Your World Today

An accident claimed the life of an Edgar Springs woman Tuesday afternoon at 1:45 in Texas County on Pump Station Road about six miles north of Roby. The report from the highway patrol states that 41-year-old Elizabeth Keeping-Hudson was sitting in a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer facing eastbound, when a tree fell on the roof of the vehicle. Keeping-Hudson was pronounced dead by Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater at 2:45 and was taken to Fox Funeral Home in Licking. The Trailblazer was removed from the scene by Arrington’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Roby Fire Department.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting after approval of the consent agenda, the board tabled Bill No. 3500 an ordinance to extend the project time period for work on taxi lanes at the airport until corrected dates are received. The board approved Resolution No. 4-2022 authorizing the mayor to enter into the affordable housing program agreement with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and Riverways Federal Credit Union for the Welcome Home 2021 Project. Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois reported there were 60 basketball games held at the Salem Community Center@the Armory during the youth basketball season. The recent Youth Football Skills and Drills camp was successful. Soccer signups are going on now with the final date to register is February 28th. Again this year a summer camp will be held for two weeks in July. The Ozark Actors Theater will host a youth Performing Arts Camp at the City Hall. DuBois is currently seeking sponsors for the baseball season where banners are placed on the ball field fences. The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department will partner with the Bonebrake Center to split a college intern for the 12-week program. Applications are currently being accepted. City Administrator Ray Walden reported that budget meetings will be held in the near future. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported staff has been working on installing new electric service, changing poles and transformers, and fixing potholes. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported that timber clearing is continuing at the Master’s Industrial Park, and that she and Finance Director Stacy Houston will attend upcoming training for the Welcome Home 2021 Project. The board then went into closed session.

Dr. Kyle Ouzts of the Dent County Veterinary Clinic in Salem will be hosting a live fifteen-minute radio call in show on KSMO Radio 1340 AM TODAY at 1:00 in the afternoon. Dr. Ouzts talks about pet safety and different things that effect your furry friends. So, get your questions ready and call Dr. Ouzts starting at 1:00 at 573-729-6659.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education in closed session Thursday hired Ashley Gordon as the Assistant Volleyball Coach for the 2022-23 school year. The board also extended the contracts of principal Rich Parks of Salem Middle School one year through 2023-24, principal Melanie Wisdom at the Upper Elementary School one year through 2023-24, Athletic Director and Transportation Director Clay Moody for one year through 2023-24, William Lynch Elementary School Principal Herman Blau an additional year through 2023-24, Jody Heavin had her contract extended one year to 2023-24, Assistant High School Principal Tori Snitker had her contract extended two additional years through 2023-24, and the Administrative Intern Branden Piatt had his contract extended a year through the 2022-23 school year. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed also discussed the growth plans and evaluations for all district administrators. The closed session and meeting were then adjourned.

Join Alley Spring Park Rangers on Saturday evening, February 26th at 6:00 at the Alley General Store for a guided evening interpretive hike to listen for and learn about owls and coyotes. It will be a “hoot of a time” and one “howl of a prowl”! You’ll learn fact and folklore about these little understood creatures of the night before hiking up Alley Hollow in search of the nighttime predators. All things “owl” and “howl” will be displayed in front of the Alley General Store prior to the hike. Rangers will use recorded calls to encourage owls and coyotes to respond and venture close enough for a good look. The hike will be less than a mile, but please come prepared for chilly temperatures. Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight for the night hike. Bring your sweetheart for a little belated Valentine’s celebration, as owls should be looking for their own “valentine” around this time of year. The Alley General Store is on the grounds near Alley Spring, located six miles west of Eminence on Highway 106. Visitors can park in front of the General Store Visitor Center. Please dress warmly and make sure all children are accompanied by an adult. For more information, phone (573) 226-3945, or visit the park’s Facebook page or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is working on updating the hazard mitigation plan for Dent County. The next meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. Hazard mitigation planning is focused on reducing risk before disasters strike. Activities such as burying electric lines, reduces damage during tornadoes, and elevating homes in the floodplain help reduce damage and loss of life during natural disasters. Public input is necessary to truly understand the risks that could be facing the county. Additionally, the county must have a current, updated plan to be eligible for some hazard mitigation grants. The first draft of the revised plan must be submitted to State Emergency Management Agency by March 17th, 2023. The County-level hazard mitigation plans cover a five-year time frame. Dent County’s last plan was approved in October 2018. Jurisdictions within the county, such as cities, the county itself, schools, fire departments and others, are asked to participate in the planning process, complete the questionnaire, review the revised plan and adopt the new plan. It was also discussed that a survey on hazard mitigation would be promoted throughout the county to get public input into the plan. That survey can be found at meramecregion.org/surveys. If you have questions, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting following the consent agenda, the board will discuss Bill #3500 to establish an ordinance to extend the project time period to allow for the completion of the work for the design and construction of taxi lanes for T-Hangers in Phase 1 of airport improvements from an agreement originally signed on August 13th, 2019. The board will then approve Resolution 4-2022 that authorizes the Mayor to enter into affordable housing program subsidy agreement for owner occupied projects between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Riverways Federal Credit Union, and the City of Salem, Missouri Office of Economic Development as part of the Welcome Home Project. They will also hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Mayor Kim Steelman, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois, and from the Aldermen. The board may then vote to go into closed session. The Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released reports for the week of February 12th. On Saturday, February 12th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Highway 32. During the course of the stop, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while their license revoked or suspended. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Then on Wednesday, February 16th, a deputy investigated a suspicious subject in the 200 block of South Warfel Street. During the investigation, a 22-year-old Salem woman was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and the possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was placed on a 24- hour hold pending the issuance of a warrant. Later that day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on West Highway 32. During the course of the stop, a 24-year-old Salem woman was arrested for an having active Dent County warrant. Upon arrival at the Dent County Jail, the subject was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The woman was incarcerated for her warrant and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the issuance of a warrant for the additional charges. On Friday, February 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on East Highway 32. During the course of the vehicle search, a controlled substance was located in the vehicle. A 19-year-old Licking man was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. Upon further investigation, the man was released, and charges will be sought at a later date. If you have any information on any ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

A beginners-stained glass class with Jennifer Curry will be every Thursday in March at the Creative Arts Center. The 4-week class will hold two evening sessions each Thursday at 3:30-5:30 or 5:30 to 7:30. Learn the art of Stained Glass and create a suncatcher choosing from 8 to 10 patterns that will be provided. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided and the fee for all 4 weeks is $150. For more info or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening in the regular monthly meeting. The board heard from Nicky Stringer about the school’s SRCSP policy hoping the school board would consider requiring the CDC guidelines concerning close contact and quarantine. She would prefer to see the quarantine period and mask mandate be reinstated to keep children safe. The board heard from Chris Salzman and Doug Adams from ESP about the Tin Gym renovation where the main reasons to make the change was the appearance of the building, the odor from all the years of kids working out and the indoor air quality. The renovation would include a new HVAC system, rubberized floor and new Astro turf, but would not include water, restrooms, ice machine, coach’s office or interior equipment. ESP provided three options to the board that include an expansion that ranged for $187.50 per square foot that would come to just under 1.5 million dollars, up to $238 per square foot that would come over budget. They also talked about the locker room renovation that would come to about $300,000. This would gut the locker rooms and would recreate them using basically the same footprint. They would like to be able to squeeze in a training room within the locker room proper. The board approved them moving forward to getting material hard quotes on both projects. Superintendent Lynne Reed said three companies attended the mandatory walk through to bid on the food service contract. She also said she will bring health insurance numbers to the March meeting for the board to review. On the next agenda, the board will vote to change the policy on the number of days before a parent or person can request to be put on the agenda from five to three days, and they will discuss streaming meetings. After the principal’s report, the board voted to approve changing insurance payments to be paid “the month of” instead of a month ahead, approved the 2022-2023 school calendar, and approved the revised technology support staff job description. The board selected Toth and Associates from Springfield to be the management firm for the FEMA grant safe room at the Upper Elementary as they were the only ones to submit a request for qualification for that purpose, and the board approved to use HTK Architects from Kansas City as the architectural firm for the project. The board approved the multi-step bid process recommended by Assistant Athletic Director Clay Moody for sponsorship of the new High School Gym Floor. Each sponsorship element will be bid separately. Bids on the floor must be submitted by March 14th. The board approved the resignations of Lisa Elliott in food service, Erin Wilson as a 3rd grade teacher at the upper elementary, and Elizabeth Hogan as the basketball cheerleader coach. The board then went into closed session.

A couples or singles paint-n-sip with Danielle Norris will be this Friday from 6:30 until 8:30 @ the Creative Arts Center as a makeup from the February 11th date that was postponed. Let Danielle lead you step-by-step through a dreamy painting. Bring a beverage and a friend or family member to enjoy and evening away from the stresses of the day or week! All the supplies for the class are provided and the cost is $25. For more information or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or you can e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their February meeting Tuesday night at 6:00 in the hospital library. Hospital Interim Administrator Bill May will report on the summary of the operations and statistics for the month of January as well as hear the Chief Nursing Officer report from Ashley Sullins and auxiliary report. The board will also hear a report on the hospital foundation, as well as the marketing and community perception report. In old business, the board will hear how COVID-19 is affecting the hospital, a report on the Cerner conversion, and a lab update. In new business, the board will discuss any purchases. The board may vote to go into closed session. The SMDH Board meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library is open to the public.