Local News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

City of Salem Public Works Director Mark Nash wants to remind people who may have had their utilities shut off that they can still come to the Utility Office and set up a payment contract. If you are or know of someone in this situation, the city wants to work with these residents to get their utilities back on. If they have any questions about setting up a payment contract with the city, please call the city utility office at 729-4117 for more information or to setup a time to come by.

This past Fourth of July, the National Park Service in Missouri and Arkansas partnered with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 7 and local law enforcement by participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” impaired-driving awareness campaign. An increased presence of officers worked together in and around Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri and Buffalo National River in Arkansas during the holiday weekend to take impaired drivers off the roads. These expanded efforts were conducted in a fair and equitable way. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign at the National Park Service sites in Arkansas and Missouri resulted in 653 traffic stops with 30 arrests for impaired driving. Of those contacts, 428 traffic stops and 20 arrests for impaired driving were associated with the campaign at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, as park rangers and other local law enforcement officers joined forces to keep the roads safe on a busy holiday weekend. This law enforcement mobilization was an effort to draw attention to the dangers of impaired driving to drivers, passengers, and everyone on the roadways.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting Thursday evening at 5:45 at the Salem Community Center at 1200 West Rolla Road for the purpose of discussing Resolutions #24-2021, #25-2021 and #26-2021. These resolutions are to accept the contracts for the demolition program at 500 East 4th Street owned by Casey Jadwin, 702 West Butler owned by Connie Riggins and 1003 East Hawkins owned by Tracy and Stephanie Hughes. Following that special Board of Aldermen meeting at 6:00, a joint meeting of the Finance and Utility Committees will be held. The two committees will give an update on the city’s financial audit, utility billing, and Exceleron Pre-Paid Project. They will look at the American Rescue Plan Act, electric rates from February 2021 cold snap, review utility bill layouts, review the electric rate auto adjustment in city codes, and go over the hot/cold weather rules. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office released some reports for Wednesday, August 4th. The first incident occurred when a deputy traveled to a residence in the 500 block of Dent County Road 3270 to serve an arrest warrant. During the course of the incident, a 48-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Another incident occurred when a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of South Pershing Street and East Highway 32. At the traffic stop, a 37-year-old Salem was arrested for having an active warrant through Probation and Parole, the unlawful possession, transport, repair, for manufacture or sale of an illegal weapon; and for operating a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid driver’s license, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. The final report occurred when a deputy conducted a traffic stop at Highway 72 and the Route C intersection. During the traffic stop, a 19-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active arrest warrant through Cuba Police Department. The woman was taken to the Dent County Jail where she later posted bond and was released. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 5:45 in the R-80 Board Room for the tax rate hearing, followed by the regular August meeting. After the tax rate hearing, Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will report on a variety of issues followed by principals’ reports, as well as the athletics and facilities report. In new business the board will approve the 2020-2021 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, 2021 tax rate, Head Start MOU and Transition Agreement and consider revision of Board Policy GBEBC. Other new business will include the board approval of the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (SRCSP), ESSER III Plan/Budget, consider extension of Extended Paid Sick Leave (COVID), consider FFA National Convention out of state trip, and approve fuel bids. The Board will then go into closed session. The Tax Rate Hearing and the regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education Thursday evening are both open to the public.

Spring Creek 4-H Club member Presley Strader of Salem made an impression at the Missouri State Fair as she showed the Reserve Champion Dorset. This honor came after she showed at the Phelps County Fair on August 7th and had the Reserve Championship Crossbred Ewe and was the Champion Sheep Showman. That ewe was bred by the Rule Sheep Company. Also at the Phelps County Fair, Strader had the Grand Champion Crossbred Heifer that was bred by Campbell Blecher. Congratulations Preslie on your hard work!

Congratulations also goes out to Clayton Headrick of the Lake Spring 4-H Club as he won the Senior Skeet Doubles last week in St. Louis. He shot a 91-out of 100. Headrick also took 6th place in the Senior Skeet Single competition. Another 4-H club member from the Spring Creek 4-H, Ryker Major, took 16th place in the Senior Skeet Singles in St. Louis. This is Major’s first year competing in this event.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of July, the hospital had 123 inpatient admissions with 376 inpatient census days. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $220,282 and had an excess of expenses over revenues of $216,666. During the month, there were 850 emergency room visits with 93 admissions, plus there were 210 ambulance runs where 141 patients were transported. In July, there were 24 surgery cases, 1,920 outpatient registrations, 10,290 lab tests, 1,478 radiological procedures, 504 rehab treatments and 246 home health visits with 18 home health admissions. The days in account receivable during the month went down to 62 from 74 in June and days cash on hand stayed at 85. The hospital had a cash decrease during the month of $3,202. Two CD’s will be renewed in August for $100,000 each for .50% from the Bank of Salem for 12 months. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas said Critical Access Hospitals are to receive $50,000 to help with staffing for COVID, but they haven’t received information on how to get it yet. New Chief of Nursing Ashley Sullins gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity at 32 per day with 12 patients per day. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards said the Wings and Strings event in September has been cancelled while the “Dancing with the Salem Stars” program is scheduled for January 22nd at the High School Gym. He said the hospital is waiting on payment for the TytoCare-school focused telemedicine product from USDA, and the plan is still to have the program in place in schools by 2022. Lucas gave the COVID-19 update and said the number of COVID cases as of Tuesday in Dent County is 107 with a positivity rate of 17.2% of those tested. As of Tuesday, 101 employees at the hospital have been totally vaccinated with another 22 having at least one dose. That is a 37% fully vaccination rate with 45% having at least one dose. The visitor policy changed Monday where there is only one entrance to the hospital and that is at the emergency room, patients may only have one visitor per day, long-term care patients cannot see visitors, and door screeners will welcome visitors and patients at the ER door. Lucas reported the renovation work is all but finished except for some minor details that are being worked on and completed. The Cerner Conversion continues as this is “train the trainer” week. Board President Ray Bruno selected the fiscal year 2022 finance committee and is comprised of the same people as last year: Mike Swyers, Willie Strader and A.J. Seay. The board then went into closed session.

Have you been to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center in Salem where they still have open the exhibit entitled “Dent County Pictorial History?” If you have not yet attended, you are missing a chance to see how history has affected Dent County and their citizens, changes made over the years as well as progress made, all courtesy of a number of photographs taken over the years by the newspapers in town, family photos, special occasion photos such as church and family outings and much more. There is no charge to attend the exhibit and it is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. The exhibit will remain open until August 31st at 202 South Main Street in Salem, next to the Farmers Market.

A public hearing to set the tax rate levy for real estate and personal property taxes in the City of Salem was held Monday night before the Salem Board of Aldermen meeting and no one spoke on the tax levy. At the regular meeting, Bill Parsons spoke to the board that most of the billing issues he brought up at the last meeting have been addresses and finalized. He still has a some issues on one property where the bills were paid in cash, but the house burnt and the receipts were apparently destroyed. Parsons agreed to work with Public Works Director Mark Nash on resolving that issue. Parsons also asked for the closure of 4th Street between Hickory and Water Streets, and Water to 3rd Street for an Octoberfest to be held Friday, October 29th through the 31st. A discussion to make sure the B&B on 4th Street had parking was brought up, but was resolved by Parsons and the board. They approved the request. Crystal and Ted Kiddy brought to the attention of the board that a number of cars, semi-trucks and motorcycles are speeding down North Jackson toward the Salem Care Center and back as well as on some alley ways shooting rocks into windows. They said some people even park in the alley ways and it is unsafe for children to play. Police Chief Joe Chase said a road survey was done and the top speed was 31 MPH and there was no stop sign violations. He said another survey can be done with a handheld radar gun, preferably in an unmarked car. Aldermen Greg Parker did request that a four-way stop be placed at West 8th Street and North Jackson as there is a small hill that leaves a blind spot that can be very dangerous. The Kiddy’s also said that a neighbor two doors down continues to burn rubber, plastic and tires. The alderman said to contact the police so that a report can be made. After the consent agenda, the board discussed a gate system for the Industrial Park Yard Waste area. Public Works Director Nash explained the one bid received from Rick Emory to install 40-feet of heavy duty fencing with an 18 ft heavy duty gate. The fence would be anchored by 4 ½ inch posts five foot into the ground with 2 3/8 inch pipe that would run into the woods for a total cost of $5,965. The alderman approved the bid. Police Chief Joe Chase then discussed a camera system for the Industrial Park Yard Waste Site. After presenting numerous options and scenarios, the board approved the purchase of a VX400 Covert Surveillance System for $5,194 from i2c Technologies which includes shipping. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge discussed the Residential Demolition Program to the board. She said three properties will be in the initial program and all three took the 50/50 split where they pay half and the city pays half to demolish the property and put it back into green space. The people will retain their ownership of the property. The three properties are 702 West Butler owned by Connie Riggins, 1003 East Hawkins owned by Tracy and Stephanie Hughes, and 500 East 4th Street owned by Casey Jadwin. The total cost of the demolition came to $16,025 and the owners will have to pay their half of the demolition costs to the city before the work begins. Bids were let out to do the demolition work and the bid recommended after scoring by the staff was to Godi’s Excavating. The board approved Resolution #23-2021 to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Godi Excavating to do the demolition work. The board approved the tax levy of 67.46 cents per $100 assessed valuation for the year 2021 for real estate and personal property within the city limits in Bill #3487. They also approved Resolution #22-2021 that states the city intends to seek funding through the American Rescue Plan Act and authorizes the mayor to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding. City Administrator Ray Walden said there will be 110 utilities subject to cut-off starting today, and that utility bills are on track to be out by the first of the month. He told the board there were 3,999 people taking part in activities at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. He also told the board about Healthy Dent County bringing back Project Rise which can help families move toward self-sufficiency. He told the board there would be a joint finance and utility meeting Thursday night at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The board took up a discussion on the request to rezone the property at 306 East Franklin from commercial to industrial that included Building Inspector Jared Brown who recommended the property not be rezoned creating spot zoning even though the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the change. With no motion made by the board, the topic died on the floor. The board then went into closed session.

Airport Board President Harold Tubbs has called a meeting of the Airport Board this evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center at The Armory. The meeting will be held to introduce new board members, Alderman representatives, and staff as well as the election of officers. The board will discuss the status of contracting fuel services, repairing the ground wire by the fuel tank area, the status of hanger rentals, give a courtesy car update, and discuss the location of the pilot lounge. There will be an update on the airport lights, a review of NOTAM posters, a gate opener update, a discussion on regulations on disabled planes in the tie down area, renting the airport grounds for the production of hay, and other business. The meeting of the Airport Board tonight is open to the public.