News – Wednesday, July 23rd 2025

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting yesterday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium located at 202 N. Washington Street. After approving the agenda and consent agenda, the board heard first and second readings of two Bills. Bill No. 3680, an ordinance amending the annual budget for the City of Salem for fiscal year 2025. The budget will see an overall fund balance decrease of $518,580.33 due to grant projects that were started later than anticipated, and Bill No. 3681, an ordinance allowing the subdivision of 803 E. Center St, a property owned by Bean Properties LLC. Both of these Bills were approved. The board also approved three bids. A bid for two patrol cars for the Salem Police Department from Behlman Dodge and obtaining the equipment from Scenic Rivers Industries for a total of $92,915.07; a bid from Olathe Fleet in the amount of $282,194.00 to replace a 20 year old double bucket truck for the Electrical Department; and a bid from Bridgewell Resources for 37 utility poles priced at $464 each for a total cost of $17,168.00. During the reports from city officials, City Administrator Sally Burbridge stated there will be a Leading Your Water Utility workshop on August 26th from 11:00 to 1:30 in the afternoon in the Rotary Room at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. She also scheduled an educational workshop with the Board of Aldermen to discuss vacant buildings in the community. Burbridge also stated that she had a walk through with Archer Elgin and Maggi to identify lingering issues that still need to be addressed in the downtown area.  Mayor Greg Parker stated he is organizing a recycling event with MRPC on Saturday September 13 from 9:00 to 12:00 and is currently looking for people interested in volunteering. Finance Director Stacy Houston gave the financial report for the end of fiscal year 2025, noting that the unofficial ending balance in all city funds is just under $14.2 million, she did clarify that this amount is subject to change pending transfers and adjustments. Public Works Director Steve Paine gave an update on the city’s utility crews, noting that the construction crew is planning to begin an emergency mitigation project for FEMA at the sewer plant, before taking on a project to renovate the parking lot at the Salem Community Center at the Armory to make it more accessible to emergency vehicles. With no reports from the Aldermen, the meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss contracts before adjourning. 

The Dent County Sheriff’s office has submitted the following reports for July 13th through the 19th. On Sunday, the 13th, Deputies responded to the 200 block of County Road 4220 for a domestic assault. A report was taken, and the investigation is pending. Also on the 13th, Deputies took a report of the theft of farm equipment from the 3000 block of Highway N. The investigation is ongoing. Stil on the 13th, Deputies responded to the 22,000 block of Highway C for a property damage report. The victim’s mailbox was damaged by an unknown subject. The investigation is ongoing. Then on Tuesday, the 15th, Deputies arrested a 49-year-old male for failing to register as a sex offender. The suspect was transported to the Dent County Jail and was placed on a 24-Hour Hold. Then on Wednesday the 16th, Deputies responded to the 2800 block of County Road 4060 for a reported domestic assault. A 28-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. Finally on Saturday, the 19th, Deputies responded to the unit block of County Road 3190 for a reported domestic assault. The parties were separated, and a report was taken. If you have any information concerning any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 573-729-3241.

Representative Jason Smith is reminding those students interested in attending one of the US service academies which includes the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, that you have until October 24th to get your applications in. Applicants are considered on the basis of leadership skills, academic success, physical ability, and extracurricular activities. A committee of Missouri residents review each application and make nomination recommendations to Smith. To receive a nomination packet, contact the congressman’s Farmington office at 573-756-9755 or email Donna.Hickman@mail.house.gov. Students, parents, and educators interested in learning more about academy life and the application process are encouraged to attend Academy Day. The event is from 9:30 in the morning until 12:00 noon on September 13th at the fieldhouse at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. Attendees will be able to meet with representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. To register, please send an email to academyday2025@mail.house.gov.