Your World Today

Salem City Administrator Ray Walden has announced the hiring of Stacey Houston as the City of Salem’s Finance Director. Houston will assume her duties November 22nd and comes with over twenty years finance and accounting experience. She has worked for US Foods in Salem and for the Law Office of Williams, Robinson, Rigler, & Buschjost in Rolla. Walden said they were impressed with Stacey’s experience, education, and commitment to the community. Walden went on to say that he would like to thank Mayor Steelman and the Board of Aldermen for their support for this position. The city’s elected officials and employees care deeply about this community, and the addition of Stacey to the team will greatly enhance the city’s ability to provide good service to the local citizens. Houston noted that she has worked in fast-paced environments and learned to adapt to change, quickly learn new skills, and is eager to join the City of Salem team as the finance director. Houston received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at Southwest Baptist University and has lived in the Salem area since 1991.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. At the meeting, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams reported on the CART monies sent by the state in October. She said the county received $59,381.75 while in October of 2020, the county received $61,264.88. That is a decrease from last year of $1,883.13. Year-to date, the county CART Fund is up $48,062.95. In the road reports, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray and District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated the work crews would be checking for damages from the storms over the weekend, be it rain damage or wind damages. Larson also said a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repairs this week. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that former full time Dent County Emergency Management Director Brad Nash agreed to serve as the interim voluntary Dent County Emergency Management Director during the stormy season until a replacement can be found. He was monitoring the weather situation this past Sunday. Nash resigned from the position earlier this year. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles indicated that he presented a Volunteer Service Award to Joe Brand Thursday evening at the MRPC Annual Awards Dinner and Banquet in Linn, Missouri. Skiles said he appreciated all the people from the Dent County area that attending the ceremony in Linn. Skiles also said he would be attending a broadband meeting at Echo Bluff Thursday at 5:00. At the last meeting, it was reported the commission approved the deductible for each employee. The current policy was to have the employee responsible for the first $2,000 and the county will pay the provider the next $2,500 for a total of a $4,500 deductible. That policy was continued by the commission. The commissioners also decided to opt out of the state’s financial audit since the county had already taken bids for a 2021 financial audit by a 2-0 vote with Commission Larson not in attendance. Also at the last meeting, the Dent County Health Department would like the county to donate to them their MRPC grant writing hours that are provided to the county as part of their MRPC membership. The commissioners agreed to donate up to eight of their available hours to the health department. The next meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) annual wild turkey brood survey for 2021, average turkey production statewide was similar to production at the statewide scale in 2020, but better than statewide production from 2016-2019. Compared to last year, production in the Ozark Border and Ozarks West Regions increased by 43% and 57% respectively. The Lindley Breaks Region also saw a nine-percent increase in production, but the most significant improvement was in the Mississippi Lowlands Region where the poult-to-hen ratio (PHR) increased 118% from 2020. Unfortunately, several regions including the Northeast, Northwest, and Union Breaks, saw slight downturns in production this year after experiencing increases in productivity during 2020. The Ozarks East and West Prairie Regions saw similar PHRs this year as in 2020. Since 1959, MDC has conducted an annual wild turkey brood survey where MDC staff and citizen volunteers record the number of hens and recently hatched turkeys, which are called poults, they see during June, July, and August. For a more detailed report outlining the results of the 2021 Missouri Wild Turkey Brood Survey, and to read reports from previous years, visit the Turkey Reports webpage at Department of Conservation website at https://mdc.mo.gov.

Staff members at Echo Bluff State Park invite the public to their annual Halloween in the Park at 3:00 this Saturday afternoon, October 30th. Festivities will begin with a grab-and-go craft that can be picked up at the check station in the campground until 4:00 or while supplies last. All participants are then invited to meet at the Union Hill Carpenter Cemetery by for the trick-or-treat parade. Trick-or-treating will take place only in the campground area. Cabin and lodge guests who would like to hand out candy should bring their treats to the field by the cemetery. Visitors staying in the campground or cabins are encouraged to decorate their campsite or cabin door. Entry forms for campers will be available at the check station. Forms for cabin participants will be at the front desk. Judging and the announcement of winners will happen after the parade and judges have had a chance to view all entries after dark. Everyone is invited to the fire ring in the field by the cemetery for hot cider and award presentation. Contest winners must be present to receive their prize. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. For more information, please contact Echo Bluff State Park at 573-751-5211. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Due to the steady decrease of COVID-19 active cases and positivity rate in the county, the Salem Memorial District Hospital has re-opened the North Entrance of the hospital. The entrance will be open during visiting hours for visitors and those needing outpatient services. For outpatient needs after hours or on the weekend, please go to emergency room registration. Visiting hours are from 8:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening, Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Masks still must be worn in the hospital at all times. If you have any questions, call the hospital at 729-6626.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon at 2:42 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 near the 182- mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Hyundai Elantra was being driven westbound at a high rate of speed by 39-year- old Samantha Hadley of Rolla, when she ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Hadley suffered serious injuries and was flown to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by the Phelps Health Air Ambulance. Hadley was wearing her seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the high school library. The board heard from a parent, Jill Stoner, and a student, Amber Hanson, concerning the current mask mandate. In new business, the board heard from Brad Wegman from L.J. Hart as he gave an informal presentation concerning the debt service levy to help the board determine how to fund the building of a new elementary school. The board approved the scope of the project ESP presented for the improvements to the Tin Gym and the locker room renovation without the locker room windows. The board approved the board policy SRCSP with the addition of a test-to-stay provision. The board then approved the 2021C Policy updates with the removal of policy JHDG, and they approved the revised job description for payroll. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed gave her report that showed COVID quarantines were down since the implementation of the mask mandate. She also thanked the public for their support of the Construction Trades Program with their online voting that allowed them to win the Strong Communities Award earlier in the month, and that the YOP 50% state tax credits are still available for that program’s building on campus. The school must raise those funds before the grant funds can be used. Assistant Superintendent John Smith reported on the induction of former Salem Football Coach Bill Schuchardt’s Induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Reed then reported that prior to the board meeting, the McDaniels Bus Lane ribbon cutting ceremony was held. She also went on to report on the upcoming process for the CSIP revision. High School Principal Marty Anderson reported the high school submitted and received a $5,000 grant from the Missouri Workforce Development for the purchase of Work Keys Assessments. Resignations from Brenda Hanning from the Central Office who does payroll, and from Shannon Tyman and Nicole Stafford in Food service were heard by the board. In closed session, a student discipline issue and a personnel issue were discussed. The meeting was then adjourned.

Each year, the Meramec Regional Planning Commission honors residents, local agency representatives and organizations in the Meramec Region who contribute to their communities by volunteering their time, talents, and support. With the cancelation of the 2020 dinner due to COVID-19, award recipients from 2020 were honored at this year’s event. MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge said it was so good to come together in-person and honor our volunteers. At Thursday evenings MRPC Awards Banquet at Linn, Joe Brand of Salem, who was nominated by Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles, was recognized for serving the Salem community in many ways. He is currently the chairman of the Salem Housing Authority Commission; a member of the Southwest Baptist University Board of Trustees; serves on the Advisory Board for Riverways Pregnancy Resource Center (RPRC) as well as teaching men’s classes at resource center. Brand also volunteers as an AARP tax advisor; serves on the Salem Public Library board; is on the Dent County Foundation Committee; and also served 11 years on the Board of Directors for the Salem Memorial District Hospital. He is a member and past president of the Salem Rotary Club. Some 15 other awards were presented to individuals in other communities for their service.