Local News – Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo kicks off today with Tuesday’s Exhibit Entries being judged starting this morning at 10:00. Then this evening at 6:00 will be the Dessert Auction. On Thursday, livestock registration will be from 9:30 until 11:30 and all livestock must be in place by 11:00. Market steer weigh-in is scheduled to start at 12:30 followed by the lamb and goat weigh-in. Market Hogs will be weighed-in starting at 3:30. The exhibitor and family supper will be at 6:00 followed by the “Pig Pals” show at 7:00. Friday’s shows will kick off at 7:00 with the hog show, followed by the Sheep and Goat Show. The Small Animal show is scheduled to start at 1:00 and it will be followed by the Beef and Dairy Show. Saturday will be the culmination of the Expo with the 4-H and FFA Market Sale at 9:00. For additional information contact the Dent County Extension office at (573) 729-3196.

The City of Salem’s Utility Committee will meet tonight at 6:15 at the Community Center @ The Armory. After the welcome and roll call will be the financial review. Emailing and/or mailing utility bills will be updated along with the MMMPEP Committee. A letter of support will be considered followed by a Utility Operations update. Water testing will be discussed followed by questions and comments. The meeting was called by Utility Committee Chair Kyle Williams.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved Resolution #24-2023 authorizing the mayor and Board of Aldermen to approve an agreement with the Dent County Collector, county commission and county treasurer for the collection of personal property and real estate taxes due the City of Salem and Salem Public Library for the annual price of $18,500 for the 2023 through 2026 years. The board approved a letter signed by the mayor and the board to support a grant application for providing low-cost renewable energy through the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. If the grant would be approved, the board would support the construction of new solar farms for the cities served through the MPUA that could be integrated into the city’s wholesale system. The board approved the recommendation by Lochner for BuildTec Construction LLC to provide all labor, materials, equipment and performance of all work to build a six-unit T-Hanger at the Salem Memorial Airport for $624,900 which is under budget. In association with the bid award, the board approved the Letter of Concurrence of Project Award required by MoDOT that includes all the paperwork associated with the hanger project including the budget and grant. The board tabled Resolution #23-2023 dealing with the agreement with the Dent County Animal Welfare Society as they need more time to review and prepare a contract. The board heard the 1st reading of Bill #3553 creating an ordinance for the mayor to execute the agreement between the City of Salem the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for the construction of a six-unit T-Hanger project at the airport. The board did NOT approve Bill #3543 that would have increased service availability rates and electric rates for the non-resident electric customers. The board felt they need to develop a policy that would be adaptable to all the utilities that are provided to non-resident customers. The board approved Bills #3544 through 3550 that dealt with amending the municipal employment provisions to ensure the city’s codes and personnel policy are complimentary and work together. In the reports from officials, Mayor Greg Parker wanted to thank the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Tabitha Utley for all her work for the Independence Day parade. Public Works Director Mark Nash reported the old Walnut Motel has been taken down to clear the area for the constriction of the new McDonalds. He said the city is currently working on getting all the easements signed and recorded from the owners who have the property on 4th Street so the city can move forward with the downtown TAP grant. He wanted to remind people to conserve energy to keep their bills down during these upcoming warm days. He also said the city will be picking up storm limbs and branches at no charge July 17th through the 21st for those residences who place them out at their curb. Again, please bundle them if you can to make it easier for the city crews to load on the trucks. The board then went into closed session.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 2:50 in Crawford County on eastbound I-44 at mile marker 208.8. According to the highway patrol report a 2017 Ford F-550 being driven by 32-year-old Samuel Osseck of Union, struck the rear of a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by 19-year-old Ethan Volkman of Rolla who was attempting to merge onto the interstate. The Ford then travled off the left side of the highway and struck the median barrier. The Chevrolet traveled off the right side of the road and struck an embankment. Volkman and a passenger, 18- year-old Alizaya Doyle also of Rolla, suffered moderate injuries. Doyle was taken to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by the Steelville ambulance while Volkman was flown to Mercy St. Louis by Phelps Air. The Chevrolet was totaled and the Ford had minor damage. Both were removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing. The report went on to state that all involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s new 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2023-2024. The 2023 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet has detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease updates, and more. The Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2023-2024 has detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock. It also has information on needed permits and duck-stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, and more. The booklet and digest is available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/permits, or through MDC’s free mobile app, MO Hunting, available for download through Google Play or the App Store.

The Board of Directors of Salem Memorial Hospital will meet Friday morning at 11:00 in the hospital library. The meeting is being held to hold a Budget Discussion. The meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Community Choir will present its summer concert series starting this Sunday at the Dent County Courthouse. The concert is free and begins at 2:00 in the afternoon. Some refreshments will be served.