Local News – Thursday, April 16th, 2020
Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri will receive a $152.4 million grant for 75 state airports to help respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the grants to states as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Grant amounts for local Missouri airports ranged from $1,000 to $157,000. These funds can be used for any purpose for which airport revenue could otherwise be used. This means these funds are available for operating costs (salaries, utilities, etc.), and they can also be used for airport development. The Salem Memorial Airport will receive $20,000 from this grant and it requires no match.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education regular monthly meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 at the District Administrative Offices Board Room. After the consent agenda and communications, Superintendent John McColloch will give a budget update, health insurance update, and give information about property purchase. In new business, the board will consider a Vo Ag Electrical bid. The Board will then hear resignations before adjourning and moving into closed session to discuss personnel. The regular April meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.
The University of Missouri and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will postpone their annual series of management-intensive grazing schools in 2020 due to safety concerns about COVID-19. Organizers will look at the situation in late May to consider options according to MU Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts. The NRCS and MU Extension specialists hold more than 30 regional grazing schools annually during the forage growing season. This period will intersect with the projected peak of coronavirus spread in Missouri during May and gradual decrease through June and July. Now in its 30th year, the program has become the go-to school for Midwestern forage producers. Controlled grazing results in higher-quality grass, less waste and more pounds of livestock gains per acre. Since the 1980s, MU has helped cattle producers learn better grazing techniques through MU’s pioneering grazing research. Over time, the grazing schools have attracted more partners such as the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Forage and Grassland Council and Missouri Department of Agriculture. The partners contribute research, cost-share incentives and educational outreach to promote the adoption of management- intensive grazing. Missouri has the nation’s third-largest cow-calf herd, the second-largest number of beef producers and the seventh-largest number of dairy farms. Missouri also is the second-largest producer of grass hay. No other Missouri agricultural enterprise covers more acres, generates more real income or engages as many citizens. For more information, contact your local NRCS field office or MU Extension center, or contact the Missouri Forage and Grassland Council at 573-338-1772.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces the kids’ fishing day events scheduled at the state’s trout parks have been cancelled this year amid concerns over the coronavirus. The kids’ fishing day events cancelled include those on May 2nd at Montauk State Park near Salem and Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon; and those scheduled for May 16th at Roaring River State Park near Cassville and Maramec Spring Park in St. James. In order to protect the public amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, MDC has extended the temporary closures of its facilities and cancellations of all public events and programs through April 30th. Closures include regional offices, department headquarters in Jefferson City, staffed shooting ranges, nature centers, visitor centers, and education centers. MDC has also temporarily cancelled public events and programs, including hunter education classes, nature center programs and events, shooting range programs and events, and landowner workshops. All conservation areas, nature center trails, and boat accesses remain open to the public. Remember, the waiver for not needing a fishing license in the state passed yesterday so you MUST have a current fishing license so all anglers will need to have a fishing permit, unless exempt. Trout anglers will also need required fishing permits but will not need a daily trout tag at the three open trout parks until further notice. Meramec Spring Park currently is closed. Trout anglers fishing other areas around the state, including lakes and streams not at a trout park, need both a fishing permit and trout permit. MDC reminds the public to enjoy responsible recreation by continuing to maintain physical distance in the outdoors and avoid popular areas where people may congregate. Additionally, continue handwashing and sanitizing and travel in a group of 10 people or less.
The Salem Police Department has released reports for April 5th and 6th. On Sunday, April 5th around 1:00 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a male and a female had shoplifted $33.59 worth of merchandise from the store and left without paying for them. As a result of the investigation both subjects, a 57-year-old Salem male and a 19-year-old Salem female were arrested for shoplifting. The male subject was also found in possession of methamphetamine. Both subjects were released on summons. That same evening at about 7:41, an officer made contact with a 58-year-old man from Salem who had an active warrant for his arrest out of Christian County. The male was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail awaiting extradition on the warrant. On Monday, April 6th at 7:11, an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of south Hickory for a report of stealing out of a motor vehicle. It was reported by the victim that a tan Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 9mm was stolen out of the center console of his vehicle. This investigation is currently still active and ongoing. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information about any investigations.