Local News – Monday, July 26th, 2021

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the Salem High School Library. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed updated the Board on the recent meeting with the coaches concerning the tin gym renovations as well as Tracy Strange’s District Community Liaison Training. She also detailed with the Board the summer work performed thus far by the custodial and maintenance staffs. In new business, the bid for milk from Hiland Dairy, the bread bid from Country Mart, the food bid from US Food, the supply bid from Graves and the pest control bid from Integrity Pest Control were all approved. The bids for gasoline and diesel were tabled. The tax rate hearing was set for August 19th at 5:45 and is to be followed by the regular August Board meeting. The Memorandum of Understanding with Northwood R-IV for the sharing of a band teacher was approved, as was the Return to Learning Plan which is available at the Salem R-80 website. The new personnel handbook was approved, and the MSBA policy update recommendations were approved. The motion was made and approved to provide a $200.00 stipend for staff members who attend a covid training during the August 24th workshop day. The board accepted the resignation of Cole Price, the Middle School special education instructor, which was effective immediately, and Assistant Superintendent John Smith which will be effective June 30th, 2022. The board then went into closed session. In closed session the Board approved a five-day extension of Rich Beckett’s contract for 2021-2022, and the Board moved Terry Nash to Step 20 and added a 10-day contract extension. The meeting was then adjourned.

Are you interested in a great volunteer opportunity right here in Salem? If you have a few hours per week to help out in your community in an easy way, look no further than Grace Harbor! They will be opening a temporary shelter soon. Their mission is to serve youth and school-aged kids in Salem and the surrounding areas. If there is availability at Grace Harbor, they will accept other individuals on a case-by- case basis, but the youth are their number one priority. They have a variety of volunteer opportunities at Grace Harbor such as cooking daily meals, grocery shopping, house cleaning, assisting residents, office work, grounds keeping and more. At this time, Grace Harbor has morning, afternoon, mid-afternoon, evening, and overnight shifts available. Volunteers must be at least 20 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and complete the required testing. The Grace Harbor committee will be holding training meetings tomorrow evening, July 27th, from 6:00-8:00, and then Wednesday, July 28th from 10:00-12:00, and 2:00-4:00. If you are interested in volunteering, please plan on attending one of these meetings. If you have any questions, contact Jenny Summers at 573-247-7062 or Karen Carmier at 573-247-4530.

With above 90 degree temperatures expected, everyone working or playing outside needs to know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Being aware can help you stay safe during extreme heat. Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness and weakness, dizziness or fainting, headache, nausea or vomiting. To help prevent heat-related illness, follow these safety tips if you will be outside: Do chores, visit playgrounds or parks during the coolest time of the day. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing as well as sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids. Increase your fluid intake–regardless of activity level. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Avoid drinks containing caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because they can cause you to lose more fluid. Ask your doctor whether medications you take affect your body’s response to heat. Avoid very cold beverages as they can cause stomach cramps. Just have them sip cool water and try to cool down the person’s forehead and behind their neck with a moist, damp cloth. Remember, if the person you are with stops perspiring and their skin turns very red and is dry, or their temperature climbs to 103 or higher where they may become confused, nauseous and have a headache, they may be having a heat stroke. Get them to a cool place and call 9-1-1. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting about the Current River State Park and Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry on Saturday, July 31st at the Current River State Park. The meeting will begin at 1:00 in the afternoon at the barbecue house in the screened-in picnic area, located to the left of Current River Lodge in the main area of the park. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the site and its operations. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. The meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. The Current River State Park is located off Highway 19 South at 11053 County Road 19D in southeast Missouri. For more information about the meeting, call 573-751-6414.