Local News – Wednesday, April 7th, 2021

A municipal election was held Tuesday in Dent County and a total of 522 voters cast ballots for only 9.89% of the 5,278 registered voters. The unofficial results are as follows:

* indicates winners

CITY OF SALEM EAST WARD ALDERMAN:

Shawn Thomas Bolerjack*    70 votes
Jerry (Jay) Gibbs                   48 votes
Kala Sisco                             50 votes

CITY OF SALEM WEST WARD ALDERMAN:

Kevin James                         99 votes
Kenneth Nash*                   104 votes

SALEM R-80 SCHOOL BOARD: (two elected)

Chris Heavin*                     276 votes
Phillip Mercer                     168 votes
Ronald Quick                       45 votes
Steven Patterson*              281 votes

GREEN FOREST R-2 SCHOOL BOARD: (two elected)

Ashlee Cunningham            15 votes
Michael Jones*                    49 votes
Dee Moser*                         45 votes

 

The City of Salem held their Board of Aldermen meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Tyler Naramore, a representative for the Airport Board, discussed the funding needed for the airport lighting project. The lights have not been fully operational since 2016 and this is a safety issue. Public Works Director Mark Nash presented three bids to repair the runway lights and the board approved the low bid from McNew Electric for $14,700. This project is estimated to begin April 12th. Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois presented bids to purchase a John Deere compact tractor that included a $10,000 discount for trade in of three of the older tractors. With recommendation by the Park and Recreation Board, the Aldermen approved the purchase of the new 2020 John Deere. DuBois also asked for approval to purchase a 2021 Polaris Ranger UTV that would have been used by the Park and Receation Department as well as other departments. This request was not approved by the board as no motion was made for the approval. City Administrator Ray Walden requested and the board approved the scheduling of the City Wide pickup of extra trash on May 3rd through 7th and May 10th through the 14th. Walden said the City Wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 1st with parking lot spaces being available at the city administration office for $8. To reserve a spot call 729-4811 and more than one spot may be reserved. The spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. Walden reported that the city has been awarded a LWCF grant to create a soccer field complex as well as a TAP grant to improve the sidewalk and lighting on Fourth Street. Utility bills were mailed out Monday for the December 10th to January 9th period. Anyone not receiving a bill by this Friday should call the utility office at 729-4117. Walden wanted the public to be aware of a phone scam that has been reported where callers are posing as the City Utility Office and asking for social security numbers. If contacted, please do not give out sensitive personal information of any kind. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory had 5,020 participants during the month of March. Jeff Meadows with Archer Elgin Engineers gave an update on the current and recently completed projects. A total of 16 projects were reviewed including the improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Route J and Highway 72 Sewer Extension; the Westwood/Ballpark Lift Stations; Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP); TAP grant sidewalk project at Armory and ballfields; MoDOT ADA Self-Assessment; Downtown Revitalization TAP project; Water Well #8; the Soccer Field LWCF grant plan; Highway 19 South Annexation and sewer extension; Industrial Certified Site Certification at Industrial Park; the Water Tower painting at Industrial Park; Pre-Treatment Ordinance and Sanitary Sewer Flow Meter study. The board approved Bill #3474 amending the ordinance covering the temporary city clerk position, Resolution #5-2021 that authorizes the mayor to terminate the agreement between the City of Salem and Riverways Federal Credit Union for consultant services, and Bill #3475 authorizing the mayor to execute a task order pertaining to the agreement between the City of Salem and C.M. Archer Group, P.C. to perform described services on the project named Wastewater Pre-Treatment Program Engineering Report. The meeting was then adjourned.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 3:26 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about four miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevy Impala driven southbound by 20-year-old Autumn Bailey of Licking, failed to yield while making a left-hand turn to a 2003 Toyota Sienna driven northbound by 17-year-old male juvenile from Rolla. The vehicles struck nearly head-on. Bailey suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by the Phelps Health Ambulance in Rolla. Everyone involved was wearing a seat restraint. The Chevy was totaled and removed from the scene by Tunes Wrecker Service while the Sienna sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by D&D Recovery.