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Over the last two years, Missouri has seen a 21 percent decrease in traffic deaths, the second-largest percentage decrease in the nation. South Dakota had the largest percentage decrease at 21.5 percent. Missouri’s traffic deaths decreased from 1,257 in 2005, to 1,096 in 2006 and finally to 992 in 2007.  Currently, Missouri traffic deaths year-to-date for 2008 have declined by seven percent. A large part of the reduction is attributed to the state and regional efforts of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.  The coalition is a large group of safety advocates who banded together in 2004 to create Missouri’s Blueprint for Safer Roadways to attack the problem of traffic crashes and deaths.  Strategies include increased law enforcement activity, engineering improvements and educational programs. Within the Blueprint, Missouri’s fatality reduction goal was set at “1,000 or fewer fatalities by 2008.” The coalition met that goal one year early. Nationally, the number of people who died on the nation’s roads reached historically low levels in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Last year, the overall number of traffic fatalities in the nation fell to 41,059, which is a 3.9 percent decline from 2006, and the lowest number of traffic deaths since 1994. The coalition continues to work toward the passage of a primary safety belt law in Missouri, which would save an additional 90 lives and prevent more than 1,000 serious injuries each year. For more information, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

An accident happened at 1:12 Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Iron Street and Rolla Road in Salem. According to the Salem Police report, a 1990 silver Lincoln Towncar driven by 33-year old Connie Summers of Jadwin, was traveling north on Iron Street. The Lincoln skidded across Rolla Road coming to rest in the some trees and shrubs on the north side of Rolla Road. Summers and a passenger, 2-year old Dalton Summers, suffered injuries and were transported by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment. The Lincoln sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker Towing.

Troop I of the Missouri State Highway Patrol recorded four traffic fatalities during the month of August 2008. This is one more than August 2007. The total fatalities for 2008 are 26 compared to 39 for the same time period as last year. There were a total of 178 accidents with 93 injuries and four fatalities reported for August of 2008, compared to 228 accidents with 114 injuries and three fatalities reported for August of 2007. For the month of August 2008, 21 accidents were reported in Crawford County with three injuries and one fatality, Dent County reported 17 accidents with 14 injuries and one fatality and 48 accidents were reported in Phelps County with 16 injuries and two fatalities. 

Want to get rid of unwanted items, or make a few bucks? The City of Salem City Wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, October 4^th. To be included on the map and in the newspaper advertisements, the fee is $10 and the deadline to be included is this Friday. For more information call 729-4126. To reserve a spot for the City of Salem Administration building parking lot located at 4^th and Iron Streets, the fee is $8 and the deadline is Friday, October 3^rd. For more information call 729-2428. These spots are issued on a first come, first serve basis. Maps will be available at convenience stores, the City Administration Building and the Chamber Office in the Visitors Center. Copies of the map will also be printed in the Salem News.

The University of Missouri Wurdack Farm at Cook Station, will host a Management Intensive Grazing School on Thursday, October 9th and Friday, October 10th. The two-day program will include guest speakers covering the topics of grazing system layout and design, watering systems, fence systems, soil fertility, livestock nutrition and forage quality and growth. The cost of the two-day school is $75 per person of $120 per farm couple. This fee includes the cost of meals and the Resource books and other handout materials pertinent to the course. A $50 advance deposit will be required to reserve a space and must be received by no later than October 1st. For more information or to reserve a space, contact Regional Livestock Specialist at the Dent County Extension office, Ted Cunningham by calling 729-3196.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Volleyball Tigers held a three point lead in Game 3, 23-20, but could not close out the win and lost to the Houston Lady Tigers in SCA Volleyball action Tuesday night. Houston won Game 1, 25-23, Salem took the second game, 25-17, and Houston rallied to win Game 3, 25-23. Salem is 0-1 in the SCA and will host Cabool Thursday night at 6:00 at the SHS Gym.

The Salem Lady Softball Tigers defeated Thayer yesterday in a makeup game from last Monday by the score of 9-8. Their next game will against Richland at the Salem City Park Field at 4:30 on Thursday.

 Ryan Ludwick clubbed a three-run homer and Kyle Lohse posted his career-high 15th win as St. Louis beat the Diamondbacks, 7-4, damaging Arizona's playoff hopes. Albert Pujols knocked in two runs, while Felipe Lopez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Cardinals, who snapped a three-game skid and won for just the third time in 13 games. Lohse (15-6) allowed seven hits and three runs over six innings. Ryan Franklin recorded the final four outs for his 16th save. Despite the victory, the Cardinals were eliminated from postseason contention when the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs earlier Tuesday night. Max Scherzer (0-3) pitches for Arizona tonight while Adam Wainwright (10-3) heads to the mound for St. Louis in the third part of this four-game set. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Zack Greinke threw seven shutout innings, and the Royals barely moved ahead of Detroit into fourth place in the AL Central with a 5-0 victory over the Tigers. Alex Gordon belted a two-run homer, while Ryan Shealy and Mike Aviles also went deep for Kansas City, which has won 10 of its last 12 games. The Royals' winning percentage of .456 (72-86) is just ahead of Detroit (.455, 71-85). It's significant for the Royals, considering they have finished in last place each of the previous four seasons. Kansas City's 15 wins in September are the most since the club had the same amount in 1987. Greinke (13-10) allowed four hits, walked a pair of batters and fanned four to win his third consecutive start. Grienke has now pitched over 200 innings for the first time in his career and should have one more start this year. Gil Meche also has pitched over 200 innings for KC this year. Leo Nunez gave up a walk, but faced the minimum number of hitters over the final two innings. The two teams play again tonight.

Major League Baseball Scores:

Atlanta 3, Philadelphia 2
NY Mets 6, Chicago Cubs 2
Washington 9, Florida 4
Cincinnati 2, Houston 1
Milwaukee 7, Pittsburgh 5
LA Dodgers 10, San Diego 1
Colorado 9, San Francisco 4
Tampa Bay 5, Baltimore 2 (Game One)
Tampa Bay 7, Baltimore 5 (Game Two)
Boston 5, Cleveland 4
NY Yankees 3, Toronto 1
Texas 6, Oakland 4
Minnesota 9, Chicago White Sox 3
Seattle 9, LA Angels 6

Obituaries   [TOP].

Today..Mostly sunny, high of 83.
Tonight..Mostly clear, low of 55.
Thursday..Mostly sunny, high of 82.
Thursday night..Mostly clear, low of 55.
Friday..Mostly sunny, high of 80.
Friday night..Mostly clear, low of 58.
Saturday..Mostly suny, high of 83.
Saturday night..Mostly clear, low of 59.