Local News – Thursday, April 1, 2021
The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) received an unmodified audit opinion from Hochschild, Bloom and Company, LLP for the period ending June 30, 2020. The board approved a draft of the single audit contingent with no changes when finalized at its March 11 board meeting, which was held virtually. An unmodified audit report occurs when an independent auditor deems a company’s financial statements are fairly and appropriately presented, without any identified exceptions, and in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal regulations. Tammy Alsop presented the audit report to the board for the firm. She said it’s the best report an entity can receive. There were no deficiencies or material weaknesses that were found, which is very good. MRPC had revenues of $2,184,495 for the year ending June 30, 2020 and expenses of $2,167,578. MRPC ended the year with a profit of $21,897. The audit also includes audits of the MRB, Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee and MRPC’s revolving loan funds as component units. The audit firm did not issue a management letter or any recommendations for improvement.
A one vehicle accident happened in Laclede County early Wednesday morning just after 6:00 on Highway 32 about two miles north of Lynchburg. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2000 Chevrolet 1500 being driven by 29-year-old Waylon Tuttle of Summersville swerved to miss a deer in the roadway. Tuttle then traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a culvert before becoming airborne and striking the ground. A passenger in the vehicle, 52-year-old Danny Basham of Eminence was transported by Mercy Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Lebanon for treatment of moderate injuries. The report went on to say that Tuttle was wearing a safety restraint while Basham was not. The Chevrolet sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by family.
The month of April marks Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash! Bash coordinated by the Missouri Department of Transportation. During the annual statewide anti-litter event, volunteers are encouraged to clean up litter adjacent to highways to help beautify Missouri. The No MOre Trash! Bash is an annual outreach of MoDOT’s year-round litter control efforts. It has been held every spring since 2004 except for 2020 when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event out of safety concerns. Additional COVID-19 restrictions limited the use of nearly 240 work release prisoners and required social distancing for field operations engaged in litter control performed by MoDOT staff. These factors have contributed to a marked increase in trash along Missouri’s highways. Becky Allmeroth, chief safety and operations officer, said keeping Missouri’s highways clean is a shared responsibility between MoDOT, those who use our roadways and many of the volunteers who help every year to make a difference in how this great state looks to the travelling public. The Trash Bash is a great opportunity for students, civic groups and those looking to receive community service credit while they beautify their community. Over the years, the volunteers have made this program a success. Last year, MoDOT spent $6.4 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. The annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highway—including the Adopt-A-Highway program—have been valued at more than $1 million. Allmeroth said they encourage Adopt-A-Highway volunteers to do their section pickups in April, but they also invite anyone from the community who wants to help to join in for a one-time pickup. This year’s No MOre Trash! Bash kickoff will include virtual events with Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, students and community groups interested in participating in roadside trash pickup. Trash bags and safety vests will be provided to groups engaged in litter pickup. Groups are encouraged to exercise special COVID-19 safety precautions. To learn more about how you can participate, visit www.modot.org/adopt-highway or call 1-888-275-6636.
The City of Salem will be doing curbside yard waste pick-up the first full week of each month. Items that will be picked up by the city include limbs and branches that are cut to a length of 4 feet or less and leaves that are bagged in recyclable leaf bags which can be purchased at the city utility office $2.50 for ten bags. The city will pick up yard waste that has been properly bagged, cut, and placed at the edge of the curb or sidewalk. They ask that you do not block the sidewalk or place items in the street. The city of Salem reserves the right to charge for exceptionally large volumes of yard waste or to recommend removal by a private company. Items that will not be picked up include appliances, household trash, tires, electronics, lumber or building materials, furniture, or recyclables. Items must be ready and set out for pickup on the first Monday of the first full weeks of each month. For more information, call the city at 729-4811.