News

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has announced that Riverways Pregnancy Resource Center, a not for profit organization serving Salem and the surrounding area, has been approved for 70% state tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP.) The Riverways PRC has received $63,000 in NAP tax credits. All funds raised through these tax credits will be used to remodel the client service area of the pregnancy center’s new facility. NAP credits keep tax dollars in local communities, putting them toward approved projects by the Department of Economic Development. When qualified donors make a NAP designated donation to Riverways PRC, they receive a tax credit against their Missouri state tax liability in an amount equal to 70% of the contributed amount. Eligible NAP donors include all corporations, insurance companies, financial institutions, partnerships (and individual partners), S-Corporations (and individual shareholders) and Limited Liability Companies (and individual members). Individuals who pay Missouri state income tax and receive income from sole proprietorships, farms, royalties or rental properties are also eligible donors. Tax credits are not refundable but any unused portion may be carried forward for up to 5 years. NAP contributions are also eligible for a federal tax deduction as a charitable gift. Donors are encouraged to consult their tax advisors concerning how NAP credits may work for them. All tax credits are distributed on a first come first served basis. The Riverways Pregnancy Resource Center has served Salem and the surrounding area since 2001. In 2014, the equivalent of 7% of the population of Salem was served by this organization. Riverways provides free and confidential services related to pregnancy and parenting. Services include pregnancy tests, first trimester ultrasound, prenatal classes, parenting and life skills classes, Building Family Foundations program for young parents, mentoring, maternity, infant, and toddler clothing and supplies. The Riverways PRC plans to begin offering services from their new facility by the fall of this year and looks forward to the many opportunities this move will provide to better serve families in our area. All tax credits are distributed on a first come first served basis. To learn more about these tax credits or to make a donation, contact the Riverways PRC at (573) 739-4673 or riverwaysprc@gmail.com. 

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will conduct their regular meeting at the district offices boardroom tonight beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Carvajal will update the Board on health insurance, the free and reduced lunch count, January membership and there will be an election update. Principals from the respective buildings will update the Board with reports on the happenings at each building. In new business, the Board will approve the calendar for the 2015-2016 school year, consider approval of Board Policy INC and address resignations. The Board will vote to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The regular meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is tonight and the meeting is open to the public. 

The City of Salem Board of Alderman and Salem Utility Committee will conduct a workshop today in the basement of the City Hall located at 202 North Washington beginning at 5:30 for the purpose of a presentation of a rate study by the Missouri Rural Water Association. The City of Salem Board of Alderman will then conduct their meeting upstairs in the City Hall Council Chambers beginning at 7:00 pm. After approval of the agenda, City Administrator Ray Walden will update the Board on various items concerning the city, followed by a report by Mayor J.J. Tune. During the introduction and reading of bills and resolutions, Bill #3287 is an ordinance required by State Statues concerning conflicts of interest for certain City Officials. The bill will be presented to the Board. The Board will then adjourn and move into closed session for the purpose of discussing contracts and personnel. The workshop and the City of Salem Board of Alderman meeting are open to the public.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association (SACBA) Volunteer Recognition Dinner is tonight in The Gathering Place at the Grace Community Church starting at 6:30 p.m. The Common Grounds Bistro will cater the event. A total of 16 individuals and 10 organizations have been recognized for their volunteer efforts by being nominated for the Gift of Time Award by individuals.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tigers Boys and Girls Basketball games with Willow Springs Wednesday were again postponed. No makeup date has been determined. Both the Salem Lady Basketball Tigers and Boys Basketball Tigers will be at Thayer tonight. The girls will play at 6:00 while the boy’s varsity contest will begin at about 7:30. The varsity girls enter the game with a 5-0 SCA record and 16-6 on the year. The varsity boys are 12-10 on the year and 3-2 in the SCA. The girls and boys varsity games can be heard on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com.

Michael Qualls scored 21 points and hit four 3-pointers in No. 18 Arkansas' 84-69 win over Missouri. The Tigers (7-19, 1-12) lost their 12th straight game despite getting 13 points and 10 boards from Johnathan Williams III. Tramaine Isabell equaled Williams for the team lead with 13 points, while Montaque Gill-Caesar and Jakeenan Grant each scored 11 in the loss. Missouri will be at Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon at 1:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO.

The Kansas City Chiefs cut ties with a pair of disappointing wide receivers on Tuesday, releasing veteran Donnie Avery and placing former first-round pick A.J. Jenkins on waivers. Avery finished third among Chiefs players with 596 receiving yards on 40 catches in 2013, but was used sparingly last season while missing time due to surgery to repair a sports hernia.  The 30-year-old was entering the final season of a three-year, $8.55 million deal he signed with Kansas City in March of 2013. Jenkins was taken 30th overall by San Francisco in the 2012 draft. The 25-year-old played in nine games for the Chiefs in 2014, finishing with a mere nine receptions for 93 yards.