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An accident happened at 11:15 Saturday morning at the intersection of Scenic Rivers Blvd West and Askins Street that left a man from Licking with injuries. According to the Salem Police Department report, a 2004 Harley Davidson Electric Glide motorcycle driven by Randy Vestal of Licking, was traveling east bound on the inner lane of Scenic Rivers Blvd. At that time, a 1999 Ford Contour driven westbound by Jackie Hamm of Salem, who was in the center turn lane at Askins Street, started making a left hand turn with a green yield light toward the entrance of Wal-Mart, and then made contact with the Harley Davidson motorcycle. Due to the impact, the motorcycle started skidding and overturned causing Randy Vestal to be totally ejected. Vestal suffered moderate injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance. The Ford Contour sustained minor damage while the motorcycle sustained moderate damages. 

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. After approval of the consent agenda, Director of Public Works Bill Huffman reported that the Christmas decorations have been taken down and all departments are working on routine items such as tree trimming.  City Administrator Clayton Lucas reported that he would be attending a CDBG workshop in Springfield to learn of new grant opportunities. Alderman Kenneth Nash asked that a parking space near the Post Office exit on Fourth Street be eliminated for safety reasons. Mayor Gary Brown also requested a space on the corner of Fourth and Iron Street be eliminated. Huffman will work on this project. Alderman Haydn Powell asked about enforcing any ordinance on the books for the feral cat problem in town. Alderman Philip Giacomelli suggested that rental houses be inspected by the Building Inspector to ensure they are up to City code and also for the safety of tenants. City Attorney William Camm Seay will investigate the ordinances and seek input from Alderman for enforcement on both issues. The board approved Resolution No. 1-2012 authorizing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with BHMG to do an electric utility rate study. The board approved Bill No. 3249 which is an ordinance stating that a mobile home should be placed parallel to the street. The board also approved Bill No. 3250 which is an ordinance setting the term of the Building Commissioner that will be at the pleasure of the board or until they would resign. The board approved a budget adjustment in the electric fund to pay for four Electric Department employees to attend apprenticeship training.  Lucas reported that the City previously requested bids from local insurance companies and due to time constraints; the bids could not be obtained.  Bids will be sought at a later date for budget preparation. The board approved seeking approval from DNR to transfer a parks grant to develop a soccer field complex from the city owned property on South Highway 19 to the Al Brown fields. This grant is for $30,000 that must be used by December 2012. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Dent County Service Unit of The Salvation Army would like to announce that they have successfully reached their $21,000 goal during this year’s Christmas Kettle Campaign. The total raised was $22,646.61. The local Salvation Army Board and this year’s Christmas Campaign Chairman, Michael McCluskey, would like to thank everyone who made monetary donations at the kettles or through the local mail appeal. They also extend their greatest appreciation to the dedicated volunteers that took time out of their busy holiday season to ring the bells at the kettles. Your continued generosity will be distributed throughout 2012 to those less fortunate in Dent County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports five people died during the New Year’s holiday counting period from 6:00 pm Friday, December 30, 2011, to 11:59 pm, Monday, January 2, 2012. Troopers investigated 163 traffic crashes with 75 injuries and 5 fatalities. In addition, troopers made 114 arrests for driving while intoxicated. During last year’s New Year’s holiday counting period, troopers investigated 157 traffic crashes with 70 injuries. Statewide, there were five fatalities during the 2011 New Year’s holiday. In addition, troopers made 90 arrests for driving while intoxicated. Two fatalities occurred in the Troop F, Jefferson City area, one fatality occurred in the Troop A, Lee's Summit area, one in the Troop B, Macon area, and one in the Troop I, Rolla area. Based on preliminary crash report information, Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, wanted to make the public aware of a 5 percent decrease in traffic fatalities in 2011 when compared to 2010. As of January 3, 2012, Missouri traffic crash fatalities totaled 773 for 2011, compared to 821 traffic crash fatalities in 2010. This is the first year since 1949 that Missouri has experienced less than 800 fatalities. 

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