Local News – Monday, May 17th, 2021

Utility Committee Chairman Shawn Bolerjack has called for a meeting of the city of Salem’s Utility Committee tonight at 6:00 at City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda for the meeting includes a review of a high water consumption discount, a discussion of a discount incentive on electric usage from February 8th through May 15th, 2021 for customers paying their bill in full and having no prior balance due. There will also be a discussion to review a sample bill for usage from February 8th, 2021 through May 15th, 2021 and an informational cover letter to be sent to customers followed by an update on fiscal year-to-date utility financials before adjourning. Following the utility committee meeting, the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. After the roll call, Skip Dahms will ask the board to permit the blocking off of a section of Fourth Street between Henderson and McArthur Streets for a kids’ festival to be held on June 12th. After approval of the consent agenda, the aldermen will discuss bids for renovation of the Police department dispatch call center and for undercarriage repair on a John Deere 555G crawler. Bill #3477 will be introduced and read which is an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign and execute task order #10 pertaining to an agreement between the city of Salem and C.M. Archer Group P.C. dated February 3rd, 2020 for engineering design services related to the Phase 2 improvements at the wastewater treatment facility. Resolution #16-2021 would adopt a policy on the utility committee recommendation of utility credits for the city of Salem. The aldermen will then hear a report from City Administrator Ray Walden on issues concerning the city. Also at the meeting, a library committee appointment will be made by Mayor Brad Nash. The board may go into closed session before adjourning. The City of Salem Utility Committee meeting and the Board of Aldermen meeting this evening are both open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of April. They served 18 summonses to appear in court, gave out 69 warning tickets, and 13 traffic tickets, plus they also served 2 fugitive warrants. The Salem Police department investigated 17 traffic accidents, wrote 5 property damage reports, 17 stealing reports, and investigated 2 identity thefts. The department also investigated three driving while having a license revoked or suspended, a resisting or interfering with an arrest, a violation of an exparte or full order of protection, four possessions of a controlled substance as well as three domestic violence reports, investigated two nuisance violations and conducted two death investigations. The department was also dispatched for 37 animal calls, 21 ambulance assist calls, and performed 88 traffic stops for the month. The Department also conducted 59 follow-up investigations, one leaving the scene of an accident, and responded to 26 suspicious subjects and also performed 24 well-being checks. The Salem Police Department received 951 calls for service during the month of April and had 43 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 8,180 miles during the month of April. There were 16 males and 13 females arrested during the month. The Police Department also served 4 hours as court bailiff during the month.

A summer “kick off” will take place at Akers for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The free event features an open-air celebration of the
Akers community beginning at 9:00 this Saturday. The lawn around the Akers Visitor Center will host information booths and exhibits about historic communities on the banks of the Current River. Those with a connection to the upper Current River community will have an opportunity to share memories with everyone in attendance. In accordance with the federal mask mandate, face masks will be required for entry into Mt. Zion Church. Social distancing will be implemented for outdoor activities and face masks will be required whenever visitors are unable to maintain a six-foot distance from those outside their household. Participants will be able to take part in activities including a paddle from Welch to Akers, a self-guided hike to Welch Spring and cave, a tour of Mt. Zion Church, and a tour of Akers Cemetery with a civil war “ghost”. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/ozar or call (573) 323-4236.

A carnival with proceeds to benefit Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter will be held this Saturday afternoon May 22nd from 2:00 until 5:00. Tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting Kathy Bryant at 739-9163 or Jenny Summers at 247-7062. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. You are invited to bring your lawn chair, blanket, family and friends. Smoking, vaping, drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the grounds of the church.