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The Forest Service has proposed a set of management activities in the southern portion of the Salem Ranger District. This area is referred to as the Medley Hollow Analysis Area and it is located in Dent, Reynolds and Shannon Counties. The analysis area is just southwest of the community of Bunker, on lands administered by the Salem Ranger District. Many comments were heard concerning this project, namely, concerns over Loggers Lake and the growth of aquatic weeds in the lake. The proposed work for Loggers Lake has been taken out of the Medley Hollow project and will be considered a separate decision. Loggers Lake will have potential treatments considered further and in greater detail, along with other potential needs that may impact future recreation opportunities.  From now on, the Loggers Lake aquatic vegetation treatments that were included in the Medley Hollow project will not be included into future Medley Hollow project documents.  If you have any questions or concerns on the Loggers Lake area of the Medley Hollow Analysis Area please contact Thomas Haines at the Salem Ranger District office at 729-6656.

The Salem Police report two accidents occurring last week in the city. The first accident happened on the 15^th at 2:45 p.m. on Highway 32 at McArthur. According to the police report, a 2003 Dodge Ram, driven by Brandi Hobson of Salem, and a 2001 Ford Ranger, driven by Lola Gowan of Salem, and owned by William and James Hobson, were both traveling west on 32 and were stopped at the stop light at McArthur. Gowan started rolling forward, so Hobson began to move forward as well. Gowen stopped her vehicle, but Hobson did not see her stop at which time contact was made. Gowan received some injuries in the accident. Both vehicles had minor damage. Another accident occurred on July 16^th at 12:02 p.m. in Hwy 32 and the Town and Country bank lot. A 2005 Chevy, driven by Renee Auten of Salem, was parked in the drive-thru of Town and Country Bank, when and unknown vehicle made contact on the rear of the vehicle. No injuries were reported, but there was moderate damage to the Chevy.

Biking and walking to school soon will be safer in many communities thanks to their efforts to apply for Safe Routes to School funding. This program, offered through the Missouri Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Division, is designed to improve conditions for bicycling and walking in the vicinity of schools. The main goal is to encourage a lifestyle that is both healthy and active. A bonus is the reduction of traffic and air pollution near schools. All funding must be used to increase the safety of children in grades kindergarten through 8 while walking, bicycling and wheeling to school Applicants submitted projects and activities, which were considered by a committee of law enforcement, state, regional and local agencies and school and bicycle advocacy groups for funding through the Safe Routes to School program. From the 99 applications, the committee selected and awarded 46 grants that will impact 96 Missouri schools, as they will be located within 2 miles of a school facility. Seven of those fall within the

borders of MoDOT's South Central District. Four were classified under the Infrastructure Activities category. This could include sidewalk improvements, traffic calming, and speed reduction improvements, pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, bicycle parking facilities and traffic diversion. One of the funded projects went to the City of Licking, $200,608.65 for new sidewalks, sidewalk lighting and pedestrian crosswalks.  Three were classified as non-infrastructure. This category could include: public awareness campaigns, outreach to press and community leaders, traffic education, traffic enforcement within the vicinity of the schools, student education on bicycle and pedestrian safety, health and environment and funding for training. The three-awarded projects are for the City of Willow Springs, Cabool and Houston R-I Schools. For additional information regarding this or other transportation-related topics, call the MoDOT Customer Service Center, toll-free, at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636).

The Bonebrake Center of Nature and History will present "Snakes 101: Q and A with the Snakeman" this morning at 10:00 a.m. Tony Carlisle, the Snakeman, and his friends will bring books, pictures, artifacts and live Indigo snakes! Indigo snakes are the largest snake species native in the U.S. and is listed as endangered in many states in the U.S. For information contact the Bonebrake Center at 729-3400. When you register please leave your name, contact number and how many will be attending.

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Funeral services for Henry Thomas Adams of Steelville, age 88, will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Steelville. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 Thursday at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Pleasant Point Cemetery in Steelville.

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