Local News – Tuesday, June 20th, 2017
An accident happened in Dent County on Dent County Road 6470 about a mile south of Route NN Monday afternoon at 1:50. According to the highway patrol report, 16-year old Hayden Gotchal of Salem, driving a 1994 Toyota 4 Runner southbound, lost control on the gravel road and ran off the left side of the road and overturned, partially ejecting a passenger, 15-year old Brady Pierce of Salem. Pierce was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Gina White at 2:47. His body was taken to the Wilson Funeral Home by the coroner. The driver, Hayden Gotchal did not suffer any injuries while passengers 18-year old Meghan Edgar of St. James and 18-year old Madeline Van Dien of Salem suffered minor injuries, but were not taken to the hospital. The Toyota was totaled in the accident. The highway patrol was assisted by the Montauk Fire Department and the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.
The Dent County Commissioner met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said his crew was shorthanded and they would be grading on Dent County Roads 5170 and 6220. He also said two men would be patching chip and seal roads 4120, 5013 and 5110. Purcell stated he would be at the South Central Community Action Agency meeting tonight. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said grading would be done on county roads 2240, 3273, 4040 and 4330 while materials will be added to and grading done on Dent County Road 2160. He said materials would be added to county roads 2165 and 2170, and brush will be cut on county road 3210. Larson said materials would be added to county roads 2165 and 2170. Larson went onto say when grader #27 is finished for the day, regular maintenance service will be done on it. Presiding Commissioner Darrel Skiles stated he would be presiding over more HUD hearings in the near future for persons not living in Dent County. He wants to once again stress how important it is to follow the terms and conditions of your HUD contract so that you do not lose your benefits. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
Iron County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Parker has charged former Viburnum city clerk Dana Mayberry with receiving stolen property, a Class B Felony. Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released the results of the city of Viburnum audit report earlier this month. The audit identified more than $100,000 in potentially fraudulent activities over a number of years. In May, Auditor Galloway worked with Missouri's Prosecuting Attorneys and Sen. Bob Dixon to pass new anti-corruption measures for public officials. These new measures are included in Senate Bill 128, and would allow local prosecutors to request the State Auditor to assist in forensic investigations where fraud and theft is suspected by government officials. The bill awaits the Governor's signature.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their June meeting tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00 pm. After approval of the agenda and the minutes from the May 16th meeting, Chief Financial Officer Monica Gargus will update the Board with the summary of operations and statistics reports for May followed by Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reports for May. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will then report on the hospital foundation as well as upcoming auxiliary activities. In old business, the Board will discuss the City of Salem water/sewer expansion. Then in new business, the Board will address purchases made for the hospital and discuss the upcoming election of officers at their July meeting. The Board may then vote to go into closed session. The June meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.
An accident occurred at 8:50 Monday morning in Gasconade County on Highway 28 about two miles west of Route B. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by 20-year old Samuel Jett of Belle was traveling westbound on Highway 28. The accident occurred as the Chevrolet traveled over the centerline and struck nearly head-on a 2000 Peterbilt driven by 46-year old Dennis Stewart of Salem. Jett suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to University Hospital. Jett was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was totaled and removed from the scene by Owen’s Towing of Belle. The Peterbilt sustained extensive damage and was removed by Cook’s Towing of Belle.
An accident occurred at 5:10 Friday morning in Miller County Highway 52 westbound about 50-feet west of Chapparel Road in St. Elizabeth. According to the highway patrol report, a 1994 Chevrolet 1500 driven by 20-year old Seth Bradshaw of Black was traveling eastbound and fell asleep. The Chevrolet 1500 then crossed the centerline and struck a 2016 Ford F150 driven by 35-year old Seth Reinkemeyer of St. Elizabeth that was traveling westbound. Reinkemeyer suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. Bradshaw suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to the SSM St. Mary’s Medical Center. Reinkemeyer was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford F150 sustained moderate damage while the Chevrolet 1500 sustained extensive damage and both were towed by Wood’s Towing of Eldon.