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The Dent County Fire Protection District responded to a grass and structure fire on Tuesday, December 4^th at 2:30 in the afternoon at property owned by Dan Keene of Salem about a half mile down County Road 322 off of Highway 68. Upon arrival, firefighters found grass and a shed structure on fire that had started from a burn pile. The fire was under control within 30 minutes. Damaged is estimated at $1,500. On stand-by were the Jadwin and Lenox Fire Departments. A total of eight firefighters responded to the call. The fire district also provided mutual aid for the Jadwin Fire Department for a barns fire on Wednesday, December 5^th at 6:20 in the morning at property owned by Carl Midyett of Salem located down Highway 19 south east of County Road 622. Upon arrival, firefighters found two barns fully involved. The barns were extinguished with in and hour and half. The barns on the ground were totaled. A total of five firefighters responded to the call. Then a Dent County Fire Protection District firefighter assisted a walk-in to the station on Thursday, December 6^th at 10:50 in the morning. A patient pulled in having  a heart attack. Oxygen was given and the Salem Memorial District Hospital provided mutual aid within three minutes. Finally, the Dent County Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire Friday morning, December 7^th at 8:00 at property owned by John Ryan of Salem and located on Pershing. Upon arrival firefighters found light smoke in the hallway. The fire started from the fireplace, as it was determined that an ember came out a broken fireplace door and caught the floor on fire. After extinguishing, minimal damage was reported. A total of eight firefighters responded to the call.

An accident occurred Saturday evening at 8:37 p.m. in Texas County, at the junction of Highways 32 and 17 at Success. According to the highway patrol report, a 1998 Chevy Cavalier driven by 74-year old William Shoemaker of Lenox, ran through the intersection of Highway 32 at Highway 17 in heavy fog, and struck a 1989 Chevy Cavalier driven by 17-year old Ambrosia Hale of California in the passenger side of the vehicle. Injured in the accident was Shoemaker with minor injuries, 22-year old William Graham of Roby with moderate injuries, and 17-year old Ambrosia Hale with minor injuries. All were taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. The 1989 Chevy was totaled in the accident, and the 1998 Chevy sustained  extensive damage.

Captain Randy L. Becker, commanding officer of Troop I, announces that effective December 9th, Trooper Danial E. Dicus will be promoted to the rank of corporal and designated assistant zone commander of Zone 3, Crawford County. Corporal Dicus is a native of Steelville, and a 1980 graduate of Steelville High School and served in the U.S. Army, then later in the Missouri National Guard from which he retired in 2004, as a staff sergeant. Corporal Dicus was appointed to the Missouri State Highway Patrol in January 1997, and upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Zone 1, Troop I, which is responsible for Phelps and Maries counties. Corporal Dicus and his wife, Cynthia, have two children, Shana and Derek, and two adopted children, Kaleb and Kara.  The Discus’ also proudly serve as a foster parent for their fifth child, Isaiah.

The “Trees & Trains” display is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday at the Ozark Natural & Cultural Resource Center located at 202 South Main until December 22^nd. This exhibit features 30 decorated Christmas trees and active operating trains. Area clubs, organizations and individuals have decorated each tree. There is no charge. Donations are accepted for the Salvation Army. For more information call the ONCRC at 729-0029.

Sports [TOP]

Zack Pitchford hit the game tying 3-point shot with 1.4 seconds remaining allowing the Salem Tigers to come back and beat the Rolla Bulldogs in overtime, 94-89. Salem hit 25 of 34 free throws in the game to improve their record to 5-2 on the year and break a two-game losing streak. Taylor Sirois led the Salem Tiger scoring with 29 points  and 17 rebounds followed by C.J. Smith with 22 points, Cody Wofford netted 17 points and Pitchford finished with 16 points, all of his coming in the second half. Rolla was led by Tyler Sinnott with 19 points followed by Andy Hall with 14 points, Dayton Friend tallied 12 points and Seth Thomas finished with 11 points. Salem will host St. Clair Saturday night with the JV contest starting at 6:00 and the varsity game will follow. You can hear the game on KSMO.

The City of Salem Boys and Girls Basketball signups will continue again tomorrow and Friday at the Salem TCRC for those children in grades 1 through 6. The cost is $15 per child. For more information, call Salem Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash at 729-6290.

Fernando Pisani's power-play tally tied the score late in regulation and Shawn Horcoff netted the lone shootout goal, as the Edmonton Oilers rallied for a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. Doug Weight scored twice and added an assist for the Blues, who are 2-2-2 in their last six games overall. David Backes and Brad Boyes also scored in the losing effort. St. Louis goaltender Hannu Toivonen allowed four goals on 29 shots. The loss at home was the first for the Blues in seven games. The Blues will be back in action Thursday when they play Florida.

Major League Baseball has reportedly received former Senator George Mitchell's report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. The New York Daily News reported on Tuesday that MLB officials have started a 48-hour review of Mitchell's report before the highly anticipated scheduled release on Thursday. The reason for the review period is so MLB can make sure that the collective bargaining agreement is not violated with disclosures of confidential information. In November, reports surfaced that 11 free agents were among the names included in the report and that the player's agents were notified by the commissioner's office. On Tuesday, the Daily News also cited sources close to the investigation that said the report includes 60 to 80 former and current players names.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Mary L Martin of Rolla, age 80, will be held this morning at 10:00 at the Null & Son Funeral Home in Rolla. Interment will be in the Mt. Hermon Cemetery in rural Dent County.

Funeral services for Lucille Katherine Laney of Cook Station, age 84, will be this morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Wesco Cemetery in Wesco, Missouri.

Funeral services for Paul Delashmit of Salem, age 81, will be held Thursday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Boss Cemetery.

Funeral services for Belinda Ruth Stulce of Rolla, age 50, will be held Thursday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel. Visitation will be Thursday morning at 11:00 until time of service. Interment will be in the Czar Cemetery in Viburnum. Memorials are suggested to the family.

Weather [TOP]