Local News – Tuesday, January 17th, 2023

Mayor Greg Parker of the City of Salem has called a special meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen for Wednesday evening at 5:30 to hold an open Public Hearing on the proposed General Sales Tax before discussing Bill #3532 which would create an ordinance calling for an election on a revenue bond questions for the City of Salem; and to discuss Bill #3533 that would create an ordinance asking the voters of the City of Salem during the Municipal Election on April 4th whether the city should impose a general sales tax of one percent for the General Revenue Fund. The special meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 North Washington and it will be open to the public.

Beginning this year, ExplorUS, formally Ortega National Parks, will manage the lodging, dining, retail and banquet facilities at the Echo Bluff State Park. ExplorUS is a hospitality management company operating in parks across the country. Echo Bluff was established more than 85 years ago as a summer youth camp called Camp Zoe. It is now a year-round outdoor destination where visitors create memories as they experience all the Ozarks have to offer. The impressive lodge is just five years old and features hotel rooms and cabins, meeting space, a dining room and retail area. ExplorUS is thrilled to add Echo Bluff to its portfolio and has committed to adding new activities and events, such as girls’ getaways, stargazing, art and craft shows, and more. ExplorUS. is excited to start developing new programs that will interest Missouri patrons and draw new travelers to the area and are especially happy that many of the previous employees have chosen to stay with the company, which should assist with a smooth transition for those folks that frequent the hotel and restaurant on an annual basis. ExplorUS is dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique environments and precious resources of the sites where it operates, allowing guests and future generations to experience the beauty, serenity and splendor of local, state and national parks. It provides concession services at 50 locations nationwide, including four other Missouri State parks that include Lake of the Ozarks, Montauk, Sam A. Baker and Lake Wappapello. Rooms and cabins are available for rent year-round. More information can be found at echobluffstatepark.com or by calling 855-999-6980. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $50,000 Clean Water Engineering Report Grant to the city of Viburnum to evaluate the city’s wastewater system. The department’s Clean Water Engineering Report Grant program offers funding to small communities for wastewater engineering costs incurred during preparation of a facility plan report. The city will use the grant to develop the report, intended to identify wastewater system improvements needed to continue reliable services to the area, meet permit requirements and reduce inflow and infiltration of stormwater into sewer collection pipes. The facility plan should be complete in June of 2024. The department is committed to assisting Missouri communities with water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects. Through its Financial Assistance Center, the department provides funding opportunities for qualified communities with water quality, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needs. This project will be funded wholly or in part with monies received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will meet tonight at 6:00 at the hospital library. The board will hear the summary of operations and statistics for the month of December as well as the Chief Nursing Officer report, a report on the 340B drug program, get a staffing update and discuss the hospital foundation. After the Chief of Staff’s report, old business will be addressed including the kitchen drain proposal, the clinic architect, election filings and strategic planning update. In New Business, the board will discuss the predesigned Alternate Home Health Administrator appointment and purchases. The board may vote to go into closed session. The meeting tonight is open to the public.