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The Dent County Fire Protection District has released their reports. On Sunday, August 21^st at 12:17 in the early morning, a total of 8 fire fighters responded to the 100 block of South Henderson Street to a multi-family dwelling. The call was a false alarm and was cancelled in route. On Wednesday, August 24^th at 4:49 in the afternoon, a total of 8 fire fighters responded to North Highway 68 for a motor vehicle accident with injuries and one fatality patient. Fire personnel extinguished the fire, recovered a body and provided manpower and emergency medical services on the scene. On Sunday, August 28^th at 11:36 pm, 10 fire fighters responded to Dent County Road 5015 to search for a person. All units were back in service at 1:35 the next morning. On Tuesday, August 30^th at 7:22 in the evening at total of 12 fire fighters responded to Dent County Road 6220 to a family dwelling for a building fire. Upon arrival, fire fighters found a one-story wood frame structure fully involved. The Jadwin Fire Department provided mutual aid and the fire was extinguished. The scene was under control 11:22 that night.

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like Missouri’s travelers to include safety when planning their Labor Day weekend. Col. Replogle strongly urges the use of seat belts when traveling in any kind of vehicle and life jackets when on a Missouri lake, river, or stream. In 2010, 10 people were killed and 515 injured in Missouri over the Labor Day holiday in 1,052 traffic crashes. One person was killed or injured every 8.9 minutes. Of that total, troopers worked 294 traffic crashes, which included 148 injuries and six of the fatalities over the 2010 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 190 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2011 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6 p.m., Friday, September 2, to 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 5. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and alcohol laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. Troopers throughout the state will participate in a 20-Mile Trooper operation on September 2 and again on September 5. This operation will include Interstates 35, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. Highways 60 and 63. Troopers will be targeting all traffic violations, and be especially vigilant of aggressive driving violations. Motorists who need assistance or who witness criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1 (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

In an effort to develop a statewide needs assessment for broadband Internet service in Missouri, members of the Broadband Regional Technology Planning Team reported data collected from surveys across the Meramec Region. A total of 985 surveys were completed in the Meramec Region as part of the Missouri BroadbandNow project, including 470 residential surveys and 515 sector surveys. Members of the planning team gathered August 9^th at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to review the results of the survey data. Earlier this year, the state’s 19 Regional Planning Commissions began reaching out to area businesses and various constituent groups within their local communities as part of Gov. Jay Nixon’s goal of increasing broadband accessibility from its current level of 79 percent to 95 percent by 2014. By surveying local communities, data was provided on broadband access and infrastructure to help meet the needs of citizens, businesses and government. Shannon White, MoBroadbandNow team leader, presented the results of the residential study for broadband usage in the region. Gene Oakley, deputy director with MoBroadbandNow, and Brian Rudolph, with GeoDecisions, Inc., were also present to assist in creating the statewide broadband assessment. White noted 87 percent of regional respondents for the residential study said they have Internet access. The average age of respondents was 58. Next, group members discussed the completed survey results for each sector including those for agriculture, energy, environment, healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, business/industry, library, local government, public safety, tourism, workforce development and economic development. Brad Frazier reported on the business sector data, noting 103 survey responses with 96 percent of those respondents having Internet access. The highest response rate came from finance, insurance and real estate fields. Businesses primarily use the Internet for e-mail, file sharing, website application, banking and research. Businesses found dissatisfaction with service in areas such as speed, cost, availability of preferred services and reliability, according to the study. The committee reviewed maps that displayed Missouri broadband availability and speed as of December 2010, as well as housing density. Areas lacking in coverage were noted. Before dismissing, the group used the SWOC–Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges–analysis overview to identify key issues, which were prioritized within each sector. The state MoBroadbandNow team will begin drafting a report of the group’s data and priorities. For more information on the broadband effort, contact Connie Willman at the MRPC at 573-265-2993. For additional information visit the MoBroadBandNow.com.

The Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging will present a FREE FORUM where you can learn about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program open enrollment dates starting October 15^th and ending December 7^th of this year. Kay Barbee, a Medicare Outreach Consultant, can help you learn about the EXTRA HELP programs (Medicare Part D) that help you pay for your medications. The FREE FORUM will be held on Tuesday, September 6^th at 1:30 in the afternoon at the TCRC at the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. All Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers are encouraged to attend.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Volleyball Tigers will host pacific tonight starting at 6:00 at the SHS Gym. The Lady Tigers varsity and JV are both 0-1 on the year.

Jake Westbrook hit a grand slam for his first career homer in the 4^th inning to break a 2-2 tie and pitched five innings for the win, leading the Cardinals over the Brewers, 8-3, on Wednesday. St. Louis cut Milwaukee's lead to 8 1/2 games atop the NL Central. Westbrook (11-7) gave up three runs on eight hits for only his second win in seven starts. Rafael Furcal led off the game with a home run and Albert Pujols followed one batter later with his 32nd homer of the season to center field to give the Cardinals a 2-0 edge. The Cards and Brewers play this afternoon at 2:35 on KSMO.

Wilson Betemit capped a three-run eighth with an RBI double, as the Detroit Tigers rallied past the Kansas City Royals, 5-4, in the third test of a four-game series. Eric Hosmer hit a pair of solo home runs to record his first career multi- homer game for the Royals, who have lost two in a row since a two-game winning streak. Nate Adcock made a spot start in place of Felipe Paulino, and allowed two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. Kansas City will be at Detroit this afternoon.

The 12^th Tiger Club will be hosting the annual opening night Football Parade this Friday starting at 6:00 from the City Administration Building. It’s a great way to show your Tiger pride and spirit! To be a part of the parade, contact Stephanie Floyd at 247-1441.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Private graveside services for Vera Aline Kehr of Steelville, age 90, will be held Friday at the Earney Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 5:00 to 8:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Memorials may be given to the Gibbs Care Building Fund c/o Britton-Bennett Funeral Home.

 Weather [TOP]