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The Salem Board of Aldermen’s regular meeting was held Tuesday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board heard from Karen Skornia from Regional Credit Services regarding the debt collection services her company can offer. The fee for this service would be 30% of the amount collected. The board approved a motion to go out for bids to collection agencies to collect the uncollectable utility accounts. They also authorized City Attorney Nanci Wisdom to draw up an ordinance to charge the collection fees to the customer. Alderman McDaniels suggested that the street sweeper concentrate on the main streets in the city before sweeping the secondary streets. He also suggested that if city workers are used to assist the asphalt company that will come to town to redo some streets, the city should be reimbursed those expenses by the company that messed up the streets. Aldermen Nash recommended the roof at the City Park pavilion be patched or replaced. Mayor Brown explained that they are looking at replacing it with metal roofing material. Economic Development Director Sharon Tubbs reported she is working with the Salem Area Community Betterment Association to apply for a USDA grant to expand the current Farmer’s Market pavilion.  She distributed a restaurant guide and auto service guide that will be distributed to the Road Rally participants on February 27 & 28. She is also working on a local shopping guide and new Salem tourism brochure. Mayor Brown reported that sales tax revenue for January was up $15,572 over last years amount.  Brown and Alderman Nash recently met with Tom Stehn with MoDOT regarding repairs on McArthur Street. The street cannot be milled and must be leveled out. A meeting with Stehn and the Board of Alderman will be planned in the near future.  Brown suggested that a new policy be created for paying city employees that perform emergency storm work. He is also working with the Dent County Commission on a new contract for the county to collect taxes for the city. Brown wanted to remind the citizens of Salem that all new building construction and additions, or remodeling work that involves electrical, plumbing or drywall work also requires a City Building Permit. He also said that anyone performing construction work for hire within the City of Salem is required to have a business license from the city. This current ordinance will be discussed further at the next meeting. Brown announced that he would be again be running for Mayor next year against Alderman Riley in the April election. After a lengthy discussion, the Board approved Bill No. 3152 authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department regarding prisoner fees of $40 per day. They also approved Bill No. 3153 authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement between the City and the Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council for $5,800 for services to the city. Also approved was Bill No. 3154 an ordinance to comply with the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday. This will be a tax holiday for all energy savings appliances purchased between April 19th-25th. The board approved Bill No. 3155 authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Salem and MoDOT for the City to purchase the Highway 19 roadside park for $1. After the bills were approved, the board went into closed session.

Captain Lee Ann Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I, announces that sometime during the month of February, Troop I officers will participate in two selective enforcement projects.  One of the operations will take place in Crawford County and will emphasize the detection of drivers who are exceeding the speed limit. The other will take place in Phelps County and will emphasize the enforcement of hazardous moving violations.

The Community Blood center of the Ozarks has issued a Code Yellow alert for O Negative Blood Type as there is less than a two-day supply available on hospital shelves. The next blood drive in the area will be in Bunker on Monday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Bunker Wood Products on Highway 72 East. You must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. You must also present an ID when giving blood

Sports [TOP]

Grant Gordon scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while C.J. Smith also tallied 17 points and Zach Pitchford added 14 more as the seniors led the Salem Tigers to victory on Senior Night Tuesday at the SHS gym by the score of 62-48. Salem improves to 11-12 on the year with the win and 4-2 in the SCA. Their final regular season game will be held Friday night at Ava against the Bears. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com.

The St. Louis Blues will be in Columbus tonight to face the Blue Jackets. Game time is set for 6:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio. The Blues have won two straight games and have garnered points in 9 of their last 10 games and are five points out of a playoff spot.

Kansas City Chiefs have retained offensive line coach Bob Bicknell, assistant offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, assistant strength coach Brent Salazar and strength and conditioning coach Cedric Smith. They have also hired assistant coaches Joel Collier, Gary Gibbs, Steve Hoffman, Bill Muir, Clancy Pendergast, Pat Perles & Dedric Ward.

The Kansas City Royals have signed first baseman Mike Jacobs to one-year contract and invited him to the spring training camp in Arizona.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral mass for Ron McGuirk of Salem, age 51, will be held today at 1:00 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salem. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.

Funeral services for Sandra Lee Young of Lenox, age 68, will be held Friday at 1:30 at the Crossville Baptist Church in Bunker. Interment will be in the Bunker Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services for Elmer Eugene McWhorter of Salem, age 83, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at Wilson Mortuary. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Morrison Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Morrison Cemetery.

Funeral services for Kenneth William Melton Sr. of Edgar Springs, age 83, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Smith Cemetery in Edgar Springs. Memorials are suggested to the Smith Cemetery or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

Funeral services for Julia Tarrance of Columbia, formerly of Salem, age 32, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will also be Saturday from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

A Memorial Mass for Arthur (Art) Stephens, Jr. of Salem, age 62, will be held March 4^th at 6:30 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salem. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary in Salem.

Weather [TOP]