Local News – Friday, February 2nd, 2018
An accident happened Wednesday evening about 5:40 in Franklin County on I-44 at 236 mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, an eastbound 2007 Ford Ranger, driven by 26-year old Jacob Gianino of St. Louis, crossed over the median and struck a westbound 2005 Ford Explorer head-on, driven by 26-year old Julieana Lowe of Salem. Gianino suffered serious injuries and was transported by AIR EVAC to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Lowe and two passengers in the Ford: 33-year old Brian Hobson and six-year old Benjamin Hobson of Salem, suffered serious injuries. Lowe was transported by Missouri Baptist Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Washington. Brian Hobson was transported by St. Clair Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Washington while Benjamin Hobson was taken by the Missouri Baptist Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Washington. The Ranger was totaled and was removed from the scene by Vogelsang’s Towing. The Explorer was also totaled and was removed from the scene by Hoffman’s Towing. All the occupants in the Ford were wearing seat restraints while Gianino was not wearing his. Interstate 44 was shut down for about two hours after the accident.
An accident happened in Carter County at 8:30 Wednesday evening on Route A at Highway 60 that took the life of a 23-year old woman from Grandin, Missouri. According to the highway patrol, a 2006 Ford driven northbound by 23-year old Joanna Hedge of Grandin was stopped on Route A at Highway 60. She then started across the westbound lanes of Highway 60 and failed to yield to a 2005 Kia Sorento driven by 85-year old George Findley of Licking when the collision occurred. Hedge was taken by the East Carter Ambulance to the Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10:48 Wednesday night. George Findley suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital by the West Carter Ambulance while a passenger in the Kia, 78-year old Betty Findley of Licking, was taken by the Butler County Ambulance to the Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital with serious injuries. Hedge and Betty Findley were not wearing seat restraints while George Findley was wearing his when the accident happened. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Brooks Towing of Ellsinore.
The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated workers would be grading and hauling materials to Dent County Road 5110, while only grading would be done on county roads 2440, 5440 and 5450. Purcell went on to say brush would be cut on Dent County Road 5680. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading in his district would include Dent County Roads 3330 and 4280. Larson indicated materials would be hauled to and grading would be done on county road 2150. Larson said brush would be cut on Dent County Road 3140. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the IDA Board meeting Wednesday where they presented plaques to James Coffman and George Barnitz honoring them for their over 30 years on the board. Major Lenny Pabin and Sheriff Bob Wells were in attendance as well Nick Smith with Septagone to discuss the floor plans and design for the new jail. Former Crawford County Presiding Commissioner Art Hughes also attending the meeting and added to the discussion on the floor plans and design for the new jail. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Missouri youth, archery, and firearms turkey hunters can apply online for 2018 spring turkey managed hunts through February 28th through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website at mdc.mo.gov/springturkeyhunts. Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 12. There are managed hunts scheduled for Peck Ranch and at Current River State Park in this area. The Current River State Park Managed Hunts are Youth Only. The spring turkey hunting youth weekend will be April 7th and 8th with the regular spring season running April 16th through May 6th. Detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in MDC's “2018 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet, available where permits are sold this month. Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC free mobile app: Mo Hunting.
The City of Salem Park and Recreation Board will be meeting Monday evening, February 5th at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center @ The Armory. At the meeting, the board will review the pool house plans and get an update on the construction costs and options available before reaching a solution to recommend to the aldermen. The board will also discuss the pool fees for the upcoming season. The board may address any other business before adjourning. The meeting is open to the public.