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The Salem Park Board held a meeting at the Salem Freedom Activity Center Tuesday evening to discuss a number of topics. Salem Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash reported that some Road Rally volunteers will be staying at the Salem Freedom Activity Center possibly Thursday night, February 21^st, then on Friday and Saturday nights, February 22^nd and 23^rd, and maybe even Sunday night, February 24th. The drivers will be sleeping in sleeping bags and using the shower facilities. The Salem Freedom Activity Center may be closed to walkers the days when the drivers are staying there. Nash reported that the 5^th and 6^th grade basketball league is getting off to a late start with officials not being available the first night, and being iced out the second night. They will be playing into March. The 1^st through 4^th grade leagues also got started one week late at the Salem High School Gym. Nash stated that about 175 to 200 children are participating in all the leagues. Nash then talked about the city workers cleaning out the creek at the back end of the park to allow for better water flow, in preparation in getting the creek bed ready for the culverts. The city workers will have to widen the sides and deepen the ditch, but the weather has hampered any further work. The ditch should be covered before the start of the youth baseball and softball season. Park Board member S.N. Ball asked about a bridge over the creek and it was reported that the city may have considered building the bridge offsite and then bringing the bridge to the fields at a later date, but no one was sure except that a bridge is needed. The board then discussed the need for batting cages and it was suggested that they be located where the skate park is after it is moved to the new soccer fields. It was also suggested to build it to the west of the pavilion near the Red Field, and someone else asked about it being placed in the additional parking lot across Route J from the TCRC. A park board member will bring those suggestions to the board of aldermen at their next meeting. The board then reviewed the plans for the new soccer fields that feature two fields for children eight and under where they can play four on four, a field for the kids 12 and under, and a regulation field. There is also a children’s playground as well as the skateboard park included in the plans along with a hiking trail and biking trail. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash then said that he is still looking for someone to replace Carol Timson at the swimming pool as she has moved from the area. Nash also reported that a new vacuum is needed for the pool and he will discuss what type would be best with his vendors. The Salem Youth Baseball and Softball League signups will be held on March 13^th, 14^th, 20^th and 21^st from 4:00 until 6:00 at the Salem Freedom Activity Center, and also on March 15^th from 9:00 AM until noon at the Salem Freedom Activity Center. The board discussed the age groups for both boys and girls being 7-8 year olds, 9-10 year olds, and 11-13 year olds. Participants can be between 5 and 13 years old and practices are expected to begin in April with games starting in May. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced that conditions on all state routes in Crawford, Dent, Iron, Phelps, Reynolds, Shannon and Texas counties are partly covered to still covered with ice and precipitation. The combination of fallen precipitation and low air and surface temperatures is hindering the progress of clearing major highways and left most minor highways still covered with ice and precipitation. MoDOT is recommending that motorists avoid traveling in this area if possible. Crews are working to clear all state roads, making it safe for travel. Priority of clearing routes is given to emergencies and major highway before other routes are addressed. Updates regarding the condition of the roadways will be given as changes occur. For additional information regarding road conditions, call toll-free 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636).

The February Chamber of Commerce membership meeting scheduled for today at the Salem TCRC at noon has been cancelled and has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 20^th.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Girls Basketball game with the Ava Lady Bears last night was postponed due to the weather. They will attempt to make up the game tonight at 6:00 with the varsity game. Playing of the JV game will be held at a different gymnasium if officials can be found. If played, you can hear the game on KSMO Radio and online at www.ksmoradio.com. Salem enters the game with a 17-6 record and 4-1 in the SCA. Senior Night will be held prior to tipoff.

The Salem High School Basketball Homecoming was rescheduled for tonight. Senior Candidates for Queen are Amy Milligan, Kathleen Lowery and Terra White. The Junior Class attendant will be Bethany Kellerman and the Sophomore Class attendant Kendra Case. The escorts this year will be Zack Moser, Phillip Moser, Luke Heithold, Taylor Sirois and Aaron Loker. The ceremony will occur between the girl’s varsity and boy’s varsity basketball contests. Salem is to face the Ava Bears in an SCA matchup. If played, you can hear the game on KSMO Radio and online at www.ksmoradio.com. Salem enters the game with a 17-6 record and 4-1 in the SCA. Senior night will be held to tipoff.

David Backes and Martin Rucinsky had a goal and an assist each to guide the St. Louis Blues past the road-weary Los Angeles Kings, 4-2, at Scottrade Center. Andy McDonald and Jay McKee also scored while Manny Legace made 25 stops for the Blues, who had dropped four straight and 11 of 13 coming in. The Blues have won five straight meetings with the Kings. The Blues hit the road and will be in Colorado tomorrow night starting at 8:00. You can hear that game on KSMO Rdaio.

Missouri guard Stefhon Hannah was dismissed from the men's basketball team by head coach Mike Anderson for a violation of team rules. Hannah was already expected to be out until at least March after suffering a broken jaw in an altercation outside of a Columbia night club. According to the school, because of his extended absence from school, Hannah has not met team academic expectations and was subsequently dismissed from the program. Anderson has given Hannah the option of remaining on scholarship to continue working towards his degree. Missouri will face Nebraska tonight, but KSMO will NOT air the game due to a conflict with the Salem Tigers Basketball Games.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Marie H. Koboldt of St. Louis, age 90, will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Visitation will be today 5:00 to 7:00 at James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Interment will be in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rolla.

Funeral services for Carl Gibbs Sr. of St. Charles, formerly of Salem, age 89, will be Thursday at 11:00 at Wilson Mortuary. Visitation will be this evening from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Edgar Cemetery.

Funeral services for Wilma Claudine Jenkins of Salem, age 89, will be held Friday morning at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Salem Tigers Memorial Fund or your choice.

Weather [TOP]