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Dent County resident David Dawson’s photograph of Ozark National Scenic Riverways recently won a competition for the National Parks 2008 Passport Stamp Series.  His image of the 100-year old Alley Mill of Ozark National Scenic Riverways was chosen to represent the Midwest Region on the 2008 Stamp Series. The local photographer submitted several photos to the competition, and upon hearing of the results did not know which of the vibrant images of the red mill, settled in among the green trees with the blue water, was chosen to represent the Midwest Region. Mr. Dawson lives in Salem and has worked seasonally as a maintenance employee for the National Park Service at Akers. In 1986, Eastern National began the passport program, designed to be a travel companion for park visitors. A small passport style book is sold in most national parks across the country; visitors can receive a stamp from each park.  Over 1.3 million passport books have been sold. Ozark National Scenic Riverways has stamp locations at Big Spring, Alley Mill, Round Spring, and at the headquarters building in Van Buren.  The annual passport photo contest is open to all National Park Service employees and Volunteers-in-Parks. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  For more information visit, www.nps.gov/ozar

Senator Frank Barnitz recently welcomed The Dent County Extension Youth Leadership Academy to the Capitol. The Dent County Extension Youth Leadership Academy promotes youth involvement in the community. Whether teachers or students, this group is committed to continuing their education and education is such an important issue in Missouri. The Dent County Extension Youth Leadership Academy included Darr Marlott, Ashley Greenshields, Kimberly Land, Jordan Headrick, Taylor Fry, Caetlin Brantley, Kendra Case, Nicole Finnell, Jeff Herndon, and Eddie Fleetwood. Vocational Ag teachers Bob Parsons and Heather Johnson accompanied them.    

Salem Ranger District Ranger Thomas Haines signed a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Sutton Bluff Aquatic Passage Low-Water Crossing Replacement Project on Reynolds County Road 849 (previously Forest Service Road 2236) about four miles northwest of the community of Centerville. The Salem Ranger District will be replacing the low-water crossing near the Sutton Bluff campground for the purposes of improving aquatic organism passage, public safety and stream habit and morphology. The low-water bridge design will maximize the openings for water flow, which will allow aquatic species to migrate upstream, and the stream system to stabilize and heal itself from the scouring and elevation changes cause by the current crossing. This decision in NOT subject to appeal. Under this provision, decisions and actions are not subject to appeal if only supportive comments are received during the comment period. For further information on this decision or to receive a copy of the Decision Notice, contact James Turner at USDA Forest Service at 1301 South Main in Salem or call 729-6656.

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson announced that her staff would visit with constituents throughout the 8^th District at Congressional Connection stops. The Congressional Connection program gets staff out of the office and into the communities where they can have these types of meetings on a drop-in basis. The Congressional Connection program will be in Salem at the Chamber of Commerce office on Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 am. 

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tiger Baseball season got underway with a bang as Grant Gordon threw a complete game no-hitter, striking out 18 Licking hitters as the Tigers beat the Wildcats, 6-0. Gordon walked two and hit a batter for Salem who managed only four hits themselves in the game with Gordon getting two of them. Lewis Carroll drove in two runs with groundouts and Andrew Kisser drove in two more with a double in the fifth inning. Salem will host Potosi tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 and you can hear the game on KSMO and online at www.ksmoradio.com.

Johan Franzen's third-period power-play goal lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. Andy McDonald scored the only goal for the Blues, who are winless in their last three and fell to 2-8-2 in the month of March. Manny Legace turned aside 30 shots in the losing effort. With the loss, the Blues have officially been eliminated from the making the playoffs this year. This is the third straight year St. Louis has missed the playoffs. The Blues will face Detroit Friday night.

Anthony Reyes pitched six shutout innings and the St. Louis Cardinals downed the Washington Nationals, 3-0, in Grapefruit League play. Reyes gave up just three hits and one walk with two strikeouts while Ryan Franklin, Ron Villone and Jason Isringhausen combined to pitch three innings of one-hit ball. Albert Pujols drove in a pair of runs for the Cardinals, who have won five straight.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed seven players on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday including pitchers Joel Pineiro, Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder. The transactions are retroactive to March 21. Also placed on the disabled list were pitchers Matt Clement (right shoulder), Tyler Johnson (left shoulder), and Josh Kinney (right elbow), as well as outfielder Juan Encarnacion (left orbital fracture).

Esteban German drove in two runs to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 8-4 win over the San Diego Padres in Cactus League action. Justin Huber also notched a pair of RBI for the Royals, who were outhit by an 11-7 margin. Brett Tomko started on the mound and allowed three runs -- one earned -- on five hits over four innings.

The St. Louis Rams agreed to terms on a two- year contract with defensive end James Hall, the club announced Tuesday. Hall was released by the Rams less than a month ago, but will return to St. Louis for his second season there.The St. Rams also agreed to a one-year contract with veteran wide receiver Reche Caldwell on Tuesday.

Obituaries   [TOP]