An accident happened Friday afternoon at 4:15 in Reynolds County on Route J about seven miles west of Black. According to the highway patrol report, 24-year old Marcus Kitson of Salem was driving a 1993 Pontiac eastbound when he went off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment, and then went airborne coming to rest in a creek. Kitson suffered serious injuries and was taken by an air ambulance to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. It was not known if Kitson was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. The Pontiac was totaled and removed from the scene by Bonds Towing of Des Arc.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their monthly meeting Thursday evening at the district administrative offices boardroom. After approval of the agenda and consent agenda, Superintendent Cindy Rumpf updated the Board on various issues. Rumpf reported that the free and reduced lunch count totals were 774 this school year, and the January membership count is 1348.  A total of three candidates are vying for the 2 three-year positions on the board in the April election and they include incumbents Chris Heavin and Carrie Coffman Snider, and also having filed is Barry Wainwright. After watching the MSBA board report, Board member, Carrie Snider, gave a report on the Powerful Learning Conference.  Rumpf reported that a total of nineteen applications have been received for the superintendent’s position. Assistant Superintendent, John McColloch gave a facilities update and Rumpf gave information to the board, requested last meeting about professional development for the board members. In new business, the Darrell “Jack” Holley MUSIC Scholarship representative for Salem R-80 is Mitch Lo. The board voted to approve the following purchases using donated funds:  William Lynch Playground Phase II with funds from Cox Memorial; Weight Room Classroom Upgrade from the Judson/Young Foundation and Coco Cola; Mobile Computer Lab for the Senior High from the Judson/Young Foundation; Clickers for the Junior and Senior High also from the Judson/Young Foundation; and fiber for the new phone system from Coco Cola.  The new phone system was approved last month and will be funded by Cox Memorial and Coco Cola.  The board also voted to purchase new lockers for the Senior High and additional openings for the Junior High. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks was discussed and nominations for members of the Board will be presented at next months meeting. The Board approved the request from Project Graduation for transportation on May 18^th to Rolla. The Board then approved the resignations from Donna Prugh, Junior High Counselor; Frank Brooks from transportation; Rita Chamberlain as a paraprofessional; and Carey Davison, 9^th Grade Boys Basketball Coach were accepted. The Board then voted to go into Closed Session at which time the Board re-hired all building administrators. Contracts were extended for the principals, and both assistant principals were given a two-year contract.

The Public Water Supply District #1 of Dent County will conduct their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 21^st at the Dent County Community Center beginning at 7:00. After approval of the agenda, the minutes from the previous meeting and disbursements, the Board will hear reports such as financial reports, the water testing report, Presidents report and a bookkeeping report. The Board will then address any other business that may come before the board and may vote to go into Closed Session. The monthly meeting of the Public Water Supply District #1 of Dent County is open to the public.

The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is accepting applications from individuals wishing to be considered for its Community Advisory Council (CAC) – and there is less than a month left to apply. The 13-member CAC works to gather community input on health issues affecting Missourians. It informs the grant making decisions and strategic planning of MFH’s Board of Directors, with special focus on programs for the uninsured, underinsured and underserved. The CAC also is responsible for nominating Board candidates each year. CAC members can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms. MFH is committed to a CAC that represents Missouri’s racial, ethnic, cultural, gender and geographic diversity. CAC members must reside in MFH’s service area, which includes 84 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis.  Applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 2^nd. To review CAC eligibility guidelines, print an application form, or request an application packet, visit www.mffh.org.  Or, send a letter requesting the information to: Community Advisory Council, Missouri Foundation for Health, 415 South 18^th Street, Suite 400, St. Louis, MO 63103. Also for more information, contact Kathryn Zetzer (314) 345-5565, or (800) 655-5560.

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