Local News – Wednesday, July 1st, 2020

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting Tuesday evening at the Salem City Hall Council Cambers. At the meeting, the board approved remodeling the city administrative office to turn the utility office counter around as well as install glass and a door. The bid of 16,041 from Total Security System out of Fowlerville, Michigan was approved to provide the Level 3 door and Bullet Resistant Glazing was approved, as was the bid from Prock Operations doing business as For Your Convenience out of Rolla for the laminated millwork, Level 2 Armorcore, countertops, fabrication, installation and delivery for $29,978. The board then approved Bill #3452 that adopted an annual budget for the City of Salem for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1st, 2020 and ending June 30th, 2021. The budget, submitted by City Administrator Ray Walden, showed anticipated revenues of $12,860,186 and anticipated expenditures of $12,791,822 with intergovernmental transfers of $2,197,462. The proposed budget was approved without changes by the board unanimously. City Clerk Mary Happel reported that two of the three trailer courts have submitted their applications for license renewal. Those two were the Finest Place on Truman and the trailer court owned by central Missouri Investments on Pershing. Building Inspector Jared Brown reported to Happel that each of the trailer courts needed to have some minor repairs done, but he felt confident the work would be done quickly. Another trailer park on Park Street did not submit their application for renewal. The Salem Public Library Board was short a person after Sarah Swindell resigned and Mayor Brad Nash appointed Liz Condray to replace Swindell. The board approved the appointment. The board discussed the setting of the airport hanger rates for the next year. The first discussion centered on the fact that all of the board members of the Airport Board are renters of the hangers and the board felt that was a conflict of interest in the setting of the reasonable rates as at market value. It was asked when the terms of some of the members of the boards were up and Mayor Nash said some were up. The chair of the Airport Board, Rachel Hinderliter, made a motion requesting the current rates be used from July 1st, 2020 until December 31st, 2020. She said she plans on holding some meetings to discuss the hanger rates once Mayor Nash finds residents to serve on the board. The board approved setting the rates for those six months. The meeting was then adjourned.

A one vehicle accident happened Monday night shortly before 11:30 in Phelps County on Route F about four miles east of Highway 72. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2000 Ford Ranger being driven westbound by 17-year old Kolby Flathers of St. James, struck a donkey in the roadway. Flathers and a passenger, 19-year old Pacey Hopwood of St. James, were both transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla for the treatment of minor injuries. Both occupants were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Ron Dishman’s Towing.

The Salem Police Department reports that between the dates June 12th and June 19th and there were a total of 142 calls for service. Officers with the Salem Police Department conducted 32 traffic stops for various traffic violations with three of the stops resulted in summonses being issued. On Friday, June 12th just after 4:30 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to the 1400 block of South Gertrude for a report of a trespasser. After an investigation, the trespasser was found to have an active warrant for his arrest out of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, the 31-year-old Salem man was arrested and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. Later that same night at approximately 11:40, an officer was dispatched to the 600 block of East Gibbs for a report of an assault. It was reported that two intoxicated males had shown up at the residence arguing about issues between the parties. During an argument one of the males struck the resident in the eye. The resident wished to pursue charges on the incident and reported that the male had fled the residence prior to law enforcement arrival. This incident is still under investigation. On Wednesday, June 17th at approximately 4:52 in the afternoon, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department for a report of a stolen bicycle. It was reported that a black 24 inch ladies “Retro” bicycle was taken off the deck of a residence on Key Lane. The bicycle was valued at $100. This incident is under investigation. And finally, shortly before 8:00 on the evening on Friday the 19th, an officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of West Franklin Street for a report of a civil dispute. It was reported that during the dispute a 37-year-old Salem female had struck the victim in the face. The victim wished to pursue charges for domestic assault. Further investigation led to the 37-year old woman being arrested and later released on a summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

A two vehicle accident happened Saturday evening at 6:20 on Interstate 44 near the 193.2 eastbound mile marker. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 1997 Ford Ranger being driven by 30-year old Codie Kruger of Rolla, hydroplaned stopping across the highway and was then struck by a 2021 International school bus being driven by 24-year old Floyd Celestine of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kruger suffered serious injuries and was transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. Both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Ranger was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. The bus sustained moderate damage and was towed by I-44 Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District board of directors will be meeting Tuesday, July 7th, at 6:00 PM at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and call to order, the board will review minutes from the May meeting then hear the financial report and approve bills. The board will then review the calendar and hear the monthly reimbursement report before addressing old and new business. The board will then hear various reports before setting the date for the next meeting. The meeting is open to the public.