Local News – Tuesday, May 10th, 2022
The City of Salem Board of Alderman will meet this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will read resolution 15-2022 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Dent County Commons for the leasing of the Commons for the 2022 Fourth of July fireworks display. The board will discuss Bill #3505 an ordinance amending the section on a temporary clerk, and Resolution #16-2022 authorizing the mayor to make an agreement between the City of Salem and the MRPC. Then the board will go over bids for a disc golf course for the Salem Parks and Recreation Department. The board will hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois and any alderman reports. The meeting tonight is open to the public.
The City of Salem Board of Adjustments will meet Wednesday evening at 6:30 at the City Hall Council Chambers. In new business they will discuss a request for a variance from height restriction for the installation of a cell tower on the property located at 1702 Doss Road. Next, they will go over the request for a variance from height restriction for the installation of proposal 80-foot sign at 1103 South Main at the Mobil Dirt Cheap location. The board will recognize anyone from the floor who wishes to speak on the subjects. The board may then go into closed session before they adjourn. The meeting Wednesday night is open to the public.
A celebration of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the riverways will be held this Saturday at several locations along the upper Current River. From 10:00 to 12:30, the lawn around the Akers Visitor Center will host information booths and exhibits about historic communities that once flourished along the river. Those with a connection to the area will share their memories and stories about life in the surrounding hills. Guided programs will continue throughout the day. Starting at 7:00 Saturday morning, Rick Mansfield from Ozark Heritage Project will lead a bird hike at Devils Well followed by a brief overview of natural and cultural history of the Devil’s Well area. At 9:00, Mansfield will continue his tour with a guided walk through the Akers Cemetery located on Route KK just east of Akers Ferry. There will be a gathering of community members and organizations from the upper Current River located at the Akers Visitor Center at 10:00, followed by an 11:00 tour of Mt. Zion Church north of Akers. Jo Schaper will discuss local geology, the stone construction of Mt. Zion Church and the mysteries of Devils Well, as well as leading a hands-on activity for kids that will teach how stones were used to construct many local buildings. Bring a picnic lunch for a noon time visit with friends and neighbors while overlooking the river at Akers. A bus will depart for Welch Spring at 12:30 where visitors will be able to take a guided hike to view Welch Spring and Hospital with a descendent of the Welch family, or enjoy a float from Welch to Akers, stopping along the way for a guided walk to the Howell-Maggard Cabin. Finally, at 5:30 visitors will gather at the Derryberry Cemetery near Cedar Grove for a history of the town with Ben Timson. Partners for this event include the Shannon County Museum, Ozark Riverways Foundation, Friends of Mt. Zion, Dent County Historical Society, Ozark Trail Association, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Ozark Heritage Project. Akers Visitor Center is located at the junction of Routes K and KK in northern Shannon County. For more information, please contact Ranger Skyler Bockman at 573-323-4905.
Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Montauk State Park Thursday evening at 6:00 in the amphitheater. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the park and its operations. Park team members will be present to provide information and to answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being held in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. Montauk State Park located at 345 County Road 6670, Salem. To learn more about this meeting, call 573-548-2201.