Scroll Down for Sports, Weather and Obituaries! For State-Wide News, go to the MissouriNet! To read previous editions of Your World Today please visit our Archives Page.

U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson responded to the National Park Service announcing closure of 50 trails and roads within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways by telling the agency it needs to work closer with local stakeholders and to observe regulations requiring them to hear public comments. “The ONSR is a vital resource that brings people from all over the state and region to Southern Missouri. Not only are the Current River and the Jack’s Fork River important to tourism, but they also contain access roads and trails that are well-used by the residents of Dent, Texas and Shannon Counties for their enjoyment of the natural beauty right in our own back yards,” Emerson said.  “The National Park Service has a duty to everyone who uses the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to hear public concerns about the closures.  That’s a requirement of federal law, and the public notice and comment period is necessary to meet that obligation.” Emerson also noted that, while some of the trails are rough, none of them are impassable. She questioned why local residents have been prohibited by the National Park Service from voluntarily clearing roads from storm debris; and she has asked for an explanation of why the roads plan is being implemented before a new General Management Plan for the ONSR is released. “All this amounts to the Missouri public, which cares deeply about this resource and its management, being shut out of the process on important questions of use and access to the ONSR. These are crucial questions for me and for everyone who enjoys this natural wonder of Southern Missouri,” Emerson said. The roads are used by local residents and visitors to ride horses and all terrain vehicles as well as to gain access to fishing, camping and canoeing.  Historic sites and family cemeteries are also located within the ONSR.

The Salem High School graduation ceremonies will be held Friday night at 7:00 p.m. in the football stadium, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, the graduation exercises will be held in the high school gymnasium. This year the Salem High School class valedictorians are Ty Floyd, son of Tony and Stephanie Floyd; Bret Hagler, son of Don and Elaine Hagler, and Phil Moser, son of Dee and Kim Moser. The Class salutatorian is Rachel Sirois, daughter of Bernie and Michelle Sirois. This year’s Seniors will be receiving 36 scholarships from community clubs, organizations, businesses and schools. This year’s program has High School Principal John Smith presenting the valedictory and salutatory awards, senior class citizenship awards, college prepatory certificates and announcing A+ students. Salem R-80 Superintendent Steve Bryant will be presenting diplomas to the seniors after Smith introduces them. The Salem High School Chamber Choir will also be performing.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their monthly meeting tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda and the minutes from the April 22^nd meeting, Administrator Dennis Pryor will update the Board on the summary of operations and statistics for the month of April. Pryor will then update the Board on the Auxiliary report, the hospital activity calendar and legislative issues. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will then update the Board on the nursing services and ancillary service reports, followed by the Chief of Staff report. In old business, there will be a strategic planning update, an update on the hospital lagoon, a report from the finance committee meeting and the hospital foundation committee. In new business the Board will address hospital purchases and then may vote to go into Closed Session. The regular monthly meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will conduct their monthly meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Bryant will update the Board on Serendipity, legislative issues, summer school, the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Grant through DMG Petroleum, and address student and staff recognitions. In new business the Board will hear program evaluations on curriculum and the A+ program. There will be a CIA-approval social studies, physical education and Ag Ed curriculum. The Board will address the Race to the Top memorandum of understanding, the 2009/2010 budget update, the A+ student handbook revisions, the Class of 75 “save the tiger” fundraiser and a student random drug testing program update. The Board will approve the special education part B compliance plan, consider a waiver for Policy GCBDB for professional staff long-term leaves and absences, hear resignations, consider propane bids to 2010/2011, address senior high graduation and discuss the June BOE meeting(s). The Board will then vote to go into Closed 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.

Sports [TOP]