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The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds travelers that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. The Road Condition Report number is 1-800-222-6400. If bad weather is expected, make sure your vehicle is winterized. Allow extra time to reach your destination and obey all traffic laws. Last year over the Christmas holiday, there were 1,356 traffic crashes during the counting period. In those crashes, 15 people were killed and another 477 were injured. This year’s traffic crash counting period begins at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 27, 2008. Please remember to wear your seat belt, pay attention to your driving, and please, don’t drink and drive. If faced with a traffic emergency, motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. This emergency number will ring into the nearest Highway Patrol headquarters. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or pass a stranded motorist in need of assistance, etc.

The Salem Park Board held it’s a meeting at the Salem TCRC Tuesday evening. Park and Recreation Director Greg Nash went over the park and recreation programs starting with basketball from last year stating that about 160 children participated. The season this year is expected to start on February 13^th and run through March 6^th at the Salem High School Gym on Saturdays. Signup information will go out on the 5^th of January with the actual signup dates being January 7,8,14 and 15 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and on January 9^th from 9:00 AM until noon. The signups are for children in 1^st through 6^th grade. In the baseball season, about 500 children signed up for the city leagues with another 100 or so playing traveling leagues. Nash said that the new dirt that was put on the City Park fields last year was washed away by the May 8^th storm and some of the fields would need some work to correct drainage problems. Nash reported that the swimming pool operation went well with average attendance, but the new lifeguards were very enthusiastic and did a great job with the pool and the dressing rooms. He said that the pool chlorination system worked great and the ph levels were always spot on, but the pool does need a new diving board for the low dive. He said that City of Salem was approved by the Department of Natural Resources for the soccer park grant for $76,000 which is a 45-55 match, but the National Park Service is requiring a new boundary map before final approval is made. Nash did say that the new soccer field grant proposal did not include lights. Once final approval is given, Nash is hoping that it will be ready for the next season. The new soccer field area may also have some hiking and biking trails associated with it as that is being looked at as well to see if some grant money is available. Nash stated that the last soccer season was difficult as first not enough coaches could be found, then the rains became a problem so the season ended up being shortened. When asked about the satellite parks, Nash said that the Carol Midyett Park has been updated with playground equipment and swings recently, and that the roadside park grounds on Highway 19 had some damage done to it by a vehicle. In other business, the board brought up the batting cage issue at the city park, but there has been no word from the city on when it will get done. The board discussed getting together in January to discus rates for the upcoming baseball, pool and soccer season, and to set the signups for baseball at that time. Nash will bring in revenues and expenses for the last year for the board to review. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Police Department released their reports involving vandalism, a traffic violation, and shoplifting. On Thursday, December 17^th at 9:40 a.m. an officer was contacted at the station in reference to vandalism. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown damaged a window on the Western Cherokee building located at 301 East Tenth. The value of the damage is approximately $150.00. Later that evening at 7:55 p.m. a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of the driver, a 29-year old female of Salem, on a fugitive warrant from Rolla. She posted bond on the warrant and was released with a court date. On Friday, December 18^th at 7:27 a.m. an officer was dispatched to BP Convenience Store in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 27-year old male of Richland for stealing merchandise valued at $11.99. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that afternoon at 1:37 p.m. an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 41-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $25.00. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding the vandalism.

Your World Today will not be published on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. From everyone at YWT and KSMO Radio, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Baskletball Tigers will be off until next Monday when they will participate in the Lebanon Tournament. The varsity will face Lebanon in the opening round on Monday at 11:30 at the Boswell Gym. The JV will also participate in the Lebanon Tournament and they will face Conway at 10:00 at the Carr Gym.

The Salem Boys basketball Tigers will face Rogers, Arkansas next Monday when they participate in the US Bank and Rolla High School Invitational Tournament. The game will be held at 5:30 at the Rolla High School Gym. If Salem wins, they would play at 7:00 on Tuesday; and if they lose, they will play at 4:00 on Tuesday.

Obituaries   [TOP]