the event and there is a $5.00 admission charge per person.

This month, Intercounty Electric co-op members will be receiving a check from Intercounty Electric as they return over $1 million to members in the form of capital credits to members who had service in 1999, and another $600,000 will be returned to members from the transmission patronage capital owed to the Intercounty Electric from Sho-Me Power for the year 1995 which are now being paid back. To better understand what capital credits are, it is important to know that an electric cooperative operates on an actual cost basis. Cooperatives annually “allocate” operating revenue remaining at the end of the year to each member, based upon the member’s total purchase of electricity. Later as the financial condition permits, these allocated amounts, capital credits, are retired. Capital credits represent the most significant source of equity for Intercounty. Since a cooperative’s members are also the people the co-op serves, capital credits reflect each member’s ownership in, and contribution of capital to, the cooperative. If you have any questions about your capital credits, please contact member accounts by calling (866) 621-3679.

Early Wednesday morning the St. Louis County Police Department arrested Justin P. Giller, a wanted person out of Phelps County. Law enforcement received information on his whereabouts and responded to the 200 block of Etta Avenue in St. Louis. Upon arrival, Giller was located inside a vehicle near the residence and was taken into custody and transported to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department. Giller is charged with felony resisting/interfering with an arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm, the possession of burglary tools, and felony stealing. His bond was set at $250,000. Giller is suspected of burglaries, felony stealing, and numerous automobile thefts in Phelps, Dent and Texas counties. Additional warrants are expected after further investigation. The charges Giller was arrested for are only accusations and they are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Monday morning, November 27th at 9:36, an officer was dispatched to the Salem High School in reference to a drug violation. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of an 18-year old male of Salem for possession of marijuana. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that day at about 1:47, an officer was sent to the Salem High School in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown broke two windows valued at $300.00 out of the school van. The report is currently under investigation. A few hours later at 5:20 that evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 29-year old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. That evening at approximately 7:14, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a stolen license plate. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown took a permanent trailer plate from a trailer. This report is under investigation. On Tuesday, November 28th at 4:00 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 300 block of South Park in reference to damage to a vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke the front windshield and two side glasses valued at $600.00 out of a 2010 Hyundai. The report is under investigation. That same evening at about 8:59 an officer was sent to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 21-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An Ozark Christmas Celebration will take place at Alley Spring on Saturday, December 9th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The historic Alley Mill, Storys Creek School and General Store will all be decorated in the holiday fashion. Ole Saint Nick himself might even stop by for a cookie or two and join in the festivities. Alley Spring is located six miles west of Eminence, Missouri, on State Route 106. An Akers Holiday Celebration will be held at the Mt Zion Church on Sunday, December 10th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Bring your favorite holiday treat and enjoy refreshments, music and a short program about past holidays along the Current River. Mt. Zion Church is located approximately one-half mile north of Akers Ferry on State Route K in northern Shannon County. These free events are sponsored in part by the park’s cooperating association, Eastern National. Eastern National bookstores will be open to offer holiday gift ideas for visitors looking for special Ozark gifts. For more information, call (573) 323-4236.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from City Attorney William Camm Seay on the Planning and Zoning Hearing and Meeting concerning the annexation of property into the city limits. The property in question is approximately 9.5 acres of land On Highway 32-72 West adjacent to Wal-Mart owned by the Inman Living Trust with Max and LaWanna Inman, trustees. There was no opposition to the property coming into the city and the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended annexing the property into the city limits and zoning it commercial. The board of alderman approved the recommendation and an ordinance will be brought before the board at the next meeting for the annexation. City Administrator Ray Walden gave a report on the CDL Policy and the differential pay. He received requests from the alderman for clarification of some issues and will bring the issue back up at the next alderman meeting. Walden then expressed that the auditor who performed the city audit would like to give a report to the board, but was not going to be available for the next regular scheduled meeting. Walden said in order for the auditor to be in attendance, and also for the ordinance for the land annexation to be voted on as it must take 14 days after passage by the board to be on the agenda, he recommended the next Board of Aldermen meeting be held on Thursday, December 21st at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. The alderman agreed to the date change. Walden also said the city offices would be closed on December 22nd and 25th for the Christmas holiday. Mayor Nash had nothing to report. In bills over $3,000, the alderman approved the bill from Information Technologies, LLC for the quarterly software maintenance payment for the reporting system for the city for $5,449.50, approved the bill from Compass Minerals for road salt for $5,461.18 that replenishes the city’s salt supply to about 95% of capacity, and also approved the purchase of rock from Capital Quarries for $3,285.70 for various city projects to be done. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released some reports. On Monday, November 27th, deputies conducted a traffic stop at Phil-Mart in Salem. As a result of the stop, a 26-year old Salem man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons to appear in court, and released. On Tuesday, November 28th, deputies traveled to a residence on Route WW to attempt to locate an individual with a warrant. Deputies located the 64-year old Salem woman and she was taken into custody without incident. She had a Dent County warrant for hindering prosecution and unlawful possession of a firearm. She was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail on a $20,000 cash only bond. On Thursday, November 30th, deputies traveled to a residence on South Gertrude in Salem in an attempt to locate a 55-year old Salem man with a warrant. He was located and taken into custody without incident. His warrant was for manufacture of 35 grams or less of marijuana and he was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail on a $10,000 cash only bond. On Saturday, December 2nd, deputies responded to the 19000 block of Highway C for a possible trespasser. Deputies were able to locate the 41-year old St. Peters man and he was found to have misdemeanor warrants from several agencies. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

In response to requests received from the public, Missouri State Parks is extending the public comment period on the future of a proposed state park in our area from December 4th through January 5th. The property, which has not been developed and is currently closed, is the Jay Nixon State Park in Reynolds and Iron counties. Representatives from Missouri State Parks will be present at the public meeting to provide information about various aspects of the properties and to receive input from the public about the future of the properties. The public meeting for the proposed Jay Nixon State Park will be held Thursday, December 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Lesterville. Beginning December 4th, people will be able to submit comments about the park through an online survey they can access by clicking a button on the Missouri State Parks website at mostateparks.com.

The Salvation Army Dent County Service Unit has partnered with Healthy Dent County to provide the annual Angel Tree program this year. The Angel Tree is located at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory and is available from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM. Local residents have always enjoyed adopting a child, shopping for clothing, coats, hats, and toys. Some families use this time of year to teach their children the importance of giving during the holiday season. Because of the different location, citizens will have to come to the front lobby of the Salem Community Center@ the Armory at 1200 West Rolla Road to adopt a child, purchase the gifts, and then bring the gifts back to the Community Center. In recent years, there have been over 200 children’s names on the tree and all were adopted by the very generous citizens in our community. Sign-ups for families wanting to participate in the Angel Tree will end this Tuesday, December 5th. That will also be the final day to sign up your children to receive toys from the Dent County Fire Station Toy Drive. The hours at the fire station to sign up your children for the Angel Tree and Toy Drive Tuesday will be from 3:00 to 5:30. For information about the Angel Tree program, please call 729-8163.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Friday, November 11th at about 4:05 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Third and Missouri Streets in reference damage to a vehicle. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown broke a window valued at $350.00 out of a blue 2003 Ford truck. The report is under investigation. On Saturday, November 25th at 9:14 in the morning, an officer was sent to Smith and Jadwin Auto Body on Highway 32 East in reference to damage to a vehicle. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown broke the front door windows on a black 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe and a black 2007 GMC Sierra. The value of the damage is approximately $600.00. The report is currently being investigated. On Sunday, November 26th at about 6:11 in the evening, an officer was detailed to Walmart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 25-year old female of O’Fallon for stealing merchandise valued at $166.92. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Salem Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing and meeting starting at 6:30 tonight to discuss the petition for the annexation and the zoning of that property commercial by Max and LaWanna Inman, the Trustees of the Inman Living Trust. The Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting following the Planning and Zoning meeting at approximately 7:00. The board will hear from Gary Brown about the Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing and Meeting. City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report that will include the CDL Policy and differential pay he brought to the aldermen at the last meeting, and he will also have a request to change the date of the Board of Aldermen next meeting. Mayor Brad Nash will then give his report before the board moves into New and Miscellaneous Business that will include the approval of bills over $3,000. The board will go into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel. The meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission at 6:30 and the regular Board of Aldermen meeting at 7:00 are both open to the public.

An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at about 3:55 on Route F about six miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 69-year old Ralph Schafer of Salem was traveling southbound when it swerved to miss an animal in the roadway. The Mercury ran off the right side of the road, struck a culvert sign and culvert, then struck a fence. A passenger in the Grand Marquis, 84-year old Jerry Schaffer of Salem suffered serious injuries and was transported by the Phelps County Air Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. Both Ralph and Jerry were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Mercury sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing in Salem.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4215 and 6420, while brush would be cut on the Turtle Loop, county road 5600. Purcell said a man would be back out replacing county road number signs that have been vandalized or stolen. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated grading would be done on county roads 2540, 2550, 4380 and 5260. He also said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2120 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 3190. Commissioner Larson asked the commission to address the potential of fire danger with the extremely dry conditions the county has endured the last couple of months, especially after the fire in Lennox that burned numerous acres and a couple of buildings. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the public to refrain from any type of outdoor burning until the county receives some substantial rainfall. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he and Commissioner Larson attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Awards Banquet Tuesday where there were four recipients of awards for their recycling efforts or trash reduction. Bennie Cook from United States 8th District Representative Jason Smith’s office attended the meeting. The commissioners asked about a time frame on the FEMA repayment for damages from the flooding, asked about the funding for the Cooley Bridge project near Bunker, and also talked about the short comment period on Ozark National Scenic Riverways Roads and Trails Management Plan. Cook said he would follow up on their concerns and get back with them. The next meeting of the Commissioner will be Monday morning at 9:00 and that meeting will be open to the public.

This Saturday will start the Christmas season celebration in Salem starting with Kid’s Party at the American Legion Walker-Roney Post #99 on Highway 32 West sponsored by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary from 1:00 until 3:00. There will be a coloring center, cookie walk, crafts and gifts for children newborn to 10 years of age. Santa will also be there so you will definitely want to bring your camera! There is no charge for the Kid’s Party. Starting at 5:30 will be the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” Parade of Lights. It will be starting from Grand and Franklin, going north on McArthur before heading east on 4th Street ending up at the courthouse square. As of Thursday, there were already over 50 entries! Following the parade, the “Christmas with Cash and the King” show will be held at the Salem City Hall Auditorium starting at 7:00 featuring Sean Michael as Elvis and Roger Robinson as Johnny Cash with a special guest appearance by Stanley McElfresh. There is a $5.00 admission charge for the show and the proceeds will go toward the KMW Ministries. The weather should be great for the kickoff to the Christmas season!

An accident happened in Reynolds County at 5:15 Thursday morning on Route N about four miles north of Lesterville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Nissan Rogue driven northbound by 56-year old Nora C. Reynolds of Black, went off the roadway and struck an embankment. The Rogue then became airborne and came to rest on its tires. Reynolds suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Air Ambulance to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Reynolds was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan Rogue was totaled and removed from the scene by Hills Metals and Motors of Ellington.