Local News – Thursday, April 5th, 2018

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Saturday, March 24th at about 10:32 in the evening, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 24-year old male of Rolla for driving while being drugged. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same night at about 11:32, an officer from the Viburnum Police Department released a 22-year old male of Viburnum to an officer of the Salem Police Department. The suspect, who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem, was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. On Sunday morning. March 25th at about 1:57, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 39- year old female of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday morning, March 26th at approximately 11:45, an officer was detailed to Poplar Bluff to transport a 48- year old male of Poplar Bluff to the Dent County Jail due to an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was transported to Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated pending a court appearance. That afternoon at 5:43, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to property damage to a vehicle. That investigation revealed a person or persons unknown damaged the paint on a vehicle parked in the 300 block of West Ninth. The report is under investigation. On Tuesday, March 27th at about 1:16 in the morning, an officer was detailed to a disturbance at McDonalds Restaurant. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of an 18-year old male of Salem for the possession of drug paraphernalia and being a minor in possession of intoxicants. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. That same evening at about 11:02, an officer located a 34-year old male of Salem in the 900 block of East Center, who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect, who attempted to flee was taken into custody on the warrant and for resisting arrest. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance and application for a warrant. On Wednesday morning, March 28th at about 10:53, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference a forgery. That investigation revealed a male juvenile of Salem had stolen a check, forged it and cashed it for $200.00. The juvenile suspect was detained for the forgery and theft and released to his mother. The report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the city hall council chambers. There were no bids received on the Splash Pad Pump House construction according to Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon who then gave his report from the Park and Recreation Board March 29th meeting. The consent agenda was approved that showed the Capital Improvement Sales Tax received $50,598.53, the Park and Recreation Sales Tax Fund received $37,949.04, and the General Revenue Fund received $101,197.11. City Administrator Ray Walden reported the city is audited independently every year and the current fund balances in the city accounts come to $5.69 million dollars. He reported the Salem Community Center at The Armory had 5,552 participants for their activities in March. He said the third of four visioning sessions would be held on April 9th from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Salem Community Center and the Salem Business Expo will be held April 14th from 9:00 to noon also at the Salem Community Center. The board approved Bill #3370 that eliminates the parking on North Grand Avenue between West First Street and West Third Street, the approved bills #3371-3377 concerning the appointment of various city positions including city clerk, city attorney, public works director, director of engineering, city treasurer, chief of police and the economic development director. Those appointed positions will be for life, until resignation or they are terminated. The board approved Bill #3378 that lists the duties of the Public Works Director, approved Bill #3379 adopting a “Livable Street” policy, and Bill #3380 that adjusts the annual budget from the economic development position. The clean-up dates from WCA have been set for the weeks of May 7th and 14th. The board then went into closed session.