Local News- Monday, May 4th, 2020
Today many businesses that were considered “non-essential” will be opening back up, bank lobbies will reopen, and restaurants will be allowed to have inside dining again, although there will be some restrictions. Please check out the industry specific guidelines that have been released as part of the “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan. Those guidelines provide specific regulations, as well as do’s and don’ts for churches, food establishments, lodging and outfitters, barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and hotel swimming pools. To view the guidelines check out the Dent County Health Center’s Facebook Page. You can also contact Kendra Mobray at the Health Center at 729-3106 or email dentcountymocovid19@gmail.com.
A one vehicle accident happened Friday afternoon around 2:40 in Crawford County on Highway 19 near Route VV. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle being ridden by 40-year old April Cahill of Rolla was southbound on Highway 19 when she failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the right side of the roadway striking a sign before overturning. Cahill suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla by a Dent County Deputy. The Harley sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.
An accident happened Friday night in Crawford County Friday night at 11:35 on westbound Interstate 44 near the 206 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Honda VTR Motorcycle driven westbound by 50-year old Danny Kent of St. James, swerved to avoid contact with another vehicle. The Honda overturned and traveled off the left side of the roadway. Kent suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the St. James Ambulance. He was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing of St. James.
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting tonight at 7:00 in the City Hall Auditorium for their regular meeting. For those who want to attend, you will need to enter through the doors on the north side of the building. At the meeting, the board will hear bids for a battery operated wire squeezing tool before reviewing the consent agenda. After the agenda is approved, the board will receive an update from City Administrator Ray Walden about city projects, get an update on capital projects and discuss the health and life insurance premiums for the employees for the city. The board will hear bill #3448 that amends Chapter 122 of the municipal code for the City of Salem that deals with the Open Meeting and Records Policy by adding a new section dealing with the municipal records management. The board will discuss Resolution 8-2020 that would adopt a policy on creating utility rebate credits for the City of Salem of 5% on electric and water billing on usage from January 24th through April 30th. The board will also discuss Resolution 9-2020 that would amend the City of Salem Payment Plan from three to 12 months for the period of usage just mentioned. In New and Miscellaneous Business, the board will discuss a Salem Housing Authority Board appointment to replace Doris Stempniak who resigned. The meeting will then be adjourned. The city of Salem Board of Alderman meeting is open to the public. The city will still be enforcing social distancing at the meeting.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold special meetings today and Tuesday afternoons at the district administrative offices boardroom at 5:00 each day. These special meetings will be closed session meetings to discuss personnel. After the agenda is approved at each meeting, they will immediately go into closed session.
Trout fishing updates include the James Foundation reopening Maramec Spring Park to a limited number of visitors (maximum of 250 people at one time) today. There will be no admission to enter the park and daily trout tags are currently waived until May 16th. The campground and bathrooms will be open while the store, playgrounds, pavilions, museum, cleaning station, and café will remain closed. For more information, visit the Maramec Spring Park website at maramecspringpark.com/. Daily trout tags, along with a fishing permit, unless exempt, will be required beginning May 16th for fishing at all four trout parks including Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James.