Local News – Wednesday, March 15th, 2023

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 3:55 in Dent County on Highway 72 about four miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 54-year-old Randi Fetters of Salem, was slowing to make a left hand turn when the Ford was struck from behind by a 2020 Ford Ranger driven eastbound by 79-year old Link Turner of Salem. Fetters, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Turner was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered moderate injuries. He was taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Both Fords were totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler & Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Fire Protection District and Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

In an effort to enforce the laws as written and protect Missourians, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that his office secured a guilty verdict against Daymond Reeves for the 2020 murder of Allen Brewer near Eminence. Reeves was sentenced on March 7th to life without the possibility for parole for first degree murder and fifteen years for armed criminal action. On August 8th, 2020, Reeves shot Allen Brewer to death less than half of a mile from his home on Route E outside Eminence. According to the press release, Reeves fired his nine millimeter pistol at least 15 times and struck Brewer seven times, including in the face, neck, chest, and back. When two citizens stopped to offer assistance to Brewer, Reeves fled the scene. Reeves was charged with First Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action. At his trial, Reeves claimed self-defense, but later admitted on cross examination that he did not need to shoot Brewer and that he intended to kill him. A Reynolds County jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts as charged on December 2nd, 2022. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office was appointed as a conflict prosecutor, replacing the Shannon County Prosecutor’s office in the prosecution of this case. Assistant Attorney Generals Corie Geary-Atkins and Gregory M. Goodwin tried the case in Reynolds County on a change of venue. They were assisted by victim advocate Melissa Koetting, Investigator David Southard, and paralegal Verdina Pilipovic. The Shannon County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the murder.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen met Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The Board tabled three bills on quit-claim deeds that needed to have corrections made to the ordinances before the agenda was approved. The board approved the sale of a 2014 Ford F-450 dump truck and a 2008 Ford F-150 pickup on Purple Wave from the water department. The monies from this sale will be used to offset the purchase of a 2018 Dodge Ram Van for the water department from Heavin Motors that was also approved by the board. After some discussion on the bids for the 1932 General Firetruck and input from the aldermen about citizens concerns about the truck, the board decided to reject all the bids received and reopen new bids that will be due in the city administrative offices by April 19th. A decision will be made at the April 25th meeting. Bids submitted will need to include the bid price, the projected use of the vehicle and an in-state purchase is preferred. The board approved Resolution #8-2023 that authorizes the mayor to sign the documents approving the final completion for the scope of work between Energy Solutions Professionals, LLC, and the city of Salem; and approved Resolution #9-2023 that authorizes the mayor to reauthorize the remaining funds totaling $92,019 through Signature Bank that was originally designated to pay for work to be done by ESP. There was a question of how the seizure of Signature Bank by federal regulators would affect the funds, but the money has already been allocated to the city and the takeover by the FDIC will not affect the money. The board approved Resolution 10-2023 that authorizes the mayor to sign the Section 179D Energy Efficiency Commercial Building Deduction Allowance Form between the City of Salem & Energy Solutions Professionals, LLC. The board then discussed Resolution #11-2023 on approving a lease agreement between the City of Salem and the Huntington National Bank for the lease of a 2023 Freightliner with a 2022 Terex C5048 Digger Derrick for $4,721.35 per month for five years. Currently, the city is leasing a Digger Derrick on a month-to-month basis and is currently paying $5,250 per month from a firm in Texas which was approved in Resolution #11-2021. The lease amount approved in Resolution #10-2021 was for $3,599 per month for the new Digger Derrick which was to be ready in 12-15 months, but took nearly two years to be completed. The board tabled any action on the resolution until a special meeting called on Tuesday, March 21st. City Administrator Sally Burbridge reported she, Stacey Houston and Excelleron were on the phone most of Tuesday working on account reconciliations. She said the system is not ready yet to go live and will not authorize it to do so until there are two straight months of clean reconciliations. Mayor Greg Parker reported the Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health Center residential wing is back open. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the asphalt plant is about ready to open which will allow the city to patch potholes and work on getting a good price on asphalt for street repavement. Nash said old water and electric meters are being replaced and some tree trimming is being done along the streets. Alderman Kyle Williams said some streets will be closed for the 100-Acre Wood Road Rally. One is for the Ken Block Tribute Thursday from 8:00 until 9:00 at the courthouse square, and the other is Saturday morning for the Parc Expose on 4th Street from 8:00 until about noon. The meeting was then adjourned.