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The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Monday in the city hall council chambers and heard from Jim Heavin about the excess water that runs into his property at 1105 South Jackson as well as the property between the house and Highway 32. He thinks that the drain on the street may not be big enough and maybe an extra sewer pipe would be beneficial. Mayor Gary Brown said that the current grate would get covered with leaves and it has been raised to see if that will help with the problem. Jim Ellis with Western Cherokee then asked the board why their electric bill was now being raised with minimal usage. The mayor told Ellis that Electric Superintendent Larry Major checked the meter and said it was fine, but that it had a multiplier of 80 which was not put on the original work order so the Western Cherokee had been underpaying for about 15 months. Ellis still says that the reading is too high and wants to have the meter checked. Mayor Brown told him he would need to come by the utility office and fill out a work order and it would be checked. If the meter is working properly, there would be a $10 dollar charge. Ellis also asked why the Western Cherokee was paying two sewer bills and Mayor Brown said there was a sewer line from the gym and also the main building. Dallas Hollenbeck then explained to the board and crowd that the electric rate increase is based on load factor and demand. He said that energy conservation during the summer peak times will help drop the high demand, but energy conservation during the non-peak times will not help the problem, and could actually lead to a higher rate increase when Sho-Me Power reviews the rates at the end of the year because of the gap in the demand and load factor. After the consent agenda, Alderman Jim McDaniels asked about the culverts at the city park and Mayor Gary Brown said they are waiting for the area to dry out, but would hope to have them done by May 1^st. McDaniels also said that a number of people appreciate the recycling days but would like to have them twice a month or every weekend. He also said that the sidewalks on North Hickory by the Western Cherokee Complex need to be replaced before the Pow Wow this year. In Alderman McDaniels report, each alderman spoke about their feelings concerning the electric rate increase. After a long discussion, Alderman Bill Riley proposed a 20% rate increase and a meter charge of $10 per meter, Alderman Jim Jackson proposed just a 20% rate increase without the $10 meter charge, and Alderman Jim McDaniels proposed a 25% rate increase along with a $10 meter charge. Alderman McDaniels also wanted to know what the financial impact each of the three proposals would be to the city. City Attorney Mark Weaver will put all three proposals into ordinance form for the next meeting where the alderman can review how they would affect the city. Mayor Brown reported that the city would need to do a lot of smoke testing to see where water is infiltrating the wastewater plant. He said that the city suffered some damage from the storms including damage to a flow meter, well controls and a radio tower and equipment. He said that the grants have been submitted for the Safe Routes to School, and grants will soon be submitted for the soccer fields. He said that  May 3^rd will be the city wide yard sale date and space on the city administrative building parking lot will still be $8.00 each, while getting your home put on the map in the paper will cost you $10. He also reported that Waste Management Company has offered the city no increase in rates next year, and then just a 3% increase each year for the next three years if the city extends their current contract with them that expires in August. The board asked him to look into it further. Brown also reviewed the tree trimming policy around electric lines from the electric department. The board then approved the Spring Clean-Up weeks to be April 28^th and May 5^th before approving the bills. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Collector’s Office will be closed today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for a funeral.

An accident happened Saturday evening at 5:15 on Highway 19 North in Salem. According to the Salem Police report, a maroon 1996 Suzuki Intruder driven by Joshua Crannell of Salem was traveling southbound on Highway 19. After passing Delano’s, the handlebars locked up. After sliding on the gravel shoulder, the Suzuki went down an embankment. No injuries were reported. The Suzuki sustained extensive damage. 

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Baseball Tigers scored seven runs in the 4^th inning and cruised to a 10-0 win over the Thayer Bobcats Monday at the Salem High School Baseball Complex. Brandon Plank went 2-4 with two RBI and stole home in the 4^th inning, and Ethan Curley went 2-3 in the game. Grant Gordon pitched another outstanding game for the Tigers giving up just an infield single, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out 12 Bobcats. Gordon is now 2-0 on the year and Salem is 3-0 overall, 1-0 in the SCA. Salem is scheduled to be at Mountain View on Thursday afternoon.

The Salem Invitational Track Meet will be held today at the Salem High School track starting at 3:00 today. The Salem Tennis Team will host the Willow Springs Bears in SCA play at 4:00 at the Salem City Park, and the Salem Golf Team is scheduled to be at Mountain View-Liberty today at 4:00.

Miguel Tejada's two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth rescued Houston, as the Astros blew a three-run lead but slipped by St. Louis, 5-3, in the first of three games between the clubs at Minute Maid Park. Kyle McClellan (0-1) took the loss for the Cardinals. Ryan Ludwick drove in a pair and Troy Glaus added an RBI single and scored the tying run in the ninth for the Cardinals, whose five-game win streak came to an end. Todd Wellemeyer pitched well in the no-decision, allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings, fanning seven with one walk. The Cards and Astros play tonight at 7:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO.

Mario Chalmers hit the tying three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation and Kansas rallied from a nine-point deficit late in the second half to beat Memphis, 75-68, in overtime to win the national championship. The Tigers missed four crucial free throws in the final 1:15 of regulation, opening the door for Kansas.

 Major League Baseball Scores:

Baltimore 5, Seattle 4
Chicago White Sox 7, Minnesota 4
NY Yankees 6, Tampa Bay 1
LA Angels 6, Cleveland 4
Philadelphia 5, Cincinnati 3
Chicago Cubs 10, Pittsburgh 8 (12 inngs)
San Diego 8, San Francisco 4
Florida 10, Washington 7
Colorado 2, Atlanta 1
Arizona 9, LA Dodgers 3

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Lloyd A. Schafer of Salem, age 86, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Interment will be in the Green Forest Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Graveside services for Thomas Cochran of Spring, Texas, formerly of St. Louis, age 72, will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the St. James Cemetery. All the arrangements are under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James.

Funeral services for Floyd R. Snelson of Vandalia, Ohio, formerly of Rolla, age 88, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Thomas-Fairview Cemetery with full Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to the Phelps Regional HOSPICE.

Weather [TOP]