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The Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA and SEMA) will open a Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Ellington and in Houston. The centers will provide resources for people affected by the May 8 – 16 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Today and tomorrow centers will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. The center will be closed Saturday, July 18, and will reopen Sunday, July 19^th from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The center will be open on Monday and Tuesday, July 20^th and 21^st from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 will be the last day of business for the center. The DRC address in Ellington is at the Ellington City Hall located at 100 Tubbs Avenue in Ellington and in Houston the address is the Texas County Justice Center located at 519 North Grand, Room 104 in Houston. Before visiting the DRC, people are encouraged to register for disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Phone registration is available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. After registering with FEMA, it is not necessary to visit a DRC. The centers are provided for those who may want to speak in person with a disaster recovery specialist.  DRC services include checking the status of a claim, getting answers to questions about the recovery status and reviewing information FEMA needs to process an individual's claim. Recovery specialists also can supply contacts for other programs that may be available for further assistance.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will conduct their monthly meeting tonight in the district administrative offices boardroom beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Bryant will update the Board on the Open House dates and times, he’ll give a facility update as well as update the Board on the annual school bus inspections. In new business the Board will address bids on milk, bread, energy and pest control, update the 2009/2010 budget and set the tuition rate for the 2009/2010 school year. The Board will hear program evaluations on board policies, the A+ program and finances, as well as consider an A+ partnership plan. Also in new business the Board will address a random student drug testing procedure revision, consider BOE police BDA, consider approval of non-resident student(s), declare property surplus, address the developmental preschool transportation agreement, discuss Board of Education committee assignments and set a tax rate hearing, budget hearing along with the regular August Board meeting. The Board will then vote to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel. The regular monthly meeting of the Salem R-80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their reports involving assault, an active city warrant, and trespassing. On Monday, July 13^th at 8:30 p.m. an officer was contacted in reference to an assault, which had occurred in the 100 block of Highway 32 East. The report led to the arrest of a 19-year old Salem man on the assault. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Tuesday, July 14^th at 8:00 a.m. information was received on the where about of an individual whom the City of Salem held an active warrant for their arrest. With the assistance of the Dent County Sheriff Department, a 48-year old Salem woman was taken into custody in southern Dent County on the warrant. She posted bond on the warrant and was released to appear in court. At 12:30 that afternoon, an officer received information of a subject trespassing in the 100 block of West Dent Street. The report led to the arrest of a 24-year old Salem man. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Wednesday, July 15^th at 11:45 a.m. an officer was detailed to the 300 block of East Center Street in reference to a domestic assault. The report led to the arrest of a 26-year old Salem man on the assault. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released.

Businesses who suffered property damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 8^th through the 16th can register for federal disaster assistance. Registration is available by calling 1-800 621-3362 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, or at www.disasterassistance.gov. In order to complete an application, the following information is necessary: a phone number, address of the damaged property, a brief description of damages, a Social Security number, any insurance information and a current mailing address. The counties in which residents are eligible to register for disaster assistance are: Dent, Shannon, Texas, and surrounding counties. Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets The U.S. Small Business Administration also sends loss verifiers to inspect damaged property of those who have submitted completed loan applications. And local building and safety inspectors may come to see if damaged structures are safe. All of these inspectors should have photo identification

Residents who suffered property damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 8^th through the 16th can register for federal disaster assistance. Registration is available by calling 1-800 621-3362 or at www.disasterassistance.gov from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. In order to complete an application, the following information is necessary: a phone number, address of the damaged property, a brief description of damages, a Social Security number, any insurance information and a current mailing address. The counties in which residents are eligible to register for disaster assistance are: Dent, Shannon, Texas, and surrounding counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, in addition to grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate victims for their entire loss. For those with insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance. Residents who applied for disaster assistance and are not insured can expect to hear from an inspector who will schedule a visit to look at damaged property. FEMA schedules inspections within 7 to 10 days to verify losses.

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Memorial services for Robert L. Ferrell of St. James, age 76, will be held this morning at 10:00 at the VFW in St. James. Memorials are suggested to the family. All the arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James.

Funeral services for Dale Louis Belflower of Anutt, age 76, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Anutt Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Young Community Center. 

Graveside services for Blanche Wofford of Salem, age 90, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association. All arrangements are under the direction of James and Gahr Mortuary.

Graveside services for Patricia “Patty” Villines of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, formerly of Salem, age 51, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the Stone Hill Cemetery in Salem. Arrangements are under the direction of the Britton-Bennetter Funeral Home in Cuba.

Memorial services for Verda Kantz Leonard of Salem, age 85, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Salem United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Salem United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel.

Memorial services for Thomas Shatzer of Salem, formerly of Ohio, age 55 will be held Saturday at 3:00 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sandusky, Ohio. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel.

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