Local News

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On September 25th, deputies spoke with an individual at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a stolen gun. The gun was a Smith and Weston Model 686 six shot revolver. It is stainless steel with a six inch barrel and wooden grips. The gun was taken from a residence on County Road 2403 and was last seen in January. The report is still under investigation. On September 26th, deputies conducted an investigation at a residence in the 2000 block of Route H. While inside the residence, deputies located a 35-year old Licking man that had seven warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody and was later extradited to Texas County. On Wednesday, September 27th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on South Sligo Street near West Gibbs. As a result of the stop, a 35-year old Salem woman was arrested for driving without a valid license. She was fingerprinted, issued a summons to appear in court and released. That same day, deputies responded to the 1000 block of County Road 6090 in reference to a burglary. It was reported that an electric grinder and chainsaw were stolen from an abandoned house on the property. This report is still under investigation.Also on the 27th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 3000 block of Dent County Road 4110. During the course of the stop, it was discovered that a passenger, a 26-year old Salem woman, had a warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody and incarcerated in the Dent County Jail. Thursday, September 28th, deputies responded to the 45000 block of Highway 72 in reference to a theft. It was reported that three 14-day old pitbull puppies had been stolen. They are described as a blue and white male, a brindle and white female, and a blue dots male. This report is still under investigation. If anyone has information regarding any ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will meet tonight at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00. At the meeting, the board will hear bids for a pickup for the street department, bids for a new roof at the Salem Police Department and hear the park board’s recommendation of a firmfrom the request for qualifications for the Alice Craig Municipal Pool. After the consent agenda, the board will receive a report for Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon from the two Park Board meetings held last week, hear from City Administrator Ray Walden and also Mayor Brad Nash. In the introduction and reading of bills, the board will hear about Bill #3343 that would create an ordinance for the city to adopt a new metering service policy; and about Bill #3344 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Westport Pools, Inc for professional consulting services for repairs and renovations to the city pool. The board will also hear from a request from Mayor Nash to make an appointment to the airport board before going into closed session to discuss contracts. The Board of Aldermen meeting tonight is open to the public.

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board met Tuesday night at the City Administrative Offices. After the roll call and agenda were approved, the board went into closed session to hear three presentations from pool companies on repairing and updating the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool at the Salem City Park. Each company was given 30 minutes to discuss their company and explain to the board what they would do to renovate and improve the pool. No votes were taken in closed session. Upon returning to open session, the board announced they would be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in a Special Meeting to choose the company they would like to recommend to the Salem Board of Aldermen they would like to begin negotiations with. That meeting will be a closed session meeting until a vote is taken. Other business in open session will be heard following the vote if needed. Tuesday night, Salem Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon reported there was a total of 114 kids signed up for flag football this season compared to 90 last year which is an increase of 27%. There are four 1st and 2nd grade teams and five 3rd-6th grade teams. Games will begin October 7th and run the entire month of October being played on Saturdays starting at 9:00 AM at the Al Brown multipurpose field. Lydon said youth basketball will be offered again this year starting after the flag football comes to an end. This program is for children 3-12 years of age and the cost is $25 per child. All games will be played at the Salem High School gym on Saturdays starting December 2nd. He also said adult basketball would be offered again this year for $300 per team. This league will be played on Sundays at either the upper elementary or at the High School depending upon gym availability. Lydon went over a number of improvements made in the Salem Park System and they included new trash dispensers, new picnic tables at all parks, the Teeter-totter was fixed and painted, and the swing was repaired at Midyett Park, five new benches have been built and installed at the tennis courts courtesy of the American Volunteers, the basketball court was painted Carolina Blue with help from the American Volunteers and the city will be adding the basketball markings, and the main pavilion has been painted and the fireplace cleaned along with the dedication placard. Lydon said the restrooms in the city park have new paper towel dispensers, new soap dispensers, new faucets and a new handrail installed behind toilets. The stall dividers have been removed for handicapped accessibility, workers will soon hang vinyl wall covering and new louvered bathrooms doors are on the way as well as an exhaust system. Since the bathrooms were vandalized, cameras are to be installed at park outside of restrooms and by the concession stand. Lydon also said the new splash pad for the city park will be installed on April 16th, 2018. Salem Park Board President Stan Podorski thanked the park board members, City Administrator Ray Walden and the alderman who attended the Grand Opening of the All-Accessible Playground at the city park called “Billy’s Playground in honor of Carol Perdue.” He said it was a great success and the playground has been filled with children ever since. Podorski said the handicapped ramp and stairway at the Al Brown Field from the parking lot to the field has been designed and approved and is waiting to be built. It may happen this fall but will be done by next Spring. He also reported that he and Tye Lydon measured out two full size soccer fields and marked them with flags at the property on Highway 19 south. Dirt work out there probably will not start until next year after a line of trees and a fence have been removed. Podorski said that Todd Kinerk brought an idea to him about the creation of an ATV trail in the wooded area by the Masters Industrial Park. He said some of that timber needs to be harvested and that could actually pay for a trail to be built. With no other information at this time, he said he just wanted to make the board aware of the conversation. Park Board member Kyle Williams brought to the board a request to make an improvement to the skateboard park at the City Park called a manual concrete box. He said he would try to bring a diagram to the next meeting. The meeting was then adjourned. The next Park Board meeting will be tonight at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and after a closed session, the meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Thursday, September 21st, deputies conducted an investigation at a residence in the 9000 block of Highway 32 East. During the course of the investigation, baggies and a glass-smoking device were located. Both had residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine. As a result, a 22-year old Salem woman and a 19-year old Boss man were arrested and charged with the possession of a controlled substance. They were incarcerated in the Dent County Jail on $10,000 cash only bonds. That same day, deputies with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property in the 13000 block of Route H for a report of a stolen vehicle. During the investigation, it was discovered that a blue 1974 Chevrolet hoist/dump truck was stolen off the property sometime in the past month. This report is still under investigation. On Friday, September 22nd, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 3000 block of Highway 19 South. As a result, a 29-year old Licking man was arrested for driving while having his license suspended. He was taken to the Dent County Jail, fingerprinted, and released with a summons to appear in court. If you have information about any ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 729-3241.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports: On Tuesday, September 5th at approximately 8:34 in the morning, an officer was sent to Casey’s General Store located on Highway 32 East in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 35-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $2.66. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Saturday, September 16th at about 2:02 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 37-year old male of Steelville for the possession of methamphetamine and driving while having his license suspended. Also arrested on the stop was a passenger, a 31-year old female of Steelville on an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The male suspect was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. The female suspect was released to Dent County Sheriffs Department. Later that morning at approximately 10:06, an officer located three people in the 200 block of North Grand who had active arrest warrants. A 26-year old male of Salem was taken into custody on an active arrest warrant from Dent County and incarcerated pending a court appearance, and a 31-year old female of Salem was taken into custody on an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem and two active arrest warrants from Dent County. The female suspect was released with a new date to appear in court after posting bond. A third suspect, a 37-year old female of Salem was taken into custody on an active arrest warrant from St. James and released with a new date to appear in court. That same morning at about 11:51, an officer located a 36-year old male of Salem at McDonalds Restaurant parking lot who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. He was taken into custody on the warrant and released to the Dent County Sheriffs Department. On Sunday, September 17th at approximately 1:20 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 38-year old male of Edgar Springs for the possession of methamphetamine and oxycodone, and on two outstanding active warrants from Licking and Cabool. Also arrested on the stop was a 36-year old male of St. Louis on an active arrest warrant from Missouri Probation and Parole. The two suspects were incarcerated pending the application for a warrant and extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) recently created the Doe Run Nursing Scholarship Fund to support the new nursing program at Southwest Baptist University’s (SBU) Salem campus. Dr. C. Pat Taylor, the president of SBU said they were excited to be able to expand their nursing program to the SBU-Salem campus and are thankful for donors like Doe Run who are committed to investing in the education of SBU students. The $1,000 per semester scholarship will help nursing students earn their degrees closer to home, and support the medical needs of southern Missouri. The shortage of nurses in Missouri is at an all-time high, according to a 2017 report by the Missouri Hospital Association. Approximately 5,700 nursing jobs in Missouri hospitals are vacant due to a lack of qualified candidates, creating a critical need for the education of new nurses in the region. In addition to supporting the nursing scholarship, Doe Run made a gift of $3,000 to support other needs at SBU’s Salem campus. This marks the 10th consecutive year Doe Run has donated to SBU’s Salem campus, which offers programs in health sciences, business, criminal justice and education, enabling students in the region to receive a college degree locally. As part of a highly technical and scientific industry, Doe Run promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in southern Missouri. These efforts include funding scholarships and classroom equipment, offering hands-on experience through internships, and providing professional expertise to guide academic curriculum. SBU students interested in applying for the nursing scholarship can contact SBU’s Salem campus office at (573) 729-7071.

The Dent County Commission held their regular meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was ill and did not attend. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell acted as Presiding Commissioner in Skiles’ absence. In the public comments, the commission applauded the Salem Marching Band on their efforts on Saturday, September 23rd at Sullivan earning second in their class, placing 8th in the finals and receiving overall captions for Drum Major and Color Guard; congratulating Alex Sellers and the Salem Alumni Foundation for having a great alumni event at the high school, and also to salute the City of Salem and the Salem Parks and Recreation Department as well as all the contributors that helped make “Billy’s Playground in Honor of Carol Perdue” at the Salem City Park a reality which is an all-accessible park that allows all children to play, even those who have a handicapped or a disability. In the road report, Commissioner Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5080 and 5610 that received rain Sunday. He said materials would also be added to county road 5610 and brush would be cut on county road 5440. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2405, 3233 and 6130. He went on to say materials would be added to county roads 2405 and 4380. Larson reported a crossover pipe would be installed on county road 4430 and materials would be added to that road. Zach Woolsey, a grant writer from Monarch Solutions, discussed the Neighborhood Assistance Grant the SMDH hospital is applying for to replace the roof, change the lighting to LED and also to get a new backup generator. The NAP grant would be for $350,000. The Commission voted 2-0 to go ahead and sign the certification showing their support of the project and that it did not violate any county ordinances. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board will be meeting today at 5:30 at the City Administrative Offices. After the roll call and agenda is approved, the board will go into closed session to discuss Requests for Qualifications for the pool project. The open session will resume around 7:00 with a report from Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon. He will give a program update on Flag Football, Co-Ed Volleyball and the upcoming basketball program. Lydon will also review all the improvements being made at the city parks since the last meeting. A report on the grand opening of Billy’s Playground at the City Park will be given followed by updates on work being done at the Al Brown Fields and Soccer Park. The Board will also hear details on a request to create an ATV recreational trail before hearing about the vandalism that occurred at the city park and measures taken to try to prevent that from happening in the future. The board will address any other business that comes before them before adjourning. The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board regular meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met on Monday, September 18th for their regular meeting. Administrator Kendra Mobray presented the preliminary audit report for 2015 and 2016 that was received from Maloney, Wright and Robbins on September 14th. According to the audit findings, proper cash balances were reported on all financial statements, all the bank accounts were adequately secured by pledged securities, all the property tax revenues were properly recorded and accounted for, and all revenue/receipts were properly accounted for. The audit also found there were no exceptions noted regarding credit cards and cash disbursements or expenditures, and all the wages reported as well as employee leave and overtime were verified with no exceptions or findings. The board approved the good audit report. The board also discussed and reviewed the updated personnel manual before approving the revised manual. Administrator Mobray reported the contract for WIC for fiscal year 2018 has been signed by Dent County Health Center and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Mobray also reported that Roma Jones has completed and submitted all lodging inspections for 2017. Mobray said flu shots are now available at the Health Center. They are able to bill private insurance as well as child Medicaid. Flu shots are $37 for those who are uninsured. Mobray said there was one case of E Coli investigated by the communicable disease nurses as well as three cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Administrator Mobray reported the outpatient lab services will begin after building renovations are complete. The meeting was then adjourned.

At the Salem High School Homecoming held Friday night as part of the Alumni Weekend, Madi Shaw was crowned the 2018 Salem Football Homecoming Queen. Her court consisted of seniors Trista Heavin and Savannah Tuttle, junior Olivia Erway, sophomore Emma Southards and freshman Reggie Parks.

The Salem Marching Blue started the year off with a bang at the Sullivan Marching Festival. They placed second in their class and qualified to perform at finals among 15 other schools. In the finals, the Salem Marching Blue placed 8th and received overall captions for Drum Major and Color Guard. Salem’s Drum Majors are Laura Benowitz, Nathaniel Alterauge & Kristen Pike. The Color Guard is coached by Kelsey Schatz and consists of 8 members: Rachel Counts, Shada Malone, Alyssa Mayes, Mikayela McCall, Kristen Pike, Marcus Sapaugh & Katelyn Schwartz. High School Band Director David Schatz said it has been a long time since the Salem Marching Band has done this well at a school sized competition and the first time since he became band director in 2014. He said the old trophies in the band room show that making finals and winning overall captions hasn’t happened since the 1990s.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening for their regular monthly meeting. Superintendent John McColloch gave an update on the William Lynch project and problem with the mortar. Bids are due in early October with construction to begin in early November. The football field project bids on the building of a new locker room facility on the south side of the field are due on September 29th. McColloch introduced Quin Blankenship who is the new student liaison for the Board of Education for the 2017-2018 school year. Assistant Superintendent John Smith gave a report of the district’s MAP/EOC results for the 2016-2017 school year. He pointed out there were significant gains shown in several testing areas. The board heard from 3 members of the Salem FFA Chapter who made a presentation about their Washington Leadership Conference from July. The board then heard from Mary Beth Cook from the Dent County Community Foundation gave a presentation about what they do and are trying to do in the community. In the principal’s reports, Kriste Crocker from William Lynch Elementary reported there are currently 244 students enrolled broken down to 70 Pre-Kindergarteners, 86 Kindergarteners and 88 students in the first grade. Principal Scott Roberts of the Salem Middle School reports enrollment currently standing at 216 students, and High School Principal Marty Anderson indicates there were 607 students enrolled at the Salem High School with 161 students being freshman, 157 of them are sophomores, 143 students are juniors and 146 of them are seniors. Anderson said the lunch participation is up 32% from last year from 320 students to 470 students, and breakfast is up almost 50% from 90 to 179 students. Anderson went on to report that a College Fair will be held September 28th from 1:00-2:30 where over 40 colleges and/or universities usually attend. The board approved the bus routes for the 2017-2018 school year, approved the Special Education Compliance Plan, and approved setting the graduation date on Friday, May 18th at 7:00 at the SHS Football Field. With no votes taken in closed session, the meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened at 3:40 Saturday afternoon in Dent County about 13 miles southwest of Salem on Highway 119. According to the highway patrol report, a 1990 Olds Cutlass Ciera driven by 18-year old Evan Lunn of Salem, traveled off the right side of the road, came back on to Highway 119, then went back off the right side of the road where the vehicle impacted a concrete culvert. Lunn suffered serious injuries and was life-flighted to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. The Ciera was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem. Linn was wearing a seat restraint at time of the accident.

An accident happened in Pulaski County Saturday at 1:15 on Interstate 44 at mile marker 148. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Buick LeSabre driven westbound by 36-year old Cory Watkins of Salem traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a rock embankment. Watkins and a passenger in the LeSabre, 15-year old Samantha Watkins of St. James, suffered minor injuries and were taken by the Pulaski County Ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. All involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Jack’s Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that due to the extremely dry conditions with no measurable precipitation for 27 days, full roadway grading was suspended until it rains. He said that spot grading would be done on Dent County Road 6435 and brush would be cut on county road 5460. Purcell added that ditch work, tail grading and material addition would take place on Dent County Roads 6435 and 5610. He noted that Dump Truck #121 had an electrical wiring fire on Wednesday in the Bunker area and would have to be towed in. Fortunately there was limited damage to the truck. Purcell said that Monday evening he attended a Tourism Commission meeting where five reimbursement requests and one proposal were approved. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson echoed Purcell’s comments and noted that as dry and hard as the roadways are, a set of grader blades that normally take about two weeks to wear out would have to be replaced in a day and a half so his crews have also suspended grading. He noted that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2560, while three pipes would be installed and materials would be added to county road 4380. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended the Hazardous Mitigation Planning meeting on Monday and that it was well attended by nearly all of the interested entities. Then on Tuesday he attended the Ozark Region Solid Waste District meeting to review grant applications. Skiles noted that they reviewed sixteen grants for waste reduction or recycling that totaled $342,500.00 and the Board has $197,500.00 available to be awarded. They will be meeting again next week to allocate the funds. Dent Clerk Angie Curley said bills were being approved by the Commissioners for payment. She presented the Quit Claim Deed for Commissioners’ signatures for railroad right of way to Cedar Bluff Land Co. LLC , and that Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams had received the $500.00 check for the transaction. Williams was in with the CART receipts for the month of September in the amount of $61,422.92, which makes the year-to-date CART receipts up by $12,277.53 or 2.44%. Doug Barnes of Town and Country Bank was in to have the lease-purchase agreement signed for the two Sheriff’s Department vehicles purchased in May. The amount of the agreement was for $58,705.05 at 2.09%. Dent County Sheriff Bob Wells was also in to pick up the applicable paperwork for the vehicles. Propane bids were opened and the low bid of $1.289 per gallon for 3,500 gallon from Ferrell Gas was approved 3-0. Libby Sanders was in to request that the Commissioners be the Certifying Local Governmental Agency for the Bonebrake Center’s NAP Grant Application. The Commissioners approved the request 3-0 and signed the application which, if approved, will be used for capital improvements in the upstairs level of the house. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of August. During the month, they wrote three equipment repair orders, four summons to appear in court, 12 warning tickets, and 11 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated 12 accidents, two assaults, one burglary, one report of disorderly conduct, three reports of domestic violence, three reports of driving while being intoxicated, four reports of driving while having a revoked and/or suspended license, one fraud report, and one report of property damage. The department also investigated two leaving the scene of accident reports, two lost or stolen license plate reports, five reports of possession of a controlled substance, three possession of drug paraphernalia reports, one report of the unlawful use of a firearm, one report of the violation of an exparte order, one report of resisting and/or interring with an arrest, one tampering report and eight reports of stealing. The police department received 1,292 calls for service during the month and handled 94 walk-ins to the station. They spent ten hours in court testifying and ten hours as court bailiff. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 7,812 miles and arrested 21 males and six females during the month of August.

The City of Salem, Unlimited Play and City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department would like to invite everyone out to the grand opening of “Billy’s Playground” for Carol Perdue. The grand opening is being held in conjunction with the Salem High School Alumni Weekend. The ribbon cutting event will be held on Saturday morning at 10:00 at the Salem City Park after the breakfast fundraiser at the Salem High School. Billy’s playground was made possible by donations and work provided by the City of Salem Park Board, SB 40 Board, Unlimited Play, Youth Bridge Community Foundation, City of Salem, Healthy Dent County, Bank of Salem, and the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Billy’s Playground is a place where limitations are forgotten and differences are celebrated. The Salem City Park is located at 1100 W. Rolla Road in Salem.

It will be Homecoming tonight at the SHS Football Field. The attendants this year is freshman Reggie Parks, sophomore Emma Southards, junior Olivia Erway and the senior homecoming candidates are Trista Heavin, Madi Shaw, and Savanna Tuttle. The ceremony will take place on the field prior to the game.

The Midwest Blue Oval Club held their annual car show in Salem on Saturday, September 9th around the courthouse square. The show this year was a great success and all the money they raised from the show goes back into the community. Club Vice President Randy League reports this year the club was able to give $1,000 to Salem Band Parents Organization, $1,000 to the Shepherd’s Nook Food Pantry and $1,258 to the Love Pack Back Pack program. League said this is the most money raised from any of their car shows in Salem and he looks forward to the challenge of doing even better next year! Congratulations to the Midwest Blue Oval Club on a great show and a big thank you for helping out our community!

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Chief Financial Officer Monica Gargus gave the summary of operations for August that showed the hospital had a gain from operations of $128,236 and an excess of revenues over expenses of $130,088. The cash flow statement showed a gain in cash of $52,824 for the month with days in accounts receivable at 62. Chief Nursing Officer Deb Hines reported during the month there were 67 acute care admissions and 733 emergency room visits.Also during the month, there were 212 ambulance runs with 153 patients being transported to the hospital, 32 surgery cases, 1,625 outpatient registrations, 279 home health visits, 8,084 lab tests and 973 radiological procedures. Hines went over the Quality Improvement project that focuses on four departments that have selected areas where improvement is needed. She also reviewed the hospitals performance report with target rates being compared to the hospitals baseline rate. A Patient Engagement Quality Report with a total of 101 surveys received was reviewed that gave the hospital an overall 4 star rating out of 5 stars. In the Chief of Staffs report, Courtesy Staff privileges were approved for Dr. Camala Porter, MD and Dr. Anthony Cauchi, MD, both for the Emergency Room. The SMDH Foundation will have a Dancing with the Salem Stars on December 9th at the Salem City Hall Auditorium and a golf tournament on June 8, 2018 at the Spring Creek Golf Club. There are two high schools students serving as interns through the Salem R-80 High School Internship Program. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported a total of 443 people took advantage of the September health fair at the Salem Community Center@The Armory which brings the total of participants for the year to 1,270. Lucas gave the Auxiliary Report that shows Wreath Sales will be held through October 31st and a Scrub Hub sale will be held on October 18th in the SMDH parking lot. The board approved a budgeted purchase for the Dietary Department for the replacement of a commercial conveyor toaster totaling $1,324 from US Foods. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will meet this evening at 6:00 at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch about facilities, Board Student Liaison, MAP/EOC results and FFA. The principals from all the schools will give their reports. In new business, the board will approve bus routes, the Special Education Compliance Plan, and set graduation date. The board will then adjourn and go into closed session. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting will be held at the District Administrative Office tonight and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Wednesday, September 6th at approximately 11:15 in the morning, an officer was contacted in reference to a forgery. The investigation revealed a check for $41.69 was forged on a closed account to Whitaker Building Supply. The report is currently under investigation. On Thursday, September 7th at 3:05 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The report led to the arrest of a 23-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $3.00. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday, September 8th at approximately 7:23 in the morning, an officer was sent to the city park in reference to property damage. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown did damage totaling $820.00 to the bathrooms and caused damage to an equipment trailer totaling $1,000.00. This report is under investigation. On Saturday, September 9th at approximately 3:09 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of a 31-year old male of Salem on active arrest warrants from St. Charles County and for the possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was released pending the application of warrants due to a medical condition and also for not being fit for confinement. On Sunday, September 10th, at approximately 2:55 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Gertrude in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed a 34-year old male of Salem had stolen a bicycle valued at $700.00 from the yard of a residence. Upon further investigation, the suspect was located and stopped for a traffic violation. The bike was located and returned to the owner. The suspect was taken into custody for stealing and driving while having his license suspended. He was issued summonses to appear in court and was released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

An accident happened at 7:20 Monday evening on Route KK about three miles west of Bixby in Iron County. According to the highway patrol, a 2000 Chevrolet C-1500 driven northbound by 41-year old Ted Christie of Viburnum, slid off the left side of the road and overturned. Suffering moderate injuries were passengers 31-year old Kammy Christie and five-year old Tucker Christie of Viburnum. Both were taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The truck was removed from the scene by Abney’s Wrecker. Ted Christie did not report any injuries from the accident.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday night in the city hall council chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden talked about the Missouri Community Judges being in town on September 12th and they were given a presentation. He also wanted to thank everyone for any help they had in apprehending the two people who vandalized the city park last week. Walden said representatives from GRO will be in Springfield along with representatives from Sarcoxie and Marshfield Thursday looking for funding. Salem is looking for money for the downtown streetscape and to make some improvements to the City Hall Auditorium. Walden thanked Alex and Natalie Sellers for their work in organizing the 2nd Annual Alumni Weekend this weekend. He wanted to remind everyone of the electronics and tire collection at 3rd and Grand Streets on Saturday, September 30th from 9:00 until 1:00. Flyers are available around town and if anyone had any questions, they can call the MRPC at 573-265-2993. Walden also wanted to remind people the community wide yard sale will be held on Saturday, October 7th. Mayor Brad Nash also wanted to thank the police department for their work in apprehending the individuals responsible for the damage at the Salem City Park. He also said Randy League from the Midwest Blue Oval Club was in prior to the regular meeting to present a plaque to the city thanking them for their help in making the Blue Oval Rally a huge success this year. The board approved Bill #3342 which created an ordinance that would initiate the solid waste charges to residential customers under the new contract with WCA Waste Corporation on November 1st. The board also approved adding Gary Brown to the Salem Housing Authority to fill the opening left by the resignation of James Coffman. Administrator Walden said the Fall Clean-Up week would be held October 9th through the 13th on everyone’s regular trash day which is the week after the Community Wide Yard Sale. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate before adjourning.

“Salem Will Roll Through The Ages” is the theme for the 2017 Salem High School Alumni Weekend to be held this Friday and Saturday. Activities will kickoff on Friday with a BBQ at the SHS Football stadium before the Tiger football game with Willow Springs, then host a post-game bonfire with plenty of socializing. Saturday’s activities will begin at 8:00 with a breakfast fundraiser at the high school that will last until 10:30. Tours of the Salem High School improvements will be conducted at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30. The Alumni Golf Tournament will start at 9:00 at the Spring Creek Golf Club and will go on until it is completed. From 2:00 until 4:00 there will be Alumni Basketball Games held in the High School Gymnasium. At 4:00 activities, people can go to the Old Salem City Hall Auditorium to find out about the City Hall project, or head downtown to the square for live music featuring Jake Conway and the Riverside Wanderers, an FFA BBQ, student vendor booths, dance and gymnastics, a bouncy house, games and more. And finally starting at 8:00, an old fashioned Salem Cruise will get under way and last until who knows when. Anyone who feels connected with the Salem High School is welcome to attend any of the Alumni Weekend events. For more information about Alumni Weekend 2017 visit the Alumni Facebook pageor go online to www.shsalumnifoundation.org.

A Fence and Water System Installation Workshop and Clinic will be held Tuesday, October 3rd at 4:00 in the afternoon in Dent County at Strader Farms near Gladden. This clinic will provide a “hands-on” opportunity for livestock producers to learn the basics of installing both permanent high-tensile and temporary electric fence for grazing management, as well as show installation of tire tanks for livestock water sources. Ted Cunningham, MU Extension Livestock Specialist, along with Chris Jones, the Dent County Soil and Water Conservation District Technician, will assist landowner Willie Strader with the instruction of the clinic and provide information about cost-share opportunities through the Soil and Water Conservation District. The clinic is sponsored by Dent County University of Missouri Extension and the Dent County Soil and Water Conservation District. There is no cost to attend the clinic; however, the class size for the clinic is limited. Please RSVP and receive directions to the farm or receive more information about the clinic by contacting the Dent County MU Extension Office at 573-729-3196.