Local News – Friday, June 5th, 2020
Tonight at 7:00 at the SHS Football Field, the 135th graduating class of the Salem High School will hold their commencement exercises with social distancing measures taken. There are 136 students who are expected to receive their diplomas from the Class of 2020. Because of school being out for so long, there will be no performances by the SHS Band or the Choir, but three students: Phoebe Callicutt, Mallorie Dittman and Kennison Parker, will sing the National Anthem. The Salem High School Class of 2020 had three Salutatorians and 18 Valedictorians. The Salutatorians included Reese Dodson, Lydia Owen and Emily Pruitt. The Valedictorians were comprised of Taylor Bradshaw, Jana Cook, Jodie Dean, Ashley Donovan, Easton Ingram, Anna McDaniel, Christopher McSwain, Bailee Pace, Katrina Parks, Victoria Pope, Ceceilia Reed, Brenden Smith, Emma Southards, Hailee Stringer, Mallorie Dittman, Malia Terrill, Melody Whitman and Madison Woolf. The ceremony will feature the presenting of the Senior Class Citizenship Awards and Best All-Around Boy and Girl Awards. Student recognition will follow the presentation of awards and feature six valedictorian speeches. The awarding of the diplomas will follow the student recognition. At the conclusion of the ceremony, school officials will be leading one half of the students from the exercise to exit the stadium to the circle drive while the other half will spread out on the eastern side of the track before exiting. Salem R-80 is asking you to please not congregate to the track and keep your social distancing. Gates will open at 5:30 and you must have a ticket to get in. Once inside the gates, you cannot leave and re-enter. Visitors may bring lawn chairs and sit to the north or south of the bleachers, or sit in the bleachers in every other row, but remember to keep six feet away from the next group. The track will also have 250 chairs set up in groups of five. For those who can’t make it or get a ticket, or prefer to stay at home, KSMO Radio will stream the event live from their website, www.ksmoradio.com. Go to the site click the “listen live” to access Twitch TV. You can also gain stream access from the Salem R-80 website at https://www.salemr80.org. The direct link to Twitch TV is https://twitch.tv/ksmo1340. In case of inclement weather, the 1st alternative rescheduling will be Saturday morning at 10:00 and the 2nd alternative rescheduling will be Saturday afternoon at 5:00.
An accident happened in Dent County Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 on Highway 32 about six miles east of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Pontiac Vibe driven westbound by 31-year old Matthew Church of Salem, ran off the south side of the roadway and overturned. Church and a passenger, 28-year old John Fann of Salem, each suffered minor injuries in the accident. Fann refused treatment at the scene while Church was taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The Vibe was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. Everyone was wearing their seat restraints. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Ambulance.
The Missouri Department of Conservation invites the public to get hooked on fishing through its Free Fishing Days that will be held Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June. Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect during Free Fishing Days, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property. The Department of Conservation reminds anglers in Missouri that fishing permits are required before and after June 6 and 7, unless an angler is exempt by age or other factors. All other fishing regulations are also in effect. It is still critical to continue to heed all recommendations for physical distancing, avoiding overcrowding, handwashing, and other public health measures during outdoor activities. Learn more about Free Fishing Days in Missouri at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing.
Currently on the Salem R-80 Website, parents can register their child for kindergarten for the William Lynch Elementary School. If you have a child who will be turning 5 before August 1st, you can register them now online. Once you have filled out the form, you will be contacted at a later date at the phone number you put on the form.
Congressman Jason Smith has announced the Cape Area Student Winner of 2020 Congressional Art Competition as well as the top 20 Pieces submitted from the district. Madi Holt of Advance High School has been selected as the overall winner for Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District. Holt’s work “Patriotism Lives On” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. Two Salem High School students had their works selected as part of the top 20 and they were “Polaroid” by Lara Stevens and “Frisco Station” by Luke Bartlett. Congratulations to all those students who submitted their work for the art competition.