Local News – Wednesday, December 9th, 2020
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night in the city hall council chambers. The board accepted the bid for the purchase of scrap water and electric meters from Global Meter. The city has 2,187 scrap water meters and 2,597 scrap electric meters. The bids range from $3.20 for a 5/8 inch neptune brass bottom meter to $50 for a three inch water meter, and from $5.00 to $25.00 for the electric meters. The city received bids on a number of items for the Salem Civic Theatre. Everything Cinema, Inc. bid $8,850 to provide and install 2 by 2 black ceiling tile for the auditorium ceiling. EC Cinema Supply bid $9,227 for a sound system without speakers and wiring, $6,765 to provide and install ADA compliant Temp Safety lighting for the seating area, and bid $11,912 to provide and install a Tempo HLS Systems and dimmer for the lighting. This was a budgeted purchase and the board approved all bids for a total cost of $36,754 which came in under the $40,000 budgeted amount. The board approved the Conditional Use Permit recommended by the Salem Planning and Zoning Commission for 407 East 4th Street for the Ozark Viking Meadery. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted to thank all those who participated with displays in the “Light up the Park” and entries in the “Parade of Lights.” Walden said the utility office is open again at the city administration building but renovations continue including the widening of the drive-through lanes, and the drop-box has been moved. Completion will not be until next year due to a supplier slow down on materials. An open house will be held next year after the renovations are complete. Walden congratulated Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge on being named by the Delta Regional Authority as a fellow of the 2021 Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy. Walden discussed the city looking at a TAP grant that would help in paying for the downtown Salem Streetscape and lighting. He also said the Salem Community Center @ The Armory had 2,723 participants in November and that he is working on new personnel policies. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the utility bills for September should go out this week. The board also heard from Verbal Blakely from BHMG and what she has found with the AMI system. She said most of the issues are being whittled away, but are now just one or two meter issues where the meters are not communicating. She said the city is catching up but these individual issues are slower to correct than multiple meter problems. The board approved Resolution 20-2020 to allow the renewal of the MOU with the Salem R-80 School District to use the city hall in the case of an emergency. The board then went into closed session.
Missouri State Parks enthusiasts can share their love for state parks and historic sites with the December gift card special. A Missouri State Parks gift card is a great holiday gift for someone who loves Missouri State Parks and the outdoors, and can be used for camping reservations or state park merchandise. During this month, when purchasing a gift card of $75 or more, the purchaser will receive a free $25 gift card. This offer can only be found online and is for Missouri State Parks gift cards only. To ensure delivery by Christmas, the gift cards must be ordered by Wednesday, Dec. 16. There can only one mailing address per order. Promotional gift cards are mailed separately from purchase. Gift cards can be purchased online at mostateparks.com and also get more information on state parks and historic sites. For more holiday gift ideas, click the online store link. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reports on a number of cases heard in Dent County in Front of Judge Seay on Friday. The first case of the day involved Jo Morgan Freeman of Bourbon who pled guilty to possession of more than 35 grams of marijuana with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced to six years in the Department of Corrections as requested by the state. The next defendant was Timothy Dunn of Steelville who was previously on probation for the felony possession of a controlled substance for methamphetamine. His probation was revoked for failing to report to his parole officer. His previous suspended sentence was revoked and he was sentenced to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections Institutional Treatment Center under RSMO Section 559.115 as requested by the state. The defendant had requested five years under the same section but that request was rejected by Judge Seay. Next on the docket was Tristan Cross of Camdenton who pled guilty to two felony counts of burglary in the 2nd degree, plus a stealing charge and a felony property damage charge. Cross was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections under Section 559.115 as requested by the state. Cross had no previous criminal history prior to the conviction. In the 4th case of the day, Homer Stephens of Salem had his probation revoked. He was sentenced to serve ten years in the Department of Corrections for domestic assault in the 3rd degree and for the felony possession of a controlled substance. Stephens had previously completed a Section 559.115 program. The last case of the day featured Etheria Harris of Wentzville who was on felony DWI probation. The probation was revoked to four years in the Department of Corrections for the use of intoxicants.