Local News – Friday, May 18th, 2018

In just over a week, the renovated Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool in the Salem City Park will re-open to the public beginning at noon on Saturday, May 26th. The pool will be open from noon to 7:00 in the evening Monday through Saturday, and from 1:00 to 6:00 on Sunday. The pool has been changed significantly even though the initial footprint of the pool has not been altered all that much. The pool now offers a zero depth entry with plenty of new features including a dual gator aqua slide, Felipe Frog Aqua Spout, Billy Box Turtle Aqua Spout, a Pools and Fall Play Center, three bubblers, two aqua arches and two jet ways. In the middle section of the pool, there is a new adjustable water basketball goal, a two flume water slide and a brand new feature that only the Salem pool has called an Aqua Zip’N. In the deep end is a one meter diving board and a 16-foot rock climbing wall. All new stainless steel gutters were installed on the pool with a “cool” to the touch grate. Those who are physically challenged will find two ADA lift chairs and a 40-foot walking assist entry into the pool from the zero-depth entry. Four huge “funbrellas” will provide some welcome shade to the area and new loungers have also been purchased to enjoy for those who want to be in the sun. The pool house has been renovated and now has an ADA family changing room, new roof with lighting, new entry way, repainted on the inside and out with a traction paint put on the floor. The concession stand will also have two serving windows for those in or out of the pool who would like to sample the new healthy menu that will be served this year. Those waiting will be shaded with the extension of the new roof inside the pool area. Admission to the pool is $4.00 for children, $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for seniors who are 62-years of age and above. Season Family Passes are available for $150 that includes two adults and two children with an additional charge of $35 per each family member above four. Pool parties are available daily from 7:00 to 9:00 in the evening and from 6:00 to 8:00 on Sundays starting at $150 per hour. Swimming lessons are also available starting June 11th as well as a Water Aerobics Class and lap swimming. To get your season pass, book your pool party, or to reserve a pavilion at the park for your family get-togethers, call Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon at 729-6290 or e-mail him at salemparks@salemmo.com. Pool parties and pavilion rentals are first come, first served.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning at the courthouse to discuss county business. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4150 and 4155, while grading only would be done on county roads 4124, 4126, 5420, 5590 and if time permits, 6470. He said another man would be cutting brush on county road 6300. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3020, 3030, 3040, 3050 and 4353. Larson said grading would be also done on county road 4280 and brush would also be cut on that road as well. He went on to say brush would be cut on county road 4270 and materials would be added to Dent County Road 3160. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported on the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting where they approved the grant packet for recycling that will become available around July 1st. There was a discussion on recycling prices in the United States and that it is becoming more expensive to recycle and there is even less money being given for recycled items at this time. Skiles said that on June 9th from 8:00 until noon at the Brewer Science parking lot in Rolla, there will be an electronics, appliance and tire collection. There will be charges for all types of TVs, computer monitors and tires. Skiles also reported on the County Commissioner Association of Missouri meeting in Jefferson City. He said that it appears the per diem the county gets back on prisoners is not going to change, and it also appears the legislature is going to change the juvenile age to 18. If that does happen, that will affect the costs of the juvenile court system that falls back on the counties to fund. Skiles went on to say the CCAM retreat where they put together the annual training will be held this year at Echo Bluff State Park starting July 31st and lasting through August 2nd. Terry Baker from Dent County Road 2083 came in to find out what it would take to close part of the county road that dead ends on his property. Commissioner Larson will get with Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley to get all the details of the procedures and get them to him. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

City and county officials, school leaders, emergency management agencies and interested residents are invited to attend a public meeting at 2:00 on Monday, May 21st to continue development of the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The meeting will be held in the Salem City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 N. Washington Street in Salem. The focus of this meeting will be to review the remaining draft chapters of the plan. An overview of each completed chapter will be discussed. Those in attendance will be able to suggest edits and ask questions during the meeting. The county must have an approved hazard mitigation plan in order for Dent County schools, local governments, agencies and others to access state hazard mitigation grant funds. The plan includes an assessment of natural hazards and will establish goals and action items to reduce the impact of natural hazards in the future. Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is developing the plan in partnership with the Dent County Commission. Questions may be directed to MRPC Environmental Programs Specialist Ryan Dunwoody at rdunwoody@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993.

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will have a blood drive today at Salem Wood Products at 200 Stave Mill Road. O-Negative and B Negative blood types are at less than one day reserve, but all blood types are needed. You must weigh 110 pounds, be in good health and bring a photo ID to give blood.