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Homeowners and contractors are needed for housing renovation projects beginning soon in the Meramec Region, announced Byron Baker, president of the Meramec Community Development Corp.  Some $340,000 will be invested in housing improvements, and some 15 homes are to be improved. The Missouri Housing Development Corporation has awarded MCEC two grants to continue housing renovation projects in the region. One grant is for $150,000 and will target the city of Rolla, which was selected as a DREAM community. The second grant is for $190,000 and can be used across the eight-county Meramec Region, which includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. MCEC is a 501©3 that works in partnership with Meramec Regional Planning Commission. Meramec Regional Planning Commission will carry out the projects on behalf of MCEC. Homeowners and contractors wishing to participate in the program should contact MRPC. Homeowners must meet income eligibility requirements to be included in the program and must have owned the home for at least three years. Contractors are also needed for the renovation work. In addition to the $340,000 grant for single-family rehab work, MRPC is also overseeing another $1.7 million in renovation grants that will benefit senior citizen housing complexes in Westphalia, Linn, Rich Fountain, Hermann and Sullivan and another $306,000 grant for additional rental housing renovations. Prospective contractors for upcoming projects must complete a two-page application. Homeowners and contractors needing more information or wanting to complete applications can the MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

The Meremac Regional Planning Commission Board heard MODOT’s Restructuring Proposal. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has been emphasizing the necessity of infrastructure for the state’s development and has proposed a five-year restructuring plan for MoDOT’s operation to allow more funds to be invested in highway and bridge infrastructure. The Bolder Five-Year Plan recommends the reduction of 1,200 MoDOT employees, 135 facilities and 744 pieces of equipment. Most of the cuts to employees would be at management level. The plan also proposes combining MoDOT districts by eliminating Districts 2, 7 and 9. MRPC counties in District 9 would be served by the Central District in Jefferson City and the new Southeast District in Sikeston. Maintenance facilities in Dixon, St. James, Chamois, Meta and Owensville would be eliminated with personnel transferred to other sheds. While the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission plans to make its official decision at its June 8 meeting, the MRPC board, at the recommendation of its Transportation Advisory Committee, voted to request the commission to delay that decision by 90 days to allow more time to evaluate and understand the proposal, to ensure it is the best strategy for MoDOT. In other business, the MRPC board: approved an amended motion for the promotion of Assistant Director Bonnie Prigge to executive director effective July 1^st; discussed a change to the June 9^th board meeting. Committees will meet from 4 to 5 p.m., MRPC/MRB boards will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. and a reception honoring Executive Director Richard Cavender’s 32-years of service will be held from 6:00 to 8:00. Food and drinks will be provided. The Board hired Kean & Company for audit services for MRPC and its affiliates for the next three-year period. The MRPC board will meet at 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 9^th at its office located at #4 Industrial Drive in St. James. All meetings are open to the public.

All 4-H/FFA members with market animal projects that will be showing and selling at the Fair this year are encouraged to attend a Fair Pre-Show on Saturday, June 18^th at the Commons livestock barn beginning at 9:00 am.  First-time exhibitors must attend or pay an additional 1% commission fee. Steers should be brought to the pre-show to acquaint them with the arena and for 4-H’ers to practice leading them with the other steers. Instruction will be given on what the judges will be looking for and how best to show your animal. There will also be demonstrations of how to show hogs and lambs. For more information contact Linda Shelton at 729-3196.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tiger baseball team placed seven players on All-SCA Teams. Pitcher Ryan Smith and infielder Aaron Shaw, both Seniors, were named First Team All-SCA. Smith and Shaw were also named to the All-District Team. Sophomore pitcher Brady Floyd, Junior infielder Austin Bettigrew, and Junior outfielder Andrew Conaway were named Second Team All-SCA. Junior outfielder Devon Sutterfield and Sophomore DH Lane Stluka were Honorable Mention All-SCA. Don Smith was also named Coach of the Year. Congratulations Tigers!!

The Salem Tigers’ tennis doubles team of Arthur Rekowski and Steven Morton finished ranked 10^th in State after the State Tournament last week. Salem’s other doubles team, Jonathon Hambacker and Matt Sirois finished ranked 15^th.

Nate Schierholtz's RBI single in the top of the 11^th proved to be the decider as the Giants outlasted the Cardinals, 7-5, in the third game of a four-game set at Busch Stadium. Ryan Franklin (1-4) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Craig provided the Cardinals with a pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh, while Daniel Descalso went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. The Cards and Giants play again tonight at 6:40.

Billy Butler hit a two-run homer, which was originally ruled a double but was overturned by a review, in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Royals over the Angels, 2-0, in the rubber match of a three- game series. Tim Collins (3-2) earned the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief of Felipe Paulino, who was making his first start of the season after being acquired from the Rockies last week. Jeff Francoeur had two hits and scored on Butler's blast as the Royals won their second straight after a three-game losing streak. The Royals start a four game series with the Twins tonight.

The Cardinals will place Matt Holliday on the disabled list today, the club announced. The Cardinals will also send right-handed pitcher Kyle McClellan to the disabled list and bring up Lance Lynn to pitch today in his big league debut.

Jack Clark Day at the ballpark has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 26^th. Registration is free for boys are 8–15. Boys age 8-12 will be able to participate in a clinic from 2:00 to 3:30 pm and boys age 13-15 the clinic will be held from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. Be sure and sign up for Jack Clark Day at the ballpark and get some baseball tips from a former Cardinal legend. That’s Jack Clark Day at the ballpark rescheduled Sunday, June 26^th.  

Obituaries   [TOP]