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The Pentagon has reported that 20-year-old Specialist Jacob D. Barton of Lenox was one of the five service personnel killed on May 11th at Camp Liberty in Baghdad by an American sergeant. Barton and his four comrades died when a sergeant finishing up his third tour of duty allegedly opened fire in the camp. Barton's unit in Baghdad was not immediately identified by the military. He was assigned to the 277th Engineer Company, 420th Engineer Brigade in Waco, Texas. The slayings took place in a military stress center where the suspected shooter, 44-year-old Sgt. John Russell, been undergoing counseling. Barton was a 2008 graduate of the Rolla High School and his sister, Hannah, is also in the military. She will bring his body back for burial in St. James.

In closed session Tuesday night, the Salem R-80 Board of Education employed Erik Kruppe for Senior High Special Education; Hillary Alexander as the Senior High Band instructor; Melissa Crowe and Krystal Sims for Upper Elementary Special Education; Claire Jenkins as an Lower Elementary First Grade instructor; Bill Schuchardt and Terri Welch as coaches for Senior High Track; Jamie Chilton as a Senior High Assistant Coach for Volleyball; Mike Farrar as the 9^th Grade Boy’s Basketball; and Terry Parmenter as a the 7^th Grade Boy’s Basketball Coach and Junior High Football Coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

Residents in the Meramec Region, especially those in Dent County interested in volunteering during emergency situations are encouraged to take advantage of a three-day course being offered in Salem. The 20-hour training is planned May 15^th through 17^th at the Dent County Fire Protection District Firehouse located at #2 South Main Street. The class is offered free of charge. The Salem class will run from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. this Friday, then from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with Byron Burke and Terry Bruno as instructors. The training will introduce participants to the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept of preparing civilians to proactively organize and train for a disaster. CERT trainings cover disaster fire suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization. The class is sponsored by Meramec Regional Planning Commission and the Region I Homeland Security Oversight Committee in partnership with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. Lunch will be provided for participants on Saturday and Sunday. Persons interested in signing up should contact Amy McMillen at MRPC at (573) 265-2993. CERT does not train a volunteer to be a firefighter or a paramedic but instead teaches essential lifesaving functions that can be used after a disaster.

An accident occurred at 5:55 Wednesday evening in Texas County on Highway 137 about two miles south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Harley Davidson Road King driven by 56 year-old Peter Rector of Licking was southbound and turned left into the path of a northbound 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by 15 year-old Heather Freeman of Licking, ejecting Rector from his motorcycle. Rector suffered serious injuries and was transported by air to Cox South by Air Evac. Freeman was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Harley Davidson Road King was totaled in the accident and was removed from the scene by a relative. The Chevy Avalanche sustained extensive damages and was removed from the scene by A-1 Towing.

Sports [TOP]

At the Salem High School Sports Banquet Wednesday night, the Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year for Salem and the Boys MSHSAA Award of Excellence Award went to Yousef Ibrahim. The Girls MSHSAA Award of Excellence and the Lady Tiger Award went to Hannah Kettner. The Boys Tiger Award was a tie and was presented to Grant Gordon and C.J. Smith.

The Salem Tiger baseball Team is scheduled to play Iberia this afternoon starting at 5:00. Salem has won their last 12 games in a row and are 16-2 on the year. If played, you can hear the game on KSMO Radio and ksmoradio.com. (GAMES HAS BEEN CACELLED DUE TO WET GROUNDS)

Ross Ohlendorf threw six effective innings, and Nyjer Morgan singled in two runs, as the Pirates beat the Cardinals, 5-2, at PNC Park. Joel Pineiro (4-3) gave up 11 hits and five runs over six innings and dropped his third consecutive start. Skip Schumaker had a pair of hits, including a homer, for the Cardinals, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Pittsburgh has won five straight games against St. Louis at PNC Park. The Cards and Pirates will play again tonight at 5:45 on KSMO Radio.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Ryan Ludwick on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained right hamstring. To take his place on the roster, the Cardinals recalled outfielder Nick Stavinoha from Triple-A Memphis. He was batting .264 with a team-high four home runs, 25 RBI and .427 slugging percentage in 30 games for Memphis.

Josh Outman pitched six-plus effective innings, and Jack Cust drove in four runs, as the Oakland Athletics routed the Kansas City Royals, 7-2, to sweep the two-game series. Mike Jacobs homered, while Miguel Olivo drove in a run for the Royals, who have lost a season-high five straight games. Brian Bannister (3-1) was solid despite the loss, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings before leaving the game with right shoulder stiffness. The Royals will host Baltimore tonight.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Pauline Nickles of Belleville, Illinois, age 91, will be held this morning at 10:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Interment will be in the Mount Hermon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Dent County Animal Shelter.

Funeral services for Mrs. Pat Edwards of Licking, age 77, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the Salem Lutheran Church with Pastor Kettner officiating. Interment will be in the Boone Creek Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Lutheran Missions. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Fox Funeral Home in Licking.

Funeral services for Robert “Bob” Perkins of Steelville, age 61, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Pleasant Point Cemetery in Steelville. Memorials may be given to the Steelville City Park or the Jim Perkins Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Funeral services for Diane Bonebrake Schum, age 44, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Mount Hermon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family for funeral expenses.

Memorial services for William A. Andrews of Rolla, age 86, will be held Saturday, May 16th at 2:00 at the First Presbyterian Church in Rolla. Memorials are suggested to the William Andrews Civil Engineering Scholarship at MST, First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, Rolla Kiwanis club or charity of you choice. All the arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

Weather [TOP]