Local News – Thursday, December 17th, 2020
The Missouri Department of Conservation is extending the deadline to January 15th for landowner enrollment into the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program. MRAP provides incentive payments of $15 to $25 per acre and habitat improvement financial assistance to participating landowners in return for allowing public access to their land for recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Participating landowners can choose the recreational activities allowed on their property by selecting one of the following MRAP access types: all access hunting and fishing, small game and turkey hunting, youth only hunting and fishing, archery hunting, fishing only, or wildlife viewing. Offered lands must meet minimum eligibility requirements such as being 40 contiguous acres in size or 5 contiguous acres for wildlife viewing access types or 1 pond acre for fishing-only access types. MRAP properties must also consist of at least 20% quality wildlife habitat which includes native grass fields, crop field buffers, or managed woodlands to be eligible for the program. There are currently more than 50 properties enrolled in the program, totaling over 13,000 acres of lands available for public outdoor recreation. MRAP funding is provided through a U.S. Department of Agriculture federal grant. This funding allows for the additional enrollment of approximately 7,500 new MRAP acres. For more information on how to apply to the MRAP program, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Zcs.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 6:00 in the High School Library. After the consent agenda and communications, the Board will hear the audit report by Matt James. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will give her report including the update on refunding of bonds, COVID update, budget update and Leadership Team meeting update. The board will then hear administration reports from each building principal and the athletic director before hearing new business. In new business the board will discuss the selection of MSBA Belcher Scholarship recipient, MUSIC renewal, fine arts credit, and mask mandate implementation plan. Ms. Elaine Russell will address the Board about choir competition and trips. The board will then move into Executive Session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting is open to the public.
A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday night at 10:00 on Highway CC about 7 miles east of Salem. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2006 Jeep Liberty being driven by a 16-year old female of Salem was northbound when she traveled off the right side of the roadway, returned to the roadway and over-corrected causing the Jeep to overturn. The driver, who was wearing a safety restraint, was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by Salem EMS for treatment of minor injuries. The Jeep was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.