Local News – Friday, December 1st, 2017
An accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at about 3:55 on Route F about six miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 69-year old Ralph Schafer of Salem was traveling southbound when it swerved to miss an animal in the roadway. The Mercury ran off the right side of the road, struck a culvert sign and culvert, then struck a fence. A passenger in the Grand Marquis, 84-year old Jerry Schaffer of Salem suffered serious injuries and was transported by the Phelps County Air Ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. Both Ralph and Jerry were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Mercury sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing in Salem.
The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 4215 and 6420, while brush would be cut on the Turtle Loop, county road 5600. Purcell said a man would be back out replacing county road number signs that have been vandalized or stolen. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson stated grading would be done on county roads 2540, 2550, 4380 and 5260. He also said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 2120 while materials would be added and grading done on county road 3190. Commissioner Larson asked the commission to address the potential of fire danger with the extremely dry conditions the county has endured the last couple of months, especially after the fire in Lennox that burned numerous acres and a couple of buildings. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the public to refrain from any type of outdoor burning until the county receives some substantial rainfall. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he and Commissioner Larson attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Awards Banquet Tuesday where there were four recipients of awards for their recycling efforts or trash reduction. Bennie Cook from United States 8th District Representative Jason Smith’s office attended the meeting. The commissioners asked about a time frame on the FEMA repayment for damages from the flooding, asked about the funding for the Cooley Bridge project near Bunker, and also talked about the short comment period on Ozark National Scenic Riverways Roads and Trails Management Plan. Cook said he would follow up on their concerns and get back with them. The next meeting of the Commissioner will be Monday morning at 9:00 and that meeting will be open to the public.
This Saturday will start the Christmas season celebration in Salem starting with Kid’s Party at the American Legion Walker-Roney Post #99 on Highway 32 West sponsored by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary from 1:00 until 3:00. There will be a coloring center, cookie walk, crafts and gifts for children newborn to 10 years of age. Santa will also be there so you will definitely want to bring your camera! There is no charge for the Kid’s Party. Starting at 5:30 will be the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” Parade of Lights. It will be starting from Grand and Franklin, going north on McArthur before heading east on 4th Street ending up at the courthouse square. As of Thursday, there were already over 50 entries! Following the parade, the “Christmas with Cash and the King” show will be held at the Salem City Hall Auditorium starting at 7:00 featuring Sean Michael as Elvis and Roger Robinson as Johnny Cash with a special guest appearance by Stanley McElfresh. There is a $5.00 admission charge for the show and the proceeds will go toward the KMW Ministries. The weather should be great for the kickoff to the Christmas season!
An accident happened in Reynolds County at 5:15 Thursday morning on Route N about four miles north of Lesterville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Nissan Rogue driven northbound by 56-year old Nora C. Reynolds of Black, went off the roadway and struck an embankment. The Rogue then became airborne and came to rest on its tires. Reynolds suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Air Ambulance to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Reynolds was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Nissan Rogue was totaled and removed from the scene by Hills Metals and Motors of Ellington.