Local News – Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to an illness. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed Commissioner Gary Larson as the acting Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated grading would be done on Dent County Road 5170, the Quarry Road which is also Dent County Road 5220, and Dent County Road 6570. Purcell said grading would be done in the Gladden area on county roads 5510 and 6240 while brush would be cut on county road 6230. District 2 Commissioner Larson reported materials would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5225 and 5240, while only grading would be done on county roads 2590, 2593 and 2600. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded everyone the courthouse would be closed today for Truman’s Birthday. The commissioners did decide to solicit chip and seal bids for the summer. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. City Administrator Ray Walden said the City Wide Yard Sale went very well on Saturday and the Spring Clean-Up Weeks are currently underway this week and next week. Walden also reported on the last 2040 Salem Visionary Session as the students gave a summary of their work. Ten copies of the report of their findings will be released as a 240-page book and will also be released digitally in the next few weeks. Walden also said a Capital Improvement Committee meeting would be held in the next couple of weeks. Mayor Brad Nash asked Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon for an update on the City of Salem Alice Craig Municipal Pool and Lydon said the pool portion itself was finished and the pool house was being painted and was also nearing completion. Lydon said some concrete still needs to be poured on the deck and then the water slides will be installed. Westport Pools will begin filling the pool on May 14th and a Lifeguard training will be held May 21st through the 25th. The board approved Bill #3382 creating an ordinance to annex the Phelps County Regional Medical Center property on Highway 32-72 West, approved Bill #3383 that created an ordinance allowing the mayor to execute an agreement with Missouri Petroleum LLC for the labor, materials, equipment and insurance to apply and complete about 30,000 square yards of chip and seal, approved Bill #3384 that creates an ordinance allowing the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Insituform Technologies USA, LLC to provide services to complete the 2018 Salem Sanitary Sewer CIPP Project, approved Bill #3385 to create an ordinance allowing the mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Smith and Edwards Construction, Inc, for the City of Salem Waste Water Treatment Facility Phase 1A improvements, approved Bill #3386 amending the ordinance pertaining to the discharge of fireworks in the city park, and approved Bill #3387 to allow the mayor and city clerk to execute a Quit-Claim Deed from the City of Salem to the County of Dent for the portions of Iron Street and Water Street the county needs for the construction of their new justice center. The board approved the petition for annexation for the property known as the Al Brown Fields into the city limits, and they approved allowing the Salem Park and Recreation Department to shoot off fireworks at the Salem City Park for their opening ceremony for the softball, baseball and T-Ball season on May 24th. Mayor Brad Nash presented recommendations for all standing committees including the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Park and Recreation Board, the Finance Committee, the Community Services Committee, the Capital Improvement Committee, the Airport board and the Utility Committee. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Saturday, April 28th deputies responded to the 3000 block of Dent County Road 6280 for a report of a burglary. The door was pried open and several items were stolen. Those items include a battery-powered fan, coffee machine, stovetop peculator, battery-powered lantern and a kerosene lamp. This report is still under investigation. On Monday, April 30th, deputies received a report of forged checks. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies responded to a residence on Dent County Road 3080 for the report of a burglary. Deputies observed a window ripped from the building and the glass on the green house broken. This report is still under investigation. On Tuesday, May 1st, deputies observed an individual at a residence on West Franklin that they knew had a warrant. They made contact with the 37-year old Salem man at the house and he was arrested. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3421.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital is offering FREE comprehensive sports physicals through Friday, May 11th. The physicals are for all school aged children participating in sports activities in 2018. A parent or guardian MUST be present when the physicals are given. SMDH Family Medicine is in Physicians Office Building #3 on Highway 72 in Salem and is open from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM through Thursday, and from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday. Please call 729-8000 to schedule your time.