Local News – Wednesday, November 10th, 2021
The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board met at the Salem Community Center@The Armory for their first meeting Monday night with new board members Caleb Shepherd, Amanda Duncan and Tiffin Felkerson. Park and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois gave the statistics on the activities at the swimming pool, and that Collin Heavin led the Lifeguard Certification course through the Red Cross that certified three lifeguards for next season. She reported the funding for the LWCF grant for the soccer park has been released and now the city is looking for a soccer field engineer. She told the board there had been numerous instances of vandalism at the city park where a police report was filed. She said security cameras were being installed by Rommel’s Lock and Alarm. DuBois then gave the report on the Salem Civic Theatre renovations and that a few reservations have been made. The safety lights have been installed on the floor in the aisles and the city is working with an electrician to finish work in the projector room. The “Eat Smart in the Park” grant funding allowed for healthy and nutritional foods to be served in the pool concession stand that was enhanced by the purchase of two air fryers, a commercial grade apple slicer and menu boards. She stated the picnic tables at the Center Street Park have been removed due to the finding of a white substance on them. The tables have been bleached and have been moved to the city park. She said the pool has been winterized as have the bathrooms at the city park, but the bathrooms at the Al Brown Fields have not yet been winterized. She mentioned the Bonebrake Center wanted to partner with the Parks and Recreation Department on hiring an intern for the summer of 2022. Housing would be provided, and the intern would split duties between the Bonebrake Center and the Park and Recreation Department. The board approved to move forward in setting the parameters of the shared intern with the Bonebrake Center and also to interviewing candidates. DuBois reported on the “Light up the Park” display to be held this year starting December 4th at the Salem City Park. Business can sign up now by contacting DuBois at 729-6290. She also said signups for the Youth Basketball Program are going on now for $25 per child in the 1st through 6th grades. Cheerleading for basketball is also available for $35 per child. Registrations will be accepted until November 20th. Forms are available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and you can also register online at the Salem Park and Recreation Department Facebook page. DuBois also said coaches are needed and wanted to emphasize that coaches do not need to have children that are participating in the sport to coach. City Administrator Ray Walden wanted the Park Board to know the parking lot at the city pool will be replaced with concrete done in sections over time in the spring as to not close the parking lot. The meeting was then adjourned.
An accident happened Monday evening at 7:30 in Phelps County on Highway F about three miles east of Rolla. The highway patrol report states that a 2017 Dodge Ram being driven by 31-year-old Bret Manz of St. James traveled off the left side of the roadway, then struck a culvert and a tree. Manz, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was transported by a patrol vehicle to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishman Towing. Manz was arrested on two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, felony leaving the scene of a crash, DWI-prior offender, driving while having his license suspended, and careless and imprudent driving involving a crash.
Representatives from Missouri State Parks recognize and thank all veterans and active-duty military members for their service with two promotions in honor of Veterans Day. To show appreciation, all veterans and active-duty military members camping at a Missouri State Parks campground Thursday will receive a voucher for a free night of camping. The veteran must be staying the night of Thursday, November 11th and show identification having veteran/active-duty military status at check-in to receive a free camping coupon. Missouri State Parks will accept several types of identification. Veterans and active military members are also invited on free tours of Missouri state historic sites Thursday through Sunday, November 14th, with a valid ID. Some Missouri state parks and historic sites change hours of operations during the fall for offseason. Visitors are encouraged to check current hours online at mostateparks.com before heading to a state park or historic site. In addition, Missouri State Parks offers a $2 per night camping discount year-round at state park campgrounds for military members and veterans. Nightly camping rates vary from campground to campground based on different criteria. The military discount will be given to retired, veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel – all of whom must show the proper valid military identification at time of check-in. Missouri State Parks seeks employees who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting public resources. In accordance with state law, if you are a veteran, a family member of a veteran or a surviving spouse of a veteran, you are given preference in the employment selection process when you are similarly qualified to other applicants for the same position. Veterans are encouraged to include their military experience on every application submitted for employment at Missouri State Parks. For more information, visit mostateparks.com. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.