Local News – Friday, June 25th, 2021
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met for a special meeting Wednesday night at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Mayor Brad Nash appointed Kevin James as the new West Ward Aldermen to replace the late Kenny Nash. James was sworn in by temporary city clerk Tammy Koller. The board approved Resolution 18-2021 authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement between the city and United Health Care for medical insurance for employees. The plan approved is for $611.39 a month with a $2,500 deductible with the city paying $550 per employee. The employee can opt for a different plan with a higher deductible if they so choose. The total budgeted renewal premium to the city is $338,874.19 that will go into effect July 1st.The board voted to adopt the annual fiscal year budget for the City of Salem from July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2022. The expected revenues for the next fiscal year are budgeted at $14,066,768 and budgeted expenses are $13,945,698. There will be intergovernmental transfers of $2,038,278. Numerous infrastructure projects are planned including a new well and water tower, 4th Street sidewalk and street light improvements, replacement of the lights at the Al Brown Field and more. The city will continue to honor service agreements to help fund numerous local organizations, and gave a cost of living increase of 1.5% for staff. The meeting was then adjourned.
A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday afternoon just before 5:00 on highway VV four miles west of Montauk. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2003 Pontiac Vibe being driven by 33-year-old Rudy Marr of Licking, fell asleep and ran off the south side of the road and struck a tree. Marr suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. A passenger, 28-year-old Zachariah Ingels-Settles, also of Licking, was transported to Mercy Creve Coeur by Air Evac air ambulance. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by the owner. The report went on to state that both the driver and passenger were wearing seat restraints.
At the Salem Memorial District Hospital meeting Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards stated the Hospital Foundation presented scholarships to Bayilee Wegman-Roark, Jodi Gotchal and Ryon Coursen. Then in closed session, the hospital board approved a non-budgeted 2% raise for employees that will go into effect the first full pay period in August. The raise was across the board.
The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met Thursday, June 17th. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones updated the board on the current COVID status in Dent County. There were 1,050 confirmed cases and 193 probable cases that had been investigated. She stated that 90 of those cases have required hospitalization, and at the time of the Board meeting there were 16 active cases. She did say that 38 deaths have been confirmed from the COVID-19 virus. Jones stated that according to MoDHSS, 5,788 Dent County residents have received a COVID vaccination. Vaccine continues to be available at the Health Center, Moser Pharmacy, Vandivort Pharmacy, and Wal-Mart Pharmacy. The Board went in to closed session to consider an offer on the 601 S. MacArthur Building and approve previous closed session minutes. After returning to open session, Jones reported that there has been one case of Campylobacteriosis and two cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever investigated in May, that face to face WIC appointments are now taking place, and that there were 83 labs drawn in May. She went on to note that no Sho-Me Healthy Women (SMHW) clinics are scheduled for June or July so the next appointments will be scheduled for August 23rd. To set up an appointment or for more information about SMHW contact the Health Center office at 729-3106. Jones reported that the storage building at the MacArthur location needs to be cleaned out. The Board voted not to approve the Pet Addendum requested by the tenants at 1006 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. The DCHC expenses for May were approved and the next meeting was set for Thursday, July 22nd at the Health Center.
The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for June. On June 6th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near #2 South Main Street. During the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Salem man was arrested for the unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense, and possession of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or a synthetic cannabinoid. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On June 16th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near a residence in the 100 block of North Park Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 44-year-old Salem man was arrested for having an active warrant through Texas County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On June 17th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of Dent County Road 5080. During the traffic stop, a 22-year-old Rolla man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On the 19th of June, the Dent County Sherriff’s Office received a report of a woman who was sitting inside a vehicle in the 1000 block of Dent County Road 3210. The reporting party believed the female subject was intoxicated. A deputy arrived on scene and investigated the situation and found a 52-year-old Salem woman intoxicated. She was arrested for a DWI- Prior Offender. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. If anyone has information concerning an ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.