News – Thursday, September 4th 2025

On September 2nd, Your World Today reported that the Salem Public Library would be holding their Recollections meeting at 10:30 Tuesday morning. This is the scheduled time for the “Story Time” program that is returning to the library. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Recollections meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 10th at 10:30. This program is for all adults 60 years of age and older. It is free, and no library card is required to attend.

City of Salem City Administrator Sally Burbridge responded to the talk regarding a citizen’s petition for a State Audit of the City of Salem. Burbridge says in a press release that she wants to be clear that the city welcomes opportunities to strengthen their processes and improve services for the citizens. She says her concern is not with the value of oversight, but with the significant cost that would ultimately be borne by local residents. Burbridge says a state audit is estimated to cost between $80,000 and $125,000. She puts that in perspective that the cost of an audit is comparable to projects already included in the city budget that directly benefit the community such as annual street paving that costs $120,000, the costs for new utility billing and citywide financial software upgrades that are coming in around $100,000 or more, the $109,000 annual debt payments for the Alice Lou Craig Municipal pool, the budgeted $110,000 which is half the cost of paving the T-Ball parking lot at City Park, the recently board approved upgraded storm siren system that will cost $88,900, as well as the annual debt payments of $103,411 for the water utility. Burbridge points out that while not all of these items come directly from the General Fund which is where the audit cost would be incurred, they illustrate the types of projects and obligations an audit of this size could displace. Burbridge says her responsibility as City Administrator is to ensure taxpayer dollars are used in ways that provide the greatest benefit to our community. That is the lens through which she views this potential expenditure.

Healthy Dent County is launching a Mentoring Makes a Difference program and seeking caring adults to mentor local students. The initiative matches mentors with youth in local schools to provide guidance, encouragement and support. Mentors will meet weekly with their matched student in a group school setting for one hour. They will play games, help with homework, listen and build relationships. Mentors help students develop confidence and life skills. Occasional family and recreational events are planned throughout the year. Mentoring sessions begin Wednesday, September 10th at three locations: North Wood R-4 School for 3rd through 6th grade students on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 4:45 in the afternoon; Salem R-80 Middle School for 6th grade students on Thursdays from 8:06 to 8:55 in the morning; and Salem R-80 Upper Elementary for 3rd through 5th grade students on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon. Research shows mentored youth are less likely to misuse drugs or alcohol, more likely to respond positively to teachers and parents, more confident in themselves, and better at developing social skills. They are also less likely to feel isolated and more likely to do better in school. For more information, contact Liberty Ross at 573-729-8163 or email Liberty@SalemCommunityCenter.org.

The Dent County Fire Protection District is teaming up Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national nonprofit with a local Dent County chapter that is dedicated to making sure every child has a bed to sleep in. On Saturday, September 13th,  firefighters, volunteers, and community members will gather at the Dent County Fire Station on South Main Street in Salem. Starting at 9 in the morning they’ll be building and assembling beds for children in need, at no cost to the family of the child that needs one. Fire Chief Dennis Floyd says the project goes beyond fighting fires, helping meet a basic need for some of the most vulnerable in the community. Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter President Patti McKeown adds that too many kids in the area are going to sleep each night without a bed of their own. The event runs until 1 in the afternoon and is open to volunteers, spectators, and donors. In addition to monetary support, donations of new twin-size bedding—like sheets, blankets, and pillows—are also needed. If you’d like to help or learn more, visit shpbeds.org or on facebook at Facebook.com/SHPDentCo.