News
The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers Monday night. At the meeting, the board approved the request from Ashley Miller from the American Cancer Society to hold the relay for Life on October 5th from 12:00 noon to midnight at the Salem City Park. Mayor Gary Brown nominated Ryan Whitaker to fill the unexpired term of Alderman Jerry Randell who resigned last week, and the board unanimously approved the nomination. Whitaker was then sworn-in by City Clerk Mary Happel. In the consent agenda, Mayor Brown indicated that sales tax collections year-to-date are up $88,147. The board approved a request from Salem Police Chief Keith Steelman to destroy by incineration old police records from January of 1997 to December of 2006 as suggested by the Police Clerks Records Retention Schedule in the Missouri State Statutes. Items to be destroyed include old logs, arrest records, accident reports and files, messages, incidents reports and more. Steelman said that Class A felonies, child molestation and sexual abuse cases would not be destroyed. The board also approved the painting of the other two clarifiers at the Water Treatment Plant by the city employees. One will be painted in the spring and the other in the fall. The materials will all be bought in this budget year with the exception of the renting of sand blaster. City Administrator Clayton Lucas said that he and the mayor met with Archer Engineering on the McArthur Street project, that he and Mayor Brown will attend mandatory training by MoDOT on Wednesday, that the city has been approved by DNR for two water line upgrades from two-inch lines to six-inch lines, and that the strategic planning meeting for the city and county will be held next Tuesday at 6:00 at the Upper Elementary School. Alderman Powell asked about traffic on East Third Street between Iron Street and Highway 19, and possibly making that a one-way street. It will be checked out. The board then approved by a 3-1 vote Bill #3264 concerning the new definition of “recreational off-highway vehicles” in the city. The ordinance allows the city to charge a $15 fee for anyone in the city that wishes to operate this type of vehicle on city streets. The operator must also have liability insurance and have a seven-foot bicycle flag on the vehicle. With no other business at hand, the Salem Board of Aldermen then went into closed session to discuss personnel.
U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson announced Monday that her service in the House of Representatives will end in February 2013. She said that the people of Southern Missouri have entrusted their voice in Congress to her for 16 years and serving them has been a humbling experience, a great honor and a welcome challenge. She went on to say that 8th congressional district is big, it is diverse, and it demands practical representation by someone who places the people ahead of politics and partisanship. The vitality of rural America depends on the hard work and optimism of the people who make their communities special. She said that the 8th District has earned its reputation for commonsense above all else, and she will leave Congress in February with a heavy heart despite my confidence that Southern Missouri and its standard for leadership will endure. In February, Emerson will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, where she will continue her advocacy for rural communities in Missouri and throughout the country.
Healthy Dent County is nearing completion of their Capital Campaign to raise $500,000 to create the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. This campaign uses the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) to raise funds for this project. NAP helps not-for-profit organizations raise private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects. Healthy Dent County has pledges for nearly $280,000 locally and an additional $185,000 has been requested by businesses located in other areas of Missouri. That leaves only about $35,000 left to meet the goal. Local businesses that are thinking about donating through the NAP program should contact Healthy Dent County as soon as possible. Pledge forms can be submitted now to ensure that your business is included and donations need to be made by December 31st to use against 2012 taxes. Credits can equal 70 percent of the total amount contributed, providing a state tax savings for businesses and individuals who participate, while making a difference in the lives of the citizens of Dent County. NAP credits are limited to corporations, partnerships or individuals with a business schedule, (Schedule C) rental schedule (Schedule E) or business income passed through reported on Schedule K-1. Once the $500,000 is raised, renovation of the Salem Freedom Activity Center (the former National Guard Armory) located at 1200 West Rolla Road will get started. For additional information on this or any Healthy Dent County project, please visit Sherry at the Armory or call 729-8163 or e-mail sherry@salemtcrc.com.
Sports [TOP]
The Salem Lady Tigers fell to Seymour in the opening round of the Cabool Tournament, 54-49, on Monday. Kristin Hemken and Cortney Putman scored 11 points apiece for the Lady Tigers, who dropped to 1-2 on the year. Salem will now face Cabool on Friday.
The Salem Tiger Boys’ Basketball team will be in West Plains tonight to face the Zizzers. Salem is 1-1 on the year and you can hear the varsity contest on KSMO and ksmoradio.com at 7:15.
The 12th ranked Missouri Tiger basketball team will host Southeast Missouri State tonight at 6:30. Missouri is 6-1 on the season and KSMO will play back the 2nd half after the Salem game.
University of Missouri junior defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson has decided to forego his final year of collegiate eligibility, and will make himself available for the 2013 NFL Draft. Richardson had a breakout season for the Tigers in 2012, as he led all Southeastern Conference defensive tackles with 75 tackles.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Mell A. Scrivner of Rolla, age 87, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Britton Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from 11:00 until time of service. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery with full military honors.
Graveside services for Edythe R. Chambers-Barbarick of Salem, age 92, will be Friday at 1:00 at the Macedonia Cemetery in Rolla. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to 12:45 pm at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla. Interment will be in the Macedonia Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the TriCounty Animal Shelter in St. James.
Funeral services for Junior Ray Boyer of Rolla, age 48, will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family of Junior Boyer. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.
Weather [TOP]
