Local News – Monday, July 16th, 2018
An accident happened on Highway 54 two miles south of Laddonia, Missouri Thursday afternoon at approximately 2:00 that took the life of three people including a Licking couple. According to the Highway Patrol Report an eastbound 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, driven by 24 year-old Kierra Glispe of Justice, Illinois, attempted to pass an eastbound 2014 Freightliner, driven by 50 year-old Roby Sharp of Liberty, Illinois. The Monte Carlo struck a westbound 2008 Mercury Mariner, driven by 75 year-old Douglas Turner of Licking, head-on pushing it into the Freightliner. Douglas Turner, along with his wife, 72-year old Helen Turner, were both pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Monte Carlo, 18 year-old Kyreoin Glispie of Justice, Illinois, was pronounced deceased at 3:30 at SSM Medical Center. Kierra Glispie suffered serious injuries and was transported to University Hospital in Columbia. Both the Chevrolet and Mercury were totaled and removed from the scene by Ben’s Auto Body of Mexico, Missouri. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene. The report stated that the Turners and Roby Sharp were wearing their safety restraints at the time of the accident, while the Glispies were not.
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their next regular meeting this evening at 7:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. Prior to the Aldermen meeting, there will be a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 6:30 with a request to vacate an undeveloped portion of South Oak Street. After the consent agenda has been reviewed and approved, the board will hear from planning and Zoning Chairman Gary Brown on their meeting. Alderman Ken Nash will talk about updating ordinances before City Administrator Ray Walden will give his reportthat will include a negative leave balance policy. Mayor Brad Nash will follow with his report. The board will then call for a public tax rate hearing to set the tax rate for the 2018 year. The hearing would be scheduled for Monday, August 20th during the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen. The board will go into closed session to discuss contracts before they adjourn. The meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Community Garden is a place for Dent County residents to grow and harvest healthy food for their families, friends or to donate to those in need. Tonight, a free Summer Gardening Workshop hosted by Master Gardener Larry Galloway will take place from 6:30 to 7:30. The public is invited to attend. There will be a five Gallon Watering System demonstration where can learn a new technique for efficiently watering your plants. If you’d like to more information or a plot of your own, call the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196.
As part of the City of Salem’s Growth in the Rural Ozarks (GRO) Initiative, Healthy Dent County would like to implement a new program that will empower individuals and offer support as they strive to lead their families out of poverty. This program is titled “Project RISE”, (Reaching Independence through Support and Education). This program is modeled after the Northwest Project in Springfield, MO where they have been very successful in helping families rise out of poverty. This model will address root issues keeping families in poverty and works toward developing strategies to overcome these challenges and sustain long-term change. We will work with families over a 2-year time-frame, considering the unique situations and needs families are experiencing, and encouraging participants to choose their own goals and paths toward success. Families in Project RISE will work on reducing debt, improving credit scores, increasing income, strengthening confidence and gaining hope. Only 5-8 families will be selected for this two-year program. To participate in the Project the following requirements must be met: A family with at least one dependent child; adults should have a high school education (or be able to complete in 6 months); must reside in Dent County; and most importantly, the participants must be ready, willing and open to make changes to find new opportunities. To learn more about Project RISE a “Come and See” event will be held on Thursday, August 23rd from 6-7:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Families interested in signing up for the program and individuals interested in serving as allies or other volunteer opportunities, or just waning to learn more are encouraged to attend. A dinner will be served. For more information or to determine eligibility should contact Kelsey Schatz at 729-8163 or kelsey@salemcommunitycenter.org.