Local News – Monday, March 30th, 2020

Salem Mayor Brad Nash has called for a special meeting of the Board of Alderman for tonight at 5:00 in the City Hall Auditorium the purpose of which is the introduction and reading of Resolution #6-2020, a resolution by the Board of Alderman of the city of Salem authorizing the non-renewal of Midwest Public Risk of Missouri Insurance Policy. City Administrator Ray Walden will present a change order for WWTF Phase 1B. The meeting has been moved to the Auditorium to allow for social distancing at the meeting. The meeting will also be live streamed on the KSMO Radio website at ksmoradio.com.

The City of Salem Planning & Zoning Board of Commissioners Chairman Gary Brown has called a Planning and Zoning Commission public meeting to hear a request for a waiver to allow parking in the 30-foot front setback of new development which includes lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 of the South Aire Annex. This subdivision of land consists of fourteen (14) lots and being part of lot two of the Southwest Quarter of Section Nineteen (19), Township Thirty-four (34) North, Range Five (5) West, in Dent County with the owner being Central MO Investments, LLC. The meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington begins at 6:00 PM and it is open to the public. It will also be live streamed on the KSMO Radio website at ksmoradio.com.

Salem R-80 Schools Superintendent John McCulloch has announced that starting THIS MORNING, the school will be distributing breakfasts and lunches for pickup at a number of locations. In town meals can be picked up at Salem Upper Elementary at 1601 Doss Road from 10:30 until 12:00. This location is primarily for those living south of Highway 32/72 and those that live south of the city limits. The second in town location will be the US Foods Parking lot at 502 South Carty Street from 10:30 to 10:50 for those living north of 32/72 and east of Highway 19. The final in town location will be the Southwest Baptist University at 501 South Grand from 11:00 until 11:20 for those that live north of Highway 32/72 and west of Highway 19, as well as those living west and north outside the city limits. Out of town locations will include Junction of P Highway and Dent County Road 5070 from 10:30 until 10:50. This location is primarily for those living on P Highway and the surrounding county roads. The second out of town location will be the Junction of Highway 32/72 and Dent County Road 4235, near the old candy striped store, from 11:00 until 11:20 for those living east on Highway 32/72 and the surrounding county roads that are between Route P and Route W. The final out of town location will be at the Junction of Highway 32/72 and Highway W from 11:30 until 11:50. This location is mainly for those living east on Highway 32/72 past Highway W, as well as those living on Highway W and the surrounding county roads. Superintendent McCulloch indicated this is being done on a trial and error basis and is subject to change based on feedback from the locations.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of this past Friday, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways will offer limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. The following facilities are now closed: All designated campgrounds and campsites, all shower houses, picnic pavilions and visitor contact stations. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Ozark National Scenic Riverways are our number one priority. With this in mind, some outdoor areas where it would be extremely difficult to maintain safe social distance will be closed. These include the spring branch trail at Alley Spring, the spring branch trail at Big Spring, and the staircase into Devils Well. In order to provide some restroom facilities for visitors in outdoor spaces and at key river access points in our immediate area, several facilities will remain open as long as they can be safely maintained in accordance with the latest health guidance. These areas include the Baptist Camp vault toilet, the Akers contact station restroom, the Akers river access vault toilet, the Devils Well vault toilet, the Pulltite contact station restroom only (no showers), the Carr’s Store restroom and the Round Spring day use area restroom. The National Park Service encourages people who choose to visit the Ozark National Scenic Riverways during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, visitors are urged to continue to practice the “Leave No Trace” principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy. Social distancing is strongly encouraged even in outdoor spaces. For up-to-date information about operations at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar, or @ozarkriverways on Facebook. You can also call (573) 323-4236 ext. 0, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days per week.

The Salem Police Department has released reports for March 14th through the 20th. On Saturday afternoon the 14th at approximately 1206 an officer was dispatched to the 100 block of south Oak Street for a report of a domestic disturbance. It was reported that a physical altercation had taken place between a boyfriend and girlfriend that reside together. As a result of the investigation, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. Then on Thursday evening, March 19th, at approximately 7:05, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a juvenile female had been observed by Wal-Mart staff stealing items from the store. Contact was made with the juvenile female of Salem. As a result of the investigation, the juvenile was detained, and this report will be forwarded to the Dent County Juvenile Office for further investigation. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, the 20th of March, at approximately 12:43, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department for a report of fraudulent use of a credit or debit device. It was reported that $196.39 worth of transactions were made using the victim’s credit or debit card without authorization. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigations.