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.

A town hall meeting was held Thursday night at the city hall auditorium to discuss the Salem R-80 nine million dollar bond proposal to make numerous improvements to the high school and junior high campus, and some renovations at the William Lynch Elementary School. According to Michael Sapp of Sapp and Associates, the architectural firm for the school board, the proposed renovations and changes would provide more safety and security as there would only be one main entrance with the administration offices in those locations. The renovations would also extend the life of the current buildings, provide rooms with updated technology, and by eliminating the need to go outside to go from room to room, energy savings would also be realized. Sapp also said that right now, costs savings can be realized because many contractors or sub contractors are not working and will bid low to get the work. As part of the 10-year R-80 master plan, the passing of the bond issue would allow the district to restructure the schools by creating a 9^th through 12^th grade high school and a 6^th through 8^th grade middle school. This would create academic efficiency as well as operational efficiency. Sapp also said that this work would also prepare the junior high and high school for additional expansion should it become necessary down the road. Larry Hart of L.J. Hart and Company said that this is a great time to pass this bond issue as economic stimulus monies are available that could produce 0% interest bonds, cutting back on costs. Those 0% bonds would be in the form of tax credits. The district would be looking at trying to secure $5,220,000 in 0% qualified school construction bonds and have $3,780,000 in general obligation bonds. He said of course, the board would try to get all the money at 0%, but that probably won’t happen. He did say that since most of the work to be done is renovation, Salem may also qualify for renovation stimulus funds that also offers 0%. The bottom line is that the Salem R-80 Board of Education wants to control the mix of funds so that the tax rate currently at 68 cents per $100 assessed valuation doesn’t change, even if that means having to hold off on some projects if the mix of funds would cause the rate to go up. The 2002 general obligation bonds will be paid off in 2011 at which time Salem R-80 taxpayers would see a decrease in their taxes if this bond issue fails. The goal is to not change the current tax rate with the passage of this bond issue that would leave R-80 taxpayers paying  about 68 cents per $100 assessed valuation for the next 20 years. The special election for the bond issue will be Tuesday, August 4^th from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6380 and 6420. Purcell also said that grading continues on Dent County Road 5600 also known as the Turtle Loop and work continues on the widening of Dent County Road 5220.  District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2150, 4290, 4010 and 4480. Larson also said that grading would be done and rock would be hauled to Dent County Roads 2130 and 2135 and brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 3140 and 3190. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that the courthouse would close today at 1:00, but the clerk’s office and the collector’s office would open up Saturday from 8:00 until noon for anyone wanting to pay their taxes or absentee vote. Curley also said that the clerk’s office has received 62 requests for absentee ballots for the August 4^th Special Election. At the meeting the Commission approved sending comments to the National Park Service concerning the General Management Plan on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The Commissioners are in favor of the “No Action Alternative” and are concerned about the closing of more roads and trails along the riverways.  Michael Tschetter came by the meeting to express his concerns about strobe lights on cell phone towers. He left paperwork for the Commission to read stating other options that can be used to make the towers noticeable by planes. Tom Stehn, District 9 Engineer for MODOT, also stopped by the meeting to update the Commission on the Highway 32 project and other projects in the area. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 and that meeting is open to the public. 

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.

Sports [TOP]

Funeral services for Pauletta “Plutie” June Scott of St. James, age 81, will be held Saturday at 10:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Malden Memorial Park in Malden, Mo at 3:00. Memorials are suggested to the First Assembly of God Church in Rolla.

Funeral services for Robert “Bob” Scheibe of Salem, formerly of St. Louis, age 88, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be tonight from 6:00 to 8:00, with eulogy given by J.J. Tune at 7:30. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred heart Catholic Church. 

Memorial services for Theodora Berniece Nutley of Viburnum, age 87, will be held Sunday at 2:00 at the Missionary Baptist Emmaus Church in Courtois, MO. Interment will be in the Lower Indian Creek Cemetery in Courtois. All the arrangements are under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville.

Funeral services for James W. Harris of Salem, age 77, will be held Tuesday at 1:00 at the Dent County Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Tuesday morning at 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Weather [TOP]