Local News – Tuesday, November 7th, 2017

Two men lost their lives in an accident Sunday morning at 8:25 in Phelps County on Highway 68 about one and a half miles south of Highway 8. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound 2004 Ford Pickup, driven by 78-year old Richard Brown of Cook Station, crossed the center line and hit a southbound 2001 Dodge Pickup, driven by 34-year old Adam Peck of St. Peters, Missouri. After impact the Ford traveled off the right side of the roadway, while the Dodge traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Both men were pronounced deceased at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Andy Davis and their bodies were transported to Rolla Cremation by Phelps County Coroner. According to the report, Peck was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, but Brown was not. The pickups were totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.

Two Salem residents were involved in an accident Sunday afternoon at 3:45 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about five miles south of Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound 2004 Ford F-150, driven by 35-year old Jessica Busbey, lost traction causing it to cross the center line and travel off the left side of the roadway where it rolled on the passenger side before coming to rest after striking a tree. The report stated that the driver, along with a passenger, 17-year old Jay Busbey, were both wearing their safety restraints. They suffered minor injuries and were transported by Steelville Ambulance to Phelps County Regional Medical Center. The Pickup was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Son Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released the report on an accident that occurred October 20th at 1:44 in the afternoon. According to the report a 2016 KIA Sedona, owned and operated by Daniel Pewitt of Salem, was northbound on Jennifer Boulevard pulling a home made trailer with two juveniles riding on the back of the trailer. The trailer came unhooked from the KIA and traveled across the left side of the roadway colliding with a 1994 Chrysler Concord owned by Rhonda Beyer of Salem. B. McDonald and T. McDonald were ejected from the trailer and thrown into the middle of the street. B. McDonald suffered moderate injuries and was air lifted by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, while T. McDonald suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Salem Memorial District Hospital. Both the trailer and the Chrysler sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene.

The Salem Police department has released some reports. On Sunday night, October 29th at approximately 9:22, an officer located a 39-year old female in the 300 block of East Third who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and released to the Dent County Sheriffs Department. Later, that night at about 10:25, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That investigation led to the arrest of an 18-year old male of Salem for possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Monday morning, October 10th at 9:30, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a stolen firearm. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a 25-caliber semi-automatic handgun valued at $200.00 from a residence in the 700 block of North Pershing. The report is under investigation. On Wednesday, November 1st at approximately 10:20, an officer located a 43- year old male of Salem who had an active arrest warrant from Dent County at a residence in the 200 block of East Margaret. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending a court appearance. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting Monday morning in the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 6580, 5180 and 5130, plus patching would be done on county roads 6380, 4122 and 4185, while brush would be cut on county road 5360. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4480 and 4010, plus brush would be cut on county road 2070. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles had nothing to report. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reported that bills were being approved and that she balanced with the Dent County Treasurer on all accounts for the month of October. She added that she would be attending the South Central County Clerk’s Regional meeting in West Plains on Wednesday. It was noted that the Dent County Courthouse will be closed Friday in observance of Veterans Day Saturday, November 11th. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Thursday morning in the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

A Santa Gourd Painting party will be held at the Creative Arts Center (formerly know as the Teachers Closet) this Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00. You can paint an adorable Santa on a gourd for a one-of-a-kind Christmas decoration for your home or as a gift. Led by Sally Haines, all materials are provided including the gourds for only $25. You can pay and register at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center at 202 S Main in Salem.