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An accident happened in Texas County on Highway 63 Thursday afternoon at 1:20 involving five vehicles that took the life of two Salem people. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Dodge driven by 45-year old Melissa Hall of Raymondville, a 2000 Ford driven by 22-year old Jason Clinton of Bucyrus, and a 2011 Buick driven by 78-year old Ralph Hoffman of Salem were stopped in a line of traffic heading northbound. At that time, a 2001 Volvo Tractor-Trailer unit driven by 48-year old James McCune of Hartville failed to stop and struck the Buick from behind which in turn struck the 2000 Ford in front of him, and the 2000 Ford then hit the 1996 Dodge that was in front of him. The Tractor Trailer Unit also pushed the 2011 Buick into the southbound lane where it was struck by a 2000 Nissan driven by 19-year old Erica Wyble, head-on. Pronounced dead at the scene was 78-year old Janet Hoffman of Salem by the Texas County Acting Deputy Coroner Melissa Dunn. Her husband, 79-year old Ralph F. Hoffman was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital where he passed away at 3:45 Thursday afternoon. Suffering serious injuries were 49-year old Ralph A. Hoffman of Salem who was transported by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, and 21-year old Parish Gale of Houston, a passenger from the 1996 Dodge, who was taken to the Texas County Memorial Hospital before being Air Evac’d to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Suffering moderate injuries was 20-year old Clarence Hall of Houston from the 1996 Dodge and he was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital, while Jason Clinton from the 2000 Ford and Erica Wyble from the Nissan suffered minor injuries. They were both taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. The 1996 Dodge, 2000 Ford and 2011 Buick were totaled in the accident while the Volvo Tractor-Trailer Unit and the 2000 Nissan both sustained extensive damage. All the vehicles were removed from the scene by A-1 Towing of Houston.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will conduct their meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 202 North Washington beginning at 7:00 pm. After approval of the agenda during the hearing of person, Bill Stack would like to update the Alderman on the operation of the Food Pantry, and some new programs. He would also like to propose an alternative type of FDIC Insured Deposit the Board might want to consider, and that can boost City earnings considerably without risk. In unfinished business, at the last meeting City Administrator Clayton Lucas mentioned that he had some citizens who have some concerns about the limb pick-up policy and the Board directed that the matter would be further discussed at this meeting. In reports of City Officials, Board and Committees, Director of Public Works & Engineering Bill Huffman will update on each department’s completed, present or future projects. Lucas will also update on the Board on issues concerning the City. Aldermen Jerry Randell, Kenneth Nash, Haydn Powell and Philip Giacomelli will discuss various items concerning the City and Mayor Gary Brown will discuss items concerning the City of Salem. During the Introduction and Reading of Bills and Resolutions, Resolution #7-2012 is a resolution required in order for the Mayor to sign the Employment Agreement with City Administrator Clayton Lucas and Resolution 8-2012 is a resolution required in order for the Mayor to sign the contract with the MRPC for asbestos inspection consulting at the Old Middle School will be presented. In new and miscellaneous business, the City was asked by CASA to prepare a Proclamation in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the proclamation will be presented. The Board will then vote to go into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing real estate, litigation and personnel. The meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public. 

Salem R-80 had four instrumental music students advancing to the state competition. The four students include Josiah Beckett who did a Trombone Solo, Weston Richardson who performed a Trumpet Solo, as well as Joshua Kneuven and Gannon Craig who performed Tuba Solos. Congratulations to these talented students and their instrumental teacher Hillary Alexander Winter.

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