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The voting period for the annual election of the members of the Dent County University of Missouri Extension Council has been extended due to adverse weather conditions and low voter turnout. The voting period has been extended through Wednesday, February 4^th. Ballots are available at the Dent County Extension office as well as in the Salem News and Your World Today. 

The Dent County Commission will hold a budget hearing tonight at the judicial building in the courtroom to discuss the 2009 budget.  They will be discussing a conservative budget that shows increased spending over income this year. The General Revenue Fund estimated revenues for 2009 are $1,513,107 with estimated appropriations expected at $1,632,354. This will reduce the cash balance in the account from $998,222 to about $878,775. Increases in the cost of equipment, utilities, and insurance as well as other costs associated with the offices of the Coroner, Prosecuting Attorney and Juvenile Officer led the expected greater expenditures. In the fund for the Road & Bridge department, they will also operate with an increase in anticipated appropriations over expected revenues. The appropriations are expected to be $1,358,350 which includes an increase in salaries, tires, tools, fuel, materials, equipment repair and the doubling of the budget for chip and seal. Anticipated revenues during 2009 in the road and bridge fund are $1,187,600. All the funds will be open to public comment at the hearing tonight which is open to the public.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their next regular meeting at 7:00 this evening in the city hall council chambers. At the meeting, the board will hear from Carilee Ball who is going to request the use of the city park for the annual Dent County Relay for Life on June 12^th. The board will also hear from Donald T. Armon who is upset as he feels that the city is cutting trees for citizens and not suggesting other tree service companies. They will also hear from Mary Lin Botkin concerning the ticket and letter she received about the barking of her dog Lacy. After the consent agenda, the board will discuss the cost of the proposed new LAGERS plan for the city. In the reports of city officials, boards and committees, City Engineer Bill Huffman will present a definition of a single family dwelling to the board as requested. The aldermen will discuss miscellaneous items and Alderman Riley will also discuss tree trimming. Mayor Gary Brown will then report on the storm damage to the city, give an update on Well #4, and provide other comments. Four bills will then be introduced to the board: Bill #3148 that allows the mayor to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for an additional sum of $300,000 for an update to the Salem Airport including pavement maintenance, obstruction removal, safety area improvements and land acquisition; Bill #3149 to write off uncollectable utility accounts; Bill #3150 to allow the mayor to execute an agreement between the city of Salem and the Salem Area Community Betterment Association for the service they provide to the city; and Bill #3151 that authorizes the mayor to execute an agreement between the city of Salem and Salem Area Chamber of Commerce for the service they provide to the city. The board will then discuss an appointment to the Housing Authority, discuss the Show-Me Green Sales Tax holiday and approve bills before adjourning. The meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will conduct their monthly meeting on tomorrow at the fire station beginning at 6:00 pm. At the meeting, the Board will address the registration for election and the letter to be filed with the clerk. In old business, the Board will discuss the surplus fire hose. The Board will then address any new business followed by reports which will include: a new HVAC system, a report on replacing officers that have left, efforts to recruit new fire fighters and fire reports released to the media. The Board will address a Board of Directors class that is required for Liz Gruendel and Craig Smith. The regular monthly meeting of the Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their reports for Thursday, January 29^th. At  3:30 p.m. an officer was dispatched to the 1400 block of Gertrude in reference to a disturbance.  The report revealed that a 19-year old Salem male had assaulted an 18-year old Salem female.  Further investigation led to the arrest of the man who was incarcerated pending the application of a warrant for domestic assault. At 6:15 p.m. a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The stop led to the arrest of the driver, a 40-year old Salem male on a fugitive warrant from Cole County for failing to appear in court. The suspect posted bond on the warrant and was released.

Sports [TOP]

The Salem Lady Basketball Tigers will travel to Thayer tonight to face the Lady Bobcats starting at 6:00 with the JV contest and varsity game to follow.

Leo Lyons posted a game-high 30 points to lead the Missouri Tigers to an 89-72 victory over the Baylor Bears in a Big 12 Conference clash at Mizzou Arena. DeMarre Carroll added 25 points and collected nine rebounds in the win for Missouri (18-4, 5-2 Big 12), while J.T. Tiller tallied 10 points to go with eight assists and seven boards. Missouri will next play Texas Wednesday night at 8:00.

Chris Mason turned aside all 36 shots he saw for his third shutout of the season as the St. Louis Blues dominated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-0, at Scottrade Center. Jay McClement, Carlo Colaiacovo, David Backes and Patrik Berglund each lit the lamp for the Blues, who have won three of their last four.  The Blues play Detroit tonight at 6:00 on KSMO Radio.

The Steelers now stand alone with six Super Bowl championships, but this title was one for the ages. Santonio Holmes soared into the air to make a toe-tapping, six-yard touchdown catch of a Ben Roethlisberger pass in the end zone with 35 seconds remaining, giving Pittsburgh a dramatic 27-23 win over Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. Larry Fitzgerald caught a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead 64-yard strike from Kurt Warner with 2:37 left, as the Cardinals, in their first Super Bowl, rallied from a 13-point deficit to grab the lead, but faltered at the end

The St. Louis Rams have named Kevin Demoff their new executive vice president of football operations and chief operating officer. Demoff had worked as a senior assistant to the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the past three seasons. He will be responsible for the Rams' player contract negotiations and will serve as a liaison to ownership on football and business operations. Demoff also served as director of football operations for the Arena Football League's Los Angeles Avengers for four years.

Obituaries   [TOP]

Memorial services for Horace Harrison of St. James, age 81, will be held this morning at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Chapel in St. James. Visitation will be held from 10:00 this morning until service time. Interment will be at a later date.

Funeral services for Bonnie Muriel Cook of Salem, age 85, will be held today at 1:00 at Wilson Mortuary. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Round Pond Cemetery.

Funeral services for Earl Q. Sanderson of Salem, age 91, will be held today at 1:00 at the New Hope Baptist Church at Hatley, MS. Memorials are suggested to Lillie Sanderson Family. All arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Mortuary.

Funeral services for Maybel Marie Ousley of Rolla, age 95, will be held Saturday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Ozark Memorial Gardens in Rolla. Memorials are suggested to the Humane Society.

Memorial services for Anthony Joseph Catalano III, of Rolla, age 17, will be held Saturday at 3:00 at the Salem Full Gospel Church in Salem. 

Weather [TOP]