Your World Today

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held their tax rate hearing for the year 2021 and fiscal year 2022 Tuesday afternoon at noon via Zoom. Chief Financial Officer Doug Hogan presented the assessed valuations for 2020 and 2021 for real estate and personal property. In 2020, the real property assessed valuation was $189,658,299 and personal property came in at $68,611,997 for a total of $258,270,296. In 2021, the assessed valuation for real estate property was $192,139,394 with personal property valued at $70,357,485 for a total of $262,496,879. These assessed valuations come from all of Dent County and portions of Crawford, Iron and Shannon counties. Last year, the tax rate was at 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation which generated $628,294 for capital projects for the hospital which are comprised of the building and campus, property and equipment. The maximum rate allowed by the state auditor’s office is still 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The board approved staying with the maximum rate of 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation for 2021 that will generate $629,992. The hospital approved the resolution that included the tax rate and stipulated the board did not elect to take a voluntary reduction for the 2021 year. The hearing and meeting were then adjourned.

It’s time to saddle up for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 7:30 each evening at The Commons on Highway 72. The gate opens at 5:00 and the Base Enterprise Carnival will be in the barn starting at 5:00 as well. There will be numerous vendors and a concession stand will be available on the grounds. Each nights’ activities will kick off with the Parade of Sponsors Flags prior to the National Anthem. Those attending will have the opportunity to salute our Veterans by wearing your Red, White and Blue attire. In addition to the traditional rodeo events, you will be treated to the calf scramble for kids 10-years of age and under, Blake Skaggs Mini Buckers and the half-time show featuring The Rawhide and Dusty Show. Tickets in advance are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids ages 5 to 11. Advance ticketsare available at the Salem Chamber/VisitorsCenter, and all local banks including The Bank of Salem, Town & Country Bank-Salem, Progressive Ozark Bank, and Riverways Federal Credit Union at both the Salem and Rolla locations. At the gate admission each night will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids 5 to 11. Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy the fun and competition.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2021 Labor Day weekend. It’s everyone’s responsibility to travel safely and observe all Missouri road laws. In Missouri, 18 people died and 463 were injured in 1,041 traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day holiday. This means one person was killed or injured every 9.7 minutes. Troopers arrested 146 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2021 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 this Friday evening through 11:59 Monday night, September 6th. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. Troopers on the roadways will be enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. The public is encouraged to call the + or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.

Missouri State Parks invites the public to begin their archery journey by attending hands-on courses at Echo Bluff State Park. Course will be held September 18th from 2:00 until 4:00, and October 16th from 10:00 until noon.  Participants may register for the August course beginning July 3rd. This program is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of archery and atlatl throwing. The Learn2 Aim courses offer two hours of free instruction and are open to ages 10 and older. Registration is required and all slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Missouri State Parks provides the equipment, including bows, atlatls, targets and expertise, in a safe environment. Participants should bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn a historical skill. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians do not have to participate but must be on hand to provide adult supervision. Participants should be comfortable around bows and atlatls. All Missouri State Park rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented event; alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Program.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports. On Tuesday afternoon, August 2nd at around 4:30, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a female subject had stolen approximately $45 worth of merchandise from the store. Contact was made with the suspect and a 25-year-old woman from Salem was arrested and issued a summons for shoplifting. The next day around noon, an officer located a female subject with numerous warrants for her arrest. As a result, a 38-year-old Ellington woman was arrested on eight warrants for her arrest and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. On Saturday morning, the 7th at approximately 6:00, an officer conducted a traffic stop for a license violation. Contact was made with the operator of the vehicle, and it was confirmed the female driver had a revoked driving status. Consent to search the vehicle was obtained and suspected methamphetamine was located. The 41-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated pending the application of warrants. During the evening of Friday, the 13th near 8:00, an officer was dispatched to the area of Phil Mart for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival the officer observed one vehicle strike another one and ordered the driver of the vehicle out of the vehicle. During the investigation, it was apparent the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated. As a result, a 33-year-old Salem man was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants at the Dent County Jail. During the early morning hours of Sunday, the 15th around 1:00, an officer contacted a subject he knew to have an active arrest warrant. As a result, a 58-year-old Salem man was arrested on a Phelps County warrant and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition. Later that same day around noon, an officer was dispatched to the area of Franklin and Water Streets for a report of a suspicious subject. Contact wasmade with the subject in question and upon further investigation it was found she was in possession of Methamphetamine. As a result, a 36-year-old Salem woman was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. During this time period of August 2nd through the 15th, there were approximately ten reports of property damage and vandalism throughout town at locations that included the Salem City Park and other businesses. Officers and investigators worked through many leads and obtained video surveillance in the crimes and as a result the cases have been resolved and suspects have been identified and questioned. These reports have been sent to the Juvenile Office for further action. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The City of Salem will be doing curbside yard waste pick-up starting Tuesday, September 7th. Items that will be picked up by the city include limbs and branches that are cut to a length of four feet or less, and grass that is bagged in recyclable leaf bags which can be purchased at the city utility office $2.50 for ten bags. The city will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged, cut, and placed at the edge of the curb or sidewalk. They ask that you do not block the sidewalk or place items in the street. The city of Salem reserves the right to charge for exceptionally large volumes of yard waste or to recommend removal by a private company. Items that will not be picked up include appliances, household trash, tires, electronics, lumber or building materials, furniture, or recyclables. For more information, call the city at 729-4811.

The Missouri Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program that provides benefit vouchers to low-income seniors who are 60-years of age or older is now available in Dent, Crawford and Phelps County through the Mid Missouri Aging Best office. Eligible seniors will receive 10 vouchers with a value of $5.00 each for a total of $50 each year they can be used to purchase fresh, raw, unprepared foods grown in Missouri and that includes fruits, vegetables, honey and cooking herbs. The vouchers may be used now until October 31st or earlier if your local farmer’s market closes before Octobers 31st. You have until September 30th to get your vouchers and they can be used at any Farmer’s Market that is part of the program. The maximum household income to qualify for the program is 185% of the poverty level for a single person with incremental income levels for those with multiple family members. A senior may also qualify if they participate in the SNAP program or Community Supplemental Food Program. Seniors can also name a proxy on their behalf to apply for and purchase foods on their behalf. The program application must be signed by both. For more information about the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Dent, Crawford or Phelps County, contact Aging Best at 573-443-5823. The program is also available in Shannon and Texas counties through the Springfield Senior Age Agency on Aging by calling 417-862-0762.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Road 5630 and spot grading would be done in the Montauk area to fix washouts from the Sunday morning rain. Mobray said a man would be hauling brown rock and a crew would be preparing an area where a bridge on Dent County Road 4210 will be tore out next week. The road will be closed starting Tuesday and is expected to be closed until the bridge is replaced which should be around two weeks. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on county roads 2530, 2540, 2550, 3330 and 3340. He said a crew would be cleaning out ditches on Dent County Road 4330 while materials will be added, brush will be cut, and grading will be done on county road 4260. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles indicated he attended the CCAM meeting at Echo Bluff State Park last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to discuss the commissioner training to be held in February at Columbia. He said the commissioners heard from Representative Ron Copeland that the legislature is considering doing away with the April elections and consolidate all elections until the November General Election. This would create a huge burden on county clerks to get out the number of different ballots that would cover municipal elections, school board elections, bond issues and more in addition to the General Election list of candidates and issues. The costs may become exorbitant. Skiles said county commissioners are not in favor of this and he felt that the clerk’s association would not be in favor of it as well. Skiles reported the courthouse will be closed for Labor Day and the commissioners agreed to meet on Tuesday at 9:00 for their regular meeting. Skiles also wanted to remind everyone to get your tickets for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this Saturday and Sunday at The Commons. Advance tickets are available at all the local banks and the Salem Chamber office and are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 5-11 years of age. The cost at the gate Saturday and Sunday will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for youngsters from 5 to 11 years of age. The gate opens at 5:00 with a carnival in the barn with the rodeo starting at 7:30 each evening. Bonnie Prigge and Kelly Sink from the MRPC attended the meeting and discussed with the commissioners some information about the ARPA funds that are becoming available. Sink brought in a sample investment proposal form for the ARPA eligible activities that include supporting public health expenditures, addressing negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, replacing lost public sector revenue, providing premium pay for essential workers, and allowing for the investment in sewer, water and broadband infrastructure. This form would document the project submitted for funds. Prigge said the CARES Act funds were for events that were in the past while the ARPA funds are basically looking at events still to come, although some historical data will need to be used. The county talked after adding a much needed bathroom to the courthouse which Sink said would qualify for the funds, and they would also be able to replace some of the income lost due to the sales tax debacle by the Department of Revenue, but that would not occur until next year. The deadline for submission of projects is January 1st, 2023. Any project that would be funded through ARPA must be obligated by December 31st, 2024 and spent by December 31st of 2026. The commissioners also talked with Corky Stack of Stack Design and Consulting Group about improvements to be done to the exterior of the courthouse. Stack and the commissioners signed the agreement for Stack to proceed with work on the project. The next meeting of the county commission will be Tuesday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will hold a tax levy hearing and special meeting today at the hospital library starting at noon. The special meeting will follow the tax levy public hearing at about 12:15 to provide a summary of the tax rate hearing. In new business, the board will set the tax rate for the year 2021 before adjourning. The hearing and the special meeting are both open to the public via zoom. Contact Tonya Akers to get information to Zoom the meeting by calling at 573-729-6626, Extension 4005.

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!