Your World Today

The Board of Aldermen met at the City Hall Auditorium Tuesday at 6:00 in the evening. Salem Police Chief Joe Chase updated the board in regards to the bidding on two Dodge Durango police cruisers, this is apart of an ongoing vehicle replacement plan. The purchase price of these two vehicles is $83,936, and a $13,908.40 police equipment package required for the department’s use. The funds will come out of the Capital Improvement budget set aside specifically for purchasing and outfitting patrol cars. A motion was made and approved unanimously by the Aldermen. Bill 3612, has to do with the repeal of a redundant and duplicate ordinance. Repealing Section 710.350 keeps all utility rates in the same Chapter 700 instead of scattered through different sections of City Code thus making it easier for anyone trying to identify the correct rates. This repeal was approved 3-0. Bill 3613, 3614, and 3615 were each derived from recommendations made by the Utility Committee during their meeting on June 12th to maintain the current kwh rate for all in-city electric utility customers and the elimination of the Service Availability fee for residential and commercial accounts. The Utility Committee also recommended transferring from Prior Year Fund Balances to complete the 25% Reserve Fund Goal and eliminating the Service Availability Fee which was used this past year to rebuild the Reserve Fund. These bills were passed 3-0. Reports were then heard from Mayor Greg Parker at which time he passed on his gratitude to Fleetwood Pyrotechnics LLC for their hard work putting on a successful 4th of July fireworks display, he also thanked KSMO Media for live streaming the parade earlier that day. Parks and Rec. Director Melisa DuBois reported that repairs to the city pool were likely to start as soon as this week. She also reminded all those in attendance that they’re working with Intercounty Electric Cooperative for the Movie Night at the Park, July 20th at dark. They will be showing the movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2, this event is free to the public. Alderman John Whelan complimented the work done by the Parks and Rec department regarding various summer programs, stating he’s heard a lot of positive feedback from the community. At 6:14 the meeting was adjourned.

The Board of Adjustments held a meeting in the City Hall Auditorium at 5:30 in the evening Tuesday. In new business there were two requests for variances of city ordinances. The first was a request reduces the required parking spaces to 1 parking space for each 207 square feet of gross floor area for a retail business that is being proposed at Lot 3 (3B) of the Scenic Rivers Plaza subdivision, owned by Ridge Properties I, LLC. The second request was for a variance to allow placement of a structure inside the rear setback of the property located at 200 Walnut Hill Dr., owned by Michael Letchworth II. Both requests were approved and the meeting was adjourned.

The Dent County Fire Protection Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station. The financial report showed an ending balance of $176,124.92 as of June 30th. Bills, payments, and statements were reviewed by the board along with the budget for the year. It was noted to the board the tax levy will have to be set at the August board meeting as it must be submitted to the state by September 1st. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 12 calls for the month of June bringing the total year to date to 155. The department responded to two vehicle fires during the month, two medical assist calls, three gas leaks, one outside rubbish fire call, one special type of incident call, one grass fire, one fire call that was classified as other, and they had one call that was a false alarm. In old business, the board received three bids for the repair, sealing, and restriping of the parking lot. The board accepted the lowest bid from Pierce Asphalt for $9,450.00 provided money was available later in the year. Chief Dennis Floyd asked the board to declare some equipment as surplus which included a 1990 Dodge Ram 350, a John Deere Gator that had 219.5 hours on it with a diesel engine, and a NorthStar 55 gallon skid unit with a Honda engine. After discussion, the board agreed to declare all three items as surplus and to list the items on Purple Wave to be sold. In new business, the board discussed some sort of legal representation for the department moving forward. They also discussed insurance policies and what options may be available such as increasing deductibles to save money. The board also discussed the AFG Grant as Chief Floyd asked where the district was on getting help with the grant and how much they should ask for as there is a 10% match. Chief Floyd will get more information for the board. The board reviewed and approved an early reimbursement request from Nathan Kinsey of $600. In his report, Chief Floyd reported the four firefighters that attended training in June will be implementing the new ideas at local trainings. The next meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board will be at 6:00 Tuesday, August 13th at the fire station and it will be open to the public.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winners for the 2024 Independence Day Parade. Taking 1st Place in the Commercial Category was Town & Country Bank in Salem, while taking 1st Place in the Non-Commercial Category was the Salem Full Gospel Church. Both winners received the $100 prize for taking 1st place. The winner of the Best Horsemanship during the parade went to Jill and Jodie Dean. They received a $50 prize for their achievement. Congratulations to all those who had entries in the parade which was well attended considering the heat.

The City of Salem Utility Committee meeting will be held tonight at 6:15 at the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. The committee will hear receive updates on the financials from Stacey Houston which will include the end of the year reports on electric, water and sewer funds. The committee will hear reports from the utility crews, hear about the effective dates of the utility rates, discuss the removal of the availability fee for the 7/15 through 8/15 bill that would be received on September 1st, trash rate changes as per the new three-year agreement that will begin September 1st raising to $18.90 the first year, sewer rate changes with a public hearing to be held on July 23rd. The rate changes would be scheduled to go into effect for the bill your would received October 1st. The committee will discuss the mutual aid agreement with MPUA and discuss water meter fees. The committee will hear questions and comments before adjourning. The Utility Committee meeting tonight at 6:15 at the City Hall Auditorium is open to the public. 

The Lifeway Center has rescheduled it’s hours to be open today. They had to close yesterday due to the heavy amounts of rainfall the Salem area received. The Lifeway Center is located at 701 N. Main St. in Salem. If you have any questions you can give them a call them at 730-1030.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following 2024 July Fourth holiday statistics for the counting period of 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 7, 2024. Troopers worked ten boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Troopers made 11 boating while intoxicated arrests. One person drowned over the holiday weekend. In 2023, there were 11 boating crashes, which included two injuries and no fatalities. One person drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Troopers made 10 boating while intoxicated arrests over last year’s July Fourth holiday weekend. Troopers worked 382 traffic crashes, which included 159 injuries and eight fatalities. Troopers also made 147 DWI arrests. During the 2023 counting period, 15 people were killed and 646 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,505 traffic crashes. Last year during the counting period, troopers arrested 125 people for driving while intoxicated. The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, if other departments report fatalities after this news release was sent out, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition rather than a traffic/boating/drowning incident.

An accident occurred in Crawford County Monday afternoon at 12:25 on I-44 at the 214-mile marker in Bourbon. According to the Highway Patrol report a westbound 2023 GMC Sierra crashed as the driver, 56-year-old Travis Hall of St. James, had a medical issue. The GMC

travelled off the right side of the roadway striking a sign and a bridge. Hall suffered serious injuries and was flown by Arch Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. The report stated that Hall was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The GMC was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is conducting an environmental study, called Forward 44, of more than 250 miles of Interstate 44 from the Oklahoma state line to the Route 100 east interchange near Gray Summit in Franklin County. This summer, MoDOT is holding a series of public meetings and encourages the public to give input on their concerns and observations along I-44. I-44 is a vital east-west link across Missouri. A 2008 study showed the aging route needs additional roadway capacity to accommodate the increased travel demand. Since the highway was built more than 50 years ago, evolving engineering standards and safety components mean many portions of I-44 are inconsistent with current design standards, and the pavement and bridges need repairs. The Forward 44 project is an effort to update and validate the outcomes of that 2008 Purpose and Need Study and provide the opportunity for input from stakeholders and the public along the I-44 corridor. MoDOT Assistant Southwest District Engineer Greg Chapman and lead for the Forward 44 study said that I-44 continues to be one of Missouri’s most important corridors for passenger travel and commercial trucking. This study is the first step in preparing for future projects along this interstate. He went on to note that getting input from the public who travel the roadway daily will help identify areas of concern and can assist MoDOT with improving safety and mobility for generations to come. The public is invited to attend one of the public meetings to be held along the I-44 corridor in Missouri. Of the five scheduled meetings the closest for Dent County residents will be Thursday evening, July 18th, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Rolla City Hall, 901 N. Elm Street in Rolla. The public is welcome to attend the session and location that is most convenient. All meetings will share the same information which will also be available on the project website. The public will be able to provide comments in person or online at modot.org/forward44 from July 10 through Aug. 21. For more information on the I-44 Corridor Study and the dates and locations of other public meetings, call MoDOT at ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit the Forward 44 website for the latest updates and to sign up for Forward 44 news.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Community Forestry Council are accepting nominations for the 2024 Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence. The annual award recognizes communities, institutions, businesses, organizations and individuals that make significant and long-lasting efforts to care for trees in their communities. The Arbor Award of Excellence shines the spotlight on anyone who has improved trees in their community. Any significant program, project, or event that contributes to the care or maintenance of trees could qualify for an award. Winners receive a framed award, a full registration scholarship to the MCFC conference in August, an extra ticket to the award banquet during the conference, a community forestry reference book, and a $50 gift card. Nominations are due by Monday, July 15. For more information and nomination forms, visit mdc.mo.gov.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed District One Commissioner Wes Mobray as acting Presiding Commissioner in the absence of Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson who was absent due to a prior commitment. In the road report Mobray said that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 5100, 5103, and 5105, plus a mechanic was coming from Jefferson City to work on the other brush cutter that has been broken down in the Montauk area for nearly two months. He also reported that the transmission was being serviced on Grader #38, since the oil sample from the last service contained metal shavings. He also noted that due to those test results the commission is considering the purchase of extended warranties on the last two Cat graders that were purchased. Mobray said that Pickup #123 has a tailgate problem the men are working on, plus his crew will be checking roads in southern Dent County for storm damage from last Thursday and Friday. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2590, 2593, 2600 and 4290, plus brush was going to be cut on county roads 2437 and 3220. He noted that weather permitting his crew would be installing a culvert on county road 6160. Curley reported that 

bills were being approved by the commissioners for payment and that registration to vote in the August 6th primary continues through August 5th, plus absentee voting with an excuse continues through the 5th. She said that no excuse absentee voting will be July 23rd through August 5th and that her office would be open Saturday, August 3rd from 8:00 until 12:00 for absentee voting, plus she noted that the voting equipment will be tested July 24th at 9:00 in the morning. Curley also reminded voters to bring a photo id to the polls and no electioneering is allowed in the polls or within 25 feet of the polls. This includes hats, buttons, clothing, etc. She noted that this is a primary election and that voters will have to select a party ballot between the Republican, Democratic or Libertarian parties and sample ballots are available by mail, email, fax, or they can be picked up in her office. She said anyone with questions can contact her office at 573-729-4144. Curley also said she balanced with the collector and assessor for the month of June on all abatements, add-ons, and collections. At last Thursday’s meeting the commission signed the assessor’s contract for map and land transfers with Justin Basham for $600 in monthly installments and the contract runs from July 15, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning in the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 in the Old City Hall Auditorium at 202 North Washington. After approval of the agenda and the consent agenda the Board will hear Public Comments. The Board will then consider approval of bids for 2 Police Department Dodge Durangos and a variety of Police Department Equipment. The next item of business will be the Second reading of Bill No. 3612 repealing Chapter 710, Article III, Section 710.350 of the City Code, and

Bills No. 3613, 3614, and 3615, all dealing with the provision of electric services by the City of Salem. City Officials will then present reports followed by adjournment. The meeting this evening of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

An accident occurred in Crawford County Sunday evening at 7:02 on White River Road two miles east of Highway 19. According to the Highway Patrol report an eastbound 2005 Polaris Ranger, operated by a 15-year-old male juvenile from Cuba, Missouri, began skidding and traveled off the right side of the roadway. A passenger, 27-year-old Kandis Barton of Cuba, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Steelville Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The report stated that Barton was wearing safety equipment, while the juvenile was not. The Polaris sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by a private party.

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has released some reports. On Monday, July 1st, Deputies took a report for a burglary in which firearms, camping equipment and other items were stolen. The incident occurred in the 10,000 block of Highway 19 North. The victim, an 80-year-old Salem man, advised that the property was broken into on June 29th or June 30th. The investigation is ongoing. Then on Tuesday, July 2nd, Deputies responded to the 1400 block of West Scenic Rivers Boulevard for a wanted

subject. The suspect, a 31-year-old Salem man, was taken into custody and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated. The suspect was in possession of suspected methamphetamine and the investigation is ongoing. Also, on the 2nd Deputies responded to the 400 block of Private Lane 333 for report of property damage. The victim, a 29-year-old Salem man, advised that a known subject damaged a tire to his vehicle. The investigation is ongoing. Finally on the 2nd Deputies responded to the 100 block of County Road 6100 for a report of stolen firearms. The victim, a 40-year-old Salem woman, stated a known subject stole multiple firearms from the residence. Further investigation revealed a portion of the firearms had been pawned or sold in other jurisdictions. Suspect information was obtained, and the investigation remains open. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 573-729-3241.

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) is highlighting Vehicle Theft Prevention Month this July. With vehicle thefts up 25% nationwide and occurring every 31 seconds, DCI recommends: Park in well-lit areas and always lock your vehicle. Hide valuables and never leave keys inside. Don’t leave running vehicles unattended and consider anti-theft devices. If your vehicle is stolen, contact law enforcement immediately, then your insurance carrier. DCI notes that auto policies typically only cover vehicle-related items. Personal belongings may require separate homeowners or renters’ insurance claims. Find more theft prevention tips at NHTSA.gov/theft.