Local News – Monday, August 17th, 2020
The Dent County Health Center reports more COVID-19 cases were identified Friday into the weekend which brings the Dent County total to 23. After not having a new positive case for 26 days through the end of July and first part of August, the total in Dent County has risen 14 since August 7th. According to the Dent County Health Center Administrator Kendra Mobray, the rise in cases this past week is not directly related to one single outbreak, or within the same family or group, meaning there is community transmission. During this week’s investigations, these public locations have been identified as places for potential low-risk exposures. They include the Salem Wal-Mart on Wednesday, August 5th from 5:30 – 6:30 in the evening, the Main Street Cafe on Saturday morning, August 8th between 10:30 and 11:30, and the Salem Country Mart on Monday evening, August 10th from 7:00 to 7:30. To reduce risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19, they encourage you to please continue to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, wear a mask when a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained, stay home if you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. If you have any questions, please call 729-3106.
A St. Louis man drowned Saturday afternoon at 3:05 in an incident that occurred in the Meramec River about five miles south of Bourbon. According to the Missouri Water Patrol report, 36-year old Karl Gander of St. Louis was submerged and did not resurface. Nearby floaters saw him go under and pulled him from the water and attempted to provide medical aid. Gander was transported by a private watercraft to a nearby takeout where emergency personnel met him, but could not revive him. He was pronounced dead at 4:10 by the Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake Saturday afternoon and his body was transported to the Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba. Assisting the water patrol at the scene were the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Bourbon Fire Department, and North Crawford County Ambulance. This is the 5th drowning in the Troop I area for the 2020 year.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital has announced that due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Dent County, effective Friday, August 14th the hospital has had to change their visitor policy again. NO visitors will be allowed in the hospital until further notice. They apologize for the inconvenience and they do thank everyone for your cooperation.
The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting starting at 7:00 tonight at the city hall council chambers. In the hearing of persons, the Grace Community Church will request the partial closing of 600 South Water Street from 12:00 noon until 8:00 in the evening on Friday, August 21st. After approval of the consent agenda which includes sales tax monies received in August, Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Gary Brown will report on the hearing and meeting held August 4th concerning the subdivision of the Brickhouse Grill addition. The board will then hear from City Administrator Ray Walden as he will give an update on city projects. In the Introduction and Reading of Bills and Resolutions, the board will hear Bill #3461 which is an ordinance dealing with the subdivision of the Brickhouse Grill addition. The board will then discuss Resolution No. 18-2020, an agreement with Flynn Drilling for motor repairs at Well #6. In new and miscellaneous business, the board will address the issue of Campaigning/Electioneering on City Property. During the August 4th election there were some issues that arose about candidates and their workers getting too close to the doors and interfering with voters. The board will discuss holding the City Wide Yard Sale, which is customarily held the first Saturday in October. Due to the pandemic, people have called wanting to know if it is still going to be held. Mayor Nash will make appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners to fill two vacant seats. The board will then vote to go into closed session to discuss real estate, personnel and contracts. The regular meeting of the alderman is open to the public. The meeting can be streamed live on ksmoradio.com and will be available after Monday night on You Tube for on-demand playback.