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The Salem High School 123^rd graduation ceremonies will be held Friday night at 7:00 at the Salem High School Football Field.  A total of 139 seniors are expected to receive their diplomas from Superintendent Steve Bryant and Greg Nash, president of the board of education. This year the class valedictorians with 4.0 grade point averages are Zach Moser, son of Dee and Kim Moser; and Ellie Nothaus, daughter of Richard and Kim Nothaus. This year’s salutatorians with a 3.97 grade point average are Luke Heithold, son of Paul and Penny Heithold; and Natalie Howard, daughter of Gary Howard and the late Barb Howard. The salutatorians and valedictorians will each have a chance to speak to the graduating class. The night's activities start with the Chamber Choir performing "Until We Meet Again," followed by the presentation of scholarships and awards from local businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals. Also to be presented will be the senior class citizenship awards, the salutatorian and valedictorian awards, and A+ and college prep certificate recipients.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will conduct their regular monthly meeting tonight at the William Lynch Elementary Building Conference Room beginning at 6:00 pm. After the approval of the agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Bryant will discuss Serendipity, legislative updates and summer school in his report. During new business, the Board will discuss the CIA-approved math curriculum, discuss a 2007-2008-budget update, give an update on student drug testing and Special Education Part B Assurances Statement. The Board will discuss policy revisions, Senior High Graduation, the June Board of Education meeting and resignations. The Board will then adjourn and go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing student discipline and personnel. The regular monthly meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

Acting District Ranger William Paxton has signed a Decision Memo for the Marcoot/Minninghaw Prescribed Burn Project. The majority of the project lies in eastern Dent County, about 5,323 acres, and the remaining 340 acres is in western Reynolds County. The project consists of the expansion of two existing burn block. The Natural Community Restoration and Hazardous Fuel Reduction will be accomplished through approximately 5,663 acres of prescribed burning of fuel reduction to be implemented on a cycle of three to five years. The primary purpose of the project is to improve open and closed woodland habitats by reducing encroaching species and improving the plant diversity, health, and vigor of the native grasses, sedges and forbs. This Decision is subject to appeal. A written Notice of Appeal, with attachments, must be postmarked and submitted to the Appeal Deciding Officer by June 15^th. To get the address where to send the appeal, for more information or to receive a copy of the Decision Memo, write to James Turner at the USDA Forest Service, 1301 Main Street, P.O. Box 460, Salem, Missouri, 65560, or contact him at 729-6656.

If your farm has been in your family since December 31, 1908, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. To qualify, farms must meet the following guidelines: the same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years; the line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption; and the farm must be at least 40 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income. This year, the Missouri Farm Bureau joined MU Extension and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources as a program sponsor. The Missouri Farm Bureau is proud to partner in the recognition of these unique and historical family farms as they represent the continued importance of production agriculture to our state and nation. Their local MU Extension office in the county where the farm is located will recognize all applicants certified as owners of a 2008 Missouri Century Farm. Applicants are presented with a sign and a certificate. Since Missouri began the program in 1976, more than 7,000 century-farms have been recognized. The cost is $45 and applications must be postmarked by TODAY to be considered!!! For application forms and information, call Extension Publications toll-free at 1-800-292-0969, contact your local Extension office at 729-3196.

The Salem Eagles Club and American Legion are holding a benefit auction at 2:00 for the Terry Roberts family Saturday at the Eagles Club. To make a donation or for more information, call the Eagles Club after 4:00 at 729-6219.

Sports [TOP]

The Spring Sports Banquet will be held tonight at the Salem High School Cafeteria starting at 6:30 pm. There will be a night of recognition for the Varsity and Junior Varsity baseball, track, golf and tennis athletes and their parents are invited to attend to honor the 2008 Spring Season.    

Todd Wellemeyer tossed seven-plus innings of one-run ball, and the Cardinals offense rattled off 15 hits to get back in the win column with a 5-1 victory over the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. Wellemeyer (4-1) allowed just two singles and three walks, while fanning five for St. Louis, which had dropped three in a row and six of seven. Troy Glaus and Cesar Izturis each tallied three hits and knocked in a run, while Rick Ankiel, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina recorded two hits apiece in victory. Jason Isringhausen closed out the game with a perfect ninth inning. In the rubber game of the series this afternoon at 12:00, the Pirates will send Ian Snell (2-2) to square off against St. Louis' Joel Pineiro (2-2). You can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Tyler Johnson had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder on Wednesday. Johnson was diagnosed with tendinitis and a rotator cuff strain in the shoulder early in Spring Training, and was shut down. The 26-year-old left- hander has been dealing with shoulder troubles for more than two months, and had been trying to avoid surgery. Johnson's expected recovery time will last a minimum of six months.

Luke Hochevar threw six shutout innings and Joey Gathright drove in a pair of runs for Kansas City, which continued its mastery of Detroit with a 2-0 win over the Tigers. Hochevar (3-2) gave up just four hits and three walks, while fanning five, for the Royals, who have won all five meetings with Detroit so far this season. Joakim Soria earned his 10th save of the season and kept his earned run average at 0.00, as he has not allowed an earned run in 16 1/3 innings this year. Alex Gordon went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, while Mark Teahen added a pair of hits and Tony Pena doubled for Kansas City. The Royals have won three in a row overall, and outscored opponents 9-2 in the span. The Tigers will try to avoid the sweep in the series finale this afternoon at Kansas City, sending Kenny Rogers (3-3) to the mound to face Kansas City's Gil Meche (2-5).

The Chicago Cubs signed veteran outfielder Jim Edmonds to a 2008 contract on Wednesday. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Edmonds will be available for Thursday's series finale against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. The 37-year-old, who was acquired by the Padres in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in December, was batting just .178 with one home run and six RBI in 26 games this season before the club released him last Friday.

Major League Baseball Scores:

Atlanta 8, Philadelphia 6
Washington 5, NY Mets 3
LA Dodgers 6, Milwaukee 4
Chicago Cubs 8, San Diego 5
Cincinnati 6, Florida 5 (10 inngs)
Arizona 4, Colorado 3
Houston 6, San Francisco 3
Seattle 4, Texas 3 (12 inngs)
Baltimore 6, Boston 3
Cleveland 2, Oakland 0
NY Yankees 2, Tampa Bay 1
Toronto 6, Minnesota 5
Chicago White Sox 6, LA Angels 1

Obituaries   [TOP]

A Memorial Mass for Elbertine “Mickey” Kiefer of Rolla, age 90, will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 at the St. Patrick’s Church in Rolla. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services for Viola Jewel Parsons of Salem, age 94, will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Salem or the American Cancer Society. 

Graveside services for Clara Louise Leka Thomas of Steelville, age 86, will be held Monday afternoon at 3:00 at the Mechanicsburg Cemetery in Illinois. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville.

Weather [TOP]