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The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors held their monthly meeting Tuesday night at the fire station. After approval of the agenda, the floor was turned over to Libby Sanders. Sanders explained that the Salem Area Arts Council would like to hold the May Roots Festival in the grassy area surrounding the fire department. After discussion, the Board approved to allow the Festival to be held in the grassy area. After bills were discussed and approved, it was noted that the new HVAC system is in place and operating and the old surplus fire hose is being cleaned and checked at this point. Fire Chief Brad Nash then reported that the officer replacement program is in place and going well. Chief Nash reported that the department would have some good officer material. Firefighter Siler is in charge of the media reports and everyone is pleased at this point with the good job being done. Nash also reported that the Road Rally went well even with the bad weather. The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors then set their monthly meeting for April will be held on Tuesday, April 7^th at the fire station beginning at 6:00 pm. The meeting was then adjourned.

A Phelps County man was convicted of multiple drug and weapons charges according to US Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway. Testimony presented at trial revealed that 47-year old Donald Robinson of Doolittle had a methamphetamine lab and drug-involved premises at his property on County Road 8190, Doolittle, MO.  Robinson also possessed multiple firearms in furtherance of this drug trafficking activity. Robinson was convicted Tuesday afternoon of two felony counts of maintaining drug-involved premises, one felony count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, two felony counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and one felony count of possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of methamphetamine.  The non-jury trial was held before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey. Robinson now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison, a maximum possible sentence of life in prison and/or fines up to $2,000,000, when he is sentenced on June 9, 2009.

Don’t miss the display of art that has been created by our own local artists. Art Across The Ages is on display at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center (ONCRC). You will see artwork from elementary students, high school students as well as adults. All local artists are encouraged to display their work so that the entire community may enjoy it. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more info, contact the ONCRC by calling 729-0029 or check out the website, www.salemmo.com.

The Salem Ranger District is seeking your comments on a proposal for the Regional Oak Study on the Sinkin Experimental Forest of the Mark Twain National Forest in Dent County. A total of twenty, 12-acre experimental treatment units have been established within the 525-acre study area. Treatments of these units will consist of 62-acres of oak shelterwood harvest, 62-acres of prescribed burn only treatments, 62-acres of combined shelterwood harvest and prescribed burning, and 62-acres that would serve as control for the study. The study will focus on two research questions. First, how does the competitive status of oak and other ecologically important hardwood tree species change with oak restoration treatments and/or silvicultural disturbances and secondly, how do silvicultural prescriptions aimed at oak restoration impact wildlife populations and habitat quality. You can submit your comments to James Turner, Environmental Coordinator at the Mark Twain National Forest, 1301 South Main Street, Salem, MO., 65560 or call Turner at the District Office in Salem at 729-6656 during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct their March membership meeting on Wednesday, March 11^th at the Salem TCRC beginning at 12:00 (NOON). Kelly Martin from MoDOT will be the guest speaker. Kelly is the South Central Regional Coordinator for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety and will be speaking on the Primary Safety Belt Law. You can visit the website www.savemolives.com for more information. Lunch will be catered by My Place Restaurant and the cost is $8 per person. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by noon on Monday, March 9^th. You can stop by the Chamber at 200 South Main or call 729-6900.

Sports [TOP]

DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons each scored 15 points, as 15th-ranked Missouri toppled No. 4 Oklahoma, 73-64, to remain perfect at Mizzou Arena this season. J.T. Tiller added 13 points for Missouri (25-5, 12-3 Big 12), which improved to 18-0 at home this season and rebounded from a 25-point loss Sunday to Kansas. The Tigers have won eight of nine overall, and moved into a tie for second place in the Big 12 with Oklahoma (26-4, 12-3). Both teams still have a shot at a share of the Big 12 title, as Kansas fell to 13-2 in-conference with a loss Wednesday to Texas Tech. Missouri will face Texas A&M Saturday afternoon at 1:00.

Texas Rangers 2008 first-round pick Justin Smoak belted a three-run homer, and Texas topped the Kansas City Royals, 5-3, in Cactus League action. Newly-acquired Coco Crisp went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Royals. Brian Bannister allowed two runs on three hits in three innings pitched, and Daniel Cortes received the loss after giving up the home run to Smoak in the seventh.

The Cardinals had the day off yesterday from Spring Training games.

At the trading deadline, the St. Louis Blues did not make any "blockbuster" deals, but they did acquired defenseman Danny Richmond from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Andy Wozniewski. The Blues also recalled goaltender Ben Bishop from Peoria (AHL).

The St. Louis Rams re-signed free agent cornerback Ron Bartell to a four-year contract on Wednesday. Bartell played in all 16 games with a career-high 14 starts in 2008.

The Kansas City Chiefs named Ronnie Bradford defensive assistant coach and Nick Sirianni offensive quality control coach.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Etta Mae Perkins of Rolla, age 80, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Dixon. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services for Helen Estelle Jonas of Steelville, age 96, will be this afternoon at 2:00 at the Britton Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from Noon until time of service. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Jonas Museum in Steelville.

Funeral services for Irene Elizabeth Eaton of Steelville, age 90, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Chapel in Steelville. Visitation will be from 9:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery.

Funeral services for Taylor C. Hunt of Rolla, age 49, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the First United Methodist Church in Rolla. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Interment will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Barbara Hunt for the Keaton & Kelsey Hunt College Fund.

Funeral services for Thelma Lucille Halbrook of Salem, age 103, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Miner Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Miner Cemetery.

Funeral services for Clarence Turnbough of Cuba, formerly of Steelville, age 90, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 8:00, with a Masonic Service at 7:00. Interment will be in the Freeman Cemetery in Cherryville. Memorials are suggested to the Freeman Cemetery or Gibbs Care in Steelville.

Graveside services for Jerry L. Wyatt of Jefferson City, age 62, will be held Sunday at 5:00 at the North Lawn Cemetery. All the arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem.

Weather [TOP]