Archive for 2025
Obituaries – Friday, March 7th 2025
Funeral Services for Betty Lou (Pryor) Summers Gray, age 94, will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Burial to follow in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Visitation for Betty Gray will be held Thursday from 5:00 in the evening until 8:00 in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Betty Gray to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available.
Funeral services for Marilyn Marie Hertzing of Belle, age 67, will be Friday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in Rolla. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Vienna City Cemetery.
Memorial services for Beth Ann Gilliam of Belleview, Missouri, age 54, will be held at 11:00 Saturday morning at the Living Hope Church. A memorial gathering will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 Friday evening at the Wilson Mortuary of Viburnum. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Funeral Services for Jewel Marie Fuwell of Davisville, age 84, will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00-8:00 at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Davisville Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Davisville Cemetery.
Funeral services for Clarice Fae (Shults) Hayman of Salem, age 99, will be Saturday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 6:00. Burial will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund or Corinth Baptist Church.
Funeral services for Kersten Lorraine Reuter of Boss, age 21, will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until service time. Interment will be in the Boss Cemetery.
Memorial services for Richard “Ricky” Frank Tiefenthaler, age 70, will be Saturday at 4:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Funeral services for Brenda Kay Richards of Steelville, age 70, will be Tuesday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home. Visitation will start at 11:00.
Sports – Friday, March 7th 2025
The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers face the Owensville Dutchman tonight in the Class 4, District 3 Championship game starting at 6:00. Salem enters the game with a 14-14 record while Owensville is 14-12 on the season. Salem has not won the district championship since 2005, and Owensville has not won since 1996. Admission to the game is $6.00 per person who is six years of age and older. The game will be carried on KSMO Radio (AM 1340 and FM 95.7) and also audio streamed on KSMO Media. The game will be video streamed on MSHSAA.TV and the cost is $10 plus other fees per device. The broadcast tonight will begin around 5:45 with Tiger Talk and Coach Jared Patterson.
The St. Louis Blues beat the LA Kings Wednesday night, 3-2 as Robert Thomas scored the winner in the shootout. Jake Neighbours and Thomas scored in regulation for the Blues who are 5-1-1 since the break. The Blues will be at Anaheim to face the Ducks tonight starting at 8:30 with the pre-game show and Saturday will be in Los Angeles to play the Kings again starting with the pregame show at 6:30. You can hear the games on KSMO Radio.
The Missouri Basketball Tigers wrap up their regular season Saturday morning against Kentucky beginning at 10:30 on KSMO Radio. Missouri is 21-9 overall and 10-7 in the SEC Conference. Kentucky is 20-10 on the year and 9-8 in the SEC Conference.
The St. Louis Cardinals will play the Houston Astros today in the Grapefruit League before taking on Washington Saturday and the New York Yankees on Sunday. Saturday’s game will be delayed and can be heard on KSMO Radio at 1:55, and the Sunday’s game will be at 11:55 on KSMO.
The Kansas City Royals play the LA Angels of Anaheim tonight in the Cactus League before playing a split squad doubleheader on Saturday with San Franscisco and Texas. On Sunday, the Royals will play Milwaukee. Kansas City has announced that Mike Moustakis will retire a Royal on May 31st as he will sign a one-day contract. There will be a pre-game ceremony to honor “moose” and the impact he had on Kansas City and the 2015 World Series winning Royals team.
News – Friday, March 7th 2025
State Representative Don Mayhew has introduced House Bill 1442 called the “Natural Resource and Community Protection Act,” to end federal overreach in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and other federally managed lands within Missouri. The bill ensures that local residents are not unfairly targeted by federal park rangers and that Missouri retains authority over its natural resources, wildlife, water rights, and land use. HB 1442 prioritizes the rights of local residents by preventing the NPS from issuing federal tickets for minor infractions, prohibiting unconstitutional property seizures, stopping unreasonable land use restrictions, and blocking unilateral road closures by federal authorities. The bill also reaffirms Missouri’s authority over its natural resources, wildlife, water rights, roads, and highways by requiring federal agencies to coordinate with state and local officials before imposing new regulations or enforcement actions. This bill is a direct results of citizen complaints and concerns.
On Thursday, March 6th, Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reports that Travis Fudge pled guilty to tampering with a motor vehicle, burglary in the 2nd degree, felony stealing and the possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine. Fudge was sentenced to serve six years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as recommended by Prosecutor Curley.
Intercounty Electric Cooperative recently announced their Youth Tour essay finalist this past Monday. The Youth Tour is an all-expenses paid trip to our nation’s capitol where participants go with more than 100 students from the Show-Me state and over 2000 students nationwide to tour museums, visit America’s most cherished monuments and even meet their elected officials. All while learning about electric cooperatives and their role in the community. The top three finalist for Salem include Makena Faulkner, Riley Remster, and Knox Smith. Licking’s finalist are Karson Walker, Noah Umfleet, and Sadie Hutsell. Ariella Tarvin, Katie Carpenter, and Keiran Goodridge are the finalist from St. James and Valery Liang, Maria Polizzi, and Lukas Barnes are Rolla’s finalist. Congratulations to all of these students as well as the finalist in Mountain Grove, Houston, Summersville, and Cabool. The first place winners from each school will earn a seat on the Youth Tour in Washington D.C. while runners up from each school will receive an all-expenses paid trip to participate in the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) in Jefferson City, Missouri. If you’d like to learn more you can contact Intercounty Electric at 866-621-3679.
Obituaries – Thursday, March 6th 2025
Funeral Services for Vardel Ray Wisdom, age 90, of Boss, will be held at noon today at the Macedonia United Baptist Church, in Boss, Missouri. Burial to follow in the Boss Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 in the morning until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri.
Funeral services for Frances “Fran” Marlene Barnhill of Steelville, age 88, will be today at 1:00 in the afternoon at the Britton Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time.
Funeral Services for Betty Lou (Pryor) Summers Gray, age 94, will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Burial to follow in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Visitation for Betty Gray will be held Thursday from 5:00 in the evening until 8:00 in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Betty Gray to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available.
Funeral services for Marilyn Marie Hertzing of Belle, age 67, will be Friday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in Rolla. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Vienna City Cemetery.
Memorial services for Beth Ann Gilliam of Belleview, Missouri, age 54, will be held at 11:00 Saturday morning at the Living Hope Church. A memorial gathering will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 Friday evening at the Wilson Mortuary of Viburnum. Memorials may be made to the Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Funeral Services for Jewel Marie Fuwell of Davisville, age 84, will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00-8:00 at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Davisville Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Davisville Cemetery.
Funeral services for Clarice Fae (Shults) Hayman of Salem, age 99, will be Saturday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 6:00. Burial will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund or Corinth Baptist Church.
Memorial services for Richard “Ricky” Frank Tiefenthaler, age 70, will be Saturday at 4:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Sports – Thursday, March 6th 2025
Luke Pryor had a double-double to help lead the Salem Basketball Tigers to a 58-49 win over the #1 seeded Cuba Wildcats Wednesday night at Owensville as Salem will advance to the District Finals Friday night at 6:00 against the #2 seeded Owensville Dutchman. Pryor finished with 16 points and ten rebounds while Braiden Gapsch added 11 points followed by Lincoln Thomas and Gavin Sapaugh who each added ten points. Cayden Moody for the second straight game hit three 3-pointers in the 1st half, where in this game, they all come in the second quarter when Salem outscored Cuba, 22-7 to take the lead for good. Salem is 14-14 on the year and they will face Owensville who defeated St. James Wednesday, 51-45. Salem beat Owensville in December in Salem, 47-32. Admission to the game is $6.00 per person who is six years of age and older. The game will be carried on KSMO Radio (AM 1340 and FM 95.7) and also audio streamed on KSMO Media. The game will be video streamed on MSHSAA.TV and the cost is $10 plus fees per device. Start time Friday night will be around 5:45 with Tiger Talk and Coach Jared Patterson.
The Missouri Tigers dropped their second straight game for only the second time this season as they fell to Oklahoma Wednesday night, 96 to 84. Missouri was led by Mark Mitchell with 18 points followed by Caleb Grill with 16 more. Missouri is now 21-9 on the year and they are 10-7 in the SEC Conference. They will host Kentucky Saturday morning at 10:30 in their final regular season game before the SEC Tournament and you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.
St. Louis Cardinals Pocket Schedules are available at the KSMO Studios and at sponsor locations all over town. Help yourself they are free!
News – Thursday, March 6th 2025
Today is KSMO’s Annual FFA Day at the KSMO Studios where former FFA Advisor Bob Parsons will be interviewing current Salem FFA students live on KSMO Radio (AM 1340 and 95.7 FM) and those interviews will be streamed live on KSMO Media (ksmoradio.com, KSMO Stream Facebook Page and KSMO YouTube.) Originally scheduled for February 21st, the day had to be rescheduled due to school being postponed. The students will be answering questions on their experience with FFA including their SAE Projects, awards, projects, record books, future plans, what got them interested in FFA and more. Interviews normally begin between 8:20 and 8:30 in the morning and will be held throughout the day ending near 3:00. If you can’t listen or watch live, the interviews will be able to be played back later on Facebook and YouTube.
An accident happened Monday morning around 9:20 in Iron County on Highway 32 about eight miles east of Bixby that took the of two young adults. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Toyota Camry driven westbound by a 21-year-old male from Desloge, was passing an uninvolved vehicle and struck a 2021 Nissan Sentra driven eastbound by a 67-year old woman from Salem, head on. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Johnny Setzer from Iron County. The 21-year-old female occupant of the Camry, who was from Viburnum, was taken to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis where she was pronounced dead at 4:00 Monday afternoon by Physicians Assistant Elizabeth Watson. The Salem woman suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Arch Helicopter to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. According to the report, no one was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.
An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon at 12:34 on Highway 63 south of Magnolia Lane that left a woman from Licking with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Kia Sorento driven northbound by a 62-year-old female from Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck two trees. The woman, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Phelps Health in Rolla by the Phelps Health EMS. The Kia was self-towed.
Obituaries – Wednesday, March 5th 2025
Funeral Services for Vardel Ray Wisdom, age 90, of Boss, will be held at noon on Thursday, March 6th at the Macedonia United Baptist Church, in Boss, Missouri. Burial to follow in the Boss Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 in the morning until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri.
Funeral services for Frances “Fran” Marlene Barnhill of Steelville, age 88, will be Thursday at 1:00 at the Britton Bennet Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time.
Funeral Services for Betty Lou (Pryor) Summers Gray, age 94, will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Burial to follow in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Visitation for Betty Gray will be held Thursday from 5:00 in the evening until 8:00 in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Betty Gray to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available.
Funeral services for Marilyn Marie Hertzing of Belle, age 67, will be Friday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in Rolla. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Vienna City Cemetery.
Funeral services for Clarice Fae Hayman of Salem, age 99, will be Saturday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 6:00. Burial will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund or Corinth Baptist Church.
Funeral Services for Jewel Marie Fuwell of Davisville, age 84, will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5:00-8:00 at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Davisville Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Davisville Cemetery.
Memorial services for Beth Ann Gilliam of Belleview, age 54, will be Saturday at 12:00 at the Living Hope Church. Memorial Gathering will be Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Funeral services for Kersten Lorraine Reuter of Boss, age 21, will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 in the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon Saturday until service time at the chapel. Burial will be in the Boss Cemetery.
Memorial services for Richard “Ricky” Frank Tiefenthaler, age 70, will be Saturday at 4:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Sports – Wednesday, March 5th 2025
The Salem Boys Basketball Tigers face the Cuba Wildcats in the Class 4, District 3 semi-final in Owensville starting at 5:30 tonight. Salem is 13-14 on the year while Cuba goes into the contest with a 13-11 record. Admission to the game is $6.00 per person for those six years of age and above. If you can’t make it to the game, you can listen to the contest on KSMO Radio and by audio stream on KSMO Media starting at 5:15. You can also video stream the game on MSHSAA.TV for $10.00 per device plus fees.
The Missouri Basketball Tigers, coming off the 97-93 overtime loss to Vanderbilt Saturday, will be at Oklahoma tonight starting at 7:00 on KSMO. Missouri is 21-8 overall and 10-6 in the SEC Conference going into the game while Oklahoma is 17-12 overall and 4-12 in the conference. The game can be heard on KSMO Radio immediately after Salem Tiger District Basketball.
The St. Louis Blues continue their six-game road trip as they will be in Los Angeles to face the Kings in a rematch of the game from Saturday night that the Blues won, 4-1. The Blues are currently two points out of the 2nd wild card slot behind Calgary, but the Flames have played two less games than the Blues. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio immediately after Missouri Tiger Basketball.
The Cuba Lady Wildcats held off a feisty Salem Lady Tigers squad in the first round of District play Tuesday night in Cuba, winning by a final score of 55-41. Salem led after the 1st quarter, 14-11 but could only get four points in the 2nd quarter and trailed 24-18 at half and could never get closer than the six point deficit. Salem was led by Addison Fulton who had 17 points and 11 rebounds followed by Raven Gillam with 13 points. Courtney Caron paced Cuba with 19 points followed by Leah Schmidt with 14 points and Mya Garbo with 11 more. Salem finished the year with a 4-22 record while Cuba improves to 15-11 and will play the St. Francis Borgia Lady Knights Thursday night at 7:00 in the semi-final.
News – Wednesday, March 5th 2025
The City of Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting last Tuesday evening at 6:00 in the Auditorium. After removing the closed session, the Board approved the agenda and consent agenda. During public comments, the Board approved Rob Benowitz’s request to close the roads around the courthouse for the 100 Acre Wood Rally. The City’s audit report for fiscal year 2024 showed total assets for government and business-type activities to be: $34.9 million, total liabilities were $10.7 million with a net position of about $24.9 million. Public Works Director Steve Paine requested, and was approved, to sell the surplus Single Phase Transformer No. 220921-7. He plans to auction the transformer through MPUA to help offset the cost of the new replacement transformer. The Board approved Resolution 4-2025, a change order that will reduce the contract value by $3,600.00, for the Welcome Home Project, and the amendment of the Dent County Hazard Mitigation Plan by adding Action 2.9 for the City of Salem to reduce the risks of service interruption due to flooding events. City Administrator, Sally Burbridge read the first readings of Bill Number 3647, to approved amendments to the Demand Meters and Rates for Commercial Customers Code 700.100 correcting a clerical error and reinstating the original sections A and B; Bill Number 3648, an ordinance to amend the Determination of Usage Code 710.320 clarifying the definition of Owner, bill number 3645 an ordinance that would approve amending the Notices of Meetings Code 122.040, updating references from City Hall to City Administration Offices for posting notices, and bill number 3644, an ordinance to remove the language tying City meetings to cancellations of Salem R-80 Schools. The Board approved several bills, including bill 3643 Task order #20 between the City of Salem and CM Archer Group, PC for the Bonebrake sewer realignment project. The project is estimated to cost around $201,000.00. They also approved Bill Number 3642 Task Order #19, between the City of Salem and CM Archer Group, allowing Archer to assist the Public Works Director with flood disaster response and recovery efforts for the November 2024 flood event. The Board approved the mid-year budget adjustments that were discussed in previous meetings, as well as the bid from Resolve IT in the amount of $47,052.00 to replace the City’s servers. During the City officials’ report, Finance Director Stacy Houston gave an update on the financials, and Mayor Greg Parker stated that AARP will be taking appointments until April 4th, for free tax filing. He encouraged citizens to call 573-729-8163 if they need help. Public Works Director Paine presented the Utility Crew update, and the Parks and Recreation updates were provided by Director Melissa DuBois. With no closed session, the meeting adjourned.
Obituaries – Tuesday, March 4th 2025
Funeral Services for Vardel Ray Wisdom, age 90, of Boss, will be held at noon on Thursday, March 6th at the Macedonia United Baptist Church, in Boss, Missouri. Burial to follow in the Boss Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 in the morning until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri.
Funeral services for Frances “Fran” Marlene Barnhill of Steelville, age 88, will be Thursday at 1:00 at the Britton Bennet Funeral Home in Steelville. Visitation will be from 10:00 until service time.
Funeral Services for Betty Lou (Pryor) Summers Gray, age 94, will be held at 11:00 this Friday morning, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Burial to follow in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Visitation for Betty Gray will be held Thursday from 5:00 in the evening until 8:00 in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Betty Gray to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available.
Funeral services for Marilyn Marie Hertzing of Belle, age 67, will be Friday at 1:00 at the James & Gahr Chapel in Rolla. Visitation will be from 11:00 until service time. Interment will be in the Vienna City Cemetery.
Funeral services for Clarice Fae Hayman of Salem, age 99, will be Saturday at 11:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 until 6:00. Burial will be in the Dry Fork Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dry Fork Cemetery Fund or Corinth Baptist Church.
Memorial services for Beth Ann Gilliam of Belleview, age 54, will be Saturday at 12:00 at the Living Hope Church. Memorial Gathering will be Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Viburnum Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
Memorial services for Richard “Ricky” Frank Tiefenthaler, age 70, will be Saturday at 4:00 at the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Wilson Mortuary to help with final expenses.
A Private Family Graveside Service will be held for Norma Jane (Butler) Wells, age 93, of Salem at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Wilson Mortuary of Salem.