Your World Today

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. After approval of the consent agenda, Bill #3498 that would create an ordinance amending Chapter 700, Article 1 of the code of ordinances pertaining to the disconnection of utility services was read by City Clerk Tammy Koller. The board did not approve this bill that clarified some of the language on a previous bill concerning reconnections during extreme weather conditions. The board recommended the ordinance be sent to the Utility Committee for further clarification. The board approved the purchase of a new police car for $45,579 with a trade allowance of $31,000 and an administration fee of $399 for a balance of $14,978. A total of $8,000 will come from the Capital Improvement Sales Tax fund and the remainder would need to come from a budget adjustment. The board approved purchasing 20 class two 30-foot and 20 class four 45-foot utility poles for the Electric Department at a cost of $14,520. This is a budgeted expense. City Administrator Ray Walden asked Tod Kinerk and Tabitha Utley to provide an update on the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. They thanked the city for their financial support to promote tourism. They reported that the Tourism Tax has provided funding for the digital display sign as well as rent for the new chamber office. The Chambers revenue comes from member dues, corporate sponsorships as well as the rodeo, which is their largest fundraising event. Walden reported that the Salem Community Center @ the Armory had a total of 5,359 participants for the month of December. There will be a Park Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 2nd at 5:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. A joint Utility and Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for February 15th. Bids are being requested for the Fourth of July fireworks display as well as designs for the new Soccer Complex. Mayor Kim Steelman encouraged citizens that have had their electric restored during cold weather, that was previously disconnected for non-payment, to make every effort to pay as much on their bills as possible. She reminded citizens that payment plans are available. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported that the Street Department building roof is getting repairs and that there have been several water line breaks in the past week. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack wanted to remind citizens of the text blast service that is available to get important alerts and reminders from the city. Alderman Greg Parker recently met with the Airport Board and that they are working on bids for a card reader, a motor for the gate and a fuel pump that will be brought to a future board meeting. Finance Director, Stacey Houston presented a financial statement for the 6-month period from July 1st through December 31st, 2021.Total fund balances for all funds are $5,234,395. Major Revenue sources for the first six months of the fiscal year were the 1% General Revenue sales tax at $699,608, the Park and Recreation 3/8ths of a cent sales tax total at $262,366, the Capital Improvement 1/2 cent sales tax at $349,804, electricity sales of $2,623,829, water sales of $524,030 and sewer sales at $499,670. All are expected to exceed the budgeted amount. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon around 1:40 in Dent County on Highway 32 about fifteen miles east of Salem. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2021 International being driven by 52-year-old Robert Crocker of Salem, was passing a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 being driven by 60-year-old Walter Acord, also of Salem. As the International was passing, the S-10 changed lanes and collided with the International. The Chevy then traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned. Acord suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The International sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The S-10 was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive Towing. The report indicated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Tuesday night at 7:50 in the Salem Memorial District Hospital parking lot when 69-year-old Robert Wood of Salem, was driving a 1999 Jeep Wrangler eastbound when he lost consciousness due to a medical emergency. The front of the Wrangler made contact with the west side of the building. Wood suffered moderate injuries and walked into the Salem Memorial District Hospital Emergency Department after the crash. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

A Poplar Bluff resident was injured in a one vehicle accident Wednesday morning just before 9:00 in Dent County on Highway 32 about 8 miles east of Salem. The highway patrol reports that a 2010 Dodge Nitro being driven by 35-year-old Arika Ballenger lost control of the vehicle on a curve. The Dodge traveled off the right side of the roadway striking two signs and a tree. Ballenger was taken by EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The report went on to state that Ballenger was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

Missouri’s 2021-2022 deer-hunting season ended January 15th with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reporting a preliminary total deer harvest for the season of 293,670. Of the deer harvested, 143,049 were antlered bucks, 26,599 were button bucks, and 124,022 were does. Top harvest counties for the overall deer season were Franklin with 6,392 deer harvested, Texas with 5,478, and Callaway with 5,452. Other counties in our area harvest numbers were Dent with 4,183, Crawford 4,002, Shannon 3,360 and Phelps with 2,937 deer taken. Hunters harvested 297,214 deer during the 2020-2021 deer hunting season with 140,855 being antlered bucks, 28,652 being button bucks, and 127,707 being does. MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle said that this year’s harvest total was slightly behind last year’s mark and about 3% above the previous five-year average. He added that we’ve seen an increasing trend in statewide deer harvest for about the past eight years and that the deer population has continued to increase across much of southern Missouri while we’ve seen a population recovery in most of the counties impacted by the severe hemorrhagic disease outbreak that occurred in 2012. For more information on deer hunting in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov. MDC reported four firearms-related hunting incidents during deer season with all being self-inflicted and three non-fatal with one fatal.