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.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. In the road report, Commissioners Bobby Simpson and J.J. Tune both reported that roads are frozen, so no grading would be done in either district.  Commissioner Simpson did say that District 1 crew members would be replacing road pipes on Dent County Road 408 and Commissioner Tune said that District 2 crew members would be removing limbs, trash and other debris from various roads throughout District 2. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended a Community Development Block Grant training meeting last Friday in Ozark that was held to update county officials on the proper procedures to take when applying for a block grant. Commissioner Skiles also said that on Wednesday he attended a series of Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee meetings in St. James. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that next Wednesday is the last day to request an absentee mail out ballot and the last day to absentee vote is February 4^th.  Commissioner Skiles also wanted to remind everyone of the budget hearing that will start at 9:00 on Monday. At 11:00 the Commission went into closed session to discuss real estate issues.  At the previous meeting, phone bids were taken for diesel fuel and unleaded fuel for the Road and Bridge Department. MFA Oil Company was awarded the bid on diesel at $2.81 and the bid for unleaded fuel at $2.49.  The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department released their reports. On Sunday, January 20^th at 12:39 in the morning, the department received a report of a vehicle weaving over the roadway on Highway 72 west. A deputy was almost struck by the same vehicle while conducting another traffic stop. The vehicle was stopped and investigation led to the arrest of a 28-year old male for driving while intoxicated and failure to proceed with caution/reduce speed when approaching a stationary vehicle displaying red/blue light. The Dent County Sheriff’s Department received a report of damage to a vehicle, which was parked on Dent County Road 415. A red or orange hydraulic jack was reported taken and the front windshield had been bashed. And also on Sunday at 5:04, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a theft from two vehicles from a resident located off of Highway 19 South. Reported taken were a Nextel cell phone and Vicodin pills from a truck and Vicodin pills from a van located on the property. On Monday, January 21^st at 4:00 in the afternoon, the Dent County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a theft at a residence located off of Dent County Road 224. Reported taken from the garage were 10 – 100 foot electrical extension cords with black male and female ends. Anyone with any information regarding these incidents, which are still under investigation, is asked to please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department by calling 729-3241.

Dent County was selected as one of four pilot communities in the state by a special University of Missouri Extension program to reduce obesity and improve overall health. There were four different areas of the state selected for the Healthy Lifestyle Initiative besides Dent County, and there are Boone, Ralls and Lafayette/Jackson counties. The demonstration sites, a mix of rural and urban communities, will be used to develop model programs that can be replicated statewide. During the next three years, these communities will serve as demonstration sites for multi-disciplinary interventions to address overweight, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and related diseases, as well as create positive behavior change and impact lifelong health. Interest from the community, partnerships, health and nutrition programming and sustainability also were considered in selecting the sites. MU Extension has committed $784,000 over the next three years to support the communities as they develop and implement plans. A variety of community and health based organizations that participated in the letter of interest are in the process of developing the effort in Dent County. Representatives from those organizations and University of Missouri are scheduled to meet this coming Monday, January 28^th to discuss the program in Dent County.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tigers fell behind 17-6 to Waynesville after the first quarter and just never could catch up as they lost their second straight game, 45-34. Salem was led by Natalie Howard with 14 points. The Lady Tigers get back to SCA play Monday when they travel to Mountain View to face the Lady Eagles. Salem is 13-5 on the year.

The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers will host the St. James Tigers tonight starting at 6:00 with the JV contest with the varsity game to follow. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio or online at www.ksmoradio.com. Salem enters the game with a 13-5 record.

The Salem Knights of Columbus Council 7501 will hold their annual free throw shooting contest for boys and girls from ages 10 to 14 this Saturday night at the Salem Freedom Activity Center starting at 6:30. Sign ups will be held the night of the competition and a parent’s signature is required on the registration. For more information, call 729-6302.

Jonathan Cheechoo scored two power-play goals and Joe Thornton registered three assists, as San Jose defeated the St. Louis Blues, 4-1, at the Shark Tank. Brad Boyes scored the only goal for the slumping Blues, who are now winless in their last seven games overall (0-5-2). Manny Legace allowed four goals on 26 shots in the loss. The Blues will be off until next Tuesday night for the All-Star Break.

The Missouri Basketball Tigers will be in Colorado Saturday afternoon and you can hear the game on KSMO starting at 2:30. Missouri is 11-8 on the year and have lost three straight games. They are also 1-3 in Big 12 Conference play.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Graveside services for Kathleen Marie Brake of Salem, age 58, will be held at 11:00 Saturday morning at the New Harmony Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the New Harmony Church. All arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary of Salem.

Funeral services for Katie Alice Walker of Salem, age 95, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be from noon until service time. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Osteoporosis Foundation.

Weather [TOP]