The Dent County Sheriff’s Department reports three burglaries over the last few days. On July 26^th, at 3:30 p.m., the Dent County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a burglary at the Country Fish Farm located on Hwy 68 North. The incident was reported to have occurred between July 25^th at 8:00 p.m. and July 26^th at 4:30 a.m. Reported taken was a Coleman Generator Powermate, a Dolmar chainsaw, a Craftsman tool chest, a Stihl line trimmer, a IDC weed eater, a Sears airless sprayer, a Craftsman angle grinder and numerous Craftsman hand and power tools. The incident is under investigation. Also on July 26^th, at 1:30 p.m., the department received a report of a burglary from a resident off of B Hwy. The incident is reported to have occurred sometime before the 25^th. Reported taken was a Queen Anne oak table and three chairs, step ladders, table saw, a Husquvarna chain saw, a Snapper weed eater, an antique twin bedroom set and various other tools. The report is under investigation. On July 30^th, at 9:51 p.m. the Sheriff’s Department received a call for a burglary from a resident off of Hwy 432-72 East. Taken from a garage were three Husquvarna chainsaws, Bostitch nailers, numerous Dewalt cordless tools, Dewalt and Makita sawzalls and a Troy Built leaf blower. These reports are all under investigation. If you have any information on these burglaries please contact the Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Salem Park Board held a meeting Tuesday evening at the Salem Freedom Activity Center. At the meeting, Salem Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash explained that the Al Brown Men’s Summer League was now over with the Fall League starting soon, plus Co-Ed Softball will begin on August 13^th. He said that the late start of the programs would cause some conflicts with the youth soccer program that the parks department will have to work around. The board discussed bats and balls used this year, and next year they agreed that the bats and balls would have to be NSA or ASA approved, whichever league rules Salem adopts next year. Nash reported that the north field is still rough from the construction work this year, but additional dirt and work will be done this fall. He did say that the parks department would be reworking the baseball field on the south end to have it ready next year for baseball and softball use. The board discussed the youth baseball and softball program and there were some complaints this year about the participants receiving medals instead of trophies. The board will go back to trophies next year. The fields at the Salem Freedom Activity Center were discussed and they held up very well during the season. Nash reported that the city is in the process of purchasing the culvert to cover the creek on the southeast end of the city park that will be used for additional parking. He did say that he would core and seed the fields again this fall. The board also discussed adding 13-year old boys to the boys 11 and 12-year old league next year and that was approved. Nash then reported that the DNR grant for the Salem Freedom Activity Fields is still not complete as DNR continues to request more information and clarification on the donations used to create the park. It seems that not enough donations were received as required by the grant. The board discussed donating the money from the youth activity fund to help. It was also discussed that possibly someone could pay for or donate the culvert that will be used for parking as that was also part of the grant. Nash will check into that possibility. Greg Nash then reported that the pool operation this year went very smooth with the new filter and attendance was steady all year long once the pool opened. He said that the new shelter was a big improvement by providing shade in the pool area. Nash and Park Board President Doug Barnes reported that the city has begun some work on the soccer fields on Highway 19 South with the new entrance being completed and an access road has been constructed. Nash said that soccer signups would be held at the end of August. The board then elected Dusty Arzt as the new Park Board President with S. N. Ball elected Vice President and Steve Plank Secretary. In other business, the park board reviewed allowing different businesses to support the youth sports teams again. No final decision was reached. It will be researched more before the next meeting.

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