Local News – Thursday, February 16th, 2023
An accident happened Wednesday morning at 7:10 in Texas County on Highway 63 about three miles south of Licking that left a Salem man with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2020 Ford Mustang driven northbound by 57-year-old Gary Parks of Licking, crossed over the center line, then over-corrected and went off the right side of the road where they Mustang struck a guardrail. Suffering moderate injuries was a passenger in the Ford, 49-year-old Travis Fulton of Salem, who was taken by private conveyance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Both Fulton and Parks were wearing their seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive in Houston.
The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Wednesday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois reported that 106 children participated in the “Skills and Drills” Football camp that was held with the help of several Salem Tiger football players. She wanted to send out a big thank you to the Salem Tiger Youth coaches that ran the program. She said the 2023 soccer sign ups are going on now and feature two new ages groups: four and under, and six and under. She said those age groups will have skills building in the first half of their time with scrimmages the second half. She said there are already almost 50 children signed up in those ages and over 125 kids overall. She said the 14 and under age group has only seven sign ups at this time and more kids are needed for the age bracket to be held, although depending on the number of sign ups, ages 12, 13 and 14 could be combined. Dubois said the poles and lighting installation is complete at the Al Brown Field but the city is still waiting for funds to be released by ESP to complete the project which was initially going to be done through them. Dubois discussed an offer by the Spring Creek Garden Club to plant additional trees at the Salem City Park. The estimated cost of the trees, tree bags and delivery would be $4,725 and the garden club would pick up that cost. The club does ask that the city water the trees for the first year or two as well as getting the mulch and compost before planting which the club would install. The board approved the donation of trees and their planting by the Spring Creek Garden Club. Dubois did report the new house sound system has been installed at the Civic Theater in the old city hall auditorium, plus side curtains have been donated and installed by Everything Cinema. She said electric work in the projector room still needs to be completed. Dubois reported the infield drainage at the Blue Field at the city park has greatly improved and grounds keeper Don Smith will return to work on February 27th. The pool house floor work will be done when the weather warms up and the city now has four certified lifeguards. Dubois stated the fence banner sponsor renewals will be going out and new sponsors are always needed. The banner sponsors get is 4 by 6 feet and they are attached to the fence. The board reviewed the budget which shows sales tax revenues ahead of last year and after January 31st, revenues over expenses stand at $86,454. It was brought up the pump for the water to the level-entry pool accessories has not been working properly and may need to be replaced, but the cost has not yet been calculated. After a presentation by City Administrator Sally Burbridge concerning the basics on understanding the city budget, the meeting was adjourned.
The Salem Board of Aldermen rescheduled meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington Street. On the agenda, the board will hear a request from Kerri Konkel representing “Project Graduation” to have a Senior Parade on Sunday, May 7th at 2:00 in the afternoon that would call for some street closures. After the consent agenda, the board will discuss Resolution #5-2023 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and H.W. Lochner, Inc. to perform professional services for engineering and project oversight of six “T”-Hangers at the Salem Memorial Airport. The board will also hear reports from City Administrator Sally Burbridge, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois and each individual aldermen before going into closed session to discuss contracts. The rescheduled meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be tonight at 6:00 and the meeting is open to the public.