Local News – Wednesday, June 9th, 2021
In the Dent County 42nd Judicial Court proceedings held on Wednesday, June 2nd in front of Judge Megan Seay, Wayne Quick of Salem, was sentenced to serve four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections under Revised Statues of Missouri 559.115 as requested by Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley for failing to register as a sex offender and for failing to register a social media account. The defendant requested to be placed on probation, but the request was denied by Judge Seay.
The Salem Park and Recreation board will be meeting tonight at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 West Rolla Road. After the roll call and a review of the minutes of the previous meeting, Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois will give the 2020 Alice Lou Craig Municipal pool report along with the new weather closure policy as well as reporting on the 2021 baseball, softball, and T-ball programs. After the budget review and approval, the board will discuss the LSFC soccer field grant and accept resignations along with election of a new president. Any other business may then be brought before the board before adjournment. The meeting of the Salem Park and Recreation board is open to the public.
A series of road, trail, and bridge projects are underway for eight locations within Ozark National Scenic Riverways to repair damage from the devastating 2017 flood that destroyed many features and facilities along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. Repair work began in May and is expected to be completed prior to the summer of 2022. The length of time needed to complete work at each site is dependent on the complexity of the repairs, weather, and river conditions. Each of the projects could result in slight disruptions to normal activities if roads, trails, or nearby areas need to be temporarily closed to ensure the safety of visitors and workers. The projects will begin at different times, with some running concurrently. Repair of roads and asphalt has begun in the Pulltite Campground and at Baptist Landing. Additional road repairs will be completed at Powder Mill Campground and along Peavine Road near Big Spring. Trail repairs are planned for the Lower Welch Spring trail and the River’s Edge trail near Big Spring Campground. Work to replace the footbridge on the Alley Spring hiking trail has begun and is expected to take approximately two months. The previous wooden bridge is being replaced with a more sustainable steel bridge that is several inches higher than the original, to reduce the chance of future flood damage. Wood fascia and accents will match the aesthetic of the Alley Spring historic district. Replacement of the nearby pedestrian bridge over the Jacks Fork River is also planned but has not yet begun. Once that project is underway it is expected to last approximately five months. The new pedestrian bridge will be constructed at the same height as the adjacent vehicle bridge on Highway 106, with fewer piers in the river so that it is less visually intrusive than the previous bridge. These flood recovery projects are being coordinated with the Federal Highway Administration and its Emergency Relief for Federally-owned Roads Program, which has provided funding, planning expertise, and project oversight for the repairs. For updates on project timelines or temporary closures associated with these repairs, please visit the park website at nps.gov/ozar, visit the park’s Facebook page, or call (573) 323-4236. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
The Missouri Department of Conservation invites the public to get hooked on fishing through its Free Fishing Days June 12th and 13th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. This is an annual event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect during Free Fishing Days, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. All other fishing regulations are also in effect. Learn more about fishing in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing.
The Missouri State Parks invites the public to participate Learn2 Paddle kayaking classes offered at select parks this summer. The program is for anyone who wants to experience kayaking but is not sure where to start. It is also perfect for those who want to get out on the water but don’t own a kayak. In the Salem and Dent County area, the Current River State Park will host two-hour kayaking classes this Friday from 1:00 until 3:00, July 10th from 10:00 until noon, and on August 6th from 1:00 until 3:00. The Missouri State Parks will provide the kayaks, paddle, life jackets and instructors. Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the entire program. Participants should be comfortable around water. All Missouri State Parks rules and regulations apply. This is a family-oriented program; alcohol and tobacco products are not allowed while participating in the Learn2 Paddle program. The class registration fee is $5 per participant; registration is required. For registration information, visit mostateparks.com and click on their Learn2 button under Topics. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.