Local News – Monday, April 5th, 2021
Spring weather usually means an increase in outside projects that may require digging or excavation work. Missouri Public Service Commission Chairman Ryan Silvey said before you start digging on any project, it is very important that you contact the Missouri One Call Center at 811 or 1-800-DIG-RITE (344-7483) or go online to place a locate request at www.mo1call.com so that underground utility lines can be marked. Help protect yourself, your family and your property by making sure you call or click before you begin a project that requires any digging. It’s smart, it’s free and it’s the law. If you are planting a tree, building a deck or completing a large project, Missouri law requires anyone digging underground to call 811 or 1-800-DIG-RITE at least three working days before excavation begins. The call will be taken by the Missouri One Call Center, which then notifies all relevant utilities in the project area. During this three-day period, utility companies will mark the approximate location of their underground lines, request additional information or advise you that they do not have facilities at the excavation site. Hitting an underground line can cause serious injury, it could disrupt service to you and other customers, and it could potentially result in fines and repair costs. Call before you dig. It’s free and it’s the law. For more information, please go to Missouri One Call at www.mo1call.com.
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00. At the meeting, the board will get a chance to ask questions about the request for funding for the airport board. In bids, the board will hear bids on getting the runway lighting at the airport working as well as bids on the compact tractor and a UTV for the Salem Park and Recreation Department. After the consent agenda, the board will hear from City Administrator Ray Waldon on the scheduling of the City Wide pickup for extra trash on May 3rd through 7th and May 10th through the 14th. He will also discuss project updates from Archer-Elgin before updating the board on items concerning the city. In the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3474 will be read amending the ordinance covering the temporary city clerk, Resolution # 5-2021 authorizes the mayor to terminate the agreement between the City of Salem and Riverways Federal Credit Union for consultant services, and Bill #3475 authorizing the mayor to execute a task order pertaining to the agreement between the City of Salem and C.M. Archer Group, P.C. to perform described services on the project named Wastewater Pre-Treatment Program Engineering Report. The meeting will then be adjourned. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen tonight will be open to the public.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is asking for assistance from the public to identify those responsible for recent vandalism at Rocky Falls. On March 31st, park rangers received a report about vandalism at Rocky Falls. They found several rocks around the area that had been tagged with a variety of symbols and words in red spray paint. The vandalism is believed to have occurred sometime between Saturday, March 27th, and Wednesday, March 31st. Rocky Falls is one of the most visited sites within Ozark National Scenic Riverways with its picturesque falls cascading over large, purple-hued, igneous rock formations. Removal of the markings is expected to be challenging and costly, as park managers strive to avoid any lasting scarring effect by the either the paint or the removal process. The National Park Service is offering up to $2,000 for information that leads to a conviction in this vandalism case. If you have information that can help, please provide as many details as you can, including the description of any vehicles or persons observed at the scene, the names of any persons responsible or involved, or any other pertinent information. To submit your information, Call or text the Investigative Services Branch Tip line at 888-653-0009, submit your report online at www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip,” or e-mail your tip in to nps_isb@nps.gov. You must submit contact information to be compensated by the National Park Service.
In celebration of National Library Week, the Salem Public Library will hold a “Golden Library Card” drawing. This week, ten “Golden Library Cards” will be hidden throughout the building. Visitors who find a golden card may enter it in the drawing. Please limit entries to one per family. Three cards will be drawn. Each winning card will be worth $10 in library credit for fines, faxes, copies, lamination, and book sales. If you have any questions, please call the library at 729-4331 or stop by 403 North Jackson.
An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 3:33 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about one mile south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Dodge Caravan driven by 32-year-old Joshua Cullom of Rolla was stopped in traffic in the southbound lane when a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Edgar Springs rear ended the Caravan. After the crash occurred, the Altima caught on fire. A 15-year-old male juvenile from Rolla in the Caravan suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance. Everyone involved was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Altima was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. The Caravan sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by Rolla Rural Fire Department.