News
The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Gary Fritzinger came by to follow-up on the recent 9-1-1 incident and situation in the Sligo Community. Fritzinger said that when the system works right only three calls are needed from their area to get information to Salem, but during the recent event five calls were made. Mr. Fritzinger went on to say that according to time logs the extra calls extended Salem Memorial District Ambulance Service response call by seven minutes. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles noted that the various time logs involved aren’t synchronized so there can be some variation. Fritzinger went on to compliment Skiles on his follow-up and efforts to answer questions about the response to the 9-1-1 call. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams brought in the tax receipt information. The sales tax receipts for 2012 are up $32,393.53 compared to 2011 and the total for 2012 is $775,342.61. For the month of December receipts were up $2,335.28 when compared to 2011. Skiles and Williams noted that the Law Enforcement Tax receipts are up by nearly the same amount. Williams went on to say that the November CART receipts for the Road and Bridge Fund were $49,697.14. Williams noted that compared to 2011, CART is up about $9,000 and that December’s receipt has not yet been received. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that as part of the in-kind work on the Swiney bridge project, three workers were working on the bridge on Dent County Road 5680. He noted that the bridge is nearing completion and is to be inspected Thursday or Friday. Purcell went on to say that grading is being done on Dent County Road 5110 and that one man is repairing truck #115. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading was being done on Dent County Roads 2110, 4290 and 2240; brush was being cut on county road 2360, and brown rock was being hauled for screening. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she was working on budgets for 2013 and address changes since the election. Bryan Smith came by to determine the Commissioners wishes about whether to remove some busted up concrete or cover it with soil at the Parks Lumber Company site. The commissioner’s consensus was to leave it, since fill would be needed, and cover it with soil. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be held Thursday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their regular December meeting this afternoon in the hospital library beginning at 5:30. After approval of the agenda and the minutes from the November 20th meeting will be the Summary of Operations and Statistics Report for the month of November by Becky Cunningham. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy will then update the Board with the Nursing Service and Ancillary Service Reports. Hospital Administrator Dennis Pryor will update the Board with an Auxiliary report, hospital activity calendar, legislative updates and a construction update. In old business there will be a strategic planning goals update, the Board will hear an update on the Community Health Needs Assessment and the election filings for two Board seats that will end January 15,2013. During new business, the Board will address budgeted and non-budgeted purchases made for the hospital, address the employee health insurance and discuss the 2013 Board meeting dates. The regular December meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.
The City of Salem and Dent County residents are invited to attend the third of six work session meetings designed to create a strategic plan that will help shape the future direction of their community tonight at 6:00 at the Upper Elementary School at 1601 Doss Road. Attendees will assist with the first stages of developing an action plan to help the community meet its new vision statement. The vision statement was written by residents at the last meeting, held October 23rd. At the December 11th meeting, participants will be split into four groups that will address four of eight individual focus areas included in the vision statement. Focus areas to be addressed are economic development, infrastructure, cultural and recreational opportunities and education. Each group will draft a current situation statement and an objective statement for its focus area. Group members will then identify issues to be addressed within that focus area and draft action plans for each listed item. These action plans will include resources available to help meet needs that are identified and a proposed timetable in which to address those needs. The City of Salem sponsored the effort and contracted with MRPC to help lead the work sessions and update the plan. Citizens of rural Dent County have also been invited to participate in the process, as Salem city leaders recognize that the direction taken by the city has an impact on the entire county and that county residents are often involved with projects within Salem.
Sports [TOP]
The Salem Basketball Tigers will host the Rolla Bulldogs tonight in the first home game of the year. The JV game will begin at 6:00 with the varsity game to follow at about 7:15. It will be autograph night following the game with varsity players signing 8 by 10 inch team photos. You can hear the varsity game on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com, and watch it online at fidelitylocal6.com.
The state ranked West Plains Lady Zizzers outscored Salem in the second quarter, 25-8, and went on to beat the Lady Tigers by a score on 72-31 on Monday. Kaytlyn Wells led Salem with 12 points but the Lady Tigers dropped to 2-4 on the year. Salem will host Newburg on Thursday in their home opener and you’ll be able to hear the game on KSMO Radio.
The National Hockey League has eliminated another block of games from the schedule with the lockout nearing a full three months. Games from December 15th through December 30th were the latest to be wiped out, bringing the total to 526 lost to the lockout that started on September 16th. The Winter Classic on New Year's Day was also cancelled, as was the All-Star Weekend in late January.
Obituaries [TOP]
Memorial services for Karla Cummings of Salem, age 24, will be held Thursday at 6:00 at the New Harmony Church in Salem. Visitation will be held from 4:30 until service time. Memorials may be made to the memorial fund for her daughter, Shealynn Ayers. All arrangements are under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel in Salem.
Funeral services for Matthew Ray Lee of Viburnum, age 31, will be Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 until the service time at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.
Memorial service for Gerald (Jerry) Randell of Salem, age 75, will be held Saturday at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Memorial service for Earl Arthur Douglas of Deltona, Florida, formerly of Salem, age 95, will be held Saturday at the Salem Christian Church at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Green Forest Cemetery.
Weather [TOP]
