Local News – Monday, September 19th, 2022

An accident happened Thursday evening at approximately 7:20 in Dent County on Route H about 12 miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Isuzu NPR box truck being driven east by 47-year-old Jody Wondell of Lenox, attempted to avoid a vehicle that was traveling on the wrong side of the roadway by driving off the roadway, then striking a tree. Wondell suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Salem EMS to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. The Isuzu was removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing with moderate damage. Wondell was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Thursday afternoon at around 1:45 in Shannon County of State Route KK near Akers. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2012 Harley Davidson being operated 58-year-old Timothy LeCroy of Wentzville, crossed the center of the roadway, ran off the left side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned. LeCroy suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The Harley received extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The report went on to state that LeCroy was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.

The Salem Board of Alderman met Thursday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved the appointment of Assistant City Clerk Erica Sheppard before Mayor Greg Parker gave her the oath of office. Mayor Parker then nominated Amanda Duncan to fill the seat vacated by Tod Kinerk who had resigned on Tuesday. East Ward Alderwoman Kala Sisco then recommended Ben Pursiful for the West Ward position and the board elected to review each recommendation and make a decision at the next meeting. The board approved the mayor’s recommendation of adding Stacey Jones to the Park and Recreation Board, and also approved adding David Weiss to the Utility Committee to replace Gary Brown who resigned due to church commitments. The board approved the request from Skip Dahms for the city to close 4th Street from MacArthur to Henderson for the annual Kids Carnival on October 8th starting at 11:30 that morning. The board approved Bill #3519 that creates an ordinance to allow Mayor Parker on behalf of the city to enter into a power supply and administration agreement among Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission doing business as the Missouri Electric Commission, and make the city a member of the Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Energy Pool. They also approved Bill #3520 that created a new ordinance amending Chapter 230, Article II, Section 250.150 concerning the free pickup of tree limbs and yard waste. That will be eliminated as of January 1st, and there will be a $40-charge for the street department to pick up your bundled limbs and bagged yard waste. Residents will have to come to the City Administrative offices, fill out a work order and pay their $40 before the pickup. Of course, people can take their own yard waste to the city disposal area in the Masters Industrial Park. The board tabled Bill #3521 to raise the sewer rates due to a needed clarification, then tabled Resolutions 26 through 30-2022 for the demolition program due to the bids from the companies for the demolition not being presented at the meeting for the board to accept or reject. Public Work Director Mark Nash presented a bid for the cleaning of the fuel tank at the airport from Akin Environmental from Arkansas for $2,852.00 which the board accepted. This is a budgeted item. Nash presented a bid to replace the leaking roof on the salt storage building on Center Street. Since this was a non-budgeted item, the alderman wanted to know what budget adjustment was going to be made affecting what accounts. The bid was tabled until the next meeting. Nash presented a bid for repair clamps for water main repairs from Core and Main for $3,193 which will come from the Equipment Maintenance budget for the Water Department. The board approved the purchase. The board tabled Code Officer Travis Roberts’ request for a Live Trap Rental Agreement that will require a deposit. The current rental agreement is for a $50 deposit, but the cost to replace a broken or stolen trap is $60 to $80 so the board felt $50 was not enough. The board also tabled the requested increase in the airport hangar rental of $10 per month by the airport board. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge reported the Construction Trades and Computer Technology Building Fund bank account needed to have $438,000 in it by Thursday, and it had $448,005 as reported by Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed. This will allow for the city and school to move forward and qualify for a $500,000 CDBG grant. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack said the Community Wide Yard Sale will be held October 1st and that people can rent a space at the City Administration Parking Lot for $8.00 for a double space. Call the city offices at 729-4117 for more information or stop by 400 North Iron Street. Parker said the City Cleanup Week will be October 10th through the 14th on your normal trash pickup day. Alderman Kyle Williams said the 9-hole disc golf course at the Salem City Park is now complete. The board then went into closed session.