Local News – Monday, June 7th, 2021

An accident occurred Friday evening at 6:21 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about two miles south of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by 52-year-old Kimberly Carnes of Edgar Springs, was stopped and attempting to make a left turn when a 2014 Toyota Tacoma driven by 52-year-old Donnette Carney of Rolla struck the rear end of the Fusion. Carney suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Air Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. She was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Carnes was not injured in the accident. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The Toyota was towed by C&C Towing and the Fusion was by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

As part of an ongoing improvement project taking place on various roadways in Dent and Phelps Counties, work crews plan to start on the next phase of the project. Starting today, a contractor working for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will begin resurfacing and widening the shoulders of Highway 68 in both counties. This work is expected to take up to several months to complete and will require daily intermittent lane closures with flaggers to guide motorists through the work zone. Crews are also currently paving Dent County Route F. Flaggers are in place to guide motorists through the Route F work zone. Once this work is complete, crews will begin resurfacing Dent County Route HH near Salem. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/modot-central-district.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. In the Hearing of Persons, Randy League will request the closure of the streets around the Courthouse Square for the Current River Blue Oval Rally on September 11th, 2021. Juliana Bermudez will discuss with the board utility bills at 705 West Acuff that were previously discussed in January of 2020. After the consent agenda is reviewed and approved, the board will hear and discuss Bill No. 3477 which would create an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a Contract Change Order No. 10 between the City of Salem and Smith & Edwards Construction, Inc. for the Highway 19 South sewer extension. City Administrator Ray Walden will also update the board on Finance and Capital Improvements. The Board of Alderman will then go into closed session pertaining to hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of employees. The regular meeting of the Board of Alderman is open to the public.

The City of Salem has reported that utility bills for electric and water consumption from February 8th, 2021 through May 15th, 2021 have been processed and mailed. In addition to consumption-based charges, the bill reflects three months of base charges for water, sewer, and trash if applicable. All unpaid balances, including those from prior payment plans and any debits or credits from differences between budgeted and actual for those on budget billing, have been included in the listed balance due. The Salem Board of Aldermen approved a rebate of 5% of the charges for water and electric usage from February 8th through May 15th for customers paying the listed total balance due on the bill by June 20th. The rebate will be processed as a credit on the customer’s account and reflected on the next bill. Customers who have set up their account on autopayment and drafts will be contacted to confirm their payment preference. Customers should note penalties and service disconnects for non-payment will resume July 1st. Customers can avoid interruption of their service for non-payment by bringing their account current or making payment arrangements by July 1st, 2021. Going forward, utility bills will be based on meter reads the 15th of each month with the bill for consumption from May 15th through June 15th being processed in early July of 2021. Information about available assistance with utilities is included with the bill and is also available from www.salemmo.com. Anyone who has not received their bill by Wednesday, June 10th, should contact the utility office. Customers wanting to set up a payment plan or to ask about budget billing can contact the utility office at (573) 729-4117.

The Missouri Department of Transportation bridge crews will be begin doing routine bridge maintenance on Highways 19 and 8 over Whittenburg Creek starting this week. Crews will close one lane in each work area from 6:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon starting today and lasting through Thursday, June 17th. MoDOT appreciates the patience of motorist traveling through the work area. Drives are advised to watch for workers on the road and obey all traffic signs. This work is weather permitting and could be delayed. For more information and updates about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.

The Department of Conservation will offer four separate classes during a one-day women’s only clinic highlighting the fundamentals of shotgun and handgun shooting. Courses are set for June 19th, from 9–11 AM, from 12:00–1:30 PM, from 2-3:30 PM, and from 4-5:30 PM at the Rolla Shooting Club in Rolla. Beginner Handgun Class is designed for women and girls age 16 and older; those age 16 to 17 may participate with a parent or guardian who is also registered for the workshop. Girls age 16 to 17 may attend the women’s-only classes with a parent or guardian who is also registered for the workshop. The minimum age to participate in Beginner Shotgun Shooting is 12; but participants age 12 to 17 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian that is also registered for the class. Spots are limited for all classes; registration is required by June 18th. A waiting list will be made available for courses that are full. For more information, email Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov.The Rolla Shooting Club is located at 13950 County Road 3240 in Rolla.