Local News – Wednesday, January 8th, 2020
The Salem Board of Aldermen held a meeting Monday at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board heard from City Administrator Ray Walden. He thanked everyone that organized and participated in the holiday events this year. For the month of December the Salem Community Center @ the Armory reported a total of 3,867 participants. With the recent utility bill cycle changes Walden invited citizens to call the utility office at 729-4117 if they have any questions. He reported that Salem has been selected to participate in an MS&T Project Management class and projects for the students to work on are being identified. Walden announced that a Workforce Development grant has been approved and a building will be constructed at the Salem R-80 School to house the construction trade and cyber security classes. The city office will be closed on Monday, January 20th for the Martin Luther King holiday and the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21st. The board approved a trailer park license for the Park Street Trailer Park located at 101 S. Park Street. Bill No. 3436, an ordinance addressing the canceling of meetings due to emergencies or inclement weather was approved. Also approved was Resolution No. 1-2020 addressing the closing of city offices due to inclement weather and how staff time is accounted for. Economic Development Director, Sally Burbridge, explained the need to list property prices when listing acreage for sale on state websites. The board approved drafting a resolution and establishing a policy on the sale of acreage in the Master’s Industrial Park. Mayor Brad Nash recommended and the board approved appointing Wanda Henson to the Salem Housing Authority Board to fill the unexpired term of Madonna Mosely. Nash also requested and received approval to appoint Bob Jenkins and Leah Nash to the Park and Recreation Board. The board then went into closed session to discuss real estate, contracts and personnel.
A two vehicle accident happened Monday afternoon at around 3:20 in Dent County on Route C at the Texas County line. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country being driven by 70-year old Gary Cassier of Lenox was southbound and was attempting to make a left turn into a private drive when he was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford F-250 driven by 18-year old Wyatt Lundy of Licking. A passenger in the Chrysler, 46-year old Larry Krewson of Lenox, was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Chrysler sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene while the Ford received minor damage and was driven from the scene. According to the report, all involved were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.
The Salem Police Department has released reports for December 29th and 30th. Sunday morning, the 29th, at approximately 8:27 an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of South Hickory in reference to a burglary. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown entered a residence by force and took two firearms. The firearms were identified as a Taurus 357 caliber pistol valued at $700.00 and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun valued at $250. The report is under investigation. That afternoon at about 4:20 an officer located a 56-year-old female of Salem in the 800 block of East Hunt who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released with a new date to appear in court after posting bond. Later that evening at approximately 7:26, an officer located a 41-year-old male of Salem in the 100 block of North Henderson who had an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. Finally on Monday morning, December 30th at approximately 10:33, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to identity theft. The investigation of the report revealed a person or persons unknown took out a loan for $3,138.35 in the name of another without consent. The report is under investigation. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any investigation.