News

The National Park Service has announced that the public meetings on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways’ new Draft General Management Plan scheduled for this morning in Salem and tonight at Kirkwood have been postponed due to weather and road conditions. The public meetings have been rescheduled for Thursday, January 16^th at the Eminence High School New Gym located at 505 South Sixth Street in Eminence; and on Friday, January 17^th at the Salem City Hall Auditorium located at 202 North Washington in Salem. Both of these meetings will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening as an Open House on the Draft General Management Plan. Other public meetings to be held will be on Tuesday, January 21^st at the Van Buren Youth & Community Center located at the intersection of Business 60 & Route D in Van Buren; and on Wednesday, January 22^nd at the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood. Both of these meetings will also be held from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening as an Open House on the Draft General Management Plan with a  Wilderness Hearing from 8:00 to 9;00 to follow. The Draft Plan may be reviewed online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ozarkamp. Comments may also be submitted on this website or through the mail to the park Superintendent. The public comment period for the Draft Plan began on November 8th and will continue through February 7th.

According to 8th District US Representative Jason Smith, Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell has decided to end further designation of any rivers under the National Blueways System. The decision also dissolves the National Blueways Committee, which was composed entirely of federal officials and which claimed the authority to unilaterally designate entire river watersheds as “National Blueways.” These designations held the potential to expand the reach of the federal government over non-navigable waters currently under state jurisdiction. The announcement comes after months of continuous pressure from Smith and property rights advocates to end the controversial land designation. Jason Smith has strongly opposed the National Blueways designation for the White River Watershed in Missouri and Arkansas because the designation did not have local support. Although the National Blueways Designation has been rescinded, Smith says he will remain vigilant and will fight any federal efforts to limit property rights in the 8th District, including the proposed General Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. According to Smith, Missouri families should not be forced to live in fear of the government trying to regulate their land or way of life. The rights of private property owners must be protected.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting Thursday morning at 10:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington for the purpose of discussing the bids for Class 2, 30-foot long utility poles, then going into closed session to discuss personnel. The special meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department has released their reports. On Friday, December 27^th at 2:39 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to Dollar General in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation led to the arrest of a 20-year old Salem female for stealing merchandise valued at $29.30. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that evening at 10:00, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to credit card fraud. That investigation revealed that someone used the credit card of another, charging $18 in an online transaction. A little later at 10:48, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 31-year old Salem male for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that night at 11:56, an officer was dispatched to the area of Warfel and Hawkins in reference to two people getting into vehicles. That investigation led to the detention of two 16-year old Salem male juveniles. One juvenile was detained for 2nd degree property damage, tampering with a motor vehicle, minor in possession of intoxicants, and resisting arrest. The second juvenile identified as a witness. Both were released to a parent and the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding the credit card fraud, which is still under investigation.

Sports [TOP]