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The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their monthly meeting Thursday evening at the boardroom. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, the Board wanted to thank the United Methodist Church Ladies for giving $500 that was raised during their Spring Rummage Sale-Luncheon event during communications. Superintendent Cindy Rumpf updated the Board on the candidate filings. There are two-3 years opening on the Board, and to date, only Chris Heavin has re-filed for a seat on the Salem R-80 Board of Education. All Board members have received a copy of Board Policy GBH for review and the deadline for updating the policy is March 1, 2012. The monthly report from MSBA concentrated on talk about the loss of some federal monies next year and how the state needed to try to find more money in the state budget. Rumpf reported that allocations will start coming in after the first of the year. In new business, the Board approved holding Summer School for 2012 consisting of 14 days, the same as last year. Summer School will start May 29, and run through June 15. The Board tentatively set graduation for Friday, May 18, 2012. The Board then approved the resignation of Erin Blankenship as a Personal Aide at the Upper Elementary as of December 21, 2011. The Board then voted unanimously, 7-0, to accept the retirement of Superintendent Cindy Rumpf. Rumpf is in her second year as the superintendent, after spending four years as the district’s assistant superintendent. The school year officially ends on June 30^th, 2012.The Board then voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel.

An accident occurred at 12:15 Sunday afternoon in Dent County in the Corinth Baptist Church parking lot about eight miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Ford driven by 74-year old Billy Shults of Salem was backing up and struck a pedestrian, 73-year old Dorlene Shults of Salem. Dorlene Shults suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by ambulance. The Ford sustained no damage, and was driven from the scene.

An accident occurred at 9:55 Saturday night in Phelps County on Highway D about two miles north of Jerome that took the life of a Newburg man. According to the highway patrol report, a 1995 Chevrolet driven by 44-year old Richard Cardin of Newburg failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the left side of the roadway, struck a sign and several trees, and Cardin was partially ejected. Cardin was transported by ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla and was pronounced dead by Dr. Hall the next morning at 12:59. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Ron Dishmans Towing.

Keith Knight, central region president for US Foods, announced that current Salem Division President Gary Clark has accepted the newly created position of Regional Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing for the Central Region of US Foods. The merchandising and marketing leaders in the Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis, Salem, Memphis, Knoxville, Little Rock and Jackson facilities will now report to Clark. Clark will be based at a newly created Central Region office in St. Louis, but will remain in his current position until the new Salem leader is selected to help assure a smooth transition.

The superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that 30 Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 16^th, in Jefferson City. The new troopers will report for duty in their assigned troops on January 2^nd, 2012. From Salem, Clinton R. Capps will be assigned to Troop I in Crawford County.

The Salem Police Department has released their reports. On Thursday, December 8^th between 7:30 in the morning to 5:41 that evening, an officer was sent to multiple locations in reference to counterfeit bills. An officer collected seven counterfeit bills, six of which were ten-dollar bills and one a five-dollar bill. The Secret Service was contacted regarding the counterfeit bills. Later that same evening at 8:18, an officer was dispatched to a residence on South Louise in reference to property damage, in which a person or persons unknown damaged a pane of glass of a residence. Anyone with any information regarding the reports mentioned is asked to please contact the Salem Police Department by calling 729-4242.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Tiger Boy’s basketball team beat Potosi Friday night, 71-56. Jacob Kettner paced Salem with 21 points, while Chad Elliott scored 19 points, and Brady Floyd added 16 points. The Salem Tigers are 2-4 on the year and are now off until after Christmas.

The Salem Lady Tiger basketball squad lost to Newburg Friday night, 65-60. Salem was led by Kaitlyn Wells with 17 points while Bailey Barnes added 10. Salem is now 0-6 on the year and will play Ava tonight starting at 6:00 with the JV game followed by the varsity game at 7:10. You can hear the varsity contest on KSMO Radio, ksmoradio.com and on TV with a subscription to fidelitylocal6.com.

Michael Dixon scored a game-high 30 points, leading 10^th ranked Missouri to a 94-56 win over William & Mary on Sunday. Kim English added 17 points, while Matt Pressey and Ricardo Ratliffe both had 11 for the Tigers, who improved to 11-0 for the first time since the 1981-82 season. Missouri will play Illinois on Thursday.

Alex Pietrangelo was credited with the game-winner, as the Blues pulled out a 6-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Scottrade Center Sunday night. Pietrangelo, Alexander Steen, and Jason Arnott all scored in the third period for St. Louis, which has earned points in six straight games and improved to 13-2-4 under Ken Hitchcock. The Blues play the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday.

Kansas City's defense was dominant, the Chiefs' offense did just enough in Kyle Orton's first start, and Kansas City ended Green Bay's 19-game winning streak with a 19-14 win at Arrowhead Stadium. Ryan Succop kicked four field goals for the Chiefs (5-8), and Jackie Battle ran for the decisive score with five minutes left in the game. The Chiefs host Oakland Saturday.

Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott both ran for touchdowns in the second half, as the Cincinnati Bengals beat the St. Louis Rams, 20-13, on Sunday. With St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford out, Kellen Clemens made his first start since 2009. Clemens threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Danario Alexander with 1:08 to play in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Rams (2-12) suffered their fifth straight loss. The Rams play Pittsburgh Saturday.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Funeral services for Elizabeth Christine Sestak of Rolla, age 77, will be held Wednesday at 11:00 at the St. Patrick Church in Rolla. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 with a rosary service at 7:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Parish Cemetery in Rich Fountain. Memorials may be made to the Holy Family School of Freeburg or the St. Patrick’s School in Rolla.

Funeral services for Harold Wilbur Steelman of Salem, age 90, will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Tuesday night from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Corinth Baptist Church.

A Memorial service for Donald Gibbons of Rolla, age 63, will be held Friday night at 7:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until time of service.

Weather [TOP]