Local News – Monday, May 20th, 2024

An accident happened Sunday morning at 10:50 on private property on Route J in Oates that took the life of an 11-year-old boy. According to the highway patrol report, a 2021 Yamaha Viking being driven by an 11-year-old male juvenile, reversed onto a mound of gravel and overturned, with the Yamaha coming to rest on top of the young boy. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington County Paramedic Jamie Lallumondiere at 11:26, and the body was transported by the Reynolds County Coroner to the McSpadden Funeral Home. The highway patrol was assisted by the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Department.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the district administrative offices boardroom. The board heard from Ruben Hovey about the wrestling club and Mrs Russell showed a video of the choir. Dave Dawson from the community addressed the board before they heard the Superintendent’s report from Dr. Lynne Reed and Dr. Nathan Wills. Reed reported the CSIP progress updates were presented to the building principals before Reed and Wills provided information regarding the insurance claim for damages to school property from the recent hail storms. Dr. Wills also informed the board the yearly professional development needs assessment had been conducted, and the school identified focus areas for next year’s professional development. After the building principals gave their reports, the bids for the FEMA storm shelter construction and the Healthy Dent County sponsorship were postponed for a later date. In the regular meeting, the board declared Chromebooks as surplus property and requested bids for purchase. They approved MSBA Policy AI with suggestions from board member Marjorie Piatt, and also approved the contract with Shied Solutions. The board approved the career ladder plan, approved the contract with Show-Me Therapy Services, approved the contract with First Student for ECSE transportation, approved an MOA with the University of Missouri for a College Advisor, and approved the CACFP contract. The board approved out-of-state trips for the Salem FFA, the constructions trades program and the choir before the board failed to approve a ballot initiative for the August 2024 election as the motion failed by a 7-0 vote. The board approved the lease agreement with the Dent County Developmental Disabilities, approved the summer school food service program, and they authorized the solicitation of bids for roof, siding, HVAC, greenhouse repairs and all other replacements from the recent hail damage. The board accepted the resignations of Carilee Ball as the district psychological examiner, Josh Gorman for high school math, Mark Howard for high school social studies and assistant track coach, Jerry Adkins as a high school social studies teacher and Terrie Welch for high school track. Also resigning were support staff members Sherri Reichard as the high school nurse, custodian Dalton Chapman and para professionals Stephanie Grace and Daisy Shalbot. In closed session, the Salem R-80 board hired Megan Blair as a a high school chemistry teacher and head track coach, Charles Overton for 8th grade English/Language Arts, Katherine Culp as a Kindergarten teacher, Alaina Santhuff for SLP-A, Brentnee Miller as a teacher, Elizabeth Robertson as a high school math teacher, Eric Metcalf as a high school history instructor, Hannah Terrill as the upper elementary special education instructor, Shelby Botkin as the Middle School Volleyball Coach and Neal Myers as the Head Golf Coach. The board heard student issues before approving attendance appeals that were recommended by the administration. After real estate was discussed, the board extending Dr. Rachel Green’s contract to 220 days. The board then adjourned the closed and regular meeting.

A one vehicle accident happened early Friday morning at 12:30 in Callaway County on westbound Highway 54 at the Route AE/TT off ramp. According to the highway patrol report, a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox being driven by 18-year-old Azaleaya Edwards of Rolla, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Edwards, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered minor injuries. A passenger who was not wearing a seat restraint, 18-year-old Deja Whitfield of Jefferson City, received moderate injuries. Both were taken by Callaway County EMS to University hospital in Columbia. The Equinox was totaled and removed from the scene by Tom and Steves Towing.

City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board president Carlos Lopez has called for a meeting of the Board for this afternoon at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. After the call to order and roll call, the Board will hear the Director’s report, consider and approve the budget, and review the 3-5 year plan. The meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board is open to the public.

The Salem Police department has released their report for the month of April. The department responded to seven accidents during the month. Officers responded to two alarms sounding and addressed 33 animal calls, investigated four assaults or fights, two burglaries, performed 22 well being checks and 16 area checks in April. Police investigated 15 domestic disputes, eight verbal disturbances, conducted 53 follow-up investigations, and provided 14 escorts. They investigated two nuisance violations, one report of fraud, took two missing persons reports, and offered assistance to four motorists. The Salem Police wrote five property damage reports, made 14 stealing reports, and responded to three traffic complaints. Officers investigated one sex offense charge, 20 suspicious circumstance calls, 9 suspicious person calls, and five suspicious vehicle calls. Officers attempted to serve 7 warrants and conducted 48 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 465 incidents in April with the average response time to calls being one minute and 59 seconds. The average time spent on the scene was 21 minutes and 50 seconds.