Your World Today, Salem, Missouri

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An accident occurred Tuesday morning at 8:39 in Dent County on Highway 72 about one mile north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Chevy S-10 driven by 65-year old Jimmy Claspill of Salem was traveling westbound on Highway 72, crossed the centerline and traveled off the left side of the roadway where the Chevy S-10 struck a culvert. The pickup became airborne and struck the ground. Claspill suffered minor injuries and was transported by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy S-10 sustained moderate damage and was left at the scene.

An accident happened in Reynolds County on Reynolds County Road 914 about two miles west of Bunker at 6:30 Tuesday evening. According to the highway patrol report, 31-year old Kenny Wood of Bunker was driving a 2003 Ford Pickup northbound when he drove into soft mud on the roadway and the pickup overturned. Wood suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle. The Ford Pickup sustained moderate damage and it was later removed from the scene by the owner. Wood was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Monday morning; District 1 Commissioner Bobby Simpson was not in attendance. District 2 Commissioner J.J. Tune reported that crews would be grading, hauling material to and cleaning debris from a bridge on Dent County Road 224 and patching washouts on Dent County Roads 211 and 233. Tune also said that grading would be done in the Waterfork area on Dent County Road 428. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he attended a MRPC Tax Transportation Advisory Meeting this past Thursday in St. James. At the meeting, Skiles said MODOT’s plans are to identify and prioritize highway needs in the Meramec region. Sharon Tubbs and Ray Walden met with the Commission late Monday morning to discuss updating the current Salem Area Chamber of Commerce website. Commissioner Skiles also reported that a public meeting would be held Monday, May 14^th at 7:00 pm in the City Hall Auditorium to inform citizens of where the county stands with rural addressing. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Varsity Quiz Bowl Team finished in 2^nd place in Class 3 District play Saturday at Ava. Salem was undefeated until the final when they faced Dixon and the district championship came down to the last two questions. Bill Van Ronzelen medalled as the top-scoring player in the District Tournament and was named the #1 District player of 2007. This was Van Ronzelen’s last competition and during his four years, he has been named multiple times to Conference and District teams, and has medalled multiple times in invitational tournament play. Van Ronzelen has captained both the junior varsity and varsity teams and served as President of the Quiz Bowl. This year, the Salem Quiz Bowl teams won the SCA Varsity Championship title, Second Place in the JV State Championship and finished in the final four in all the invitational tournaments they participated in. The Salem varsity Quiz Bowl team is comprised of Van Ronzelen, Jenna Homeyer, Alexis Snider, Amanda Drury, Tiffany Land, Matt prince and Sean Hanner. Susan Sheeley and Wanda Nickles coached the team this season.

Economic developers and contractors will have an opportunity to learn more about HUB zones at the next MREDs’ Breakfast, planned at 8:30 Friday morning at the Country Kitchen Restaurant located at 60 Route P in Cuba. Patti Guttman, the HUB Zone District office liaison with the Small Business Administration in St. Louis, will be on hand to explain HUB zones. The HUB Zone Empowerment Contracting program, managed by the Small Business Administration, provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in HUB zones. Presently, the counties of Crawford, Dent, Pulaski and Washington and one census tract in Phelps County are designated HUB zones, according to the SBA website. Persons planning to attend should RSVP to Janet at 573-265-2993 by today. Breakfast is Dutch treat.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Parks and Recreation Department will hold one final signup for the youth baseball and softball program and that will be today from 3:00 to 5:00 in the lobby of the Salem Freedom Activity Center. Children must be between the ages of 4 and 12 and the cost per child is $15. For more information, call the Salem Parks and Recreation Department at 729-6290.

Tom Gorzelanny pitched eight-plus strong innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates downed the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-1,at Busch Stadium. Gorzelanny (2-0) gave up just one run on four hits while striking out two and walking three in 8 1/3 innings.Adam Wainwright, who was making his first-career start at home, went six innings and allowed five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits for St. Louis, which has dropped three of its last four games. Gary Bennett knocked in the lone run for the Cardinals with a sacrifice fly. St. Louis heads to San Francisco to kick off a five-game road trip starting tonight at 9:00 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Placido Polanco drove in the go-ahead in the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals, 7-6, at Comerica Park. Polanco ended 3-for-5 with homer, two RBI and three runs scored for the Tigers, who have taken the first two games of this three-game set. David DeJesus had four hits, including a homer, with two RBI and three runs scored for the Royals, who have lost six in a row and fell to 1-7 on their current nine-game road trip. Reggie Sanders added two RBI for Kansas City, which has lost four of five to the Tigers this season. David Riske (0-2) was hit with the loss in relief, allowing the one run in 1 1/3 innings of work. Kansas City starter Jorge De La Rosa surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits over six innings. The Royals and Detroit play this afternoon at noon.

Saint Louis University has fired men's head basketball coach Brad Soderberg after a mediocre five-year run. Soderberg guided the Billikens to a record of 80-74, including a 20-13 mark this past season. It was Saint Louis' first 20-win season since the 1997-98 campaign, but the squad still did not receive a postseason tournament bid. The Billikens reached the NIT after each of Soderberg's first two seasons, but the current three-year postseason dry spell is the longest for the school since a three-year absence from the 1990-91 season through 1992-93.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with defensive tackle James Reed. Reed started 15 games last year for the Chiefs and notched 42 tackles and one sack.

Obituaries [TOP]

Funeral services for Johney Bolin of Steelville, age 71, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery.

Funeral services for Vickie L. Harlan of Rolla, age 49, will be held at a later date, but the under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary of Rolla.

Weather [TOP]

Today..Partly sunny with some sprinkles this morning, high of 66.
Tonight..Mostly clear, low of 41.
Thursday..Mostly sunny, high of 66.
Thursday night..Partly cloudy, low of 42.
Friday..Partly sunny, high of 69.
Friday night..Mostly clear, low of 48.
Saturday..Mostly sunny, high of 75.
Saturday night..Mostly clear, low of 56.