News
The workshop entitled “Growing Profits for Missouri’s Wood Industries,” sponsored by the Missouri Forest Products Association that was scheduled at the Salem TCRC this Thursday has been postponed due to the expectation of bad weather. The workshop will be rescheduled at a later date. For more information, call Rick Prugh at 573-308-7581.
The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers Tuesday night. The board approved the budgeted purchase of 10 scanners for the Salem Police Department at the lowest bid of $4,498.40 from Scanner Master. This does not include installation. These new digital radios are required to be in compliance with the FCC. City Attorney Camm Seay reported on the public hearing that was held prior to the Alderman meeting. Several citizens were in attendance to discuss the past performance by the City in carrying out the Storm Drainage Improvement Project. There were no negative comments presented. Mayor Gary Brown reported that the sales tax revenue totaled $80,813.56 for January and this is down $21,469 compared to last January. There was a total of $1,746 collected in fines and $14,747.96 collected in C.A.R.T tax revenue in January. City Administrator Clayton Lucas reported that he met with Mike Perry with Sullivan Publications to complete the ordinance codification, and also met with a representative from Mo Public Risk for a tour of the city’s property and discuss ways to lower liability. He reported that there is currently no insurance on the old middle school property. A Request for Qualification notice for the city’s health insurance and bids for crushed limestone rock have been advertised locally. Alderman Kenny Nash thanked Jack Emory and the entire Water Department for discovering a water leak on Butler Street. Alderman Ryan Whitaker thanked the Dent County Fire District for their prompt response to a brush fire near his property on Sunday. Mayor Brown reminded the aldermen of the Road Rally to be held on February 22nd and 23rd. He wanted to remind the public to take precautions if the weather turns bad as predicted for later this week. All snow routes are marked in town and include Third, Fourth, Tenth Roosevelt, Franklin, Pershing and Wine Streets. Brown reported that the swimming pool changing rooms are in need of repair and updating. Brown encouraged residents to review their cell phone and home phone bills to ensure that they are being charged the taxes for the right county as well as not being charged city taxes if they do not reside inside the city limits. The board then went into closed session.
On Friday, March 1st, citizens and businesses in Salem will begin receiving its power supplies from its new supplier, the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC). The change completes a process that began in 2010, when Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative notified the City of Salem and 14 other south-central Missouri cities that the coop would terminate its wholesale power contracts with the municipalities in 2013. After the cancellation notice from Sho-Me Power, Salem joined with 14 other cities to form the Mid-Missouri Municipal Power Pool (MMMPEP) to collectively secure a wholesale power contract. Using a competitive bidding process, the group of cities chose a proposal from MJMEUC, to become its wholesale power supplier. Eventually 12 of the cities chose the MJMEUC bid over three competing bids because it provided the lowest increase over previous wholesale rates, the best five-year cost and rate stability, and the most efficient supply management. For the last 13 years MJMEUC has also provided power to MoPEP, a separate municipal power pool providing full power supplies to 35 other cities throughout the state. Additionally MJMEUC contracts power to 15 other cities in Missouri and Arkansas from individual power plants. In order to participate in the MMMPEP negotiated contract with MJMEUC, Salem and the other cities took separate city council or board of alderman actions to contract with MJMEUC. These actions allowed the cities of MMMPEP to act jointly to aggregate their load as provided in the State Constitution and get the best bids possible for electric service. Salem retains full local control over its local operations and retail electric rates. MJMEUC is the electric generation and services arm of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA) which provides a broad range of services to almost 120 city utilities covering the entire state including natural gas services, consulting on environmental permits, low cost financing programs, and advocacy with state and federal regulators and legislators. The 12 member cities of MMMPEP include: Cabool, Cuba, Houston, Mansfield, Newburg, Richland, St. Robert, Salem, Seymour, Steelville, Sullivan and Willow Springs. The collective population of the 12 participating cities is 33,567.
Sports [TOP]
Cody Whitaker had six 3-pointers in the game, including five of them in the second quarter, and finished with 30 points as the Salem Tigers beat St. Clair, 69-60, on Tuesday. Jake Arzt added 14 points as the Tigers end their regular season with an 11-14 record. They will travel to Marshfield Monday night at 6:00 to face Eldon in the first round of district play. The cost of admission to the game is $4.00 per person.
Tim Kennedy produced the game-winning score late in the third period, as the San Jose Sharks ended a seven-game losing streak with a 2-1 decision over the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. Patrik Berglund provided the sole offense for the Blues, whose three-game win streak came to an end. Jake Allen played well in defeat, stopping 23 shots. The Blues will be in Colorado tonight to play the Avalanche and you can hear that game on KSMO starting at 8:30.
Laurence Bowers' right wing jumper with 1:15 remaining proved to be the difference-maker, as Missouri remained undefeated at home this season en route to slaying No. 5 Florida, 63-60, on Tuesday at Mizzou Arena. Bowers finished with a game-high 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Tigers (19-7, 8-5 SEC), who bounced back from a loss at Arkansas on Saturday and improved to 15-0 on their home court. Jabari Brown added 12 points and Phil Pressey scored seven and dished out 10 helpers in the victory. Missouri will play at the defending National Champions Kentucky on Saturday.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday that the team has parted ways with tight end Kevin Boss and wide receiver Steve Breaston. Boss spent part of last season on injured reserve while Breaston caught 68 balls for a total of 859 yards and two touchdowns.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Jarvice Carroll Johnson of Salem, age 84, will be held today at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Polk Cemetery ay 2:45.
Lanny Raymond “Bear” Watson of Salem, age 58, will have no visitation or funeral services. Per Lanny’s request, his body will be cremated and there will be no memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel.
Funeral services for Irene Hencock of St. James are incomplete. Arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James.
Funeral services for Stan Kaffer of Salem, age 57, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Green Forest Cemetery.
Weather [TOP]
