Local News – Wednesday, April 21st, 2021
An accident happened in Dent County at 4:30 Monday afternoon on Highway 32 about 15 miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Hyundai Elantra driven westbound by 40-year-old Deanna Helms of Viburnum, went off the north side of the roadway and Helms overcorrected, the vehicle then went off the south side of the road where the Hyundai struck an embankment. Helms suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur by Air Evac Air Ambulance. A passenger in the Hyundai, 23-year-old Brittany Helms of Viburnum, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Iron County Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat restraint. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.
The City of Salem held their Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Mark Bottomley asked for additional lighting to be installed at the Roadside Park for security purposes. Public Works Director Mark Nash will look into the matter. Also heard was Ted and Crystal Kiddy requesting additional no parking and children at play signs on North Jackson Street and an alley near their residence. Speeding is also an issue on this street and Chief Joe Chase will assign officers to do a traffic study in the morning and afternoon to survey the problem. Teresa Stark once again discussed the continued loud music, fire burning and other ordinance and building violations of her neighbor. Chief Chase explained that his department has enforced all ordinance violations. Attorney Webber advised Ms. Stark to contact law enforcement and file complaints that will then be given to his office for possible violations. Temporary City Clerk, Tammy Koller read Bill #3476 an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to sign all documents to enter into a lease purchase funding agreement with Signature Public Funding Corporation for guaranteed energy savings project improvements recently included in Resolution #4-2021. This project would have made improvements to city owned buildings that reduce utility consumption, maintenance costs and operation costs. The bill did not get a vote due to lack of a second by the board. Then Bill #3477 regarding the mayor signing and executing task order #10 pertaining to the Phase 2 Improvements to the wastewater treatment facility was tabled due to an error noted during the reading. The board approved the canvassing of the election results that confirmed the position of East Ward Alderman went to Shawn Bolerjack and the West Ward Aldermanic seat went to Kenny Nash. Mayor Brad Nash presented outgoing West Ward Alderman Kevin James with an appreciation plaque and James thanked everyone that supported him as he tried to support the citizens of Salem during his tenure on the City Council. Koller gave the oath of office to Bolerjack and Nash. The board approved making East Ward Alderman Kim Shelton the President of the Board of Alderman. City Administrator Ray Walden explained that the city has received inquiries from utility customers asking how the city plans to handle utility billing given the recent extreme weather event in February. Staff have been compiling information on available options to present to the city’s Utility Committee. The city’s electric provider MPUA has made arrangements for the city to pay the $1.3 million over a 24-month period. The city could also pay the total out of reserves. Governor Parson has made a supplemental budget request for a $50 million loan fund to allow citizen-led utilities to borrow for up to five years without interest to address the impact of the February storm. Mayor Nash asked, and Walden clarified that no citizen will be asked to pay up to six times their normal utility bill to make up for the storm usage which has been rumored about town. Walden reported that this month’s billing will be for January 9th to February 8th. He reported that the city’s sales tax has come in above budget in every fund and he thanked the citizens for shopping locally. The City Wide Yard Sale will be held Saturday, May 1st and that parking spaces are still available at the City Administration parking lot at 4th and Iron Streets for $8 per space. To reserve a space, call the city hall at 729-4811. The City Wide spring cleanup week for extra trash will be May 3rd through 7th and May 10th through the 14th. The meeting was then adjourned.
Congratulations goes out to these Salem High School SCA Choir members for being named to the SCA Honor Choir. They include Micah Bobbitt, Eli Brakensiek, Kaitlyn Brooks, Audrey Crocker, Avery Erway, Christian Fredrickson, Christopher Harris, Irvin Johnson, Neely Leathers, Alyssa Russell, Gabrielle McDonald, McKenzie Norfolk, Annabelle Pryor, Miles Skaggs, Savannah Skaggs and Bryce Stewart.
“Take Back Day” for unused and expired medications will be this Saturday, April 24th, at Country Mart and Walmart parking lots. The event will be from 10:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon. “Take Back Day” is sponsored by a partnership with the DEA, Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department, and Health Dent County Prevention Coalition.