Local News – Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021
The City of Salem has sent out a notice to all those who use water, sewer, trash and electric about the upcoming changes for the utility readings going to a 15th of the month read cycle and a more prompt and current billing cycle. Soon utility customers will receive bills for their service consumption from February 8th through May 15th that will include three months billing for trash, water, sewer and electric. If you are already on a payment plan, any remaining unpaid amount will be included in the balance due on their next bill. Customers wanting a new payment plan will need to contact the utility office to set that up. For those who want to pay their bill in full for all three months, the Salem Board of Aldermen have approved a five percent rebate of the charges for water and electric usage if the bill is paid in full by June 20th. The rebate will be processed as a credit on the customers’ account. Please remember the city will resume late penalties and start service disconnects for non-payment on July 1st. If you find that you may need assistance paying your utility bill to avoid a service interruption, you can go to the Salem Community Center @ The Armory any Tuesday in June from 10:30 until 1:00 where three agencies will be available to speak with you on how they can possibly help. For more information about available options for payment and assistance, please check out the salemmo.com website or contact the utility office at 729-4117.
Six people died in traffic crashes over the 2021 Memorial Day weekend counting period of 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 28th, through midnight Monday, May 31st. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers investigated 270 traffic crashes resulting in 82 injuries and 4 fatalities. The patrol made 112 DWI and 77 drug arrests over the 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend. The Springfield Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department each investigated a traffic fatality. Over this years holiday counting period there were 10 boating crashes resulting in 2 injuries and 1 fatality. The department also investigated a drowning, made 8 boating while intoxicated arrests and 2 drug arrests. During the 2020 counting period, the Patrol investigated 310 traffic crashes, which included 126 injuries and six of the 10 fatalities. Troopers made 118 arrests for driving while intoxicated last year. Also, over the 2020 Memorial Day holiday marine operations troopers investigated 11 boating crashes involving seven injuries and one fatality; and arrested 11 people for boating while intoxicated on the state’s rivers and lakes. One person drowned over the 2020 Memorial Day holiday. The fatality statistics in this news release could change if late deaths occur, other departments report crashes or incidents, a fatality is determined to be a drowning, or if a fatality is determined to be caused by a medical condition after this news release.
More reports have been released by the Salem Police Department. On Sunday afternoon, May 16th, at approximately 4:23 an officer was dispatched to Wal Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a female subject had left the store while concealing and not paying for approximately $116 worth of merchandise. As a result of the investigation the female was located, and the property was retrieved. At the conclusion of the incident a 38-year-old Salem female was arrested and given summons to appear in court for shoplifting. Then Tuesday evening, May 18th, at approximately 6:46 an officer was dispatched to the Cedar Grove Cemetery for a report of a vehicle stuck in the mud. Upon arrival it was apparent that a male subject who was operating the vehicle was intoxicated. Following a DWI investigation a 62-year-old Salem male was arrested and later released on summons for possession of Marijuana and Driving while intoxicated. Later that night at approximately 11:21 an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed over the posted speed limit. The vehicle failed to yield when the officer attempted to stop it and continued traveling at a high rate of speed of more than 80 mph on Missouri Highway 32. The vehicle finally came to a stop near the Jehovah Witness Church on 32 West. As the officer contacted the driver, he was alerted that the driver may be under the influence of alcohol. During the traffic stop investigation it was found that the male subject was intoxicated. As a result, a 38-year-old Springfield male was arrested and placed on a 24-hour hold pending the application of warrants for Resisting Arrest and Driving while Intoxicated. Finally, the morning of Thursday, May 20th, at approximately 4:00 officers received information about the location of Brian Weber who had previously fled and was a fugitive from justice. Officers conducted surveillance and a short-term investigation confirming the information they had received. As a result, the 40-year-old Salem male was arrested and incarcerated on outstanding warrants. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 573-729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.
A drowning happened Saturday afternoon around 3:10 in on Big Creek in Iron County one quarter miles east of Highway 49 in Vulcan. A six-year-old boy from Fairview Heights, Illinois entered the water and went under. The boy was located a short time later, however, life saving measures were unsuccessful. The boy was pronounced dead by Doctor Teeter at the Iron County Medical Center at 4:36. The drowning was the 5th of the year in Troop E.