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The Salem Police Department released their reports involving theft, indecent exposure, and an active fugitive warrant. On December 26th at 11:00 a.m. an officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Dent in reference to a theft.  The report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a rank of wood valued $25.00 from the yard of a residence. That afternoon at 1:59 p.m., an officer was detailed to Country Mart reference an indecent exposure. The report led to the arrest of a 17-year old Salem male for exposing himself. He was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On December 26th at 8:30 p.m. an officer observed a 37-year old Salem male who had an active fugitive warrant from the Miller County Sheriff’s Department.  The man was taken into custody and incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending extradition from Miller County. On December 28th at 8:30 p.m. an officer was sent to the truck parking lot on Babb Lane in reference to a theft. The report revealed that person or persons unknown took two red straps approximately 4” wide by 18’ long valued $52.00 from a flatbed trailer. Anyone with any information regarding the thefts, which are still under investigation, is asked to please contact the Salem Police Department by calling 729-4242.

The New Year’s holiday is a time to celebrate 2008 and welcome 2009. The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to include safety in your holiday preparations. If the weather is bad, allow extra time for traveling or be flexible with your plans. Staying home might be safer. If you do plan to drive to a New Year’s gathering, remember to buckle up and obey all traffic laws. Also, if your plans include alcohol, choose a designated driver. Getting arrested could be the least of your concerns. There are court costs, medical bills, or perhaps jail time. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay a price for the rest of your life. The highway is no place for a driver who has been drinking. During the New Year’s traffic crash counting period that begins at 6:00 tonight and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2009, all available officers will be on the roadways. Last year, 1,195 traffic crashes occurred in Missouri over the New Year’s holiday weekend. In those crashes 10 people were killed and 439 were injured. That is one person killed or injured every 13.6 minutes.

Troop I, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, recorded two traffic fatalities during the month of November 2008. This is one less than November 2007. The total fatalities for 2008 are 31 as compared to 49 for the same time period last year. There were a total of 230 accidents with 73 injuries and three fatalities reported in November 2007, compared to 225 accidents with 80 injuries and two fatalities reported for November 2008. In Crawford County, there were 33 accidents reported with 13 injuries, 24 accidents with 10 injuries were logged in Dent County, and a total of 46 accidents with 20 injuries were reported in Laclede County. Maries County reported 15 accidents with three injuries, a total of 66 accidents were reported in Phelps County with 20 injuries and one fatality; and in Pulaski County, there were 41 accidents reported with 14 injuries and one fatality for November 2008. Frost and ice covered windshields are common causes of some traffic crashes this time of year.  With this in mind, all drivers are urged to properly defrost their windows before driving, and to use their headlights on days that are overcast, foggy or snowing.  

Some trees are decorated with garland and tinsel, some with homemade ornaments and strings of popcorn; others are elaborately decorated with themes to celebrate the holidays. No matter how a Christmas tree is decorated, it has to go somewhere after the holidays. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has a few suggestions to help with Christmas tree disposal. A unique way to deal with the tree would be to turn it into a fish habitat in a private lake or fishing pond. Once submerged, a Christmas tree provides a habitat for water insects, which attract smaller fish, which in turn attract larger fish. To make the tree into a fish habitat, secure a cement block to the stump end of the tree with quarter-inch nylon rope. Ideally, the top of the tree will be 4 to 6 feet below the surface. If you do not have access to your own lake or pond, you may wish to contact both private and public owners of lakes and ponds to see if they would be interested in creating a fish habitat. You can also help your friendly wildlife neighbors by decorating a tree as a food source. After removing all of the decorations from the tree, redecorate the tree with food items that can be eaten by birds, chipmunks and squirrels. These can include popcorn, cranberries or pinecones covered in peanut butter. You can also hang apple rings or create a bowl from an orange that has had the juice and pulp removed and filled with unshelled peanuts. The tree will need to be secured so that it will not blow over with the first strong gust of wind. The best method for securing the tree is to dig a hole and place the trunk of the tree in it. Not only will the tree provide a tasty snack when food is scarce, it will also serve as a haven from the harsh winter winds. Some general things to remember about managing a tree after the holidays: remove all of the trimmings, do not burn a tree in wood stoves or fireplaces if it is still green, and always dispose of the tree in an environmentally safe manner. For more information on tree cycling, contact DNR’s Solid Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Tigers dropped their third game in a row as they lost to Norwood in the Lebanon Tournament by the score of 52-49. Salem is now 3-5 on the year and they will wrap up play in the tournament today.

The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers also dropped to 3-5 as they fell behind 9-0 against the St. Joe Benton Cardinals in the first quarter and never recovered losing 51-37. Salem was led in scoring by C.J. Smith with ten points. Salem will face the Rolla Bulldogs at noon today at the US Bank Invitational Tournament. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com.

The boys and girls games with West Plains that were cancelled last Friday due to weather have been rescheduled for this Saturday. The 9^th grade boys game will begin at 11:00 in the morning followed by the girls JV game at 12:30, the girls varsity game at 2:00, the boys JV game at 3:30 and the boys varsity game at 5:00. All games will be held at the high gym.

Matt Lawrence scored 18 points and DeMarre Carroll added 15 more as the Missouri Tigers beat Centenary College by the score of 80-52. Leo Lyons added ten points to the Missouri cause as they are now 11-2 on the year. The Tigers will face Georgia Saturday morning at 11:30 and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Zach Parise scored twice and Jay Pandolfo netted the game-winner late in the third period as New Jersey rallied past St. Louis, 4-3, at Scottrade Center. Brad Boyes, Alex Steen and David Backes lit the lamp for the Blues, losers in four of five contests. Manny Legace allowed four goals on 26 shots for the loss. The Blues will be at Carolina on Friday to face the Hurricane starting at 6:00 on KSMO Radio.

NHL Scores:

Washington 4, Buffalo 2
Toronto 4, Atlanta 3 (OT)
Boston 5, Pittsburgh 2
Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 1 (SO)
Detroit 4, Chicago 0
Philadelphia 3, Vancouver 2
Ottawa 3, Edmonton 2

Obituaries   [TOP]