Local News – Thursday, August 5th, 2021
The City of Salem wants to remind anyone who is past due on their utility bill or has not yet made payment arrangements with the city, that you have until 5:00 TODAY to pay your bill or set up a payment plan. Disconnect notices carry a $25 charge for the first three disconnects and a $50 charge after that. Contact the city utility office at 729-4117 or stop by 400 North Iron Street to make a payment or to make payment arrangements. The hours are from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00 this afternoon. All previous month’s bills become past due and are subject to disconnect after the 5th of each month. The city also wants to remind everyone that you will find printed on your utility bill that it is your first and final notice. Remember, YOU are ultimately responsible for your utility bill, whether or not it comes in the mail.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the first station. After some discussion, the 2022 tax rate was set at $0.2377, which is the maximum allowed by law, and up from this year’s rate of $0.2374. After the tax levy hearing, the board approved the consent agenda and approved the minutes from the July meeting as presented. Bills were then reviewed and approved then the budget was reviewed which showed an ending balance as of July 31st of $169,923.57. There was no monthly reimbursement report at this meeting as the software is still being transferred and uploaded. In old business, Joe Weber from Weber and Associates was in attendance to answer any questions on the policy and procedures manual. The board is still reviewing the manual and Mr. Weber stated that he was available to answer any questions that may arise. In reports to the board, Chief Brad Nash reported that there was a problem with one of the door frames installed during the renovation. Cahill Construction will be onsite this week to check this out and repair, as necessary. Mike Godi discussed this year’s toy drive with the board that a place to store the toys is needed. The board will work on the problem and will get back with Mr. Godi. He also asked if the department was prepared for someone to replace Chief Nash in case something like COVID should happen to the chief. Chief Nash explained that he has plans in place in the event something like that should happen. The date was then set for the next meeting which will be Tuesday evening, September 7th at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main Street.
A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday morning at around 7:20 in Dent County on Highway 68 about three miles north of Salem. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2003 Dodge Caravan being driven by 78-year-old Willaim Bingham of Centerville, was traveling north when he failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway, then struck a MoDOT sign and a utility pole. An occupant in the vehicle, 78-year-old Patsy Murphey of Centerville, suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The Dodge sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The report went on to state that Bingham and Murphey were both wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.
An accident happened Tuesday evening just after 8:00 in Phelps County on Highway F about two miles south of Rolla. The report released from the highway patrol states that a 1993 Ford F-150 being driven by a 16-year-old juvenile male of Rolla was traveling west when he ran off the right side of the road and struck several trees. A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Jakob Faulkner of Rolla, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. The report went on to state that the driver was wearing a safety restraint while the passenger was not. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by C&C Towing.
To mark this year’s biggest summer meteor shower, Elephant Rocks State Park staff invites the public to a rare after-dark event at 8:00 this Friday. The Perseid Meteor Shower is caused by particles released by the Swift-Tuttle Comet and can be seen with the naked eye. Park staff will be available to direct visitors to the best and safest areas to view the shower. All are welcome and encouraged to dress for changeable summer conditions. It is often warmer on the rocks early in the evening as they radiate the heat they stored up in the hot summer sun all day. It then cools off as the night progresses, so be prepared to add layers as needed. Also be prepared to deal with insects like mosquitoes and ticks. Please remember to bring in only what you will be able to carry out when you leave. Trash receptacles are provided at the parking lot of the park. Participants are encouraged to be respectful of other visitors and to bring portable chairs and blankets to keep warm. Avoid excessive use of artificial lights and excessive noise during the event. No tents or other invasive camping equipment, such as propane heaters or lanterns, will be allowed. Absolutely no campfires will be allowed. Telescopes and binoculars are not needed to view the shower, but are welcome. Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21 in Belleview. For more information about the event, call the site at 573-546-3454.