Your World Today

An accident happened Saturday evening at 10:25 in Iron County on Highway 49 in Annapolis. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven southbound by 36-year-old Benjamin Smith of Salem, traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned, ejecting Smith from the vehicle. Smith suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air Medical to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Smith was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Forshee Towing.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held a special meeting Tuesday at the Salem R-80 District Administrative Offices. The board immediately went into closed session where they employed Brittany Brown as a high school science instructor and Bryson Barnes as the high school head football coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem Utility Committee will be meeting tonight at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington before the board of aldermen meeting. Committee Chair Shawn Bolerjack will discuss billing cycle options before adjourning. The Salem Board of Aldermen will then meet this evening in council chamber at 7:00. During the hearing of persons, Marty Anderson from 801 Thomas Avenue would like to discuss his electric bill, and Heather Johnson from Salem R-80 would like to request a street closure between 1st and 2nd streets in front of the Developmental Preschool for Farm Day. After the consent agenda, the board will look at bids for the 4th of July Fireworks and a Biochemical Oxygen Demand Incubator. During the introduction and reading of bills there are eleven items to be discussed. Resolution #8-2021 authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and the Dent County Commons for the 2021 4th of July fireworks display; Bill #3478 would create an ordinance to authorize the mayor to execute an agreement for the TAP project between the city and the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to install and improve pedestrian facilities along 4th Street from Iron to Washington Streets; Resolution #9-2021 would authorize the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and United Healthcare for medical insurance for city employees; Bill #3479 would create an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign an execute an agreement between the city of Salem and Donald Maggi, Inc. for the sewer extension at Route J and Highway 72; and Resolution #10-2021 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Terex Financial Services for the lease of a hydraulic rotating digger derrick with a turntable winch. The board will discuss Resolution #12-2021 and #13-2021 that would authorize the city to accept perpetual utility easements on property on Highway 19 south owned by Bryan and Rebecca S. Smith, and another perpetual utility easement located on or near Route J and Highway72; Bill #3480 that would allow the city to resume assessing utility penalties and disconnect services for non-payment as described under City of Salem Code Chapter 700; Resolution #14-2021 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Fusion Link Communication LLC for public relations; and Resolution #15-2021 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Exceleron Software LLC that would allow customers to pay be credit card, debit card, and E-check through a mobile app and online through the payment portal. The board will then hear from City Administrator Ray Walden who will give an update on city projects. Both the Utility Committee and the Board of Aldermen meeting are open to the public tonight.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) crews will be making driving surface improvements on Highway 19 in Shannon County this week. Starting on Wednesday, a seal coat treatment will be used to create a smoother driving surface on Highway 19 between Route A and Route KK. Crews will close one lane on each route between 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day. Flaggers and a pilot car will be in place to guide traffic through the work area. Seal coats are a pavement repair process that is used by MoDOT on roads with lower traffic volumes to maximize available resources and extend the life of a roadway. Hot emulsion oil is sprayed onto the surface of the road, followed by finely ground rocks which are then compacted to adhere to the roadway. Excess material is swept off the surface, leaving an improved roadway that will hold up longer against the elements. Drivers are encouraged to slow down in work zones, obey all traffic signs and give crews on the road plenty of room. Delays are possible and MoDOT says they appreciate the patience of travelers while the work takes place. As part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, MoDOT is asking drivers to work with us this construction season. Always buckle up and keep your phone down, and slow down and move over in work zones.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 2:03 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about 12 miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Jeep Liberty driven southbound by 30-year-old Michael Light of Salem, lost control of the Jeep on the wet pavement and traveled off the right side of the roadway where the Jeep struck a tree. Light suffered serious injuries and was transported by Mercy Lifeline to the University Hospital in Columbia. Light was not wearing a seat restraint when the accident happened. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened in Pulaski County Wednesday afternoon around 1:06 on Interstate 44 near the mile marker 155. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Hyundai Sante Fe driven eastbound by 53-year-old Richard Jordan of Nixa, lost traction and struck a 2019 Volvo driven eastbound by 41-year-old James Moore of Houston, Texas. At that time, a 2018 Ram 3500 Pro Master driven eastbound by 33-year- old Ryan Kittle of Ashland, Kentucky, was starting to slow down when the Ram was struck by a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven eastbound by 22-year-old Brooke Schults of Salem. Schults suffered minor injuries and was transported by the EMS to Phelps Health. Also suffering minor injuries was Kittle who declined treatment at the scene. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The 2014 Hyundai had moderate damages, 2019 Volvo sustained minor damage, and the 2018 Ram 3500 sustained extensive damage. All three of these vehicles were driven from the scene. The Chevy Malibu was totaled and removed from the scene by TC Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Waynesville Police Department and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

A one vehicle accident occurred Thursday morning at 11:50 in Texas County. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Nissan Maxima, driven by 34-year-old Christopher Frisby of Lennox, ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned on Route CC about eight miles north of Licking. A passenger in the Nissan, 39-year-old Janell Schmitd of Lennox, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Texas County Ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. The report stated that both Frisby and Schmitd were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Nissan sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Jays Automotive.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released several reports. On Saturday, April 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the 1100 block of South Main Street. During the stop, a 27-year-old Salem woman and a 26-year-old St. James man were arrested for the possession of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid. Both the man and woman were transported to the Dent County Jail where they were fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Sunday, the 11th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 4000 block of Dent County Road 2120 for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that a 34-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man were the reported victims. That report is still under investigation. On Monday, the 12th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 900 block of East 4th Street to serve an arrest warrant. A 23-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Dent County for harassment in the 1st degree and tampering with a victim. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Later that same day, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1000 block of Highway 68 for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, the deputy discovered a 64-year-old Salem man was the reported victim. This report is still under investigation. On Wednesday, the 14th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 7500 block of Highway 19 South for a report of a suspicious vehicle. During the course of the incident, a 37-year-old Eminence woman was arrested for an active warrant through Audrain County Sheriff’s Office. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. The next day a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 19 and West 8th Street. During the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having their license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Finally on the 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 and county road 3040. During the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license suspended, a 1st offense. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail, where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation, call the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 247-3241.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the annual residential spring cleanup for Salem residents during the weeks of May 3rd through May 7th and again May 10th through May 14th. They ask that residents have all trash curbside the night before your normal scheduled trash day. E.P.A. law will not allow the collection of the following materials that include yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals, or solvents or paint, appliances or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. For more information or for more questions, you may call 1-800-926-3935.