News

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Dent County Courthouse.  Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was sick and unable to attend. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed Commissioner Gary Larson Acting Presiding Commissioner. Frankie Schwartz asked the Commissioners to consider placing a copy of the Spiritual Harvest Edition Bible, which he would provide, in the Dent County Courthouse Court Room. According to Schwartz this Bible went out of print around 1960 and he would like to see it used when witnesses are sworn in. The only condition of him providing the bible would be that it would be returned to him or his descendents if it were removed from the courtroom and no longer used. The Commissioners said they would discuss the request. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that his district had 5 to 8 inches of snow and that crews were out pushing snow and treating slick spots.  He went on to say that they would continue treating slick spots and repairing equipment. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said that his crews were performing the same tasks. Larson added that phone bids for fuel were taken on Wednesday and the MFA low bids of $2.114 for diesel and $1.848 for unleaded gasoline were approved. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said that the new plat books are in and they are $30 each. Curley went on to say that February 24th is the first day to absentee vote for the April 7th municipal election and March 11th is the deadline to register to vote in that election. Lance Carlson from the Department of Natural Resources was in to discuss the Courthouse windows grant. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 in the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

At the Salem Area Community Betterment Association Volunteer Recognition Dinner Thursday night at the Gathering Place at the Grace Assembly Church, there were five individual winners of the Gift of Time Award while four organizations were awarded the prestigious honor. The individual winners of the Gift of Time Award were Jim Boulware in the Education Category, Rachel Privett in the Arts and Culture category, John Strebe in the Adult for Youth category, Dick Haxton in the Humanitarian category and Deloris Gray Wood in the Historical category. The group winners of the Gift of Time Award were the Task Force for a Healthier Dent County in the Humanitarian category, the Salem Band Parent Organization in the Adult for Youth category, the SHS Chamber Choir in the Youth for Youth category and the Salem United Methodist Church in the Humanitarian category. Congratulations to all the individuals and groups who were nominated for the award.

Come to the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History on Tuesday, February 24^th at 6:30 p.m. to experience views of the solar system and the galaxy. Joe Shuster and friends will be on site using powerful telescopes to show the mountains, plains, and craters on the Moon. They will point out the planets Mars and Venus in the western sky at the beginning of the event. Later, Jupiter will be visible, and they will show cloud bands on the biggest planet in our solar system. Participants will also be able to view four of Jupiter's moons, and late in the event watch the shadow of one of the moons drift along Jupiter's clouds. There should be a chance to take a close look at some interesting double stars, too. With some luck, there might be a meteor or a satellite, too. So bundle up, and come enjoy the views through the telescopes and experience a tour of the sky. All are welcome to bring personal binoculars or telescopes as well. This program is appropriate for the whole family and will be mostly outdoors, so come prepared for the night air. There will be access to the house and light refreshments.  The suggested donation is $1.00 per person or $5.00 for the whole family. Phone reservations are requested but not required. Please call the Bonebrake Center 729-3400 or e-mail at bonebrakecenter@embarqmail.com and leave a message for more information or to register. If it appears the night sky will be too cloudy, the program will be postponed. Registrants may call 247-0279 on the afternoon of Tuesday February 24^th if there is a question about possible cancellation. The Bonebrake Center is located at 601 North Hickory Street in Salem, at the corner of North Hickory Street and East Rolla Road.

The Dent County University of Missouri Extension is offering a Private Pesticide Applicator Training Program on Monday, February 23^rd at 6:30 at the Extension Office Conference Room located on the second floor of the Judicial Building in Salem. Will McClain, University Of Missouri Extension Agronomy Specialist will be instructing the course for those who wish to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides. By participating in this training session, individuals will meet the Missouri Department of Agriculture requirements to obtain a license or renew a license to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides for private use. This course if only for those people who produce agriculture commodities (farmers) and who desire to apply these pesticides for private use. For more information, call the Dent County Extension Office at 729-3196 by today to reserve a seat or if you have questions.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tigers Boys game with Willow Springs has been CANCELLED for tonight at Willow Springs.

The St. Louis Blues will host Boston tonight at 7:00 at the Scottrade Center. The Blues will also host the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night at 7:00. You can hear both games on KSMO Radio.

The Missouri Tigers will try to break their 12-game losing streak at Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon at 1:00. Missouri enters the game with a 1-12 record in the SEC and an overall record of 7-18. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio.