Local News – Thursday, June 29th, 2023

A drowning occurred Tuesday afternoon at 4:20 in Reynolds County on the Black River at Johnson’s Shut-ins. According to the water patrol report, 24-year-old Emigdio Cuevas of St. Louis was swimming in the river and began to struggle and was unable to resurface. Cuevas was pronounced dead on the scene just after 5:30 by Dr. Paul Jones from the Iron County Medical Center. Cuevas was taken by the Reynolds County Coroner to the coroner’s office. This was Troop G’s fifth drowning in 2023 compared to zero drownings this time last year.

It will be official on Monday, July 3rd, that Gary Polk has been appointed by Governor Mike Parson to fill the seat of District Two Associate Commissioner. The position was left open when Commissioner Gary Larson was appointed the presiding commissioner upon the resignation of Darrell Skiles. Polk will be sworn in Monday by Dent County Clerk Angie Curley at 8:30 with the regular meeting of the Dent County Commission at 9:00 at the courthouse.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Debbie Murphy discussed stray animal care in lieu of the new requirements being passed down by the Dent County Animal Welfare Society where they will only accept 10 animals per month immediately with an increase in cost beginning in September. The old animal shelter at the Masters Industrial Park needs work and she would like to know the city’s policies concerning the health of the animals with this change. She also spoke to the board about the city needing to be a 3rd class city and not a 4th class city with more wards and aldermen to represent the citizens. She questioned the accuracy of the census of the east and west wards, and believes the city should be more respondent to citizen concerns and be more transparent in their decisions. The city tabled Resolution #23-2023 dealing with the new requirements of the Dent County Animal Welfare Society until City Attorney James Weber can review their letter to the city. The board approved Resolution #25-2023 that featured the quote from the Wall Street Insurance Group for employee health insurance that included short-term disability insurance which came to $26,142 per month. The cost broke down to $532.91 per month/ per employee that is comprised of $450 dollars in premium and just under $83 in GAP coverage which helps reduce the deductible. The board approved the new “Rolling” Average Monthly Payment budget billing plan that will allow for a similar monthly payment that will fluctuate slightly instead of a flat rate. With the new program, customers must be in good standing with at least 12 months service at that address, have had no late or returned payments or had been disconnected, and their account must be paid up-to-date at the time of enrollment. The board approved the mobile home license application by Central Missouri Investments at 703 East Pershing. The Truman Main Properties mobile court did not pass inspection and the mobile home park at 101 North Park owned by Glen Sapaugh did not submit an application. The board approved the appointment of Patty McKeown to the Finance Committee as well as Harold Hamilton and Shelby McClain to the Salem Public Library Board. The board also approved the updated employee manual. The board heard the first reading on a number of bills ranging from electric rates changes and the time frame to use numbers from May to April for budgeting purposes, to employee manual and city code corrections to compliment each other, the new ordinance for floodplain designations and the approval of the 2024 fiscal year budget. The board approved the lease between the city and Wave Internet Technologies LLC to have equipment on the bottle rocket water tower at Condray and Tower Streets effective for one year from February 1st of this year for $100 per month. City Administrator Sally Burbridge said the city administrative office this Friday would be closing at 4:00 to close out the fiscal year and would also be closed on Tuesday, Independence Day. Mayor Greg Parker said the normal trash service will be held on July 4th and wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Independence Day. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the city will start replacing a number of water valves in town after the holiday to reduce the number of customers affected when there are water line breaks. He also said a number of electric poles need to be replaced and there have been a couple of water main breaks in the last couple of weeks. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack is asking the public to try to conserve electric usage over the next few days with the excessive heat expected. The city has put some energy saving tips on their Facebook page. If the public can help keep the city from reaching a new peak, that will help keep the city electric rates down in the future which is a win-win for everyone. Also the City of Salem and Salem Chamber of Commerce Parade will be Tuesday through downtown Salem from the SBU-Salem campus to the Dent County Courthouse. The board then went into closed session for personnel and contracts. There will be a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen today at 4:30 at the City Hall Council Chambers to have the second readings of Bill #3541 establishing a change to when future electric rate changes can be implemented; Bill #3542 establishing rates for electric services; and Bill #3552 adopting the annual budget for the City of Salem beginning July 1st, 2023. The meeting will be open to the public.

For the week of June 17th to 23rd, the Salem Police Department released these reports. On Sunday, June 18th, officers were dispatched to the area of Washington Street and Highway 32 for a report of a shoplifter that had fled a store. It was reported that a woman had stolen approximately $75 worth of merchandise. After a short investigation, a 22-year-old Salem female was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. Then on Monday evening, June 19th around 7:30, officers were dispatched to the area of Grand Street and Highway 32 for the report of a traffic crash. It was found the woman driver of the vehicle had passed out due to a drug impairment. Officers investigated and as a result, a 39-year-old Salem female was arrested for driving while being impaired. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any investigation.