News – Thursday, October 10th 2024

A fatal accident occurred Tuesday afternoon around 2:48 in Phelps County on Highway 8 about 2 miles east of St. James. According to the highway patrol report a 2018 Lincoln MKC driven by 64-year-old Debra Patton of St. James was travelling westbound and travelled off the right side of the roadway. The Lincoln struck an embankment and overturned. Patton was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital where she was pronounced deceased by Dr. Timothy Fursa at 3:35 in the afternoon. The Lincoln was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The report goes on to say that Patton was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. 

The Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the old auditorium. The board amended the agenda to include only the first reading of Bill Number 3627, before approving. The Grace Community Church requested permission to close down Water Street, from the South end of their parking lot, down to the corner of Water and Franklin for their church wide Harvest Party to be held on the evening of Sunday October 20 from 6:00 to 9:00. The Board approved this request. The Board also approved a road closure request for the Third Annual Trunk or Treat event to be held the evening of Halloween along 4th Street from 6:00 to 9:00. The Salem R-80 FFA Chapter requested, and was granted, permission to use the Old Fairgrounds property for their upcoming FFA Field Day, on Saturday October 19, from 1:00 to 9:00. The event will feature wood splitting, log splitting, and chainsaw competitions, and will be open to the public for viewing. The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will be hosting a Halloween event on Saturday the 26th, between Noon and 11:30, and requested to use the Old Middle School Property for parking; this request was approved. The Board then appointed Danielle Kissir to the City of Salem Housing Authority. Kissir will replace Joe Brand, who resigned on March 28, and will fulfill the remainder of his four year term, which does not expire until February 15, 2027. Steve Paine, Director of Public Works, presented the bids. The bid for the purchase of Limestone Rock, from Capital Quarries, for $10.50 per ton for 1” base, $13.50 per ton for 1” clean, and $12.50 per ton for 2” clean, was approved. The final cost of the limestone rock purchase will be approximately $11,000. This money will come out of the Street Maintenance funds. The request to purchase approximately 75 tons of rock salt was approved; the bid went to Compass Minerals for approximately $7,386.00. The City received a bid from Fire Hydrant Services and Repair for $26,000 for the Fire Hydrant Rehabilitation Project. The project was included in the current Water Department budget in the amount of $20,000. Staff proposes pulling the additional funds from the Water Department Equipment Repair line. The board approved this request. The final bid presented was for tree trimming along the City of Salem’s four main feeder lines. The Board approved the bid from Forester Works LLC for $189,002.00. During New and Miscellaneous Business, Financial Director, Stacey Houston presented a request to approve warranty repair or replacement of the 135 water meter modules that have stopped working, which was approved by The Board. The cost for this request is $11,527.86 and will be paid out of AMI Meter Upgrades. There is currently $25,000 budgeted in this expense line. The Board approved the conditional use of the property at 1402 S. Water St for a home-based gunsmithing business. Resolution Number 25-2024, outlining the Technical Assistance Contract between MRPC and the City, was approved. The Board then heard the first readings of Bill No. 3627: an ordinance to allow the subdivision of a property on 1305 E. Third Street, Bill No. 3628: an ordinance to allow the subdivision of a property on 1311 E. 3rd Street, and Bill No. 3629: an ordinance authorizing the City of Salem to enter into a grant agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation commission for the Airport Infrastructure Grant. During the Official’s Report, Mayor Parker wanted to remind the citizens that the city wide clean up will begin on Monday, October 21 and conclude on Friday the 25th. Steve Paine gave an update on public works, and stated that if residents are having issues with water, sewer, or electrical, the fastest way to get that resolved is to put in a work order with the Administration Office at 573-729-4811. Alderman Shawn Bolerjack stated that he will not be seeking re-election in April. He plans to fulfill the remainder of his term. The meeting then adjourned.

If you would like to learn how to create an upscale tote bag, Gail Phelan is holding a sewing machine workshop this Saturday from 9:00 in the morning until 4:00. Students will need their own machine, scissors, rotary cutter, (with new blade)/mat, marking pen/chalk, and clips as well as black and white thread, denim or jeans sized needle (size 16-18). You will be provided a variety of options for fabric, lining, webbing, zippers, zipper pulls, zipper ends, stabilizer, interfacing, double sided basting tape, and purse feet. The cost is $75 per person and the class is for people 18-years-old and up. Interested persons can sign up under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website.