Scroll Down for Sports, Weather and Obituaries! For State-Wide News, go to the MissouriNet! To read previous editions of Your World Today please visit our Archives Page.

At 6:30 am this Saturday, March 1^st, the long-awaited sound of the siren will resound, and trout season will officially begin at the Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Salem, and the Meramec Spring Park near St. James. Trout catch-and-keep fishing season runs each year through October 31^st. With opening day falling on a Saturday this year and with outstanding weather predicted statewide, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources officials expect great crowds for trout opening. Although trout fishing will be the main activity at the parks on opening day, the parks also offer other opportunities, including hiking and learning about the parks though exhibits in the interpretive and nature centers. The parks also feature campgrounds as well as dining and lodging. At Montauk State Park, a dedication ceremony of a newly planted tree sapling will be held at 10:30. This new sapling will replace the great white oak tree adjacent to the Current River, which was removed this winter due to declining health.      

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their meeting tonight at the hospital library beginning at 6:00. This meeting was originally scheduled to be held February 21^st, but due to the weather; the meeting was rescheduled for tonight. After the call to order and the approval of the minutes from the January 24^th meeting, Administrator Dennis Pryor will address the summary of operations and statistics reports for the month of January. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will then give the report on the nursing services and ancillary services before Pryor reviews the auxiliary reports with the board. Pryor will also update the board on legislative issues and the hospital activity calendar. Old business will include a physician’s office building report and an update on strategic planning. During new business there will be a report from the finance committee meeting that was held and the board will discuss purchases for the hospital. The regular meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

Many Missouri anglers will head to state parks for the opening day of trout season this Saturday, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) wants to remind anglers they can also visit one of the state’s privately-owned trout fishing areas. In our area, there is the Westover Farms in Steelville and for more information you can call them at (573) 743-6284 or access their website at www.westoverfarms.com. There is also the Wind Rush Farms in Cook Station and their number is (573) 743-6555, or visit their website at www.windrushfarms.com. The private trout fishing getaways are different from state fishing parks in several aspects. No state license is required to fish at these areas, and since anglers pay for their catch by the pound, a limit is not placed on the number of fish caught. Most private fishing areas will clean and ice catch for a small fee. Some locations also offer amenities such as restaurants, lodging, hiking trails and the use of fishing gear, bait and tackle. Reservations may be required at some fishing areas. To learn more about all of Missouri’s private fishing areas, visit www.mda.mo.gov or contact Bart Hawcroft at (573) 526-6666.

Sports [TOP]

The St. Louis Cardinals released infielder Scott Spiezio on Wednesday, the same day a warrant was issued for the player's arrest. The Irvine, California, Police Department issued a six-count arrest warrant for Spiezio, with charges stemming from an automobile accident on December 30. The charges are listed as: driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more, hit and run, aggravated assault, and assault and battery. Last season, the Cardinals placed Spiezio on Major League Baseball's restricted list due to an apparent substance abuse problem. Spiezio came forward to the team concerned about possible problems related to substances he was taking unbeknown to the club's medical staff. The team didn't specify which substances Spiezio had been taking. Spiezio, 35, batted .269 in 81 games with the Cardinals last season, with four home runs and 31 runs batted in.

The Kansas City Royals signed infielders Alberto Callaspo and Angel Sanchez and outfielder Shane Costa to one-year contracts on Wednesday. Costa has played three seasons with Kansas City and is a lifetime .254 hitter with five home runs and 42 RBI in 154 games. Callaspo has spent two seasons in the majors, both with Arizona, and has appeared in 79 games, hitting .220 with 13 runs batted in. Sanchez made his Major League debut last season with Kansas City and in eight games had six hits in 27 at-bats and drove in one run.

The St. Louis Blues face the Phoenix Coyotes tnight at 7:30. The Blues have lost four straight and you can hear the game on KSMO.

All varsity and junior varsity basketball and cheerleader athletes and their parents are invited to the 2007-2008 Basketball Sports Banquet will be held on Tuesday, March 4^th at the Salem High School cafeteria beginning at 6:30 pm.