Local News – Wednesday, May 16th, 2018

An accident occurred Monday evening in Phelps County on eastbound I-44 at the 181.2 mile marker. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora, driven by 23 year-old Bethany Ferguson of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway causing it to overturn. As a result Ferguson and the passenger, 40-year-old Brandt Wilson, also of St. James, were both ejected from the vehicle before it came to rest. Ferguson suffered serious injuries, while Wilson suffered moderate injuries. Both individual were transported to Phelps County Regional Medical Center by Phelps County Ambulance. The report stated that neither person was wearing their safety restraint. The Oldsmobile was removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released more reports. On Saturday, May 5th, at approximately 11:47 in the morning an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of West Dent in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a kayak and paddle valued at $450.00. The report is under investigation. Then on Monday, May 7th, at about 4:28 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of South Tower in reference to a domestic assault. That investigation revealed that a 37-year old male of Salem had assaulted a 30-year old female of Salem. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect for fourth degree assault. The suspect was incarcerated pending the application for a warrant. That night at approximately 9:47, an officer attempted to stop an all-terrain vehicle near Rolla and Hickory. After a pursuit of the all-terrain vehicle, it was stopped and the driver located near Highway 32 and Hickory Street. The driver was taken into custody for driving while having his license suspended and numerous traffic violations. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. On Tuesday morning, May 8th, at 6:21, an officer located a 34-year old female of Salem near Park and Third Street who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and released to the Dent County Sheriff’s Department. That afternoon at approximately 1:00, an officer was dispatched to Country Mart in reference to a bad check. The investigation of the report revealed a 38-year old female of Salem cashed a fraudulent check for $2,240.70. The report is under investigation. On Wednesday, May 9th, at 4:26 in the afternoon, an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 23-year old male of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $17.97. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an investigation ongoing or previously mentioned.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Tuesday night at the District Administrative Offices. Principal Kriste Crocker wanted to remind parents that pre-school enrollment for today is full and there some spots open for the Thursday enrollment. Call the school at 729-6611 and children must be three years of age by August 1st to be a part of the Tiger Tots program. Also the kindergarten graduation will be at 10:00 this Friday morning at the City Hall Auditorium. Upper Elementary Principal Melanie Wisdon reported her summer school classes are full at 30 students each with a waiting list of about 13 students. Middle School Principal Scott Roberts congratulated Makayla McBride for winning the SMS Art Show’s Student Choice Award, Teacher and Staff Award, and the Principal’s Choice Award with her work entitled “Night Water.” High School Principal Marty Anderson said 51% of the students were exempt from finals this year, that there were only two fights all year after Salem averaged 10 per year for the last five years, and he said there will be a Workkeys Platinum Wall initiated at thew high school. Anderson reported that Mackenzie Whitaker will be the next Board of Education Student Liaison for the 2018-2019 year. The board approved the appointment of Drew Whitaker as Treasurer of the Board. The board approved to continue to be a partner of Healthy Dent County with a $10,000 contribution and approved the Professional Development Plan. Superintendent John McColloch stated that Salem will again qualify for Community Eligible Provisions which means that all kids will eat free again next year. Meal prices suggested for adults were $2.25 for breakfast and $3.75 for lunch and they were approved by the board. The board approved a preliminary budget that included $12,803,264 in revenues and $12,781,624 in expenditures. Increase in expenditures included about $27,000 for insurance, $6,000 for increased bandwidth and $115,000 for the construction trades program that is privately funded which means it is an “in and out” fund. Not part of the budget was the $400,000 cost for the new locker room at the football field. The board approved the purchase of a 2019 Thomas 77 passenger school bus for $88,470, and approved putting bus #2, some projectors, two TV’s and more into the surplus to sell. The items will be advertised in the Salem News and be put on the salemr80.org website. McColloch did a study on the base salary over the last ten years and found that from 2009-2015, the base rate only went up $250, and in the last two years, the base has increased $1,000. To stay competitive with other districts, McColloch recommended a raise of $350 to the base salary for the 2018-2019 year and that brings the starting salary to $31,600. Support staff will also see about a two percent increase in salary, and these raises will cost the school district about $100,000 in additional payroll. The board approved the bank bid from the Bank of Salem, and approved the bid from CDW for 520 Chromebooks for $230.97 per Chromebook for a total of $120,104.40. The board accepted the resignation of special education teacher Sara Reed from William Lynch before going into closed session.