Your World Today

The City of Salem is pleased to announce that the Boil Water Advisory has been lifted, effective immediately. Water tests conducted after the recent citywide loss of water pressure have returned clean, confirming that the water is safe for consumption. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation during this time. Your patience has been invaluable as we worked to ensure the safety and quality of our water supply. The City remains committed to maintaining the highest standards for public health and safety. We thank you for your continued support and understanding.

An accident happened at 7:50 Monday evening in Phelps County on Route A north of Ridgetop Drive that left a Rolla man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford F-150 driven northbound by 64-year-old Guy Clayton of Rolla, traveled off the left side of the roadway, and struck a tree and boulder. Clayton, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Springfield by Phelps Air. The Ford F-150 was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla.

At the Dent County Commissioned meeting last Thursday, Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley talked to the commission about the submitted petition by Denver Ellis. After his discussion with the commission about the petition missing substantial components, Commissioners Wes Mobray and Gary Polk voted to reject the petition due to the missing of the date of the signatures, page numbers and the required legal advisement when signing a petition. Commissioner Gary Larson had left the meeting last Thursday for a doctor’s appointment at the time of the vote. Curley returned Monday to explain this further to correct some false issues. He noted the referendum petition that was submitted regarding RSMo 137.1050 (formerly SB 190 regarding senior homestead tax), does not fall under RSMo 116.030, and as the circulator referred to the petition as an initiative petition, as opposed to a referendum petition. RSMo 137.1050 refers to itself as “a petition in support of a referendum on such credit….” Curley said a “referendum” is defined as a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision. There is no legal distinction between the term “initiative petition” and “referendum petition” under RSMo 116.030. RSMo 116.030 prescribes the form and language that is required for any referendum petition. Importantly, Curley said every petition must include the following language: “It is a class A misdemeanor punishable, notwithstanding the provisions of section 560.021, RSMo, (1) to the contrary, for a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year in the county jail or a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars or both, for anyone to sign any referendum petition with any name other than his or her own, or knowingly to sign his or her name more than once for the same measure for the same election, or to sign a petition when such person knows he or she is not a registered voter.” In addition, the statute indicates that each signature must have a section to be dated by the participant on the date of signing the same. Curley stated the petitions submitted did not include this information. Prosecutor Curley also clarified the misconception that the commission could simply put the measure on the ballot. This can only be done if the commission adopts an ordinance authorizing the credit or a petition in support of a referendum on such a credit is signed by at least five percent of the registered voters of such county voting in the last gubernatorial election and the petition is delivered to the governing body of the county, which shall subsequently hold a referendum on such credit. Prosecutor Curley said the reasons for the petition rejection were explained to Mr. James Ellis in writing, during a phone call, and also in person. In his letter to Ellis, Curley said the decision was made expeditiously to provide him with an opportunity to submit a valid petition with the necessary signatures needed for a referendum ballot measure. In order for the ballot measure to be put on the November General Election, the petition must be submitted with signatures verified by the county clerk, and approved by the commissioners, by August 27th. 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) will host a workshop on preparing resumes for federal government jobs on August 19. The event will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church Hall in Eminence, located at 18228 Church Street. Administrative specialists will provide guidance on creating federal resumes, which often require more detail than typical resumes. The workshop will also cover the USAJOBS website and the federal government’s official job portal. Attendees are encouraged to bring their current resumes for review and suggestions. The timing is particularly relevant for those interested in summer employment at ONSR for 2025, as job announcements typically open between September and January. Upcoming ONSR job openings include Recreation Fee Clerk (September 9), Park Guides and Interpretive Park Rangers (October 21), and Visitor Services Assistants (December 16). For more information, contact, Human Resources Liaison Sandy Williamson at (573) 323-4884.

In the fatality accident report in Monday’s Your World Today concerning the accident that took the lives of three people, Your World Today mistakenly printed that Brian Brown of Indianapolis had been killed in that accident, and it should have stated that 25-year-old Bailey Snider of Rolla had been killed on Saturday night. Our hearts go out to all the families involved and we apologize for the error.

The Dent County Commissioners met at the courthouse Monday morning. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5650, 6400 and 6660 and repairs would be made to the new chip and seal on Dent County Road 5080 where someone cut donuts in the new surface. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 4250,4253 and 4255. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk reported rock would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 4060, while only grading would be done on county roads 4400 and 4403. Polk stated brush was being cut on county roads 4410, 5320 and 5325, and a culvert was being installed on county road 4060. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he attended the TAC meeting in St. James Thursday where they elected new officers and discussed the study concerning the Forward 44 program for the improvement to Interstate 44. People can comment on that project on the MoDOT.org website through August 21st. He also said MoDOT is offering a Bridge Engineering Assessment Program where they will fund up to $12,000 per bridge for a engineering study. Larson said he also attended the Housing Authority meeting where they elected new officers and he was elected Secretary, and they reviewed financials. Lason said an External Relations Committee meeting was held and the annual MRPC Awards Dinner and Banquet will be held October 24th at the Osage View. At the regular MRPC meeting, Larson said they heard updates from the state and federal legislature representatives on hand. Larson also said the commission needs to find a new Meramec Regional Community Foundation member to represent Dent County on that MRCF Board. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balance with the county collector and county assessor on all monthly collections, add-ons and abatements for July. At 10:00, Austin Hostettler from Great Rivers Engineering updated the commission on the status of the FLAP project on Dent County Road 6670. Hostettler said MoDOT did not change the initial plans submitted and tree clearing will be done through permitting. Hostettler said getting the right-of-way acquired is expected to take between six to 12 months as it will have to go through the National Park Service as it takes longer to deal with a federal government agency, and the right-of-way was not included in the scope of services. He said Great Rivers Engineering will ask MoDOT for an extension and the new supplemental agreement will have to be signed by the county with Great Rivers and MoDOT. They hope to have plan approval by the summer of next year. Hostettler also updated the commission on the new sidewalks TAP grant around the county courthouse. The old sidewalks will be removed and there will be an eight-foot-wide concrete area from the street curb to the grass area or retaining wall where needed, with an actual five-foot walkway and three-foot decorative area. Hostettler discussed a new concrete retracted area for the dumpster and possible replacement or relocation of the brick trash can holders. He asked about the water fountain, and it may be removed with just a water hydrant being left near the current fountain location. New rails will be needed on the step areas and possibly around the retaining wall as well. Hostettler said this project is ahead of the time on the MoDOT estimated completion schedule and they are hoping to put out for bids this winter and have the project completed. At the last meeting, Dent County Surveyor Michelle Elwood came in to discuss the re-monumentation corners. The commission approved doing eight corners for $700 each and the county will be reimbursed from the Department of Agriculture $350 for each corner. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at 6:00 at 202 N. Washington in the Old City Hall Auditorium. The Public Hearing on Tax Rates will precede the Call to Order, which will be followed by the approval of the agenda. Public Comments will then be heard followed by a State Transportation Presentation. The Board will consider the approval of bids for street lights and bids for replacement of the Al Brown Field lift station pump. In new and miscellaneous business the Board will consider the following. Resolution No. 19-2024 which authorizes the City of Salem to execute a 9-1-1 services and software license agreement between Indigital Inc. and the Salem Police Department. Resolution No. 20-2024 which authorizes execution of an agreement with the Industrial Development Authority of Dent County for the position of Economic Development Director. Resolution No. 21-2024 a resolution modifying Resolution No. 4-2022 to incorporate changes in the Affordable Housing Program modified agreement for the Welcome Home 2021 Project. Also to be considered is an invoice from Flynn Drilling Company. The second reading of Bills No. 3617, 3618, 3620, and 3621 will occur. The first and second reading will take place of Bill No. 3623, an ordinance levying for the year 2024 a tax of 67.50 cents upon each and every one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real estate and personal property within the corporate limits of the City of Salem for general revenue purposes, Bill No. 3624, an ordinance to rezone property at 905 and 907 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard from residential to commercial, Bill No. 3625, an ordinance to rezone property at 900 West Hobson from residential to commercial, and Bill No. 3626, an ordinance to rezone property at 909 West Scenic Rivers Boulevard from residential to commercial. Reports from City Officials will be heard followed by adjournment.

An accident happened Saturday evening at 9:31 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 at the 228.4 mile marker that took the life of three people. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia operated by 27-year-old Brian Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana;  a 2018 Frieghtliner Cascadia operated by 39-year-old Komal Sharma of Ontario, Canada; and a 2008 Toyota Avalon operated by 25-year-old Bailey Snider of Rolla, were all stopped in traffic heading westbound due to a previous accident, when a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia driven westbound by 25-year-old Dalwinder Singh of Merced, California; and a 2017 Nissan Sentra driven westbound by 32-year-old Chelsea Smith of Steelville, approached the stopped traffic. First, the 2022 Freightliner Cascadia struck the 2008 Toyota, followed by the Nissan Sentra which struck the 2022 Freightliner. The 2022 Freightliner continued on and hit the 2018 Freightliner, which in turn struck the 2021 Freightliner. Pronounced dead at the scene by the Missouri Baptist Sullivan Ambulance personnel were Brian Brown of Rolla, Chelsea Smith of Steelville and a five-year-old male juvenile from Steelville that was in the Nissan driven by Smith. All three bodies were taken to the St. Louis County Morgue by Superior Transport Services. Brian Brown suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Sullivan EMS to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. All the vehicles except for the 2021 Freightliner Cascadia were totaled while the 2021 Freightliner sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by I-44 Towing. The 2022 Freightliner and Toyota Avalon were removed from the scene by Vogelsang’s Towing; the Nissan was removed by Hoffmann’s Towing, and the 2018 Freightliner was taken from the scene by Chuck’s Towing. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by Sullivan Police Department and the Franklin County Deputies. 

An accident happened in Phelps County Sunday morning at 10:45 on Highway 63 at Phelps County Road 7490. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Nissan Rogue driven southbound by 71-year-old Tina Bunton of Licking, went off the right side of the roadway and struck a road sign. Bunton suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The Nissan sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by the owner. Bunton was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem has issued an immediate boil water advisory that remains in effect today. City crews are currently working to bring wells back online, which may result in temporary water outages and turbidity as service is restored. Residents are advised to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, washing vegetables, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes for at least one minute, then let it cool before use. Bottled water can be used as an alternative. Important safety measures include discarding any ice made with tap water during the advisory period and avoiding water from appliances connected to water lines, such as refrigerator ice makers. Residents should use caution when bathing, especially with infants and young children, to avoid swallowing water. Pets should also be given boiled or bottled water. Home water filters should not be relied upon in place of boiling or using bottled water. It’s recommended to use disposable plates, cups, and utensils when possible and to keep boiled water in clean, covered containers. Any uncooked food, beverages, or ice cubes made with tap water during the advisory should be thrown away. The City of Salem will provide updates on the situation through local news outlets and official channels. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow all recommended safety precautions until authorities officially lift the advisory.

The Salem Senior Center will be closed on Monday, August 12th due to the city’s boil water advisory. The center, which provides meals and activities for local seniors, expects to reopen once the advisory is lifted. If you have any questions, you can call Aging Best at 1-800-369-5211.

MoDOT has announced road maintenance planned for Dent County for the week of August 12th. Roadside work will be taking place on Route K. Route CC will be undergoing pavement repairs from Route C to Route H. On Highway 19, potholes will be repaired from Route JJ to TT. One lane will remain open on all roads and crews will flag traffic through the work zones. MoDOT would like to remind motorists to travel with care and be alert for mowing, brush cutting, and slow-moving equipment conducting road maintenance.

Landowners, hunters, campers, and others in the outdoors need to be aware to help prevent wildfires such as refraining from outdoor burning near dry grass or when it is windy. They should also not drive off the road into high grass or leaves with a vehicle where the catalytic converter or muffler could come in contact with grass or leaves. This goes for ATV’s and UTV’s as well. Also campers should clear a generous area around fire rings and keep the campfires small and under control. DO NOT use accelerants to start the fire and make sure fire-extinguishing materials, such as a rake, shovel, and bucket of water, are close. Extinguish campfires each night and before leaving camp, even if it’s just for a few moments. Call 911 at the first sign of a fire getting out of control.