Your World Today

A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning just after 7:45 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about six miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban being driven by 18-year-old Cole Barton of Steelville, was traveling northbound when he failed to negotiate a curve. Barton overcorected and the Suburban overturned, ejecting Barton from the vehicle. He was transported by Air Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis for treatment of serious injuries. The Chevrolet was totaled and left at the scene to be removed by the owner later. The report went on to state that Barton was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The Salem Police Department has submitted the following reports from the Week of January 9th. During the early hours of Tuesday morning, January 10th around 12:30, officers conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Carty and Gibbs Streets. During the stop, it was found the driver was intoxicated and operating the vehicle in an impaired manner. Due to the these circumstances, a 32-year-old Salem woman was arrested for a DWI and then later released on a summons. That same evening at approximately 9:00, officers conducted a traffic stop for lane violations near the intersection of Highway 32 and Missouri Avenue. During the traffic stop, it was found the driver was intoxicated. After an investigation, a 56-year-old Salem man was arrested for a DWI and later released on a summons. During the evening of Wednesday, January 11th at 5:00, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of North Park for a report of a domestic disturbance. As a result of the call, it was found that a subject who was highly intoxicated, had assaulted another causing a cut on his nose. After the investigation, a 57-year-old Salem woman was arrested and issued a summons for City Assault. She was kept on a 12-hour safekeep due to her level of intoxication. Finally on Friday afternoon, January 13th at approximately 3:00, officers conducted a traffic stop for an expired vehicle registration. During the stop, it was discovered the man had an active warrant out of Crawford County Missouri. As a result, 21-year-old William Coleman of Steelville, was arrested and incarcerated on his warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

Have you made your appointment for the free tax filing assistance provided by the Volunteers from the AARP Foundation at the Salem Community Center@The Armory? Dates in February are already filling up fast! Currently, appointments are still available on Friday only through Friday, April 10th. This is the 19th year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with the AARP trained volunteers to provide this free service to the community. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that the volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163.

There are certain streets within the city limits of Salem that have been designated as emergency “Snow Routes.” These streets shall have priority over other streets for the clearing of snow, ice or other debris: Third Street to the west from Highway 19 to Dilworth Lane, and Third Street to the east from Pershing Avenue to Iron Mountain Road; Fourth Street from Pershing Avenue to MacArthur Avenue; Sixth Street (Rolla Road) from MacArthur Avenue to Highway 19; Jackson Street to the north from Sixth Street (Rolla Road) to the dead end; Tenth Street from Highway 19 to Walnut Hill Drive; Pershing Avenue from Tenth Street to Highway 32/72 East; Center Street from Highway 19 to Craig Industrial Drive and from Missouri Avenue to Dilworth Lane; Carty Street from Highway 32/72 East to Center Street; Craig Industrial Drive from Highway 32/72 to Iron Mountain Road; Babb Lane from Highway 32/72 West to Roosevelt Street; Doss Road south from Highway 32/72 East to the city limits; Roosevelt Street to the east from Highway 19 to Babb Lane and west from Highway 19 to Wines Street; Wines Street from Roosevelt Street to Highway 32/72 West; Missouri Avenue from Highway 32/72 West to Third Street; Franklin Street from Pershing Avenue to Highway 72;

Dilworth Lane from Rolla Road to Highway 32 West. Remember to remove your vehicle from these routes when an accumulation of ice and snow is expected so that the route can be cleared. Your car or truck could be towed at your expense, or you could be sited for a parking violation. If you have any questions, call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education Thursday night went into closed session where the board approved extending Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills contract with provisions and added an additional one week of vacation. The board also accepted the resignation of Meghan Lawrence. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the council chambers. The board approved Resolution #4-2023 adopting the Dent County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Finance Director Stacey Houston gave the financial report showing the status of the funds and reported the electric, water and sewer billing is up. Alderman Kyle Williams noted the balance for the electric reserve fund after the city transferred $143,000 from the $10 and $15 service availability fees is now over $160,000. He said that is a start at trying to make sure there are available funds in that account if a disaster should happen. The board approved the purchase of base rock, one-inch clean and two-inch clean rock from the Salem Capital Quarries for $4,252 with a buffer up to $5,000 to allow for price fluctuations. This rock is used when there is work on city streets, on water main breaks and other uses such as sidewalk and curb construction. They also approved the bid from JCI Industries from Jefferson City to rebuild a submersible pump for $28,800 that includes a one-year warranty. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the airport agreement with Lochner will be brought to the board at the next meeting. She did discuss the fuel tank issue with Lochner and they suggested the city possibly revise their ten-year plan to include a fueling station. This will be discussed further. Mayor Greg Parker said the 100-Acre Wood Road Rally will be March 17^th and 18^th in Salem. He also said the AARP Volunteer Tax Consultants will be providing FREE tax prep at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. To make your appointment, call 729-8163. He also asked citizens to use their driveways and stay off the side streets to allow city workers to clear the roads. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the city crews are ready for the snow. He said he will have a water leak report and try to have a line loss report for the electric department at the next utility meeting or alderman meeting. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said the Love Thy neighbor Program work week has been set for June 4^th through the 8^th. Citizens can go to ltndent.com to see if they will be eligible for work to be done on their homes. Those applications will be due March 1^st. If you would like to volunteer to help, you must submit your application by April 1^st. Alderman Williams said entry registration in the Road Rally opened Monday and they are always looking for volunteers to help. If you are interested, go to www.americanrallyassociation.org/100aw. The meeting was then adjourned.