News – Thursday, April 30th, 2026

CORRECTION: The “Let Freedom Ring” event with presenter Suzanne Rayfield Chilton McKenzie to be held at James Family Center, across from the James & Gahr Mortuary, located at 103 W. Center Street will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00. YWT incorrectly reported the event would be Saturday in its previous edition.

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Board held its meeting Wednesday night. After the call to order and roll call, the board heard a report from Parks and Recreation Director Melissa DuBois. DuBois shared that soccer is finishing up with 250 athletes, while summer ball just wrapped up registrations with 370 athletes, an increase from last year’s registrations. FEMA projects are finishing up: crew members are working on the riprap for the creek, while fencing at Billy’s Playground is being built. Both projects are estimated to be complete at the beginning of July. The Alice Lou Craig Swimming Pool is being de-winterized on May 5th, to be completed by Landmark Aquatics, and the pool opening is scheduled for May 23rd, weather permitting. DuBois also announced that the Salem MO Spectacular has had its date set for Oct. 24th this year, with Chamber Director Catherine Wynn to assist. The board then approved meeting minutes from March 11th and March 16th. The board discussed the FY 2027 draft budget for the Parks and Recreation department. Proposed within the capital improvement plan for 2027 were repaving for the pool parking lot at $83,400; a cooling station for the pool entrance at $20,000; a pool mural at $17,900; security cameras at $15,000; and a portable storage unit for the purposes of keeping ball equipment at $3,600. Another item for consideration is pool zipline improvements, with an estimate of $2,200. Within the draft budget is a $60,206 deficit, of which the board will need to review and either cut expenses or utilize prior year fund balances. Board member Luke Heithold requested more time to review the budget packet. No vote was made. Moving forward, DuBois shared that the Fireworks Committee is requesting use of the park for the Fourth of July, for the purposes of vendor usage and a fireworks display. The committee is also wanting to do a 35-year time capsule to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. The board approved the committee’s usage of the park and the time capsule and then adjourned. Another meeting is to be held by the board for a vote on the budget and will be announced at a later date.  

Beginning next Monday, May 4th, the City of Salem street department will be providing free curbside yard waste pickup in conjunction with the semi-annual spring residential cleanup. Crews will begin picking up yard waste on May 4th and will continue until it has covered the entire city. Yard waste to be picked up includes leaves bagged in clear, recyclable leaf bags, along with limbs and branches bundled with a maximum diameter of 4 inches, weighing a maximum of 75 pounds. Leaf bags may be picked up at the Utility Office for $2.50. Place all yard waste at the curb or back of sidewalk, not in the street, and do not block sidewalks. What will not be picked up during yard waste pickup are appliances, electronics, furniture, or household trash; lumber, building materials, recyclables, or tires; or entire trees or large limbs. 

The Dent County Health Center will be hosting its annual Spring Health Fair on May 1st from 7:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon, located at 1010 East Scenic Rivers Boulevard. Available at the health fair will be free basic screenings for blood pressure, height/weight, and BMI calculation. Also available is a Rapid Heart Healthy Screening at $34.50, which includes the basic screening plus Lipid (Cholesterol) and A1C. Available as add-ons to Heart Healthy Screening include a Blood Chemistry at $3.80; Vitamin D at $13.75; Basic Thyroid at $3.00; and Blood Counts at $3.00. Other services include a Rapid Blood Lead Screening at $10.00; free Narcan; and free and low cost STD testing. No appointment is necessary. Call 573-729-3106 for more information and scheduling for additional services.

This Saturday, May 2nd, from 6:30 in the morning to 8:15 in the evening, Montauk State Park will be holding a Kids’ Free Fishing Day. Kids age 15 and under are eligible to participate in the event. There will be a mobile aquarium, door prizes, archery range, and free hotdogs and soda from 11:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon. The spring branch from the CCC Spillway to the Social Hole will be reserved for youth anglers. The registration booth will be open from 2:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 on May 1st and all day on May 2nd. Children are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. For more information about the event, contact the Montauk Hatchery at 573-548-2585.