News
Anita J. (Janie) Dunning, the Missouri State Director for USDA for Rural Development, hosted a certificate presentation Tuesday at the Salem Visitors Center. The Salem Area Community Betterment Association, Inc. was recognized for several projects completed over the past 12 years with funding from USDA - Rural Development. Other contributors to the project include the City of Salem, Dent County and numerous local community groups and businesses. SACBA President Becki Heathman stated that through Rural Development, the Salem Area Community Betterment Association received a total of five grants totaling $134,188. These funds renovated existing buildings that now make up the Teacher’s Closet and the Visitor’s Center, and also provided for the initial construction and expansion of the Farmer’s Market pavilion. The final project, paving the existing gravel parking lot, completed the 12-year project. Heathman stated that the Salem Community Betterment Association was very pleased to have worked with USDA – Rural Development to improve the property. Rural Development’s investment in our local economy was greatly appreciated. Jerry Craig, former SACBA president, stated that the association was extremely fortunate to have a good working relationship with USDA – Rural Development. With their financial support, the association was able to leverage local funds to create a valuable asset in Salem. Missouri State Director Dunning said that the hard work and dedication of the association, community groups and businesses located in Salem and throughout Dent County is to be commended; and she said that the federal elected officials representing this area have been strong proponents for essential services for rural Missouri. Anyone seeking more information about this or any other USDA Rural Development program may contact Jack Kearbey, Area Specialist, at 1050 Highway 72 east in Suite 3 in Rolla, or by calling (573) 364-2088 extension 4.
The Salem Park Board met Tuesday afternoon at the Salem Freedom Activity Center. At the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Nash said that signups for the Youth Basketball program would be held after New Year’s Day. The Youth Basketball Program is available to boys and girls in the 1st through 6th grades. Starting in February, the First and Second graders will be attending clinics at the SHS gym Saturday mornings, the 3rd and 4th grade boys and girls teams will be playing at the SHS gym, and the 5th and 6th grade girls team will also play at the high school gym on Saturdays. The 5th and 6th grade boy’s teams will play on Monday night at the Salem Freedom Activity Center. Nash said the soccer program signups would be held midway through the basketball season. The soccer season is expected to start around the first week of March and will last until April. Nash stated that the baseball and softball program signups would happen during the soccer season and that the baseball and softball season would start in late April or early May. Nash reported that the flag football program went very well in the fall and the park board will discuss expanding the program when they meet in August. City Administrator Clayton Lucas said that a Frisbee Golf Course is going to be designed for the city park and will be available in 2013. Nash said the pool has been winterized and there will need to be some maintenance issues addressed in the spring. City Administrator Lucas said that effective January 1st of 2013, all public pools must have a lift in and out of the pool available for handicapped individuals. He says he thinks it will cost between $3,000 and $5,000, and it would be the type that can be removed when the summer season is over. The board agreed not to explore a parks and recreation sales tax until after the Salem R-80 tax rate increase or bond issue comes before the voters. The board heard from Sherry Lea from Healthy Dent County about the first phase of renovation at the Salem Freedom Activity Center that would include new handicapped accessible entrances, the extension of the west side of the building to house the entire Salem Fitness Center, the removal of the ceiling tile and athletic floor in the multi-purpose area, new bathrooms and the conversion of the old bathrooms into a kitchen and concession area. A group from the Community Center Board will make the final decision on what Phase 1 will consist of. City Administrator Lucas said that the city returned the Parks and Recreation Grant from DNR for the soccer fields on Highway 19 south due to financial constraints. The city felt that they would not be able to provide the matching funds necessary with the budget cuts that had to be made last fiscal year and the electric conversion that will take place in late March or early April. The next Park Board meeting will be held sometime in March. The meeting was then adjourned.
Sports [TOP]
The Royals, continuing to add veteran depth for what they hope will be a run at a division title, signed outfielder Xavier Nady to a 2013 Minor League contract. Nady, 34, has 11 years of experience with eight teams in the majors with a .270 average, 101 home runs and 406 RBIs in 939 games. Although a corner outfielder, Nady also has logged time at first base.
University of Missouri Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel has announced promotions for a pair of staff members on the offensive side of the ball. Josh Henson has been named offensive coordinator, and Andy Hill has been named associate head coach, and will now coach quarterbacks. Henson, 37, has been Mizzou's co-offensive line coach since joining the MU staff from LSU prior to the 2009 season. Six of his offensive line pupils at MU have won all-star honors nine times in his tenure. Hill, a Missouri native, played receiver for Mizzou from 1980-84, and he earned his degree from MU in 1985. He just finished his 17th season on the Tiger sideline as the wide receivers coach.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral service for Dwight Bowen of Bunker will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the McSpadden Funeral Home in Bunker. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 until 8:00. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Funeral services for Larry Wedding of Davisville, age 68, will be held Friday morning at 10:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Graveside service will be held Friday at 3:00 at the St. John’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Manchester, Missouri. Visitation will be tonight from 4:00 until 8:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville.
Funeral services for Leonard Cornick of St. James, age 99, will be held Friday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in St. James.
Funeral services for Phyllis Ann Turner of Salem, age 56, will be held Friday morning at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening. Interment will be the Jane Callahan Cemetery in Reynolds County. Memorials may be made to the Turner Family.
Funeral services for Wilma Wilkinson of Cherryville, age 90, will be held Friday at 1:00 at the Center Ridge Pentecostal Church in Davisville. Visitation will be tonight from 5:00 until 8:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Interment will be in the Martin-Trask Cemetery in Cherryville. Memorials may be made to Center Ridge Pentecostal Church.
Funeral services for John J. Gilbert of St. Louis, formerly St. James, age 85, will be held Friday at 2:30 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James.
Private memorial services and interment for Loma T. Love of Salem, formerly of Chandler, Arizona, age 86, will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Three Rivers Hospice. All arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary in Salem.
Weather [TOP]
