News

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning. In the road report, both commissioners reported that crews were out Saturday until dark working on roads. Crews are still out treating slick spots and areas while graders are out pushing ice off the roads. Commissioner Larson did report that county trucks #114 and #116 encountered mechanical difficulties on Saturday while spreading gravel and were being repaired so they could resume treating the roads. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the commissioners and Sheriff Rick Stallings needed to sign a letter for the Road Rally that they present to citizens letting them know they have permission to drive and block off the county roads. Skiles also stated that while in Columbia at the commissioners training, he took an informal survey of how many 3^rd class counties had a dedicated sales tax to help fund their road and bridge fund and found about half of them did. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said the new plat books are still available in her office for $30 each. She said today would be the first day to vote absentee in the April 7^th election and the last day to register to vote in the April 7^th election will be March 11^th. The commissioners went into closed session with Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley at 9:35 for possible litigation. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the figures for the National Forest Service money received by Dent County. The total amount was $166,606.81 which is comprised of the 25% Fund Act from 1908 and the mineral resources funds. Williams said the road and bridge department would receive $41,651.71 for 2014 and that is down from the $60,042.40 received for the 2013 year. The other $124,955 will be distributed as follows: Salem R-80 will receive $30,564.02, Oak Hill R-1 will get $25,240.93, Northwood R-4 will receive $1,062.12, the Iron County C-4 School District in Viburnum will receive $19,730.40 and the Bunker R-3 School District will receive $48,357.63. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said the reduction in money received in 2014 compared to 2013 came to about 31%. Williams also brought in CART receipt figures for February and the money received was $52,688.26 and that is $2,061.00 less than January, but year to date, the CART funds received are up $6,285.30 over last year. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their monthly meeting Thursday night at the district administrative offices boardroom. After approval of the agenda, Superintendent Steve Carvajal updated the Board on health insurance. Health insurance rates will remain relatively level with only a minor increase in premiums for the 2015-2016 school year. Carvajal stated that the district currently has about 64% of its students that qualify for the federal free/reduced lunch program and that all students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade continue to eat school lunch and breakfast for free. The student enrollment for the district at the January membership count was 1,314 students. During the election update, Incumbents Carrie Snider and Chris Heavin were the only candidates filed for election to the Salem R-80 School Board, so no election will be necessary. The reports for the William Lynch Elementary stated that in March, the Tiger Tots preschool would be collecting Campbell’s labels for Education and Box Tops. Donations of those labels may be dropped off at William Lynch. Kindergarten registration will be held March 10th and 11^th, and parents with incoming kindergarteners may call William Lynch at 729-6611 to make an appointment. The report for the Upper Elementary showed the $878.74 for Pennies for Paper was collected by the building, a fundraiser to help local food pantries purchase items such as toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The Polar Plunge Dreamsicles team hosted a trivia night and raised over $500, and their Sweetheart Sprint 5K fundraiser also raised $500 as the Dreamsicles take that plunge on February 28th on the Lake of the Ozarks. Also at the Upper Elementary, a total of 14 students shoot in the Dent Phelps R-3 NASP Tournament. The Salem Middle School reported their fundraiser, Pennies for Patients, is currently underway and the goal for the Middle School is $800. The fundraiser benefits the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, which helps children with blood cancers. The Salem Senior High report showed that the Quiz Bowl took 1^st place at the SCA Conference Tournament. A total of five students enrolled in the MO Options for a 2^nd semester. In new business, the calendar for the 2015-2016 school year was approved. Board policy INC was approved, as it is required by state statures. The Board accepted the resignations of Elizabeth Warden, elementary paraprofessional, Andrew Flett, middle school special education teacher, and Jennifer Hurt, high school counselor. The Board voted to go into closed session where they hired John Smith as the new assistant superintendent beginning next year. The Board also hired Conrad Prugh as high school math teacher, Torie Snitker as middle school math teacher and Steven Phillip Giacomelli as elementary music teacher. The meeting was then adjourned.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Tigers Basketball Game with St. Clair was postponed Monday night due to the weather. That game will NOT be made up. The Lady Tigers are still in limbo with SCA games against Thayer and Willow Springs who are currently in district play.

The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers will be in St. Clair tonight to face the Bulldogs. The JV game will begin at 5:30 with the varsity game to follow. You can hear the varsity game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com. Salem is 12-10 on the year.

The District seeds are now completed and the both the Salem Boys and Girls teams are seeded 4^th in District 10 at the School of the Osage. The Girls will face the Marshfield Lady Jays Saturday at 3:00 and the Boys will take on Eldon Saturday at 4:30. Both games will be on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com.

The St. Louis Blues will host Montreal tonight starting at 7:00. KSMO will join the Blues game after Salem basketball.

The Missouri Tigers will host Florida tonight at 8:00 at Mizzou Arena. Missouri is 7-20 on the year and 1-13 in the SEC. The game will not be heard on KSMO radio.