Local News – Thursday, May 16th, 2019
The 134th Graduation of the Salem R-80 High School will be held Friday night at 7:00 at the Salem High School Football Field. After the procession of students, the Salem High School band will perform the National Anthem before the Salem High School Chamber signs” My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord.” Assistant Principal Richard Parks will present the Senior Class Citizenship Awards as well as the Best All-Around Boy and Girl Award. Principal Marty Anderson will introduce the Salutatorian, Megan Myslinski, as well as the eleven Valedictorians that include Brooke Adams, Kylee Cahill, Michaela Chilton, Olivia Erway, Kirsten Golden, Katelyn Schwartz, Kylie Stenhoff and Mackenzie Whitaker. Anderson will also recognize the A Plus students, students who are entering the military and the Career and Technical Certified Students. Diplomas will then be awarded to the Class of 2019 students followed the recessional which will feature the playing Stars and Stripes Forever by the Salem High school Band. The graduation exercises will be broadcast live on Fidelity Channel 6 and HD 406 starting at 7:00 for those who unable to attend graduation. The exercises will be rebroadcast periodically over the next week or so.
An accident occurred Tuesday morning at 10:05 in Texas County on Highway 32 about five miles east of Licking that left a Salem woman with minor injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a westbound 2008 Ford Freestyle driven by 58-year-old Wanda Brown of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway, stuck a fence and then a tree. The report stated that Brown was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of her minor injuries. The Ford sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
Come to Akers Ferry this Saturday and Sunday to kick off the summer at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The free event features an open-air concert by modern folk band National Park Radio at 6:00 Saturday evening, and a celebration of the Akers community beginning at 9:00 Sunday morning. On Saturday, the summer kickoff will begin at 4:00 at the Akers Visitor Center with activities, information booths, and exhibits about historic communities on the banks of the Current River. At 6:00, National Park Radio will take the stage with their unique blend of folk, country, and bluegrass music that echoes the band’s deep-seated roots in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for the entertainment. The concert and activities are expected to conclude at 8:00. Food will be available for purchase. On Sunday, a driving tour of special cultural and natural sites along the upper Current River begins at 9:00 at the Akers Visitor Center. Bring a picnic lunch and hop on the tour shuttle, or follow in your own vehicle. Stops along the tour are the Devil’s Well at 9:45, the historic Akers Cemetery at 10:30, a ride across the river on Akers Ferry at 11:00, a picnic lunch at the Mt. Zion Church followed by a hike to the Welch Spring and Hospital followed by a float back to Akers Ferry with a stop at the Howell/Maggard cabin. The weekend celebration will highlight recreational activities and historical programs that can be enjoyed throughout 2019. Partners for this event include the Shannon County Museum, Ozark Riverways Foundation, Ozark Trail Association, and Ozark Heritage Project. The Akers Visitor Center is located at the junction of Routes K and KK in northern Shannon County. For more information, please contact Ranger Dave Tobey at 573-323-8093.