Local News – Monday, August 19th, 2019
Salem City Administrator Ray Walden said the city would be holding special pickups for downed limbs this week for those homes affected by the high winds. Walden said the limbs need to be moved curbside for the city to remove them and they should be cut in lengths of no more than eight-foot, preferably smaller. They do not need to be bundled during this special pickup. The city will monitor the streets for limb pickups.
Two drownings occurred in our area Thursday and Saturday. The first drowning happened in Iron County on Big Creek near Annapolis Thursday afternoon at 1:15. According to the water patrol report, 35-year old Joey Bales of Annapolis, had attempted to swim to an underwater cave and did not resurface. The water patrol was assisted by the Iron County Sheriffs office. Bales was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:10 Thursday afternoon and his body was taken to the Iron County Coroner Morgue by the coroner. The second drowning happened Saturday afternoon at 3:08 in Crawford County on the Meramec River about three miles up river from Garrison’s Canoe Rental. According to the water patrol report, 37-year old Devon Mathews of St. Louis was swimming went he went underwater and did not resurface. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake at 4:33 Saturday afternoon. Mathews body was taken to the Hutson Funeral Home by the coroner. Neither of the swimmers that drown was wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
An accident occurred Saturday evening at 5:00 in Phelps County on Highway 72 about seven miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Nissan Xterra, driven westbound by 64-year old Dennis Kauffman of Salem, failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the left side of the roadway before going down an embankment, and striking a tree. Kauffman suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health. Two passengers in the vehicle also suffered minor injuries. They were 24-year old Timothy Coatney of Salem and 18-year old Raymond Wallace of Salem. They were both transported to Phelps Health. Kauffman and Coatney were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident while Wallace was not. The Nissan sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners Chairman Gary Brown has called for a public hearing and meeting for starting at 6:30 tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers, 202 North Washington. The purpose of the hearing and meeting is to consider a conditional use permit for a used car lot at 600 North Main Street. The permit has been requested by Jim Chafin of Chafin Auto Sales. Immediately following the Planning and Zoning hearing and meeting, the Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting at 7:00. The board will hear a request from Lisa DuLany of the Salem Hospital to close possibly three blocks of 4th Street around the Courthouse Square for a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 1st. The board will also hear bids for two pickups. One is for the building inspector and the other is for the animal control/nuisance officer. These are budgeted purchases. The board will hear the report from Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and meeting before City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report. The board will discuss Bill #3427 that will amend the current ordinance on events for firing fireworks, then hear Resolution 19-2019 that will adopt policies and procedures on hanger rental, hanger usage, fuel pricing and more for the Salem Municipal Airport. The board will also hear Resolution 20-2019 to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant for the Building Trades Program and the Cyber Security Training facilities at the Salem High School, before they hear Resolution 21-2019 that is a contract between the City of Salem and Riverways federal Credit Union Welcome Home Program consulting services. The board will go into closed session to discuss contracts and personnel before adjourning. The hearing and the meetings are all open to the public.
Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released information from court day on Tuesday, August 13th in front of Judge Kelly Parker. Curley reported that Michael Vice from Salem pled guilty to the Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class D Felony. He was sentenced to seven years in the Department of Corrections. Curley also reported that Jerry Thompson of Salem pled guilty to a Class C Felony of Driving While Being Intoxicated, a chronic offender; and also a felony charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Thompson was sentenced to ten years in the Department of Corrections under the Revised State Statutes of Missouri Section 217.362. Curley went on to report that Dwan Estep of Salem had her probation revoked and was sentenced to serve 15 years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state.