Local News – Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. Alderwoman Rachel Hinderliter was unable to attend the meeting due to her work. The board heard Bill #3442 that created an ordinance repealing Ordinance #3438 that amends Chapter 515 Electricity, amended Chapter 705 for Water Regulations and amended Chapter 710 Sewers of the municipal code of the City of Salem pertaining to the prompt payment discount and the delayed payment penalty. The board also approved Bill #3443 that created an ordinance authorizing the Mayor of Salem to make the Declaration of Emergency for the city due to the coronavirus and authorizing temporary protocols and practices for the city during the State of Emergency. The mayor then signed the proclamation that explained the “State of Emergency” for the City of Salem. This proclamation by the city will help the citizens out as it prohibits the city from disconnecting anyone’s utilities for non-payment and it will also allow the city to waive late fees for the duration of the State of Emergency. The board also approved Bill #3444 that created an ordinance adding the new provisions relating to the Emergency Employee Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act according to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The board, after a few corrections, passed Resolution #5-2020, a resolution adopting a new policy to help utility customers qualify for a payment plan to replace the previous payment plan adopted by Resolution #1-2018 for the City of Salem. With no further business at hand, the meeting was adjourned.

The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On March 4th at about 5:11 in the afternoon, an officer responded to the 200 block of Rolla Road in an attempt to contact a female who had an active arrest warrant. As a result, contact was made, and a 27-year-oldwoman was arrested on an active City of Salem Warrant. The female was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail. The next night at 11:44, an officer conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Route J and Dilworth Street. As a result of the traffic stop the driver, a 23-year-old Salem male was found to have an active traffic warrant for his arrest. He was able to post bond and was released. On Friday afternoon, March 6th near 2:30, an officer was dispatched to transport a 79-year-old Salem man to Sullivan for a 96-hour commitment. On Sunday, March 8th at approximately 3:54 in the afternoon, an officer responded to the 400 block of East First Street to attempt to contact a subject with an active arrest warrant. Contact was made with a 23-year-old Salem male who had an active arrest warrant from the Rolla Police Department. The man was arrested and transported to the Dent County Sheriff’s Office for incarceration awaiting extradition by Rolla PD. On Monday, March the 9th near noon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. The officer was informed that a female had stolen $211.71 worth of merchandise and left walking west. A short investigation was conducted and as a result a 32-year-old homeless female was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. Then on Thursday afternoon, March 12th at about 3:00, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for another report of a shoplifter. The officer was informed that a female had stolen $27.94 worth of merchandise. As a result of the investigation, a 37-year-old Salem woman was arrested and issued summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation.

Out of an abundance of caution and in reaction to the presence of COVID-19 in Missouri, Missouri State Parks will temporarily close all campgrounds and lodging, effective this Friday, March 27, through Thursday, April 30. This includes campgrounds, park-run lodging and concessionaire-run lodging. Missouri State Parks will remain open to the public, including day-use areas, boat ramps and trails. All fees associated with camping and park-run lodging reservations, including reservation, cancellation and modification fees, beginning the night of Friday, March 27, through the night of Thursday, April 30, will be refunded. Park staff will inform guests already in the campgrounds of this change and will work with them to adjust their reservations and on any needed refunds. The call center will contact campers with reservations who have yet to arrive. If you have an existing reservation at a state park or historic site campground or park-run lodging, please call the Reservation Call Center at 1-877-422-6766. The call center is open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For an existing reservation with concessionaire lodging at Montauk State Park or Echo Bluff State Park, please contact them directly. The number at Montauk is 573-548-2434 and the number at Echo Bluff is 844-322-3246.

The City of Salem Planning & Zoning Board of Commissioners Chairman Gary Brown has called a Planning and Zoning Commission public meeting to hear a request for a waiver to allow parking in the 30-foot front setback of new development which includes lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 of the South Aire Annex. This subdivision of land consists of fourteen (14) lots and being part of lot two of the Southwest Quarter of Section Nineteen (19), Township Thirty-four (34) North, Range Five (5) West, in Dent County, Missouri, owner Central MO Investments, LLC. The meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington begins at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 30th and it is open to the public.

A two vehicle accident happened just before 2:00 Sunday afternoon in Maries County on Highway 63 about a mile north of Vienna. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2019 Chevrolet Sonic being driven by 52-year old Sheila Eaves of St. James, was stopped in the southbound lane waiting to make a left turn and was struck from behind by a 2011 Chevy Cruze being driven by 18-year old William Patterson of Vienna. A passenger in the Sonic, 46-year old Charles Eaves, also of St. James suffered minor injuries and was transported by Maries Osage ambulance to Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were secured in a private lot.