Local News – Tuesday, July 17th, 2018
An accident happened Sunday evening at 8:45 in Dent County on Highway 32 about seven miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 35-year old Brandon Berry of St. James driving a 2016 Ford Fusion eastbound, failed to negotiate a curve and the Fusion traveled off the roadway, struck a rock bluff and then overturned off the roadway. Berry was ejected from the vehicle and suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. Berry was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department, Dent County Fire Protection District and the Salem EMS. The Fusion was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated West Contracting was finishing up a number of chip and seal projects in the district. They should be done with their work early this week. Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5110, 6220, 6280 and 6283, while brush would be cut on county road 6010. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated materials would be added and grading done on county roads 3250 and 4280, while patch grading on numerous roads in the Sligo area are being done after the heavy rain over the weekend. Larson also said that one of his operators would continue to load the chips for West Contracting for the chip and seal work. Another man would be hauling gravel to the shop to stockpile. Presiding Commission Darrell Skiles wanted to report that he has been in communication with the City of Salem concerning filling the Economic Development Director position. He said it has taken longer than expected but Skiles said he feel they have been moving forward and are very close to filling the position. Of course, he added, that the final decision on any recommendation belongs to the city with the final approval by the Board of Aldermen. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting continues and she reminds everyone to update your voting information if you have moved or had trouble voting last time. If you have any questions, call her office at 729-4144. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Pedestrians and a vehicle were involved in an accident Tuesday, July 3rd at approximately 5:34 pm in the Dollar General Parking. According to the Salem Police Department report a 2012 Ford F-250 owned and operated by Matthew Fleener of Salem was parked facing north. Two pedestrians were passing behind the Ford pushing a stroller with an occupant. The Ford started backing from the parked position colliding with the stroller. The occupant of the stroller sustained minor injuries and was transported by Salem Ambulance to SMDH. No other injuries or damages were reported.
The Salem Board of Aldermen met for their regular meeting Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to vacate an undeveloped portion of South Oak Street between Franklin and East Hunt Street. This will be brought up as a n ordinance at the next meeting. Alderman Ken Nash discussed making a tougher nuisance ordinance or make it more enforceable to help clean up the town. He said he gets most of his calls about property in disarray, with high grass or in disrepair and nothing is happening. For homes unsafe, Nuisance Officer Jared Brown has to try to locate the owner, give them a chance to make repairs or clean it up before turning the case over to the city attorney. City Attorney William Camm Seay said he found out there was money in the budget to update old nuisance ordinances and he will get with Dan Vogel and get that process going. He said many people with high grass will just allow the city to cut it and put the charges on their tax bill. City Administrator Ray Walden said people will begin to be able to sign up for the new utility programs very soon. He said the proposed sewer rate public hearing will be Monday, July 30th at 6:00 to be followed by a special Board of Aldermen meeting. Walden explained to the board that some employees have taken vacation in advance of earning their extended leave time which creates a negative balance. This is fine if this is a medical condition, but not for an elective vacation. He would like to amend the current ordinance that all vacation leave would need to be approved, and that no advance vacation can create a negative leave balance. The board approved his request to amend the ordinance at the next meeting. Walden also handed out the annual budget for the City of Salem for the July 2018-June 2019 fiscal year to the alderman and media. The budget is available to the public at the City Administrative offices. The board approved setting the 2018 Public Tax Rate Hearing to be held at the August 20th regular meeting. The board then went into closed session.