Your World Today - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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An overflowing crowd attended the City of Salem Board of Aldermen regular meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers Monday night, many of them to show support for City Administrator Clayton Lucas who has been recruited to move to another city. Jerry Craig, representing a group of concerned citizens, presented a partial list of the accomplishments the city has made since Lucas was hired two years ago after he was one of three candidates recommended by a professional recruiter and hired by the Board of Aldermen as the best candidate. Some of those accomplishments included the Codification of the Ordinances, the Strategic Plan Update, preparation of accurate and detailed balanced budgets for the city, constantly working to improve internal teamwork and communications between city employees, working to strengthen the relations with schools, the county and other local governments, and assisting the Healthy Communities organization in finding sources of funding as well as advising them on grant applications to convert the Freedom Activity Center into the Salem Community Center at the Armory. Craig asked that the city aldermen work out a plan with Lucas where he can continue to serve the city and help lead the community. The board approved the closing of Doss Road for the annual Salem Methodist Church “Trunk or Treat” on Halloween from 4:00 to 9:00, and the Waste Corporation City Cleanup week being October 7th through the 11th. After a presentation by Sergeant Bobby Simpson, the board agreed to purchase five 2013 Dodge Charger Police Cars with a V-8 engine for $23,986.00 each from C&E Auto in Salem. The decision was based on reduced operational and maintenance costs in the long run, and having a larger resale value in future years with the V-8 engine. This purchase will also be making the police officers more accountable for their vehicle. The police department currently has nine cars and one of these new Chargers will replace the K-9 vehicle. The department will now have a fleet of 13 cars. The board approved the purchase of a new Ford F450 Cab and Chassis truck from Dave Sinclair Ford in St. Louis for $26,464, and also approved the purchase of wire and conduit from Cape Electric for the DCAI project for $6,400 after the original wire purchased for the project was out of stock and on a 16-week backorder. This cost will be reimbursed to the city. Another truck out for bid, the F450 with a nine-foot steel dump bed did not receive any bids and will be rebid. The Salem R-80 School District withdrew their request to speak to the board about some waivers to the new construction going on at the school. S.N. Ball spoke on behalf of the Park Board and discussed bringing tournaments to the Salem City Park. He will bring more information to a later meeting on what he finds out concerning fees and costs. City Administrator Clayton Lucas said a new nine-hole “disc” golf course is now available at the city park, the flag football program had about 100 children sign-up, and that bathroom renovations will be made at Al Brown and City Park with the $3,000 that was budgeted for the second nine holes of “disc” golf at the city park, but there is not enough room. Mayor Gary Brown wanted to thank the 120 people volunteering through the Methodist Church for their efforts in cleaning up the city prior to the arrival of the Missouri Betterment judges. He mentioned that the community wide yard sale will be held on October 5th and spaces are still available at the parking lot at 4th and Iron. He stated that the Bank of Salem will be hosting a “Knife and Gun” Show at the ONCRC on October 11th and 12th with the proceeds to benefit the Shooting Sports Club at the Salem High School. The board then went into closed session.

An accident occurred at 2:45 Monday afternoon in Phelps County on Highway 68 about nine miles south of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, 67-year old James Ray of Salem was driving a 1999 Mazda 626 south when he attempted to turn into a private drive, and was struck by a 2000 Harley Davidson ridden by 53-year old Kent Fredrickson of Cuba, who was traveling north. Fredrickson suffered moderate injuries and was taken by St. James ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center. They were both wearing safety devices at the time of the accident. The Harley Davidson sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing. The Mazda sustained moderate damage but was driven from the scene.

Sports [TOP]

Kirsten Strebe’s infield single in the 5th inning brought in the only run as the Salem Lady Tigers defeated the Willow Springs Lady Bears by the score of 1-0. Cortney Putman allowed only two hits while striking out nine in getting the shutout and helping the Tigers to a 4-0 SCA Conference record. Salem is now 10-7 on the year. The Lady Tigers will be at Richland Thursday at 4:30.

The 6-foot-6 Michael Wacha wishes he was just one inch taller. Wacha was one out away from a no-hitter in the St. Louis Cardinals' 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals in the middle test of a three-game set. With two outs in the ninth, Ryan Zimmerman chopped one just over the pitcher's mound and outstretched glove of the tall and lengthy Wacha. The hard-charging Pete Kozma at shortstop was unable to make the bare-handed play as his throw to first pushed Matt Adams off the bag. The 22-year-old fanned nine and walked two over 8 2/3 innings for the Cardinals, who are two games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates for first place in the NL Central. St. Louis is one-half game behind the Atlanta Braves for the National League's best record. Trevor Rosenthal picked up the final out in the ninth to tally his second save of the year. The Cardinals and Nationals will play the finale of their three-game set this afternoon and you can hear it on KSMO Radio at 12:10.

Justin Smoak's three-run homer and James Paxton's seven scoreless innings helped the Seattle Mariners play the role of spoiler Tuesday in a 4-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. The loss fell to Bruce Chen (8-4), who surrendered all four runs on seven hits and three walks over the first five innings. The Royals and Mariners play again this afternoon.

The St. Louis Blues will be hosting Minnesota tonight in pre-season play at 6:30. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Obituaries   [TOP] 

Funeral services for Estelle Grotha of St. James, age 80, will be this morning at 11:00 in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James. Interment will be in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in St. James. Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Funeral services for Robert L. Wade of St. James, age 79, will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Visitation will be held tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery.

Memorial services for Kay Marie Swaffar of Salem, age 60, will be held Thursday at 4:00 at the Salem Chapel of James and Gahr Mortuary.

Weather   [TOP]

Today..Mostly sunny, high of 78.
Tonight..Mostly clear, low of 57.
Thursday..Mostly sunny, high of 82.
Thursday night..Mostly clear, low of 59.
Friday..Mostly sunny, high of 82.
Friday night..Mostly clear, low of 62.
Saturday..Mostly sunny, high of 82.
Saturday night..Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers, low of 61.