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On Saturday, January 31^st at 1:35 pm, Mrs. Elma Richardson called the Dent County 911 line reporting that her daughter had fallen into a lake on Doss Road. Deputy Nivens, Lt. Steve Lawhead (Fort Leonard Wood Police), and Dent County Deputy Sgt. George Ball responded, arriving at the scene at approximately 1:42. The Dent County Fire Protection District was also paged out for a Water Rescue at County Road 5015. In a lake on the property, approximately fifty feet out from the edge of the lake, an adult white female was hanging onto the ice, her head just out of the water. An adult Labrador retriever was in the water next to her. Lt. Lawhead low crawled across the ice to the female, later identified as Mrs. Linda Richardson. Lt. Lawhead pulled Mrs. Richardson from the water onto the ice. Mrs. Richardson said she could not move her legs, as they had gone numb from the cold. She asked Lt. Lawhead to rescue the dog, which he did. Lt. Lawhead and Sgt. Ball took blankets to Mrs. Richardson and began dragging her across the ice on the blankets. In the process the ice began to crack, so they pulled her quickly to the bank. EMS and Fire Department personnel then took over medical care. Mrs. Richardson was transported by ambulance to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment.  From the time the call came in to the Dent County Sheriff's Department 911 and the victim being pulled to safety was 10 minutes. A total of 10 firefighters responded to the call from the Dent County Fire Protection District.

The Salem Board of Aldermen’s regular meeting was held Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, the board approved the use of the City Park for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event on June 12^th. In hearing of persons the board heard from Donald T. Armon regarding the city’s tree trimming policy. Mayor Gary Brown presented the City’s policy regarding the trimming of any trees that are a threat to 3-phase and primary electric lines.  When no electric lines are in danger, it is the property owner’s responsibility to trim the trees and the city has referred Mr. Armon’s Tree Service to homeowners. The board also heard from Mary Lin Botkin regarding a ticket she received for her barking dog.  The city ordinance states that a ticket can be written by the nuisance officer after two written complains have been received. City Clerk Mary Happel updated the board on the new lower rates for the LAGERS Plan that could go into effect July 1, 2009. The new rate increase would be $76,000, a decrease from the previous quoted $79,000 figure. City Engineer Bill Huffman submitted a proposal regarding the definition of what consists of a single-family dwelling. In this definition, certain qualifications for manufactured homes were explained. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash reported that 200 children have signed up for the basketball league. He stated that all the park programs have seen an increase of 20% this year. Alderman Kenneth Nash asked for a timeframe on when a new employee handbook would be developed. City Attorney Nanci Wisdom explained that the book would take quite a bit of time to complete. Mayor Gary Brown reported that two city employees traveled to West Plains to help with the ice storm clean up, that Well #4 is online and working properly, and that MoDOT will be in town on February 16^th to discuss McArthur Street. An agreement has been received from MoDOT for the city to purchase the Highway 19 North Park and this agreement will be presented at the next meeting.  Brown said that the next board meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 17^th due to the President’s holiday. The board approved Ordinance No. 3148 authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with MoDOT for the airport grant, and  they approved Ordinance No. 3149 to authorize a write-off of uncollectable utility accounts for 2003 totaling $10,393.19.  Alderman Bill Riley asked that bids be received from collection agencies so the board could contract with a company to collect some of the outstanding debt. They also approved Ordinance No. 3150 that authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement with the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for a total of $5,000 for beautification projects, and Ordinance No. 3151 authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for a total of $10,000 for services the Chamber provides to the city.  The board approved re-appointing James Coffman to a four-year term on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.  The board approved drafting an ordinance to comply with the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday that will be discussed at the next meeting. This will be a tax holiday for all energy savings appliances purchased between April 19-25. After the bills were approved, the board then adjourned.

Tuesday night at Homecoming between the JV and varsity basketball games, Allison Hall was crowned the 2009 Homecoming Queen. Her court consisted of seniors Jessica Brand and Hannah Kettner, sophomore Ashley Jadwin and junior Jenna Cartwright.

Sports [TOP]

Zach Pitchford netted 20 points and C.J. Smith netted his 1,000^th career point in the game amongst the 18 he scored as the Salem Tigers beat Cabool, 58-41. Salem is now 9-10 on the year and 2-0 in the SCA. They will be at Willow Springs Friday night.

Brad Boyes and Jay McClement each had two goals, as the St. Louis Blues held on to down the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-2, at Nationwide Arena. Boyes also had an assist, while Carlo Colaiacovo added two helpers for the Blues, who bounced back from a 4-3 shootout loss at Detroit on Monday. Chris Mason stopped 33-of-35 shots for the win. The Blues will play Edmonton Thursday night.

The Missouri Basketball Tigers will travel to Texas to face Longhorns tonight at 8:00. Missouri is 18-4 on the year and 5-2 in the Big 12. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Daniel R. Williams of Salem, age 71 will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Salem Library.

Funeral services for Dorothy Alberta Harman of Gig Harbor, Washington, formerly of Steelville, age 86, will be held Thursday at 2:00 at the First Assembly of God Church in Steelville. Visitation will be today from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery.

Graveside services for Patricia Gladys Murphy of Salem, age 92, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Miner Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Miner Cemetery. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary in Salem.

Funeral services for Maybel Marie Ousley of Rolla, age 95, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Ozark Memorial Gardens in Rolla. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society.

Funeral Mass for Emma Agnes Smith of Viburnum, age 86, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Viburnum. Visitation will be from 11:00 until Mass time. Interment will be in the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial services for Anthony Joseph Catalano III, of Rolla, age 17, will be held Saturday at 3:00 at the Salem Full Gospel Church in Salem. 

Weather [TOP]