Your World Today

Congratulations goes out to the Salem High School Art Students, who won first place hands down in the District Art Show in Mountain Grove this past Friday, April 30th. Nine schools participated in all, with Liberty taking third place with 94 points, Mountain Grove taking second place with 114 points, and Salem taking first place with 353 points. Salem had four students finish in the top five places. Amy Chen and Olivia Wisdom tied for fifth place with 21 points each. Lara Stevens tied with a student from Houston for fourth place with 23 points. Isabella Knaack won first place overall with 62 points. Chloe Bartz won the “Best in Show in 2-D art” for “Zada”, which is an oil painting of her dog. Overall, 48 Salem High School students won ribbons. Ribbons were awarded for first through fourth place, honorable mention, and student’s choice in 58 categories. The Salem Art instructors were Tana Kettner with help from Angela Dingess.

The Salem Quiz Bowl finished out the season taking 3rd Place in the District Tournament hosted by Potosi High School on Saturday, April 17. Two Salem players finished with All-District Individual Medals, Martin Jones and Ryon Coursen. This was the first in-seat tournament that Salem has played this season due to COVID-19 restrictions. Morning games were round robin pool play with random draws. In the first game, Salem faced off against the home team, Potosi High School, and beat them 210 to 160. Salem then won the second game over Mountain Grove High School by the score of 260 to 70 before beating St. Clair High School in the 3rd game, 220 to 80. The four top teams were seeded after lunch. Salem and St. James both had three wins, but Salem was seeded second because St. James had more total points accrued from the morning games. Salem faced Owensville in semi-finals and lost to the Dutchmen by the score of 270 to 180 sending Owensville to the finals against St. James. The St. James Tigers won Districts beating Owensville, 360 to 110. This win sends St. James to the State Tournament in Columbia in May. The Quiz Bowl team will be losing seniors Captain Martin Jones, Ryon Coursen, Isabella Knaack, Heather Maneely, and Tyler Seabaugh. The Quiz Bowl teams have been coached by Susan Sheeley and Will Hubbs. This was the last Quiz Bowl for Coach Hubbs as Sarah Sanders has agreed to take the position of Assistant Coach next year.

The following reports have been provided by the Salem Police Department. On Saturday evening, April 10th, at approximately 10:00 an officer conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highways 19 and 32 for a license plate violation. During the traffic stop the officer could smell the odor of Marijuana in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was held and marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia were located. As a result, a 19-year-old Salem male was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. The next morning at approximately 9:00 officers were dispatched to the area of the Fourth Street Mall for a report of illegal drug activity. Officers arrived and spoke to the suspected parties and during the investigation located a syringe on a subject. The syringe field tested positive for meth. As a result, a 27-year-old Salem male was arrested and placed on a 24-hour pending the application of warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

A two-vehicle accident happened Tuesday afternoon at 12:30 in Crawford County on Forest Hill Road at Spring Lake Lane. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 1990 Ford F-150 being driven by 39-year-old Kristopher Knight of Bourbon, failed to drive on the right side of the roadway when he entered a curve and struck a 2004 Dodge Ram being driven by 40-year-old Steven Osbourne of Steelville. Osbourne suffered moderate injuries and taken to Missouri Baptiste Hospital in Sullivan. The report went on to say that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were removed from the scene by Patriot Towing of Sullivan.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon, April 11th at 5:15. According to the report from the Salem Police Department a 2015 Subaru Outback being driven by Mikayla Bigler of Villa Rica, Georgia and owned by Cordell Tatom, Sr of Salem was stopped facing north at the stop sign at the exit of the Wal-Mart Supercenter. At that same time, a 2009 Harley Davidson Heritage being operated by Travis Howell of Salem was traveling east on Highway 32. Bigler started into traffic, making a left turn around a stopped semi-truck that was waiting for her to exit the parking lot. Bigler’s vision was obstructed by the semi and she collided with the motorcycle. The impact caused both Howell and a passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle. Howell was taken by a Salem police vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital due to no ambulances being available. The passenger on the motorcycle and the driver of the Subaru were not injured. Both vehicles had minor damage and were driven from the scene.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Marty Anderson talked with the board about his concerns with customer service concerning his electric bill that he could not get explained to him starting in December and continuing into April. Alderwoman Kim Steelman apologized and asked that someone with city contact Anderson first thing the next day. The board approved the request by FFA Advisor Heather Johnson to block off 1st and 2nd streets to allow the Lower Elementary and Developmental Preschool students to attend Farm Day with numerous animals. After the consent agenda was approved, the board approved the bid of $12,524.00 from Fleetwood Pyrotechnics, LLC for the purchase and setting off fireworks for the 4th of July. The board also approved the bid of $4,592 for an undercounter Biochemical Oxygen Demand Incubator from Fisher Scientific. The board then approved Resolution #8-2021 for the leasing of the Dent County Commons for a $1,500 maintenance fee for the 2021 Fourth of July Fireworks, and approved Bill #3478 allowing the mayor to execute an agreement for the TAP grant project between the city and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to improve sidewalks on 4th Street downtown. The board voted no to the 8% increase on renewing the current health insurance policy for employees from United Healthcare and approved putting the health insurance out for bid and then hold a workshop to discuss the bids. The board approved Bill #3479 that allowed the mayor to sign an agreement between the city and Donald Maggi, Inc. for the Route J and Highway 72 sewer extension at a cost of $382,114.50, approved Resolution #10-2021 between the city and Terex Financial Services for the lease of a new Terex Commander 5048 model hydraulic rotating digger derrick with a turntable winch that will be paid over 560 months at $3,599 per month, and approved Resolution 11-2021 that will allow the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Specialty Fleet Rentals for the lease of a 47 foot digger derrick truck at $5,250 per month and $1,772.50 delivery fee to to be used until the new truck can be delivered in 12-15 months. The board went on to approved Resolution #12-2021 and #13-2021 to accept a perpetual utility easement on Highway 19 south on property owned by Bryan and Rebecca Smith, and for perpetual utility easements on Route J and Highway 72 on numerous parcels. The board tabled a resolution to use Fusion Link Communications, LLC to create a communications plan for the city, but did approve Resolution #15-2021 between the city and Exceleron Software, LLC that will allow customers to pay by credit card, debit card and e-checks through a mobile application and online through the payment portal called, “My Usage” for a set-up fee of $15,000 and $2,000 monthly fee for 333 accounts to the city. City Administrator Ray Walden said utility bills have been sent out for the period January 9th through February 8th. Walden said the next billing will be from February 8th through May 15th and will provide residents with options on paying the bill including full pay, and payment plans. He said the Salem Community Center@The Armory had 4,009 participants in the month of April. Walden stated the Spring Clean Up weeks continue this week and will be held next week as well on your regular pickup day. This is for city residents only. If you have questions about what cannot be picked up, please call Waste Management at 1-800-926-3953. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday morning at 10:10 on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Ford Focus, driven by 50-year-old Laura Lewis of Salem, pulled into the path of a 2009 Nissan Quest, driven by 28-year-old Shelby Wood also of Salem. Both drivers, along with a passenger in the Ford, 40-year-old Jacqueline Hovis of Salem, suffered minor injuries. All were transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. According to the report, Lewis and Hovis were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident, while Wood was not. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Salem Senior Center is now serving meals in the dining room as well as still offering the curbside service. With the increase in service, volunteers are now needed inside to help serve meals. If you would like more information on how you can volunteer or help, call 729-2373 or stop by the Senior Center at 604 North McGrath Lane and speak with Jody Schaefer.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Randy League from the Midwest Blue Oval Club asked the commissioners for permission for the club to hold their Current River Rally and it will be held on Saturday, September 11th at the courthouse square. As always, all the proceeds raised from the event will go to local charities. The commissioners approved the request. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge went over her report that showed the unemployment in Dent County going down while more people are looking for work. She updated the commission on new business prospects as well as six prospective warehousing and distribution prospects that have been abandoned due to a lack of response, found another site, or elected not to relocate from the current location. Burbridge did report another Dent County business was approved for funding through the CARES Revolving Loan Fund. She also said the website is coming along, but it will be another month or two before the business directory is fully updated. Gary Fiebelman from Dent County Road 4220 was in about the conditions of the road. First District Commissioner Wes Mobray reported that the road was worked on in late November when gravel was added and the road was graded, and in March when a new culvert pipe was installed with more gravel being added and spread around the installation area. Fielbelman requested since the road is closer to District 2 roads that their road crew take over and maintain the road. Mobray said he and Commissioner Larson would discuss it and may agree that whatever crew is closest check the road. There was a number of residents in attendance to discuss a gate that had been installed on Dent County Road 4128 about a year ago that prohibits residents from gaining access to get to the backside of the Bonebrake property for cattle feeding and also to a neighbor’s driveway. The county had maintained the road all the way to a gate that entered the Bonebrake property in the past and even chip and sealed a large portion of that road that is actually beyond the gate. The road had not been legally abandoned by the county and the commission will have Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley review the issue to get his opinion on the matter. In the road report, Commissioner Mobray reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5615 and 6665, plus materials would be added and grading done on county road 6670. Mobray went on to say brush would be cut on county roads 5550 and 5560. He also reported the FLAP projects on replacing the Cooley Bridge and the paving of the Tan Vat hill are moving forward. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 2210 and 2370, while materials will be added and grading done on county roads 2200 and 3140. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 2350 and a man may be going to Springfield to pick up oil for the chip and seal repair, weather permitting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said Anderson and Associates on working on the courthouse evaluation and that he would be in Jefferson City Wednesday to speak with the legislature on behalf of CCAM. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the voter registration canvassing must be done every two years and the residents will be receiving a Blue post card size voter registration card as her office will be mailing the cards out today. If all of the information is correct, please keep the card as that is your legal voter registration ID. If there are errors, please correct them and mail the card back in. You can also correct the errors in her office in the courthouse. If you have any questions, call her office at 729-4144. At 10:00, bids for grader blades and culverts for the Road and Bridge Department were opened. The winning bid for grader blades went to Erb Equipment out of Cuba for $9,350.00 which is below the budgeted amount of $10,000. The winning bid for culverts went to Viebrock Sales and Service out of Sedalia for $31,204.00. The county had only budgeted $20,000 for culverts and may reduce the number they ordered to bring the price down, plus make a budget adjustment as the price of the culverts is not going to come down. They will review all the projects they have scheduled before purchasing the culverts. At the last meeting, Christa Harmon requested the use of the courthouse grounds and parking for the Substance Abuse Opiod Use Disorders Awareness Walk to be held on Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 in the morning which was approved. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.