Local News – Thursday, September 8th, 2022

The Salem Park and Recreation Board met Wednesday evening at 5:40 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Mayor Greg Parker and Alderman Shawn Bolerjack and Alderwoman Kala Sisco also attended the meeting. Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois reported the Flag Football program had a total of 154 registrations of which 39 children were for cheerleading, 45 were for 1st and 2nd grade flag football and 59 were for 3rd and 4th grade flag football. There were 11 more children registered for 5th and 6th grade football, but there will not be enough people for that upper level. Youth Basketball signups will be held beginning in mid-October. Dubois said the disc golf course is now complete with concrete “tee” pads, but she did say that a bridge is being requested for the far north side of the park to go from hole 7 to 8 and back to hole 9. The “Movie in the Park” sponsored by Intercounty Electric was a success as about 75 people attended and Dubois said she was able to purchase a lightly used popcorn popper from Govdeal.com for $262. The pool closed on August 20th and the kiddie pool pump will probably need to be replaced to feed water to those kiddie features. She also said the pool house flooring is looking rough as some stains will not come out. She plans on trying a heated power wash, and if that doesn’t work, she will look into different types of flooring that can be cleaned. Dubois said the “Light Up the Park” is scheduled to be held December 3rd through the 31st at the Salem City Park and asked the board if they had any new ideas such as having pictures taken with Santa or the selling of hot chocolate. No decisions were made. Dubois also said the pavilion rentals continue to be strong this year with 27 from August 1st through the end of September. Reservations can still be made at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Dubois also handed out a sheet showing totals for Youth Soccer and Summer Ball programs from 2019 through 2022. She also showed the numbers for Flag Football and Youth Basketball for the years 2018-2021. The Park Board discussed adding a new member to fill a vacancy and will recommend to the board of aldermen adding Stacy Jones at the alderman’s next meeting on September 15th. Mayor Parker said Alderman Tod Kinerk has submitted his resignation and he plans to ask the alderman to approve his appointment of Amanda Duncan to replace Kinerk at that same meeting. That would again leave the park board one member short. The board wanted to have a full board before electing officials so that was postponed until the next Park Board meeting provided Mayor Parker appoints a new member. The Park Board then went into closed session.

Missouri ‘ShakeOut’ earthquake drill is coming October 20th. Last year’s 4.0 southeast Missouri tremor reminded many that New Madrid Seismic Zone is an active earthquake zone and importance of ‘Drop, Cover, Hold On’ exercise. On November 17, 2021, southeast Missouri experienced its largest earthquake in 30 years. The magnitude 4.0 quake was centered near Poplar Bluff and was felt throughout the region, St. Louis and seven other states. It served as a reminder of the power of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of the country’s most active earthquake zones, which is centered in the Missouri Bootheel. To prepare for future earthquakes, registration is now open for the 2022 Great Central U. S. “ShakeOut” earthquake drill on October 20th. Missouri is one of 14 participating central U.S. states that could be impacted by a New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said that last year’s 4.0 earthquake reminded us that Missouri is home to a large and active seismic zone and that Earthquakes occur without warning, so it’s important to participate in the ShakeOut drill and practice now, so you know exactly what to do when an earthquake occurs. At 10:20 the morning of Thursday, October 20th, hundreds of thousands of Missourians will practice the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique, which includes dropping to your hands and knees, covering your head and neck with your hands and arms under a table or desk if you can, and holding on until the shaking stops. Studies show that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injuries in an earthquake. Experts advise that when an earthquake occurs in the U.S., dropping, covering and holding on is the best way to protect yourself from falling debris. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri, is one of the most active earthquake zones in the country, averaging more than 200 small quakes per year. In 1811 and 1812, this zone produced some of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history. A major earthquake in this area would be felt not only in Missouri, but throughout the Midwest, and could cause widespread damage in southern and eastern Missouri, including the St. Louis area. To learn more about earthquakes in Missouri and how to prepare, visit sema.dps.mo.gov.

Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reports on a case heard in front of Judge Megan Seay in Crawford County Wednesday. His report indicates Joseph King of Salem pled guilty to failing to register a new residential address in Dent County as a sex offender within the three days allowed by Megan’s Law. King was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.

Montauk State Park will be hosting Veteran’s Free Fishing Day this Saturday. This free fishing day is sponsored by Project Healing Waters in partnership with Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri State Parks to provide veterans free access to trout fishing. Veterans can pick up their free trout tag from the Project Healing Waters booth located in the park. For more information, call 573-548-2201.