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The Dent County Commissioners held their meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In road reports for this week, District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5080, 5690 and 6280. He also reported that rock would be hauled to Dent County Road 6190, and brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 2480, 6270 and 6280. Purcell wanted to inform citizens that are interested in Homeland Security that a Citizens Corp conference would be held December 10^th at the Lake of the Ozarks. For more information call Amy McMillan at the MRPC by calling (573) 265-2993. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3240, 3250, 3270, 5225 and 5240. He also reported that material would be hauled and grading would be done on Dent County Road 2020, and brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5280. Larson attended a Dent County Extension meeting Monday night and he would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District meeting today. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he presided over the Public Housing Authority meeting in St. James last Tuesday. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that work continues on the county budgets for 2012. David Dittman from the Bank of Salem stopped by to inform the Commission that the paperwork for the two new John Deere graders would be ready Monday morning for their signature and Commission agreed to have a check ready. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors in Closed Session approved a plan to reduce expenses as well as increase revenues at the November 22^nd meeting. Due to a significant downturn in revenue and reimbursement, the plan included suggestions from departmental directors and their staff as well as a reduction in force and hours. The proposed plan will have a net savings of $550,000 over the next twelve months. Dennis Pryor, Hospital Administrator stated in a press release, “our financial status remains strong and we are positioning ourselves to meet the many healthcare changes and challenges that are possible over the next two or three years. Our staff and its Commitment to Caring will continue to be our greatest asset”.

Hunters checked 190,089 deer during Missouri’s 11-day November firearms deer hunt, slightly surpassing last year’s figure despite a slow start on opening weekend. Extremely windy weather, combined with reduced deer populations in some areas, dropped the opening-weekend harvest 10,000 below the 2010 figure. Hunters persevered, however, and more than made up lost ground in the following nine days of the November hunt. In the end, they harvested 1,884 more than last year, a 1-percent increase. Top harvest counties were Howell with 3,483 deer checked, Macon with 3,393 and Texas with 3,284. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recorded six firearms-related deer-hunting accidents during the November hunt, down from nine last year.

Troop I, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, recorded six traffic fatalities during the month of October 2011. This is four more than October 2010. There were a total of 182 accidents with 61 injuries and two fatalities for October 2010 compared to 200 accidents with 77 injuries with six fatalities for October 2011. The total amount of fatalities reported for 2011 is 30, which is eight more than last year. Counties reporting for October included Crawford County with 39 accidents resulting in 16 injuries and two fatalities, Dent County reported 22 accidents with 15 injuries and three fatalities, and Laclede County reported 43 accidents with 16 injuries and one fatality. Also reporting their totals were Maries County with five accidents with five injuries, Phelps County had 52 accidents with nine injuries, and Pulaski County reported 39 accidents with 16 injuries.

The Meramec Regional Planning Commission, in cooperation with the Phelps County PHA Family Self-Sufficiency Program, will host a free workshop on budgeting and savings. The workshop is planned from 10:00 am to noon on Monday, December 5^th, at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission, 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. The workshop is offered at no cost, and registration is not required. Tammy Rigsby and Dawn Harmon of the Phelps County PHA will be the workshop presenters. Free training classes are a part of the MRPC and PHA’s efforts to help potential first-time buyers or families who are first-time homebuyers prepare for homeownership and make them aware of the resources available to assist with homeownership. MCEC also offers newly remodeled homes to first-time income-eligible homebuyers and assist with down payment and closing costs. MCEC currently has a two-bedroom home for sale in Cuba. Persons needing more information may call (573) 265-2993 or 265-4200. MRPC is an active, voluntary council of local governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. The 53-member volunteer board, made up of elected officials and appointed representatives, works to enhance the quality of life in the region.

The Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC) Board of Directors and staff welcomed three new board members and elected a new officer team at their October board meeting in Columbia, Missouri. Justin Brown of Rolla, now represents region three, the southeast quarter of the state. Justin is a third-generation cattle farmer. He and his dad, who is also a veterinarian, run their farm, and Justin’s two young boys are gaining interest in farming as well. It is the responsibility of the Missouri Beef Industry Council Board of Directors, along with MBIC staff, to utilize the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff Program, of which 50 cents of every dollar stays in Missouri, to conduct and implement programs in each state that are consistent with the Beef Promotion and Research Act. The councils may invest their 50 cents-per-head funds in beef research, promotion and education. To learn more about the MBIC Board of Directors and the Beef Checkoff Program, visit MoBeef.org.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tiger Boys Basketball Tigers fell to the West Plain Zizzers Monday night by a score of 58-46. Jacob Kettner had 21 points and 6 rebounds while Dustin Sercel added 18 points. Salem drops to 1-1 on the year and will host Pacific Friday night.

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers lost Saturday to Northwest by the score of 45-41. Cortney Putman scored 13 points to lead the Lady Tigers and Kristen Hemken added nine more. Salem will host the Sullivan Lady Eagles tonight starting at 6:00 with the JV contest followed by the varsity game. You can hear the varsity game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com. The game is also available live on subscription on the Internet on fidelitylocal6.com

The St. Louis Blues will be in Washington to face the Capitals tonight at 6:00. KSMO will air the beginning of the game, cut away for the Salem Lady Tiger game, and then air the 3^rd period on a tape delay basis.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Teresa Arlene (Walker) Wells of Salem, age 54, will be held Thursday at11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family.

Funeral services for Charlie E. Victor of Salem, age 85, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the North Lawn Cemetery.

Funeral services for Liary S. Chitwood of Salem, age 69, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Jadwin Cemetery.

Weather [TOP]