Local News – Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. The commission congratulated the Salem High School Class of 2023 on their graduation on Sunday. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 4220, 5390, 6480, 6490 and 6650. He said a man would be going to Springfield to get oil for chip and seal repair while another was assisting District 2 in hauling rock for the work on the Department of Conservation roads. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson gave the District 2 report and said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2533 and 2550 while only grading would be done on county roads 2510, 2580, 2610 and 2613. He also said materials would be added to county road 2320 and brush was being cut on county road 2050. Both commissioners said work crews were getting the roads to the cemeteries ready for the Memorial Day weekend and Decoration Day. In the presiding commissioner report, Larson said the Republican Committee of Dent County interviewed persons who submitted their interest in becoming 2nd District Commissioner that included Gary Polk, Sean Collins and Jimmy Williams. The commission opened the only bid they received for performing a financial audit for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022 which will be done in 2024. The bid from Daniel Jones and Associates, CPA was for $27,800. The bid was approved by the commission. They also agreed to put out bids for chip and seal work for the county that will be due in by 10:00 the morning of June 15th. At the last meeting, the commission met with Matt Lloyd and Jeremy Cook from Caterpillar in regards to the issues the county is having with their Cat graders and how the issue is going to be resolved. The commissioners will not be meeting on Monday, May 29th for Memorial Day. They will be meeting on Thursday, June 1st but they will not meet again until Monday, June 12th due to vacations and other commitments. The next meeting will be this Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education met in closed session Thursday evening where they granted four student appeals. They also approved the employment of Jackson Mitchell as a high school teacher and assistant football coach, Tomi Black as a high school teacher, Jessika Gray as a middle school cheer coach, Amanda Walker as a middle school teacher, Lisa Mast as the Special Education Director, Leslie Jones as an upper elementary teacher, Alaena Tyler as an upper elementary teacher, Hayden Harris as the winter sports cheer coach, Kimberly Thompson as a high school teacher, Neal Myers as the varsity track coach, Rebekah Hayes as the varsity softball coach and middle school girls basketball, Will Hubbs as the varsity cross country coach, Hannah Brown as an upper elementary teacher, Deanna Atkinson as the varsity volleyball coach and Rockey Wade as the assistant middle school track coach. The board made a motion to approve Frances Tomnitz as an ECSE teacher contingent on their certification being achieved. The board approved employing a student summer assistant for the tech department.
An accident happened Sunday afternoon around 2:40 on Iron County Road 1 about a mile east of Viburnum. According to the highway patrol report, a 1993 Honda Fourtrax ATV being operated by 13-year-old male juvenile of Viburnum was traveling west when the ATV traveled off the left side of road in a curve causing it to strike an embankment, ejecting the teen. He was flown by Air Evac to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The ATV had minor damage and was removed from the scene by Blackies Towing. The report went on to state that the teen was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.
The Salem Board of Aldermen will meet this evening at the City Hall Council Chambers beginning at 6:00. After the consent agenda is approved, the board will discuss Resolution #20-2023 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Huntington Bank for the lease of a 2022 Ford Terex TL48 bucket truck a lease of $2,512.09 per month for five years. This truck is replacing a 2010 Ford F-550 with over 59,000 miles with an unknown amount of hours. The board will discuss the ‘Welcome Home” bid for 803 West Glendale Street and then discuss Resolution #21-2023 authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement between R Conway Construction, LLC, the City of Salem and John Mooney, owner of the property at 803 West Glendale. The board will discuss the ‘Welcome Home” bid for 708 East Fourth Street and then discuss Resolution #22-2023 which allows the mayor to enter into an agreement between Mid Missouri Renovations, the City of Salem, and Jacquelene Halbrook, the owner of 708 East Fourth Street. The board will hear the first reading of Bill #3539 that would create an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign and execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Hogan’s Inc. for contact tank painting services to Well #2 and Well #4. The board will hear reports from city officials before going into closed session to discuss personnel. The meeting tonight is open to the public.