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Injuries caused by slips and falls in Missouri jumped by nearly 40 percent in December compared with such injuries in a typical month. The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) found that Missouri hospitals treated more than 7,000 injuries involving slips and falls. Falls can be particularly dangerous for people age 65 and older who are the most likely to need to visit an emergency room after a fall. To minimize the risk of falling or injury during the winter DHSS suggests: keeping both hands free for balance and not in your pockets, wear foot gear with rubber or neoprene soles for better traction, take small steps to keep your center of balance under you, avoid carrying loads on stairways, keep your eyes on where you are going, step slowly when exiting a car or building and keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible by using rock salt or another chemical deicing compound. In the event that you do fall, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the chance of a serious injury and they include: tossing the load that you are carrying, roll with the fall and try to fall forward and relax your muscles as much as possible if you begin to fall.

Captain Lee Ann Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I, announces the results of a special enforcement operation conducted in Phelps County on Thursday, January 22^nd. During the course of the eight-hour operation, two troopers were assigned to detect and enforce all hazardous moving violations. The troopers stopped 37 vehicles resulting in 21 speeding violations, two seat belt violations, one violation for following too closely, one hazardous moving violation, one uninsured motorist violation three hazardous moving violations by commercial motor vehicles and 23 warnings. Troop I will continue to conduct these operations in an effort to make roads safer. Anyone observing a vehicle being operated in either a careless or imprudent manner to please call the Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on your cell phone.

The Dent County Fire Protection District released their reports for Tuesday, January 27^th. At 8:42 pm, the Dent County Fire Protection District was paged out for a structure fire in the 700 block of West Glendale. While responding, units were advised the fire was out and the department was requested to respond non-emergency. Units arrived on the scene at 8:57. The cause of the fire was determined to be due to a flue fire. The scene was under control at 9:14 and all personnel returned to the station at 9:20pm. A total of 9 firefighters responded to the call. Later that same evening, The Dent County Fire Protection District was called to a possible structure fire at 11:38. The structure was located on West 7th street. After investigation the problem was determined to be an electrical issue. The structure received no damage. The Dent County Fire Protection District returned to the station at 12:23 the next morning and had a total of 7 firefighters present.

Senator Frank Barnitz has announced the committees that he will be serving on this year. They include the Appropriations Committee; the Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources Committee; the Education Committee, the Transportation Committee; and the Ways and Means Committee. Barnitz was also especially pleased to meet Dr. Jon Hagler, Governor Nixon’s nominee for Missouri Agriculture Department Director. Jon is a local from St. James and actually went to school at Northwood R-4 in Dent County. As always, Senator Barnitz would appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns.  Please feel free to call me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2108.

The Salem Upper Elementary School Honors Choir has been selected to sing the National Anthem at the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on July 31^st against the Houston Astros. Congratulations to Julie Cartwright and the Upper Elementary Honors Choir. In the near future, they will have tickets available for the game for those who are interested in attending.

Sports [TOP]

Jacob Pullen scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Kansas State Wildcats to an 88-72 win over the Missouri Tigers in Big 12 action at Bramlage Coliseum. The Tigers (17-4, 4-2) were paced by DeMarre Carroll, who scored 19 points in a losing effort. Matt Lawrence also added 17 points for Missouri, while Leo Lyons checked in with 13 points. Missouri will face Baylor Saturday afternoon at 5:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio starting at 4:30 with the pre-game show.

The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers will host the Rolla Bulldogs tonight at the SHS Gym in a makeup game that was iced out back in December. The JV action begins at 6:00 with the varsity game to follow. You can hear the varsity game on KSMO and online at ksmoradio.com. Salem is 8-9 on the year.

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers will visit Waynesville tonight to face the Lady Tigers in a non-conference game. The JV will start things out at 6:00 with the varsity game to follow. Salem is 7-9 going into the game tonight.

The St. Louis Blues return to action for the first time since the All-Star break as they will host the Ottawa Senators tonight starting at 7:30. The Blues have won their 3 of 4 before the break. KSMO will join the game for the third period after Salem Tiger Basketball.

St. Louis Rams have named Bruce Warwick assistant to head coach and the director of football operations.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Velma Hanks of Steelville, age 83, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Chapel in Steelville. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery.

Funeral services for Charles Hampton of Salem, age 76, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be tonight from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral services for Margaret Land of Salem, age 80, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Stone Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services for Vesta Lee (Stluka) Crouch of Salem, age 71, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the Bunker Tabernacle Church in Bunker. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 at Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Memorials may be made to the Stluka Family Cemetery.

Funeral services for Ruth J. Lacy of St. James, age 87, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Chapel in St. James. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 Saturday morning. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or the Tri-County Humane Society.

Funeral services for Johnny Earl Wilson of Rolla, age 61, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Chapel in St. James. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Brookshire Cemetery in Flat, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to the Johnny E. Wilson Family.

Funeral services for Kenneth L. Roberts of Salem, age 66, will be held Satuday at 2:00 at the James and Gahr Chapel in Salem. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Funeral services for Donald Crocker will be Sunday at noon at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Smith Cemetery in Oates.

Weather [TOP]