Your World Today – Thursday, July 14, 2016

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NEWS: Thursday, July 14, 2016

LOCAL NEWS:

An accident happened in Dent County Tuesday afternoon at 4:05 on Route H about five miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford E-250 driven eastbound by 61-year old Larry Adamick of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment and a fence. Adamick suffered minor injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Ford E-250 sustained moderate damages and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces grant awards totaling $338,490 to 156 rural fire departments in Missouri as part of the Department’s annual Volunteer Fire Assistance Matching Grant Program. The grants help these small-town, mostly volunteer fire departments buy personal protective gear and firefighting equipment. Rural fire departments that apply for the grants can receive up to $4,000 in grant funds from the Conservation Department and U.S. Forest Service to reimburse equipment costs specifically related to wildfire suppression. To receive grant funds, fire departments must match every dollar they’re granted. To qualify for the program, fire departments must serve a population of 10,000 or fewer people. The program is designed to help them purchase equipment they would not otherwise be able to afford. Grant funds are used on everything from radios and other communication equipment to chainsaws, hoses, and hand tools. While fire departments can also apply for equipment to fight structure fires, preference is given to those who need wildfire equipment. Over the last 30 years, MDC has distributed more than $7.5 million to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and provide them with better firefighting equipment. Funding for the program is provided by MDC and the U.S. Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Program. No details were provided as to what fire departments received the grants, for what need and for how much was provided by the Department of Conservation.

Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds the general public of the importance of water safety during the extremely hot weather. The heat causes people to gravitate toward all kinds of waterways, public and private. Even those who are weak swimmers, including small children, may enter waterways to get relief, so taking the proper precautions is paramount. Drownings do not typically occur as dramatized on television. Drownings occur quickly and in many cases, the drowning itself is not actually witnessed. The victim is there one minute and gone the next. Life jackets are an important part of drowning prevention, whether boating or simply swimming from the shoreline or a dock. It is imperative for children to be instilled with the habit of wearing a life jacket whenever they are around the water. State law requires children under seven to wear a life jacket while on a watercraft, but that is only a minimum requirement. Life jackets clearly benefit persons of all ages. It is common for teens and even adults to overestimate their swimming ability, so even if a person chooses not to wear a life jacket, keeping a life jacket or other adequate flotation within reach is imperative. It is difficult to judge distance on the water, so what appears to be a short swim across a pond, lake, or river may actually be further than you think. The current on rivers may also extend your swim beyond your abilities. Panicking is a key component of drowning. The best way to avoid panic is to be prepared around the water. Once the struggle to stay afloat begins, it may be too late to retrieve a flotation device. Clearly, the best practice is to wear a life jacket. As we get into what is typically the hottest weather of the year, help ensure you don't become a drowning victim. Make sure you and your loved ones are prepared when they hit the water. Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

SPORTS   [TOP]

The Blues and forward Jaden Schwartz will hold an arbitration hearing on Wednesday, July 20th in Toronto. During the hearing, Schwartz’s agent will present a list of current NHL players (and their contracts) that he feels are comparable to what his client should earn. The Blues, meanwhile, will present their own comparable players and contracts. After hearing both arguments, the arbitrator will decide on a value that Schwartz should be paid. Once that decision is made, both Schwartz and the Blues will have to live with it, for either one or two years, depending on what the Blues decide. But there’s still a chance it won’t come to that. Both sides could agree to a new deal before the arbitration hearing next week, and that happens quite often.

The Blues have agreed to terms on a one-year, one-way contract with forward Ty Rattie. The deal is worth $650,000. Rattie, who is 23 years of age, dressed in 62 games with the Blues’ American Hockey League affiliate last season, ranking third on the Chicago Wolves with 46 points, (17 goals and 29 assists). The 6-foot, 189-pound forward also appeared in 13 games with the Blues, posting six points (four goals and two assists).

For his performance in the All-Star game last night, Eric Hosmer was named the game’s Chevrolet Most Valuable Player Award. Hosmer had two hits, a homer and an RBI single, and was the first Royal to be MVP since Bo Jackson won the award back in 1989. Jackson also had two hits and two RBI in 1989. Hosmer won a new Midnight Edition Chevy Colorado and will have the vehicle delivered to his father.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals both have the day off today. The Cardinals will start a three game series against the Miami Marlins Friday night in St. Louis starting at 6:20 on KSMO Radio. The Royals will begin a three game series in Detroit Friday night. Both teams are seven games out in their respective Central Divisions.

OBITUARIES     [TOP]

Memorial services for Charles Michael Condray of Salem, 69, will be held today at 12:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time. Interment will be at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Salem Public Schools Alumni Association Fund.

Funeral services for Verle “Buzz” Manley, Jr. of Cherryville, age 64, will be held Friday at 4:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be held from noon until 4:00 Friday.  

Funeral services for Betty Grifiin of Steelville, age 91, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time Saturday. Interment will be in the Steelville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Steelville Ambulance District.

Funeral services for Juanita Warden Nash of Salem, age 85, will be held Monday at 1:00 at the Salem Chapel of James and Gahr Mortuary. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date for Tim Prater of Salem, age 68. All arrangements are under the direction of the James and Gahr/Dent County Chapel.

WEATHER    [TOP]

Today..Partly sunny with a 50% chance for showers and thunderstorms, high near 88.
Tonight..Cloudy with a 30% chance for showers and thunderstorms, low of 68.
Friday..Cloudy with a 40% chance for showers in the morning, becoming partly sunny by the afternoon, high of 85.
Friday night..Partly cloudy, low near 64.