News – Monday, June 2nd 2025

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 10:50 in Crawford County on Old Route 66 East of Grotemac Road. According to the highway patrol report a 2009 Yamaha XV1900 driven by a 47-year-old male from Rolla was travelling eastbound and was struck by a deer. The driver lost control, ejecting the driver and passenger a 15-year-old male juvenile from Rolla. The juvenile suffered serious injuries and was transported by North Crawford Ambulance to Children’s Hospital St. Louis. The adult male also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan by Missouri Baptist Ambulance. He was later transferred to Mercy Hospital Washington. Both were wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Yamaha sustained moderate damage and was secured roadside for private tow.

You’re invited to attend the next Salem and Dent County meeting of “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” this afternoon, June 2nd, starting at 5:30 in the evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory in the Rotary Room! The Dent County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501c3 non-profit that provides a new, free bed to children in need in our community who do not have a bed between the ages of 3 and 17. Mark your calendars and please join them, and new volunteers are welcome!! If you are not able to help physically, donations of new bedding are always welcome to help provide a good night’s sleep to the area children. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please make checks payable to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and designate the MO-DENT County Chapter. If you have questions, please contact Patti McKeown at 703-964-6495 or e-mail her at patti.mckeown@shpbeds.org.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a public hearing for public comments regarding sewer rates and changes. The meeting was held Tuesday evening at 6:00, at the Old City Hall Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington St. Several citizens approached the podium referencing an email that was sent to members of the Board, prior to the meeting with questions from members of the community. The Board of Aldermen clarified that the public hearing was to listen to comments or concerns from citizens, and that they will not be answering any questions. Though, Alderman Letchworth did state that someone will take the time to reply to the email that was sent, at a later time. With no other comments from the public, the meeting adjourned to executive session before reconvening for their regular meeting.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen convened their regular meeting Tuesday evening following a public hearing and executive session. After approving the consent agenda, the Board approved a bid from Pierce Asphalt LLC in the amount of $113,664.00 for hot mix asphalt to be used to pave and repair East Coffman, West 1st Street, and South Oak Street, including a 2-inch overlay. This project will be paid for out of the Special Street Fund. The Board also approved a bid from Key Equipment in St. Louis for $9,433.77 to repair the City’s 11-year-old street sweeper, which has been non-operational for several weeks. During new business, the Board voted to approve Ordinance No. 3654 amending the water rates; Alderwoman Cathy Dent dissented. The base rate for customers within city limits will increase from $6.00 to $8.00, with the rate per 1,000 gallons rising from $5.39 to $7.50. Customers outside of city limits will see the base rate increase from $12.00 to $16.00, with the volume rate per 1,000 gallons rising from $6.78 to $9.49. Commercial manufacturers averaging over 350,000 gallons will have a base rate of $8.00 and a volume rate of $4.86 per 1,000 gallons.The request for utilities by Terry Perkins was tabled until a meeting can be had with the City’s attorney, James Weber. The Firework Committee’s request to close the City park to drive-through traffic on the Fourth of July, allowing access only to pedestrians and vendors, was approved unanimously.The Board approved Bills 3654 – 3657 all regarding amending sections of the utility policy to remain in line with the current policy, and correct clerical errors and typos. Before the reports by city official’s the Board heard the first readings of Bills 3662 – 3671 regarding Sewer Rate Codes 710.290-710.430 , and the repeal of section 700.230. During the reports of city officials, Public Works Director Steve Paine stated that the Wastewater Treatment Plant continues to prepare for construction. The department is also working on replacing street lights, completing submitted work orders, and conducting street painting projects as weather permits. City Administrator Sally Burbridge encouraged citizens to sign up for the City’s text blast services but noted that message delivery is based on the phone number’s originating area code. As a result, phone numbers originating in different time zones will receive messages at different times than those originating in Central Standard Time. The next regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be held on June 10th and is open to the public.