Local News – Thursday, July 2nd, 2020
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe Independence Day holiday. The state’s wide variety of recreational opportunities is a great way to celebrate our nation’s freedoms. But, no matter what you plan for the long weekend, you can’t go wrong if you choose to follow all Missouri traffic and boating laws. It is also important to observe social distancing and other CDC guidelines related to the coronavirus, and stay home if you are ill. During the 2019 counting period, 15 people were killed and 457 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,109 traffic crashes. Over the 2019 July Fourth holiday, troopers arrested 162 people for driving while being intoxicated. Of the injuries suffered last year during the Independence Day holiday, 58 people were seriously injured in traffic crashes in Missouri. Of the 73 people killed or injured, 18 were involved in a crash where there was at least one substance-impaired driver. The 15 fatalities included three motorcyclists, one ATV occupant and 11 vehicle occupants, with 80% of the 11 vehicle occupants being unbuckled. The 58 serious injuries included two pedestrians, 11 motorcyclists and 45 vehicle occupants with 65% of those being unbelted. In 2019, there were nine boating crashes, which included four injuries and zero fatalities. Three people drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Troopers made 13 boating while being intoxicated arrests in 2019. The 2020 counting period for the Independence Day holiday will be from 6:00 tonight until 11:59 Sunday night, July 6th. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) and Operation Dry Water over the July Fourth holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water specifically targets impaired vessel operators. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri roadways and waterways to enforce traffic and boating laws, and offering assistance as needed. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. With more boats on the water, it is even more important to pay attention when operating your vessel. Never operate a vessel if you’ve consumed alcohol. Boaters need to be aware that it is illegal to discharge fireworks from a vessel. Leave all fireworks in a safe place on shore. Anyone needing assistance or who witnesses criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways or waterways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. Motorists may call 1-888-275-6636 to check for road construction along their travel route.
The Impact 100 Dent County, a committee of the Dent County Community Foundation, has two grant opportunities for the 2020 grant making cycle for not-for-profit organizations. The first grant represents a broad base of categories including parks and recreation, arts, education and community development. This grant will be awarded to the not-for-profit organization chosen by the Impact 100 committee on July 16. A short presentation will be required of the not-for-profit representative at the ceremony. The second grant to be awarded is a restricted grant with only applications related to health initiatives allowed for this grant. These two grants are $3,000 and $4,000.00 respectively. A not-for-profit organization can only apply for one of the grants. These applications are due July 10. If you have any questions, please call Mary Beth Cook, the Dent County Community Foundation coordinator at 573-453-6091. The Impact 100 Dent County is a giving circle, money from this effort is returned to our community to enhance the lives of citizens.
The City of Salem Annual Budget for their next fiscal year approved at the special board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday night that began July 1st, shows expected revenues of $12,860,186 with expected expenses of $12,791,822. Capital projects expected to be done in the next fiscal year came to $3,039,984. To keep the budget conservative due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the budgeted sales tax figures for general revenue, the capital improvement fund and the park and recreation department were approximately 90% of what was received in 2019-2020 fiscal year. There are two payments scheduled in the next fiscal year totaling about $500,000 for the Certificates of Participation funding for the sewer plant upgrade and other utility projects. Those payments are allocated proportionately from the electric, water and sewer funds. Also, a 2% cost of living adjustment was made for staff along with a 2% merit increase pool, plus personnel levels are expected to remain the same as the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The Board of Aldermen also approved to continue to fund the service agreements with the University of Missouri Extension, the Dent County Museum, Healthy Dent County and the Salem Area Community Betterment Association. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank the citizen committees, mayor, aldermen and staff for their hard work, efforts and thoroughness during the budget process for their efforts with a special thanks going to City Clerk Mary Happel.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in partnership with the Ozark Riverways Foundation and Current River State Park, will be offering free paddling clinics each Sunday starting July 5th and lasting through August 9th at the Current River State Park. These free clinics are open to ten participants per program and pre-registration is required. Participants will need to provide their own personal flotation device & lunch. Paddlers will meet at Current River State Park at 10:00 in the morning for one hour of dry land basic skills, followed by instruction and paddling practice on the lower lake. Students will have the option to continue instruction on the river in the afternoon, paddling approximately four miles from Current River State Park to Round Spring. Instructors for this clinic are certified by the American Canoe Association. Topics to be covered include canoe and kayak equipment, rescue techniques, basic paddle strokes and maneuvers, and river safety. Kayaks and paddles will be supplied by Current River State Park. All participants are encouraged to practice safe social distancing and to wear appropriate face coverings if desired. Kayaks and paddles will be sanitized before and after the clinic in an effort to promote good hygiene. This is an open-air event. For more information or to register for one of the sessions call the Round Spring Visitor Center at 573-323-8093.