Local News – Tuesday, March 19th, 2019

According to a release by the Doe Run Company, 58-year old Jerry Baker of Salem, an employee at the Doe Run’s Resource Recycling facility in Boss, was fatally injured at the company’s recycling plant Saturday evening. According to the release, Baker sustained injuries that appear to be related to a fall from a catwalk in the waste loadout area of the plant. An employee of the plant found Baker unconscious and unresponsive. Emergency rescue personnel were immediately notified and pronounced Baker dead at the scene. He was transported to Iron County by the county coroner. The Doe Run Company release indicates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident to determine the cause.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. The commissioners were thrilled with the turnout at the Parc Expose’ downtown Saturday morning for the “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood” race as well as the amount of fans at the spectator points. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5600, 6400, 6410 and 6460. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4010, 4380 and 4480. He also said grading only would be done on county roads 2050 and 4020. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the county clerk and all three commissioners attended the South Central County Commissioner Association meeting in Houston Friday and said Jay Ashcroft was the guest speaker. He spoke about the impacts of Amendment 1 that passed and how that could do some serious redistricting with counties that are not even contiguous with each other. There was also a discussion on the growing feral hog problem in the state. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said Wednesday is the last day to request mailing out an absentee ballot, and that the voting machines will be tested this morning at 9:00. She went on to say that Friday afternoon, she will be at the Salem High School for Government Day and she will hold voter registration while she is there. Commissioner Skiles may also attend if he is available. Mary Beth Cook approached the commission to request an additional three hours of their grant hours they receive from their MRPC membership for the creation of the 501 C 3 application that is being sent to the IRS for the Missouri Center for Cyber Security Excellence. The commissioners approved her request and that brings the mount of hours donated by the county to six with the City of Salem donating three hours. Any remaining billed hours will be paid for by the Dent County Community Foundation. Former Dent County Collector Dennis Medlock brought in the Collectors Annual Settlement Information Sheet for the year ended February 28th that showed all the funds balanced. Total collections and distributions in 2018 were $7,839,931.41 and that was about $15,000 less than last year, but Medlock said that was due to the courthouse being closed on February 28th due to the ice storm. The next commissioner meeting will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening for their regular meeting at the city hall council chambers. In the hearing of bids, the board approved the bid from Wayde’s Equipment of Cuba for a mower with attachment for field use only for$13,367.72. They also approved the purchase of a heavy weight Western 10-foot snow plow blade from Knapheide in Jefferson City for $6,899. No decision was made on the request by Black’s A-1 Septic, LLC to use the Waste Water Treatment Plant as Mr. Black has not provided the needed chemical sheets. Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon presented the report on the Park Board meeting on March 5th. The board approved raising the Family Pool Pass to $160 and an additional fee of $45 for each additional family member. Also the Youth Baseball, Softball and T-Ball signups are going on now for $25 per child at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. City Administrator Ray Walden said the Community Center had 4,312 participants in February. An economic development workshop will be held March 28th at 5:30 at the fire station. The board approved Bill #3410 that authorized the mayor to sign an agreement to provide $1,000 to Salem 2019 Project Graduation Committee for services rendered. The board approved the request by Lydon to apply for the Summer Food Service program Grand for the Summer Camp Program and all children 18 and under in need. The board approved selling two dump trucks before they adjourned.