Local News – Monday, May 24th, 2021
A fatal crash Saturday evening at 7:40 in Maries County on Highway 63 about five miles south of Vienna took the life of a Salem man. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 23-year-old Nathan Reid of Salem, was travelling northbound when he travelled off the right side of the roadway and then returned the road. The Cobalt began skidding, travelled off the right side of the road again where the Cobalt struck a rock embankment and partially ejected Reid. The Cobalt came to rest blocking the northbound lane. Reid was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. Reid was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:05 that evening by Dr. Garcia. Reid’s body was transported to the Birmingham Martin Funeral Home in Vienna by the Maries Conty Coroner. The Cobalt was totaled and removed from the scene by DLH Auto. The highway patrol was assisted by deputies from the Maries County Sheriff’s Department, the Maries/Osage Ambulance District, and the Vichy Fire Department.
A motorcycle accident happened Friday evening at around 8:30 in Dent County on Dent County Road 6670, about sixteen miles southwest of Salem. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2001 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic being operated by 35-year-old Damon Robertson of Salem, lost control of the motorcycle in a curve, traveled off the left side of the road and overturned. A passenger, 36-year-old Belinda Watson, also of Salem, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. Robertson received minor injuries but refused treatment. The report went on state that neither were wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Harley was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitaker Towing.
A special Board of Aldermen meeting called by Alderwoman Kim Steelman and Alderman Shawn Bolerjack will be held this evening at 5:45 at the Civic Theater in the old city hall auditorium at 202 North Washington to consider resolution #17-2021, a lease proposal on a new Terex TL48 bucket truck for the city. After adjournment of the board of Aldermen meeting, the City of Salem Capital Improvement Committee and Finance Committee will hold a joint meeting at 6:00. Following an update on the 2020-2021 fiscal year projects and overall financial status, there will be a discussion of proposed 2021-2022 capital projects along with a discussion of other 2021-2022 budgeted items before adjourning. The meeting this evening of the board of Aldermen, Capital Improvement committee, and the Finance committee are open to the public.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday for their regular meeting. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed told the board the open enrollment has been completed for our new insurance before reviewing budget revisions for June. Reed stated she was still working on increasing the starting pay to $10.00 for all support staff before sharing the results of the building climate survey with the board. She also said the Central Office will continue to work on communications for the 21-22 school year. After the building reports, the board approved the adult meal prices for the 2021-2022 school year. They will be $2.50 for breakfast and $4.00 for lunch. The board approved the purchase of two leased busses for $64,000 per bus before approving both a fall and spring softball schedule for 2021-2022. The board went on to approve a contract with Shield Solutions in the amount of $8,500 and also the bid to remove a trailer. The board tabled bids on a storage building, but did accept the surplus property bids. They also agreed to keep the next meeting date for June 17th, 2021. The board accepted the resignations of high school math instructor George Alex, middle school football coach Richard Beckett, upper elementary nurse Kristina Barton, paraprofessionals Katelyn Swyers and Shelly Kerr, and Tabitha Mackley will leave food service and move to transportation. The board then went into closed session.