News – Thursday, August 14th 2025

An accident occurred Wednesday morning around 10:30 in Crawford County on Mo 19 about 5 miles north of Cuba. According to the highway patrol report a 2007 Hyundai Tiburon driven by an 18-year-old Female from St. James was traveling southbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail. The Hyundai returned to the roadway then travelled off the left side of the roadway and struck a guardrail, before coming to rest on the right side of the road. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Missouri Baptist Sullivan by North Crawford Ambulance. The report says she was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Hyundai sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Chris and Son’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Cuba Fire Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held a workshop on Tuesday evening at 5:30, in the Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street, prior to the start of their regular meeting, to discuss action to be taken regarding vacant buildings within city limits. Following the call to order, pledge of allegiance, and prayer, the Board approved the agenda and consent agenda. Mayor Greg Parker recommended appointing ten individuals to the Community Involvement Committee; the motion carried, with Alderman John Whelan casting the only dissenting vote. The Board conducted the first and second readings of Bill No. 3682, allowing the city to continue operating under the Missouri Ethics Commission’s conflict-of-interest requirements, and Bill No. 3684, a change order from Archer-Elgin Engineering for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Phase 2A project. The change order includes elevating the VFD controls on a platform to protect against future flooding and raising the UV system pad above flood level. The total cost of these changes is $49,647.00, and both bills passed unanimously. The Board also heard the first reading of Bill No. 3683, proposing a 2025 tax levy of $0.06780 per $100 of assessed valuation on real estate and personal property within city limits for general revenue purposes. Under new and miscellaneous business, the Board approved revisions to the Demolition Policy and Agreement, specifying that the city will cover only the costs of dumpsters, transportation, and tipping fees for asbestos removal, and will no longer require inspections by individual homeowners, once these remediations have been conducted. These changes aim to reduce costs and shorten project timelines for property owners. Kylie Clift and Jamie Cantrell were granted approval for a Mobile Home Park License. The Board also awarded several bids:  A bid from SASCO for a new Graco Paint Striping Machine in the amount of $5,999.00 that will be paid out of the Street Department Capital Improvement Fund, there is  $6,600 budgeted for this item; a bid from Fletcher-Reinhardt Company in the amount of $9,881.25 for 75 LED Luminaire dusk to dawn street lights, which will be paid out of the electric department’s street light fund; a $6,195.00 bid from Sunbelt Solomon for the purchase of a single phase pad mount 100kVA transformer for the Doss Road Cell Tower project, which will come out of the electric department’s transformer fund; a bid from Luby Shoring Services in the amount of $9,347.00 for shoring equipment that will increase team member safety in trenching situations. This will be evenly paid from the water and WWTP budget; and a bid for the purchase of 15 HP Elite Mini 800 Desktops for $13,275.00, that will replace the current desktops at the Administration Building, as well as in the Electric, Water, Wastewater, Construction, Streets, and Parks and Recreation Departments. There is $35,000 in the CIP budget for the purchase of new desktops, monitors, and installation of these desktops. After the reports of the city officials, the meeting entered executive session to discuss legal matters and contract negotiations, before adjourning.

Come and learn how to finger knit a large lap throw or chunky blanket.  Bring a friend and make it a party at the Creative Arts Center with Danielle Norris this Friday August 15th from 5:00 in the evening until 8:00. Ages 10 and are welcome. This is a beginner friendly class and is fun for all ages! No prior crochet or knitting experience is required but will be beneficial. Colors and patterns will be provided. The cost is $75. A minimum of 5 people is needed to hold the class and a maximum of 12. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.