News

Scroll Down for Sports, Weather and Obituaries! For State-Wide News, go to the MissouriNet! To read previous editions of Your World Today please visit our Archives Page.

McKinstry and Salem R80 School District Friday announced the reopening of Salem Middle School (the old Junior High) and Salem High School. Both schools received a remodel and retrofit including safety and security upgrades, new classrooms to eliminate mobile classrooms, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades. The project was made possible by voter-approved $4.5 million bond issue that promoted Proposition K.I.D.S. An initial engineering study in 2012 identified key areas for improvement in the two schools. McKinstry worked with design professionals to address restoration and expansion plans before construction and renovations began in May, 2013. One of the first priority areas to address was safety and security. The schools previously had 24 combined outside entrances. These doors are now secure with controlled points of entry, and security cameras have been installed throughout the buildings. Fire systems were also updated with new fire alarms and pull stations, meeting local codes. Energy and efficiency upgrades were another priority for the district. McKinstry installed new HVAC units and replaced the leaking roofs with more efficient ones to keep heat and air conditioning from escaping the building. These types of upgrades create a healthier and more comfortable learning environment for students and faculty, and also provide cost savings. The project also added 26,000 square feet of space to the schools. Students have six new classrooms, a new cafeteria and library addition, and the buildings are now connected with inside hallways. New tile, lockers, doors and doorframes, and restrooms were also added, along with new drywall and paint. Salem R80 was recently honored as the Rural School District of the Year by the Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE), partially because of the positives associated with Proposition K.I.D.S and the project with McKinstry. After a three-day delay to allow the construction work to finish, Salem R-80 schools will begin school today.

The Planning & Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing and public meeting on Monday, August 18^th beginning at 6:30 at the City Hall Council Chambers regarding the rezoning of Block H of Douglas Park owners Stanley, Brian and Bradley Schafer. The City of Salem Board of Alderman will then conduct their regular meeting. During the hearing of persons, at a previous meeting in November 2013, Willis Stagner addressed the Board about the City putting up a fence and gate on the side of the county cemetery at the end of Lough Lane that adjoins city property and will be readdressed at the meeting. Grace Community Church is requesting permission to block the city street at 600 South Water from the south end of their parking lot to the corner of Water and Franklin for the purpose of a community church outreach on Sunday, September 21^st from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Grace Community Church is also asking to do the same closures on Friday, October 31^st for a community event between the hours of 4:00 to 9:00 pm. The Oak Grove Baptist Church is requesting the temporary blocking of West Hunt Street from Missouri Avenue to Sligo Street on Wednesday, September 3^rd from 5:30 to 9:00 pm for a church event. In bids, the city requested bids for the purchase of a 2011 Ford 550 4X4 with an Altec AT40M Aerial Unit Truck that must have under 30,000 miles on it. Bids will be presented to the Board. Mayor J.J. Tune will then call for a Public Hearing in order to open discussion on the setting of a property tax rate for 2014. This is strictly for discussion only and no votes can be taken at this time. City Attorney William Camm Seay will then report on the public hearing held prior to the Alderman meeting. In unfinished business will the agreement for use of the shooting range by the Salem R-80 FFA. Jerry Craig, Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission will then report on the meeting held prior to the Alderman meeting on August 18^th. City Administrator Ray Walden will update the Board on projects and miscellaneous items concerning the City of Salem, followed by a report by Mayor Tune. During the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3279 which is an ordinance required to set the City’s tax rate for 2014 will be presented. At the last Park Board meeting it was recommended that there be designated smoking areas at the parks while youth programs are going on in order to make the ball fields a smoke free environment for the youth. The Park Board is requesting permission to have signs place in the parks in new and miscellaneous business. The public hearing and meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission along with the regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman, which will include the public hearing to discuss the property tax rate are all open the public.

City Administrator Ray Walden and other city staff will be on hand at the City Hall Council Chambers this evening at 6:00 to answer questions and discuss city operations with the general public. Walden also said that due to public interest in seeing the five new Salem police cars, all five of the new Dodge Charger police cars will be on display from 5:30 – 7:00 tonight on the parking lot east of the council chambers facing Highway 19. Information regarding their purchase along with information on the other eight vehicles used by our police department will be included in Walden’s report during the Aldermen Meeting.

Sports [TOP]