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During this time of year, deer are more active, especially during evening and nighttime hours. Deer behavior changes for many reasons this time of year. It’s mating season, which may cause an increase in roadway crossings. Hunting and crop harvesting may cause these animals to be in places they aren’t usually seen. When deer are seen, slow down and proceed with caution! Deer often travel in groups--stay on guard after a close call or when you see one deer. Natural features also affect deer movement. In areas where there are streams or wooded corridors surrounded by farmland, look for more deer to cross roadways. Remember: Rural areas are not the only place where deer/vehicle strikes occur. In 2008, 28.0 percent of the traffic crashes involving deer happened in urban areas. Last year, Missouri had 3,603 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. One deer strike occurred every 2.4 hours in the state. In these crashes, two people were killed and 336 injured. Deer create hazards for Missouri motorists. The majority of deer strike crashes occur from October through December each year, with the largest number taking place in November. The majority of deer strikes occur from 5 p.m. through 6:59 a.m. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that an attempt to avoid striking a deer could result in a more serious crash involving oncoming traffic. Try to remain calm. Panicking and overreacting usually lead to more serious traffic crashes. Please stay alert, and make sure you and the occupants of your vehicle buckle up!

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their monthly meeting on tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the minutes from the September 24^th meeting and the special meeting held October 5^th, Administrator Dennis Pryor will update the Board on the Auxiliary report, the hospital activity calendar, give a legislative update and address the inpatient and ER patient satisfaction survey results. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will update the Board on the summary of operations and statistics reports for the month of September along with the nursing services, ancillary service and Call Light reports. In old business there will be a strategic planning update, the Board will address the SMDH video and there will be an annual bylaw review. In new business the Board will address hospital purchases. The Board may then vote to go into Closed Session. The regular monthly meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

AmerenUE Missouri natural gas customers would pay less for gas than they did last winter under a new Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) filed with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC). For residential customers, and commercial General Service customers, the PGA would be from about 10 to 25 percent lower than last winter, due to lower wholesale costs from UE’s suppliers. Subject to PSC review and approval, the new PGA would become effective November 1, 2009, for the company’s 127,000 Missouri gas customers. But for UE’s approximately 4,000 customers in Rolla, Salem and Owensville, the PGA reduction would be less—about 10 percent—due to a higher transportation charge from one pipeline that delivers gas to that area and the expiration of a credit from a previous period. For residential customers, this PGA would result in a net reduction of about 7 percent, or $10 per month, in these customers’ total gas bills. However, UE cautions Rolla, Salem and Owensville customers that the pipeline supplier, MoGas Pipeline LLC, has filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a significant increase in the transportation charge, effective in January 2010. Under FERC rules, the pipeline would be allowed to put the increase into effect on an interim basis, subject to refund.

Meramec Regional Planning Commission will host its Annual Dinner and 40th year celebration on Monday, November 9^th at the Havener Center in Rolla. Rolla Regional Economic Commission and the Rolla Community Development Corporation are helping to sponsor the event. The evening will include an awards program where volunteers from around the region will be honored. Award recipients will be announced in two weeks. One person will receive MRPC’s highest award and that will be announced at the dinner, to the surprise of the recipient. The public is invited to attend the Annual Dinner in Rolla. The evening will begin with a reception from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., featuring finger food, cash bar and exhibits. The reception will also feature a silent auction. Dinner will be from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will be prepared by Chartwell’s Dining. The program and awards presentation will follow the dinner and is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. MRPC Executive Director Richard Cavender, with the help of past officers, will recap the organization’s four decades’ worth of accomplishments. Cost of the event is $25 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the MRPC at (573) 265-2993.

The Dent County Schools, Salem R-80, Oak Hill R-I, Green Forest R-II, Dent-Phelps R-III and Northwood R-IV will be closed Friday, October 23^rd. Classes will resume Monday, October 26^th.

Day-light savings time will come to an end on Saturday, October 31^st and you’ll want to be sure and set your clocks back an hour. You can either set your clock back an hour Saturday night before you go to bed or on Sunday morning, November 1^st when you get up.

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