News – Tuesday, October 14th 2025

The Salem High School Track will be closed to the public today and tomorrow for maintenance. Thursday will be used as a makeup date if weather delays any tasks. Just a reminder that the Tiger Trail is open to the public at the Salem Upper Elementary School at 1601 Doss Road as well as the Frisco Trailhead on 3rd and Grand Street and the Lake Ziske Trailhead located at the Shawnee Mac Conservation Area.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tomorrow at 5:30 in the R-80 Board Room. After the Call to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance the Board will approve the agenda and the consent agenda. William Lynch Elementary students will receive recognition. In the Superintendent’s Report CSIP Goals will be addressed in all reports, updates will be shared on the FEMA building, and a ribbon cutting will be scheduled. Staff recognition will occur for Jenn Moss and Heather Maglothin for September and Danelle Roos and Jennifer Bass for October. The Board will be updated on the Track and consider Food Service Bids. The Upper Elementary Roof situation will be updated with a November 1st start date. The Board will be updated on the Superintendent Coaching Group and Baseball Dugouts. Mr. Copeland will report on MAP and EOC. Administration reports will be heard from William Lynch, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, Athletics and Activities, Special Education, Technology, and Maintenance. In new business, the Board is to approve a student out of state trip and hear the first read of MSBA Policy Updates. No Transfers, Hires or Resignations/Retirements are scheduled to be considered. The Board will enter closed session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The regular meeting of the Salem R80 Board of Education is open to the public.

The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will meet tomorrow evening at 6:00 at the Fire Station at #2 South Main. After the Call to Order and Roll Call will be the approval of the Consent Agenda, which includes review of previous meeting minutes, the financial report and approval of bills, plus the budget review. The Monthly Reimbursement Report will precede Old Business, which will include the Fidelity (CTI) Tower Lease consideration and results of motion to change vent fan purchased to Honda Motor. In New Business the Board will be updated on Firefighters Association of Missouri (FFAM), Recruitment/Retainment Incentives, plus equipment and program quotes for Officers and Chief. Chief Dennis Floyd will present his report, followed by setting the date for the next meeting and closed session, if necessary, before adjournment.

You can create Hand Knitted Pumpkins Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 with Danielle Kissir at the Creative Arts Center. Come and learn how to knit adorable soft pumpkins for decorating your home or giving as gifts! Bring a friend and make it a party! This class is considered an intermediate class; some prior crochet or knitting experience is recommended and beneficial. The class is open to everyone 10 years of age and older and costs is $40 which includes all supplies. At least five people need to sign up to hold the class, and it will be limited to 12 people. To register, go online to the SACBA website, click on Programs category and then go to the Salem Creative Arts Council link. If you have a question about any class, please e-mail salemartscenter@salemcommunitybetterment.com.

Enjoy hunting deer or watching them? Want help managing private land for deer? Want to know more about the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) efforts to keep deer healthy? MDC invites deer hunters, landowners and managers, wildlife watchers, and others interested in Missouri’s white-tailed deer to a series of community open houses around the state. Attendees can talk with MDC staff about deer management and regulations, impacts of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) on deer populations, managing private land for deer, and MDC’s Deer Management Assistance Program. In addition, MDC staff will share new information on CWD and how MDC is working with hunters, landowners, and other partners to minimize the threat of CWD and keep Missouri deer healthy.  MDC Director Jason Sumners said that for generations, Missourians have worked together to protect deer and deer hunting. He noted that fueled by a shared passion for white-tailed deer, hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts inside and  outside MDC have built a healthy, abundant herd. These open houses offer a chance to build on that foundation. MDC staff will share information on the previously mentioned topics and welcome questions and comments from attendees. MDC invites the public to stop by the community open houses anytime between 4:00 and 8:00. No registration is required. The open house nearest Dent County will be October 15th in West Plains at the Civic Center, 110 St Louis St. For other open house locations throughout Missouri go to mdc.mo.gov. In addition to welcoming public comments at the community open houses, MDC is also accepting public comments about deer management online through October 17th at short.mdc.mo.gov/4yd.