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ATTENTION: The Salem High School graduating Class of 2011 ceremonies will take place tonight beginning at 7:00 pm in the Salem High School Gymnasium where seating will be limited due to inclement weather. A total of 149 deserving young men and women will be receiving their diplomas during the ceremony. 

The starting time for the Dent County SPRINGFEST Mini-Sprint Car races have been moved up to 6:00 tonight instead of starting at 8:00.

The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting at the courthouse Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that workers would try to grade Dent County Roads 4160, 6020, 6040 and 6240. He said that rock would be added and grading would be done on Dent County Road 5520, and rock would be added to county road 5420. Purcell indicated that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5450. He said that Dump Truck #119 was in the shop getting the front-end suspension repaired. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported workers were going to use the Dura-Patch Machine to repair Dent County Roads 3210 and 3220, materials were going to be added to Dent County Road 2303, and that patch grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 4283. He stated that truck #65 was being serviced and that the window on Brush Cutter #6 has turned yellow making it unsafe to use. He said workers are going to try to clean the window first to see if that will work before having to replace it. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said that he attended the MoDOT briefing on the Bolder Five-Year Direction at SBU Monday and reminded folks that they only have until June 8^th to comment on the plan before the Highway and Transportation Commission votes on the proposal. He said that mayor of Willow Springs was to forward on to him an alternative plan that would keep the district office open there. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that absentee voting is available for those Dent County resident affected by the Special Bond Election being proposed by the Texas County Public Water Supply District #4 for 10 million dollars in revenue bonds for improvements to the district’s waterworks. That election would be held June 7^th. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and that meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met fro their regular meeting at the Upper Elementary Library Thursday night. After a closed session, the Board was given a demonstration on a Promethian Board by four students and two teachers. The Board was then introduced to the Senior High Assistant Principal for next year, Scott Roberts who came to Salem from the Houston School District. Superintendent Cindy Rumpf said that Summer school would begin May 31^st and last until June 17^th. She also reported that the Council for a Healthy Dent County has applied for a grant to build a walking trail around the perimeter of the Upper Elementary School that could be used by students and the general public. She would know more information in the fall. The Board approved the curriculum for music and art for students K-12, and also Family and Community Services. Salem has now completed all Power Standards curriculum, and Superintendent Cindy Rumpf wanted to thank the teachers for their diligence in completing this task. Assistant Superintendent John McCulloch said that this curriculum would be constantly reviewed as needed or as results dictate. The board tabled the bid for propane until the next meeting to see if the bids can be taken for less than a one-year period. The Board approved the renewal of student insurance from Lawrence E. Smith before accepting the retirements of Jo Ann Reed and Barbara Sanders from Food Service. The Board also accepted the resignations of 4^th Grade Teacher Diane Urton and part-time aide Crystal Dennison from the Developmental Pre-School. The preliminary end-of-class assessments were presented to the board and the results were very enlightening. In the required courses, there was a 15% increase over the baseline in Algebra, 5.2% increase from the baseline in Government, a 1.2% increase over the baseline in English 2 and a 13% increase from the baseline in Biology. The results were just as good in the voluntary EOC as there was a 19% increase from the baseline in English 1, a 15% increase over the baseline in Algebra 2, a 6% increase from the baseline in Geometry and a new baseline was set for American History at 47%. The board then agreed to allow the district to spend the remaining ARRA dollars for federal program purchases. The board then went back into closed session.

A Crafter’s Market is being held in conjunction to the Farmer’s Market at the ONCRC in the North Room across from the parking lot of the Farmer’s Market from 8:00 in the morning to 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday’s only through October. For more information about demonstrating or selling your crafts, call 729-0029.

Sports [TOP]

Gerald Laird had a two-run double to help back eight solid innings from Kyle McClellan, as the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 4-2 win over Houston and completed a sweep of the brief two-game set at Busch Stadium. Allen Craig went 3-for-4 with a solo home run for the Cardinals, who have won four in a row. McClellan (6-1) gave up two runs on five hits and struck out five without issuing a walk. Fernando Salas threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his fifth save of the season. The Cards will be in Kansas City tonight to start a three game series with the Royals starting at 6:35 on KSMO.

Jeff Francoeur hit a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning to lift the Royals over the Rangers, 2-1, and split the teams' two-game set. Luke Hochevar allowed one run on six hits and two walks in 8 2/3 innings, but Greg Holland (1-0), who was called up from Triple-A Omaha earlier Thursday, earned his first career victory. He tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to help end the Royals' five-game losing streak. Kansas City optioned center fielder Jarrod Dyson to Omaha on Thursday to make room for Greg Holland.

Obituaries   [TOP]