Ben Johnson

Salem

Staff Writer at The Salem News (Salem, MO)

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Articles

Parents Prevail, Order Wyoming Library to Purge Filth Aimed at Kids from Stacks, Install Filters

May 28, 2024 | stream.org | Tom Sileo |Ben Johnson |Dennis Prager

Editor’s Note: As you may have noticed, The Stream has been running a multipart series from author John Amanchukwu detailing how you, too, can successfully take on your local school or library board when inappropriate material is being used to indoctrinate and groom children. This recent victory exemplifies all those principles in action. We’ll have Part 4 of that series for you later today.
ALDERMEN: Quorum and weather postponements make for a dense agenda

Jan 30, 2024 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

The Jan. 25 agenda of the City of Salem Board of Aldermen was dense, due to two previous postponements; one because of poor weather, and one a lack of quorum. The board discussed recent water damage to the old city hall, heard a presentation about a Smithsonian Institute exhibit that will be coming to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC), approved a service line bill protection program, board appointments, and several items relating to city projects.
COUNTY COMMISSION Dealer issues delay courthouse lighting, public concerns noted

Jan 2, 2024 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

No Monday meeting of the Dent County Commission was held last week, due to the Christmas holiday. During the Dec. 28, 2023 meeting, Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson addressed issues with the courthouse’s Christmas lights. Prior to recent renovations, the courthouse lighting was falling into disrepair, and the traditional Christmas lights required a lot of yearly maintenance.
Missouri minimum wage increased Jan. 1

Jan 2, 2024 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

The minimum wage rate in Missouri increased from $12.00 to $12.30 per hour on Jan. 1, according to a press release from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. This year’s increase is pursuant to state law. Missouri’s minimum wage remained close to the federal rate since 2010, shortly after the federal rate was set at $7.25. Proposition B, which was approved by voters in November of 2018, marked the largest series of minimum wage increases for the state in the past decade.
Bygone season’s greetings remind us to hold fast to the Spirit of Christmas

Dec 26, 2023 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

Times are tough, there’s no sugarcoating it. It seems like whenever we turn on the national news, we see nothing but strife and suffering; Wars, disasters, division, and economic strife seem to be everywhere we turn. In hard times, it can be easy to succumb to the chaos, becoming jaded or depressed. In those periods, it’s important to remember the eras and the people that came before, who weathered hard times themselves.
Trapping is an age-old practice still alive in Missouri

Dec 26, 2023 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

Trapping of animals has likely been a part of Ozarkian culture since humans first began inhabiting the area. Once, Native American tribes and early European settlers relied on the practice for the very clothes on their backs. As trade routes opened up to the west, the furs became a powerful economic commodity, with expedition parties traveling up north along rivers such as the Missouri in hopes of bountiful trapping.
COUNTY COMMISSION: Assessors have right to inspect; board appointments approved

Dec 26, 2023 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson had a reminder for the public during the Thursday meeting of the Dent County Commission. “I would just like to remind folks,” said Larson. “The State Statute Section 137.130: Assessor to make physical inspection when assessment is needed. We had somebody that got irate with the assessor’s people and ran into their vehicle. We had to take them, have them checked at the hospital and make sure they were okay.
ALDERMEN: Whelan appointed to West Ward seat

Dec 19, 2023 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

The City of Salem’s Board of Aldermen met at a special meeting Dec. 19 to appoint a new alderman for the vacant west ward seat following the resignation of former west ward alderwoman Amanda Duncan the previous week. After calling the meeting to order, Mayor Greg Parker announced that his recommendation for the seat, pending aldermen approval, would be John Whelan. Alderwoman Kala Sisco made the motion to approve Whelan’s appointment to the board, and alderman Kyle Williams seconded.
R-80 BOARD: $6m Bond and .90 tax levy will appear on April ballot

Dec 19, 2023 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

The Salem R-80 Board of Education is seeking voter approval of a $6 million bond issue and an increased operational tax levy, following decisions made during a Dec. 14 regular meeting. All board members were present, as well as superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed and assistant superintendent Nathan Wills. Superintendent Dr. Lynn Reed presented a list of priority projects, not necessarily to be completed immediately, to give the board an idea of what district projects would need funding in coming years.
CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE HONORED

Dec 19, 2023 | thesalemnewsonline.com | Ben Johnson

SHS Cross-Country Athlete Alex Diehl was honored for his achievements at State Championships by the Salem R-80 Board of Education during their Dec. 14 meeting. Board President Steven Patterson presented a certificate, as Diehl’s mother and coach looked on proudly.