Local News – Thursday, September 2nd, 2021
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held their tax rate hearing for the year 2021 and fiscal year 2022 Tuesday afternoon at noon via Zoom. Chief Financial Officer Doug Hogan presented the assessed valuations for 2020 and 2021 for real estate and personal property. In 2020, the real property assessed valuation was $189,658,299 and personal property came in at $68,611,997 for a total of $258,270,296. In 2021, the assessed valuation for real estate property was $192,139,394 with personal property valued at $70,357,485 for a total of $262,496,879. These assessed valuations come from all of Dent County and portions of Crawford, Iron and Shannon counties. Last year, the tax rate was at 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation which generated $628,294 for capital projects for the hospital which are comprised of the building and campus, property and equipment. The maximum rate allowed by the state auditor’s office is still 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The board approved staying with the maximum rate of 24 cents per $100 assessed valuation for 2021 that will generate $629,992. The hospital approved the resolution that included the tax rate and stipulated the board did not elect to take a voluntary reduction for the 2021 year. The hearing and meeting were then adjourned.
It’s time to saddle up for the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Rodeo this Saturday and Sunday evenings starting at 7:30 each evening at The Commons on Highway 72. The gate opens at 5:00 and the Base Enterprise Carnival will be in the barn starting at 5:00 as well. There will be numerous vendors and a concession stand will be available on the grounds. Each nights’ activities will kick off with the Parade of Sponsors Flags prior to the National Anthem. Those attending will have the opportunity to salute our Veterans by wearing your Red, White and Blue attire. In addition to the traditional rodeo events, you will be treated to the calf scramble for kids 10-years of age and under, Blake Skaggs Mini Buckers and the half-time show featuring The Rawhide and Dusty Show. Tickets in advance are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for kids ages 5 to 11. Advance ticketsare available at the Salem Chamber/VisitorsCenter, and all local banks including The Bank of Salem, Town & Country Bank-Salem, Progressive Ozark Bank, and Riverways Federal Credit Union at both the Salem and Rolla locations. At the gate admission each night will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids 5 to 11. Everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy the fun and competition.
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2021 Labor Day weekend. It’s everyone’s responsibility to travel safely and observe all Missouri road laws. In Missouri, 18 people died and 463 were injured in 1,041 traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day holiday. This means one person was killed or injured every 9.7 minutes. Troopers arrested 146 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2021 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 this Friday evening through 11:59 Monday night, September 6th. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. Troopers on the roadways will be enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. The public is encouraged to call the + or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.
Missouri State Parks invites the public to begin their archery journey by attending hands-on courses at Echo Bluff State Park. Course will be held September 18th from 2:00 until 4:00, and October 16th from 10:00 until noon. Participants may register for the August course beginning July 3rd. This program is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of archery and atlatl throwing. The Learn2 Aim courses offer two hours of free instruction and are open to ages 10 and older. Registration is required and all slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Missouri State Parks provides the equipment, including bows, atlatls, targets and expertise, in a safe environment. Participants should bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn a historical skill. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and closed-toed shoes. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents and guardians do not have to participate but must be on hand to provide adult supervision. Participants should be comfortable around bows and atlatls. All Missouri State Park rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented event; alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Program.