Local News

The Salem Memorial District Hospital met Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Interim CEO Don Babb said the copiers the hospital had were old and slow, so bids were put out to lease new copiers at an annual savings of about $6,300. He said the hospital is looking at New Vision, a medical detox and Suboxone clinic and doing research on advancing into that area in the future. He said the hospital has five ambulance units with over a million miles on them and the cost of a new one is about $190,000. The hospital is looking for quality pre-owned ambulances with less miles. He went on to say the hospital is planning some strategic planning with not only the staff and board, but with the community leaders sometime this summer. Babb said the contract with NRA for bad debt collections has been terminated due to inappropriate electronic contact and lack of results. He said the hospital went with ITX out of Ohio who the RHG group uses at other hospitals. In the summary of operations, Chief Financial Officer Jo Ann Hammonds reported the hospital made money during the month of April for the first time in way over a year with a cash profit of over $17,000 and a book profit from operations of $417,704.64. In the summary of operations for the month of April, the hospital had 89 inpatient admissions with 406 inpatient census days. There were 172 days of swing-bed which is up from 45 from April of 2021. The swing-bed average length of stay was 12.29 days. During the month, there were 625 emergency room visits with 53 admissions, plus there were 215 ambulance runs with 173 patients transported. In April, there were 33 surgery cases, 1,093 outpatient registrations, 5,686 lab tests, 1,138 radiological procedures, 748 rehab treatments and 175 home health visits with 11 home health admissions. The days cash on hand was at 65 with $5.3 million total cash. Hammond said that if the cash collections received by the hospital stay at the level they are now, the hospital will be able to pay off the Medicare advance money from COVID by August. Currently the hospital only gets a 50% reimbursement until that money is paid back. Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Sullins presented the results of the Community Health Needs Assessment. The primary needs as indicated by the survey are the cost of health care, substance and drug abuse, and obesity in adults and children. The survey indicated a secondary concern and that was the lack of dental care. Sullins said the hospital will partner with Four Rivers Healthcare, Healthy Dent County and the Dent County Health Department to create a plan to address these needs. Sullins also said the hospital is still following the CDC recommendations on masking at the hospital, plus at this time it is a Medicare requirement. She said the hospital will continue to review the current COVID situation and recommended guidelines. The Hospital Board member appointed to the Foundation Board was Ray Bruno and currently there are 14 teams signed up for the Foundation Golf tournament. It was also reported Michell Bland FNP will be doing FREE sports physicals in Ellington and Viburnum schools in June and August. The board approved courtesy staff privileges for Margaret Meier, MD and approved the $500 to $600 lagoon permit payment to DNR in Mid-July. The board approved an easement for Intercounty Electric in relation to the new transformer project. Bids for that project are due in June 2nd at 2:00. The board was told there are two current applications for the CEO position and attempts are being made to find a day the board can meet with both either in person or by Zoom. Jodi Gorman gave the staffing report that showed four new hires in April and 10 new hires in May. Tiffin Felkerson discussed the change in management and culture shift at the SMDH Family Clinic stressing team respect, dignity and image providing a quality service. The board approved the purchase of a refurbished Medivator Endoscope Reprocessor for a cost of $20,445 but postponed a decision on the Telemetry System until the board could be present for a demonstration. The boards then went into closed session.

Come out to the Creative Arts Center for the Springfest Arts & Crafts Show & Sale with the Spring Creek Artisans this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning till 3:00 in the afternoon. There will be unique hand-crafted gifts and home accessories created by local artists. Plus, many other activities to enjoy like music, a kid’s craft table, food truck, and more. For more information, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com

A one vehicle accident happened early Tuesday morning at 3:30 in Phelps County on westbound Interstate 44 at the 192.8 mile-marker near St. James. According to the highway patrol report, 37-year-old Jaymie Bean of Rolla fell asleep while driving a 2006 Jeep Wrangler and traveled off the right side of the interstate and overturned. Bean was taken by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Recovery. The report stated that Bean was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will provide six free waste pesticide collection events in 2022. All of the events will be open from 8:00 in the morning to noon and are open to all Missouri farmers and households. The pick-up event closest to our area will be this Saturday in Farmington at MFA Agri Services 1363 Sainte Genevieve Avenue. Items that will be accepted include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, de-wormers, fly tags, and fertilizers containing pesticides. Items that will not be accepted include paint, explosives, fire extinguishers, yard waste, electronics, trash, and pesticides from businesses, pesticide production facilities, pesticide distributors, pesticide retailers or similar entities. More information about the Missouri Pesticide Collection Program can be found online at dnr.mo.gov.

An accident happened in Dent County Monday Morning around 9:15 on Dent County Road 6040 about a mile south of Highway 32. According to the highway patrol report, a 1988 Chevrolet Pickup driven westbound by 29-year-old Brent Strange of Bunker, swerved to avoid another vehicle. The pickup went off the north side of the roadway and Strange overcorrected, and the pickup went off the southside of the road striking a fence and a tree. Strange suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac Air Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The Chevy Pickup was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

The Salem Park and Recreation Department Board met on Wednesday, May 11th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The broad reviewed the budget and heard Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois report. The board discussed rates for the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool prices for 2022. The price per day for children from 3 to 13 years of age will be $5.00; for adults the cost will be $6.00; and for seniors, age 62 and older, the cost will be $5.00. A family pass for the season for four will be $200 and for an individual, the season pass will be $80. Pool parties will be available again this year. The cost will be $200 for one hour, $250 for 1.5 hours and $300 for two hours. A pool aerobics class will be available at $5.00 per day or a monthly pass of $60. The board also discussed sports program fees. They approved a five-dollar increase going from $25 per program to $30 per program with a late registration fee of $45. Director Dubois discussed her two-week Summer Camp that is to be held in July with a cost of $200 per child. Dubois also said the Park and Recreation Department is still looking for a pickup truck. The meeting was then adjourned.

Jerry Pyatt, the former president and CEO of The Doe Run Company, received one of two Awards of Professional Distinction from Missouri University of Science & Technology during the commencement ceremonies held on Saturday, May 14th. Missouri S&T grants a limited number of Awards of Professional Distinction annually to recognize persons who have made important contributions to their profession. Pyatt retired this past year after a 43-year career in mining and metallurgy. Pyatt’s impressive career started with a brief stint in the laboratory and quickly advanced through various leadership and management positions before he earned the role of COO in 2001, and president and CEO in 2012. In his decade as the company’s president and CEO, Pyatt oversaw an operation that contributed more than $1 billion in annual economic impact to Missouri, and included mining and milling, lead refining, alloying and fabrication, and lead battery recycling. He also was instrumental in guiding the company’s strategic exploration, research and technology projects that maintain Doe Run’s respected position as a provider of minerals, metals and specialty services. Under his direction, the company developed a number of proprietary technologies to improve environmental performance of metal production and increase mineral recovery. Pyatt received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with a minor in chemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a graduate of the Stanford University Executive Program.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend informational meetings throughout the state to provide their input and comments and to ask questions about the park and its operations. Park team members will be present to answer questions and provide information. A combined informational meeting for Current River and Echo Bluff state parks and Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry will be held this Friday evening starting at 5:30 at Echo Bluff State Park in the amphitheater. Echo Bluff State Park is located 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings and informational videos will be available for public comment in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication. The meetings or videos will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. To learn more about this meeting, call 573-858-3015. Current River State Park is located near Salem, while Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry is near Eminence. For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, or to view the Park and Site Status Map, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley was not in attendance due to prior commitments. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6580, plus materials would be added to county roads 4210 and 4220 where patch grading was occurring due to some washouts caused by the heavy rains over the weekend. Mobray indicated Dent County Road 5550 would also be graded. In District 2, Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added to Dent County Roads 2320 and 2540 as part of the Conservation Rock Contract. He went on to report grading would be done on county roads 3090, 3100, 3120, 3130 and 3180. Both districts reported they had crews out removing downed trees that were blown down over the weekend from the storms. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the public informational meeting Thursday night at Montauk State Park to find out what will be happening at the park. Skiles stated that a lot of updating and improving will be done, plus it appears the parking lot at the lodge will get extensive repairs and possibly be repaved. Skiles said information from the Department of Natural Resources showed that over 559,000 visitors in 2020 and over 483,000 last year used Montauk State Park facilities to camp, fish, eat or lodge. Skiles discussed with the commissioners about the need of a county owned UTV for the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. They had one loaned to them in the past, but Skiles said with the terrain found in Dent County, if a person should get lost and a search is needed, the county should have a UTV at their disposal quickly that could also carry a gurney for emergencies. Skiles said this could be paid for out of the ARPA funds. The commissioners agreed and Skiles will ask Sheriff Bob Wells to prepare specs for the UTV best suited for use in Dent County. The commission will advertise for bids next week and anyone interested in bidding can contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department for more information at 729-3241. Bids will be opened at 10:00 on Monday, June 6th. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the report on the National Forest Service monies received by the county. In 2021, the county received a total of $182,710.24, and this year they received a total of $248,199.07. That money is divided up amongst the schools affected by the Mark Twain National Forest as well as the county Road and Bridge Fund. The Bunker R-3 School District will receive $72,039.78; Salem R-80 will get $45,532.12; Oak Hill R-1 will receive $37,602.16; the Iron County C-4 Schools in Viburnum will get $29,392.98 and Northwood R-4 will receive $1,582.26. The Dent County Road and Bridge Fund will receive 25% of the monies received and that comes to $62,049.77. 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.

An event to share information about Double Up Food Bucks, an incentive program that matches SNAP (food assistance) dollars spent at farmers markets and grocery stores in Kansas and Missouri so that SNAP recipients have greater access to fresh vegetables and fruits, will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 at Country Mart on Highway 32-72 East in Salem. Details about the impact of the program to date will be given by Donna Martin, the Project Director of Double Up Heartland and Public Health Program Manager of the Mid-America Regional Council in Kansas City, as well as Joe Polizzi who is the President and CEO of Town & Country Supermarkets. Other speakers are expected including elected officials such as 143rd State Representative Ron Copeland and Mayor Greg Parker of Salem. Double Up Food Bucks provides a dollar-for-dollar match on SNAP shoppers’ purchases of fresh vegetables and fruit at participating locations. At Town & Country Supermarkets, customers who shop with their SNAP/EBT card will receive a 50% discount on their purchases of fresh vegetables and fruit. Town & Country Supermarkets started offering Double Up Food Bucks at 29 of its Missouri stores on May 4th.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:15 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to consider Bill #3506 which would create an ordinance amending Chapter 115, Article II, Section 115.160 addressing staffing needs that may arise in relation to the position of City Clerk. The meeting, called by Mayor Greg Parker, is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 School Board held a special closed session zoom board meeting Thursday morning. The board accepted the resignations of high school math instructor James Felkerson, high school special education teacher Lisa Baker, upper elementary school Title match instructor Kristen Stites, alternative school instructor Shelia Curley, high school band instructor Charles Mosley, high school counselor Chelsie Fulton and middle school track coach Chris Kamprath. Next Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed read resignation letters from paraprofessionals Stevee Seay and Leslie Jones; John Boyle from the maintenance department effective August 31st, and custodian Steven McDonald. In closed session, the board approved the separation agreement between Marty Anderson and the Salem R-80 School District. The board also offered teaching contracts for the 2022-2023 school year to Liv McCluskey as a high school special education instructor, Arlin Prorock as a high school social studies teacher, Gannon Craig as a high school band instructor, Karla Tiefenthaler as a high school English teacher, Kim Dunn as a middle school match instructor and Angela Black as an upper elementary special education teacher. The board offered coaching contracts for the 2022-2023 school year to Erin Wilson as the head softball and basketball cheerleading coach, Rebecca Hayes as the assistant softball coach and Terri Welch as an assistant track coach. The special meeting was then adjourned.

Registration for kindergarten at William Lynch Elementary School will be held this morning from 8:30 until 2:30 today. Kindergarten students MUST be five years old by July 31st. Pre-School registration for children three years-of-age as of July 31st of this year and four years-of-age will be held on Wednesday and Thursday this week from 8:30 until 2:30 each day. Appointments are REQUIRED! For more information or to make the appointment, call the school at 729-6611. Parents must bring with them proof of residence, the child’s shot record and their birth certificate.

An accident happened in Phelps County Thursday afternoon at 5:56 on Phelps County Road 5010 at Little Oaks Road that took the life of a 16-year girl from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 16-year-old girl from Rolla was driving a 2014 Toyota Rav 4 northbound on the Phelps County Road when the Toyota went off the left side of the roadway, struck a ditch and went airborne. The Toyota continued on and struck a speed limit sign and utility pole before going airborne again and overturning. The 16-year-old female driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to Phelps Health by an ambulance. Two other girls from Rolla were also in the vehicle, a 15-year-old and 16-year-old. The 15-year-old passenger was taken to Phelps Health by a private conveyance with serious injuries. The 16-year-old passenger in the Rav 4 was taken to Phelps Health where she was pronounced dead just before 7:00 by Dr. Lawrence Hutchinson Thursday evening. All the girls were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Toyota was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Recovery. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Rolla Police Department and Rolla Rural Fire Department.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 3:58 in Phelps County on County Road 7460 about nine miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Honda 400 EX driven by a 14-year-old juvenile male of Newburg, was travelling northbound and failed to negotiate a curve. The Honda then struck a 2022 Ram 1500 driven by 55-year-old Jeffery Ledbetter of Rolla, who was travelling southbound. At about the same time, a 1996 Honda TRX 300 EX driven by a 14-year-old male juvenile from Edgar Springs, was also travelling northbound and failed to negotiate the same curve, striking the same Dodge Ram. The driver of the 2001 Honda 400 EX suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The driver of the Honda TRX 300 suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. Both injured parties were wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. Both Honda’s sustained moderate damage and were driven from the scene. The Ram sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the courthouse for their regular meeting. Denita Williams, Dent County Treasurer, was in with the sales tax receipts for May. General Revenue and LEST both received $85,421.01 compared to $86,319.73 in May of 2021. Both are down $898.72 from last May and they are up year-to-date, $288,216.15. The Road and Bridge Fund received $38,708.12, which is up $2,783.38 when compared to the $35,924.74 received in May of 2021. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up about $142,890.00. Finally, the Jail Operations and Jail Trust funds each received $76,858.96. The figure for May of ’21 was $71,756.64, which yields an increase of $5,102.32. The Jail Funds are up year-to-date $284,584.11 each. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done and materials would be added to Dent County Roads 6580, 6430 and 6435. He also reported that he attended the Health Consortium Board Meeting Wednesday in Columbia and the public informational meeting at Montauk State Park Thursday evening. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4030, 3330, 3337, 3333, 2600 and 2590. He noted that these are all roadways providing access to cemeteries in the district as they prepare for Memorial Day. Larson went on to point out that conservation rock was being hauled to county roads 2530 and 2540. Larson also said he went to Arkansas to purchase a dump truck for his district, and he would be attending the Healthy Dent County meeting after adjournment of the Commission meeting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would attend the public meeting at Montauk to see what improvements are planned there. He reported that on Tuesday he attended the Ozark Solid Waste Management District Board meeting. Skiles noted that the district funded the cleanup of over 60 illegal dump sites in the Meramec region, one of which was in Dent County. That site yielded 38.04 tons of trash. Another project was the special collection at Brewer Science on May 30th that yielded 11.2 tons of tires and 13.1 tons of electronics. Skiles also said he attended the SACBA awards banquet Saturday night and wanted to congratulate all the nominees and winners. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the collector and assessor on all accounts, add-ons, and abatements, plus bills were being approved by the commissioners for payment. The Commission opened bids for the replacement of 16 digital cameras with HD ones, plus the addition of 4 new cameras in some blind spot areas. The Wave Technologies, LLC, bid was for $10,175.00, while the bid from Rommel’s Lock and Alarm was for $19,995.00. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was included in the comparison of the bids since some of the costs were to be paid from the collector’s funds. After a lengthy discussion and comparisons, the bid from Rommel’s Lock and Alarm was accepted since it more nearly fit the bid specifications, plus it included three years of service compared to one by Wave. The commission received one letter expressing interest in the vacant Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees position and Dennis Floyd was appointed to the position to serve until the next municipal election. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning in the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The 2022 Senior Class of Salem High School will have a parade to celebrate their achievement this Saturday at 5:00 pm in downtown Salem. The parade route will begin on 4th Street, then turn on to 3rd Street, and end at the high school. The community is encouraged to come congratulate the seniors on their hard work.

The Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is featuring an exhibit running through the end of May called “Bear Necessitates”. While enjoying the display you can get a collectible bear pin, see and touch the bear and other bear display items. Also available will be coloring pages, and other bear related books are out at the Salem Public Library. For more information, you may call Liz Condray at 729-0029. The display will run through the end of May.

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded the Council for a Healthy Dent County with a $500 grant for Project RISE. The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Council for a Healthy Dent County was one of three projects selected for funding. Project RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) is a community support program that replicates the Northwest Project in Springfield. The goal is to provide the necessary tools and education to help families overcome the challenges that have kept them in poverty and begin building and sustaining a thriving lifestyle outside of poverty. This program is available to qualifying residents of Dent County and the funds will be going towards the continuation of administering the program. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at meramecregion.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 33,355 birds during Missouri’s 2022 regular spring turkey season, April 18th through May 8th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 798 birds harvested, Callaway with 614, and Gasconade with 606. Harvest totals in the Salem area included Crawford with 447 birds harvested, Dent with 491, and Iron with 151. Other counties included are Maries with 557 birds taken, Phelps with 616, Shannon with 235, and Texas County harvest total was 648. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,896 birds over the youth weekend, April 9th and 10th, bringing the overall 2022 spring turkey harvest to 36,251. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,795 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 31,800 birds during the regular spring season for a 2021 spring season total harvest of 34,595 turkeys. The 2022 spring turkey harvest was up about 5% from the 2021 spring turkey harvest but is still about 7 percent lower than the average spring turkey harvest during the last 5 years (2017-2021). MDC Turkey Biologist, Reina Tyl saith that our annual wild turkey brood survey indicates that, at the statewide level, hens have been producing one or fewer poults, on average, for the past 6 years. So, the cumulative effect of relatively poor production the last several years has been fewer turkeys and more challenging spring turkey hunting conditions. There were two self-inflicted firearm-related hunting incidents, one fatal and one non-fatal, reported to MDC during the 2022 spring turkey hunting seasons. There were no shooter-victim hunting incidents reported. Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers at mdc.mo.gov.

The City of Salem will hold a Capital Improvement Committee meeting at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on this evening at 6:00. They will review the fiscal year 2021-22 capital improvement projects before discussing the proposed new projects for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents this week and again May 16th through May 20th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. The Environmental Protection Agency will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or if more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special board meeting via Zoom this morning at 8:00. After approval of the agenda the board will accept resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded the Council for a Healthy Dent County with a $500 grant for Project RISE. The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Council for a Healthy Dent County was one of three projects selected for funding. Project RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) is a community support program that replicates the Northwest Project in Springfield. The goal is to provide the necessary tools and education to help families overcome the challenges that have kept them in poverty and begin building and sustaining a thriving lifestyle outside of poverty. This program is available to qualifying residents of Dent County and the funds will be going towards the continuation of administering the program. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at meramecregion.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 33,355 birds during Missouri’s 2022 regular spring turkey season, April 18th through May 8th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 798 birds harvested, Callaway with 614, and Gasconade with 606. Harvest totals in the Salem area included Crawford with 447 birds harvested, Dent with 491, and Iron with 151. Other counties included are Maries with 557 birds taken, Phelps with 616, Shannon with 235, and Texas County harvest total was 648. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,896 birds over the youth weekend, April 9th and 10th, bringing the overall 2022 spring turkey harvest to 36,251. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,795 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 31,800 birds during the regular spring season for a 2021 spring season total harvest of 34,595 turkeys. The 2022 spring turkey harvest was up about 5% from the 2021 spring turkey harvest but is still about 7 percent lower than the average spring turkey harvest during the last 5 years (2017-2021). MDC Turkey Biologist, Reina Tyl saith that our annual wild turkey brood survey indicates that, at the statewide level, hens have been producing one or fewer poults, on average, for the past 6 years. So, the cumulative effect of relatively poor production the last several years has been fewer turkeys and more challenging spring turkey hunting conditions. There were two self-inflicted firearm-related hunting incidents, one fatal and one non-fatal, reported to MDC during the 2022 spring turkey hunting seasons. There were no shooter-victim hunting incidents reported. Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers at mdc.mo.gov.

The City of Salem will hold a Capital Improvement Committee meeting at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on this evening at 6:00. They will review the fiscal year 2021-22 capital improvement projects before discussing the proposed new projects for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents this week and again May 16th through May 20th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. The Environmental Protection Agency will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or if more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special board meeting via Zoom this morning at 8:00. After approval of the agenda the board will accept resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session

The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded the Council for a Healthy Dent County with a $500 grant for Project RISE. The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Council for a Healthy Dent County was one of three projects selected for funding. Project RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) is a community support program that replicates the Northwest Project in Springfield. The goal is to provide the necessary tools and education to help families overcome the challenges that have kept them in poverty and begin building and sustaining a thriving lifestyle outside of poverty. This program is available to qualifying residents of Dent County and the funds will be going towards the continuation of administering the program. MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at meramecregion.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that turkey hunters checked 33,355 birds during Missouri’s 2022 regular spring turkey season, April 18th through May 8th. Top regular season harvest counties were Franklin with 798 birds harvested, Callaway with 614, and Gasconade with 606. Harvest totals in the Salem area included Crawford with 447 birds harvested, Dent with 491, and Iron with 151. Other counties included are Maries with 557 birds taken, Phelps with 616, Shannon with 235, and Texas County harvest total was 648. Young turkey hunters also harvested 2,896 birds over the youth weekend, April 9th and 10th, bringing the overall 2022 spring turkey harvest to 36,251. Last year, young turkey hunters harvested 2,795 birds during the spring youth season and hunters harvested 31,800 birds during the regular spring season for a 2021 spring season total harvest of 34,595 turkeys. The 2022 spring turkey harvest was up about 5% from the 2021 spring turkey harvest but is still about 7 percent lower than the average spring turkey harvest during the last 5 years (2017-2021). MDC Turkey Biologist, Reina Tyl saith that our annual wild turkey brood survey indicates that, at the statewide level, hens have been producing one or fewer poults, on average, for the past 6 years. So, the cumulative effect of relatively poor production the last several years has been fewer turkeys and more challenging spring turkey hunting conditions. There were two self-inflicted firearm-related hunting incidents, one fatal and one non-fatal, reported to MDC during the 2022 spring turkey hunting seasons. There were no shooter-victim hunting incidents reported. Get more information on spring turkey harvest numbers at mdc.mo.gov.

The City of Salem will hold a Capital Improvement Committee meeting at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory on this evening at 6:00. They will review the fiscal year 2021-22 capital improvement projects before discussing the proposed new projects for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The meeting was called by Alderman Shawn Bolerjack, chairman of the Capital Improvement Committee.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents this week and again May 16th through May 20th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. The Environmental Protection Agency will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or if more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding a special board meeting via Zoom this morning at 8:00. After approval of the agenda the board will accept resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session.

Parks and Recreation board president Greg Sanders has called for a meeting of the board for this evening at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ at the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road. After the roll call and approval of the minutes from the April 20th meeting, the park and recreation budget will then be reviewed. Also on the agenda will be discussion of the opening date, times, and fees for the Alice Lou Craig city pool and with sports participation fees before the board closes and adjourns the open portion of the meeting. The board may then vote to go into closed session.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. After approval of the consent agenda, the board approved Resolution #15-2022 to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with the Dent County Commons for the 2022 Fourth of July Fireworks Display at a cost of $1,600. Alderman Kinerk questioned the fee if the city workers are mowing the grass as well. City Administrator Ray Walden will negotiate the contract next year to include the Commons taking care of the mowing. Discussion was tabled for Bill Number 3505, an ordinance amending Chapter 115, Article 22, Section 115.160 that deals with staffing needs that may arise in relation to the position of City Clerk. City Attorney Weber has several edits to make regarding this Bill. Resolution 16-2022 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement with Meramec Regional Planning Commission for an updated zoning map at the budgeted amount of no more than $10,000 was approved. The last city map was done in 1987. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois presented a request to update the Disc Golf Course at the city park. Several baskets need to be relocated after the addition of Billy’s Playground. The Aldermen approved using Capital Improvement funds for cost of $3,089. The Summer Park program will be held from July 11-22 at a cost of $200 per child with a max of 25 children participating. The Ozark Actors Theater will host a Kids Camp at the Civic Theater at a cost of $150 for the week-long camp. Don Harkey with People Centric Consulting updated the board on their work with the employee manual updates and strategic planning. The new manual is complete and being reviewed by lawyers and will be presented at a future board meeting for approval. He reminded the board of the four Key Objectives of the Strategic Plan: 1. Enhance the “employer of choice” status that the city has; 2. Improve communications and engagement with citizens; 3. Continue to develop strong community partnerships; and 4. Create a long-term vision for the Salem community. Walden reported that the Spring clean-up continues this week and next week. Healthy Dent County had 5,695 participants in March and 5,885 participants in April at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave an update on the Welcome Home program. There have been thirteen applications completed for residents to participate in this home improvement program. Veteran owned homes are still needed. Public Works Director Mark Nash provided updates on city crew work. Alderman Sisco asked for an update on the new roof at the Armory building. She also requested police assistance with traffic at the city park during summer games. She went on to inquire about the status of the fuel pump at the airport, courtesy car at the airport and status of an insurance claim to a hanger. Alderman Bolerjack reported that a Capital Improvement meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12th at 6:00 PM at the Salem Community Center@the Armory and requested an update on the camera at the yard waste site. Chief Joe Chase explained that the camera originally purchased had to be returned and another company is being sought for another camera. Alderman Williams thanked the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for hosting their recent Gift of Time Volunteer Awards banquet and for all of their work on improving our community. The meeting was then adjourned.

Archery is part of the Women’s Outdoors Program. The class will be held at Echo Bluff State Park in the field by Zoe Lodge on Thursday. During the class women will learn to use a bow, how to throw an atlatl, as well as a Swiss Arrow. For more information or to register contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a beginners-knitting class in May with Terry Phelps. You will be introduced to the basic stitches of knit, purl, cast-on, and cast-off. This 2-week class will be this Thursday and Saturday May 21st from 6:00 till 8:00. The cost is $35, which includes knitting needles & 2 skeins of yarn. Additional supplies will be available for purchase for either larger items or additional projects. The class is available to participants 8 years of age and older. For more information or to register, call 247-0651, message on Facebook or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will meet this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will read resolution 15-2022 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Dent County Commons for the leasing of the Commons for the 2022 Fourth of July fireworks display. The board will discuss Bill #3505 an ordinance amending the section on a temporary clerk, and Resolution #16-2022 authorizing the mayor to make an agreement between the City of Salem and the MRPC. Then the board will go over bids for a disc golf course for the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. The board will hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois and any alderman reports. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Adjustments will meet Wednesday evening at 6:30 at the City Hall Council Chambers. In new business they will discuss a request for a variance from height restriction for the installation of a cell tower on the property located at 1702 Doss Road. Next, they will go over the request for a variance from height restriction for the installation of proposal 80-foot sign at 1103 South Main at the Mobil Dirt Cheap location. The board will recognize anyone from the floor who wishes to speak on the subjects. The board may then go into closed session before they adjourn. The meeting Wednesday night is open to the public.

A celebration of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the riverways will be held this Saturday at several locations along the upper Current River. From 10:00 to 12:30, the lawn around the Akers Visitor Center will host information booths and exhibits about historic communities that once flourished along the river. Those with a connection to the area will share their memories and stories about life in the surrounding hills. Guided programs will continue throughout the day. Starting at 7:00 Saturday morning, Rick Mansfield from Ozark Heritage Project will lead a bird hike at Devils Well followed by a brief overview of natural and cultural history of the Devil’s Well area. At 9:00, Mansfield will continue his tour with a guided walk through the Akers Cemetery located on Route KK just east of Akers Ferry. There will be a gathering of community members and organizations from the upper Current River located at the Akers Visitor Center at 10:00, followed by an 11:00 tour of Mt. Zion Church north of Akers. Jo Schaper will discuss local geology, the stone construction of Mt. Zion Church and the mysteries of Devils Well, as well as leading a hands-on activity for kids that will teach how stones were used to construct many local buildings. Bring a picnic lunch for a noon time visit with friends and neighbors while overlooking the river at Akers. A bus will depart for Welch Spring at 12:30 where visitors will be able to take a guided hike to view Welch Spring and Hospital with a descendent of the Welch family, or enjoy a float from Welch to Akers, stopping along the way for a guided walk to the Howell-Maggard Cabin. Finally, at 5:30 visitors will gather at the Derryberry Cemetery near Cedar Grove for a history of the town with Ben Timson. Partners for this event include the Shannon County Museum, Ozark Riverways Foundation, Friends of Mt. Zion, Dent County Historical Society, Ozark Trail Association, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Ozark Heritage Project. Akers Visitor Center is located at the junction of Routes K and KK in northern Shannon County. For more information, please contact Ranger Skyler Bockman at 573-323-4905.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Montauk State Park Thursday evening at 6:00 in the amphitheater. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the park and its operations. Park team members will be present to provide information and to answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being held in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Montauk State Park located at 345 County Road 6670, Salem. To learn more about this meeting, call 573-548-2201.