Local News – Wednesday, June 6th, 2018

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the city hall council chambers after a Salem Planning and Zoning Commission hearing and meeting. The board did not receive any bids for Fiberglass Primary Electric Enclosures or the 4/0 Aluminum TRXPLE underground primary wire. Both will have to be rebid. The board did receive two bids for 20-foot and 30-foot utility poles from Bridgewell and McFarlane Cascade. The board went with the bid from McFarlane Cascade as the 30-foot poles are $195 each and the 40-foot poles are $301/each. This is a budgeted item and there is still room in the budget for the purchase. The board received two bids for the electric department for 25 KVA and 37.5 KVA transformers: one from Solomon and the other from T&R Electric. The board went with the T&R Electric bid for 10 25 KVA transformers for $517 each, and five 37.5 KVA transformers for $623 each. The total cost came to $8,285 that falls within the budgeted amount. The board approved the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board to annex the Al Brown Fields into the city limits along with other city owned property at 400, 402, 500 and 502 N. Water Street. They did table a request from the Walk by Faith Ministries concerning the old Brickhouse Restaurant property as more information was needed. City Administrator Ray Walden said city crews held a work day at the Cedar Grove Cemetery before Memorial Day. He wanted to let people know the city would be picking up storm debris all week as long as people have the limbs and biodegrable bags at their curb side. Walden had Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon give a report on the pool and the Summer Kickoff event at the City Park held Saturday sponsored by the city and Healthy Dent County. A re-dedication of the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool was held followed by free swimming where the pool was literally packed with people. The movie was postponed due to the weather, but it will be rescheduled at a later date. Lydon did say the new healthy foods added to the menu were selling very well at the concession stand. The board approved bill #3389 creating an ordinance that will allow Premier Pyrotechnics to shoot off the fireworks for the 2018 Independence Day fireworks display at The Commons. The board approved the appointment of Josh Gordon to the Library Board to replace Will Hubbs who no longer lives in the city limits and had to resign. They also approved the purchase of cold mix for street repair from Capital materials for $4,319.70 before going into closed session.

The Salem Police Department has released more reports. On Friday night, May 25th, at about 8:21, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 26-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $8.10. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday afternoon, May 26th, close to 5:41, an officer transported a 20-year-old male of Black, MO from Howes Mill to the Dent County Jail due to an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. Later that same afternoon at about 5:50, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That Investigation led to the arrest of a 23-year old male and a 26- year old male for stealing merchandise from the store. The two suspects were issued summonses to appear in court and released. Later that evening at approximately 8:10, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 28-year old male of Salem for the possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Then on Sunday morning, May 27th, at almost 11:00, an officer transported a 19-year old male of Salem from Phelps County Jail to Dent County Jail due to an active arrest warrant from the City of Salem. The suspect was incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

This Thursday morning starting at 10:30 and lasting about an hour, all preschoolers are invited to explore rhymes and rhythm at Rhyme Tyme Preschool Program at the Salem Public Library. This story time comes complete with silly songs and a simple craft as part of the fun! The library is located at 403 North Jackson Street in Salem. For more information, call the Salem Public Library at 729-4331.

It’s time for the “Libraries Rock” Summer Reading Program for students in grades 6 through 12 at the Salem Public Library at 403 North Jackson Street. Those students are invited to get creative at the library! Prizes will be awarded for the most awesome entries in 2 categories: for those in grades 6-8 and those in grades 9-12. The artwork may be drawn any time between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM this Thursday. Judging will take place at 5:30 PM. For more information, call the Salem Public Library at 729-4331.