News – Thursday, August 15th 2024

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be holding their tax rate hearing and regular meeting this evening in the Salem R-80 board room. The Tax Rate Hearing will be conducted at 5:15 which would include any public comments, to be followed by the regular meeting. After the consent agenda is approved, the Board will hear communications followed by the Superintendent’s report by Dr. Nathan Wills before the principal reports are heard from William Lynch, the Upper Elementary, the Middle School, and the Senior High. Phillip Karr will then give an update on athletics and activities followed by reports on Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business, the board will approve the Preliminary 2023-2024 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, Bids for Gas and Pest Control, Board Policy Updates, adopt the Tax Rate derived from the Public Tax Hearing, the Evaluate Contract and the 2024-2025 Emergency Response Plan. The board will then declare band uniforms and chromebooks as surplus property before approving the updated 2024-2025 school calendar. The Board will hear any resignations before moving into Executive Session to discuss student issues, personnel, and real estate. The Board will then return to open session to adjourn. The Salem R-80 School District meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning around 11:47 in Phelps County on US Hwy 63 about 3 miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 20-year-old Carre Karnes of Edgar Springs was turning into the southbound lane and failed to yield to a 2000 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 76-year-old Harry Colm of Houston. Two occupants of the Cavelier suffered minor injuries 27-year-old Jody Folsom of Houston and 29-year-old Brandon Quick of Edgar Springs. Also, a 15-year-old female juvenile suffered moderate injuries. Colm and 36-year-old Scott Folsom of Houston both suffered minor injuries. All injured parties were transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors met Tuesday evening at the fire station at #2 South Main Street. The board reviewed the tax assessed evaluation for the Dent County FPD. Real estate tax was $85,927,438.00 and personal property was $40,513,349.00 for a total of $126,440,787.00. New construction and improvements related to real estate $3,017,560.00. An increase in personal property of $3,266,048.00 for a total of $6,283,608. The directors voted to keep the current tax rate of 0.2377 for the district. The financial report was reviewed with an ending balance of $182,548.55. All bills, payments, and statements were reviewed and signed. The budget was reviewed and approved as presented. The monthly reimbursement report showed a total of 17 calls for the month of July bringing the total calls year to date to 173. Some of those calls included one building fire, carbon monoxide incident, and extrication from vehicle. In old business they’re still waiting on the AFG grant for radios to open up. In the Chiefs report to the board, he stated Purple Wave would be here Wednesday to look at items we have for them, Dodge Pickup, John Deere Gator, Mobil Skid unit. Chief Floyd asked where we were on tax increase and bond issues. The board is looking into a bond or tax levy. Captain Jarvis reported that the hanging furnace and the air conditioner in the basement are not working. He also informed the board he needed to order 2 more SCBA masks for new firefighters. The board went into closed session, after returning the board announced that after interviewing and on recommendation approved Robert J. Atkinson and Kelby Parker to join the department as firefighters. The date for the September board meeting was set for 6:00, Tuesday evening, September 10th at the Dent County Fire Station.

For those who pre-registered, the 2024 School Readiness Event will be held this Saturday at the Salem Community Center @The Armory from 9:00 until 11:00 in the morning. At the event, kids will be given free backpacks and school supplies. There will be prizes and giveaways and fun. If you weren’t able to register for this event there will be a free “back-to-school” bash on the Salem Courthouse Square hosted by community churches and fellowships from noon until 5:00 in the evening. There will be more back to school supplies available, games, food, prizes. At the “back-to-school” bash, Brad Bennett will be the special guest along with Elevate Outreach. For more information or a ride, call Pastor Lyndell Decker at 573-739-9235, Sister Ahleesha Elwood at 573-247-2921 or the Walking Faith Ministries at 573-729-7500.