Local News – Wednesday, August 21, 2019

The Salem Board of Aldermen regular meeting was held Monday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. In the hearing of persons, Julie Malone from the Salem Memorial District Hospital was in to request the closing of 4th Street on October 1st from noon to about 12:15 to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. The alderman suggested that instead of closing the streets on Tuesday, October 1st, the walk would have a police escort instead. Malone agreed to that and the alderman approved the request to hold the walk. The board approved the budgeted purchase of two Dodge Ram pickups for the building inspector and the nuisance officer for $22,407 each by a 3-1 vote. The board approved the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to allow the property at 600 North Main owned by Glen Sapaugh to be used for a used car lot to be operated by Jim Chafin. The board recommended that cars only be allowed on the western half of lots 17 and 18. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank the electric and street departments for the extra work on Friday in clearing trees from the roads and restoring power to virtually everyone in Salem. If you still don’t have power, please call 729-4117. Walden also remind citizens that when the electric goes out, do not open your refrigerator or freezer as they can keep food cool or cold for a long time before they warm up. Walden wanted to remind everyone that last Economic Development Strategic Plan Workshop will be this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room on 4th Street. He said the City Administrative Offices would be closed on September 2nd for Labor Day and the next meeting of the Board of Aldermen would be on Tuesday, September 3rd at 7:00. The board approved Bill #3427 that amended the ordinance for the firing off of fireworks in the city, approved Resolution #20-2019 that stated the city intended on seeking funding through the Community Development Block Grant for the Construction Trades and the new Cybersecurity Technology building. The board went on to approve Bill #21-2019 that would authorize Mayor Brad Nash to sign a contract between the city and Riverways Federal Credit Union for consulting services on their “Welcome Home Program“ for property improvement. The board did not act on Resolution #19-2019 that dealt with the policies and procedures for the hanger rental, hanger usage, fuel pricing and other airport policies. Further discussion between the Airport Board, Board of Aldermen members and Attorney William Camm Seay will be held before the resolution is reintroduced to the board. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem Police has released some reports. On Sunday morning, August 4th, shortly after midnight, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. An investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 44-year-old female of Salem for the possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Later that afternoon near 3:10, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of West Second Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. The investigation revealed a 21-year-old female of Salem was threatening and acting violent toward the residents. A further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for disorderly conduct and failure to obey a lawful order of a police officer. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday afternoon, August 5th at around 2:00, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a stolen debit card. That investigation revealed the victim received a notice that someone had attempted to use his card to make purchases and it was declined. The victim found that his card had been stolen. An officer went to the locations where the attempts to use the card were made and recovered video surveillance and identified the suspect. The investigation led to the arrest of a 21-year-old male of Salem for the fraudulent use of a credit card. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday morning, August 7th at around 9:46, an officer was dispatched to a traffic accident at the Dent County Health Center. The investigation of the crash revealed a 2001 Chevrolet Truck driven by a 57-year-old male of Salem had run into the Dent County Health building. A further investigation led to the arrest of the driver for driving while being intoxicated, driving while having his license revoked, driving without insurance and not having his vehicle licensed. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. No injuries were reported. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.