Archive for 2018

An accident happened Thursday afternoon at 2:32 on Highway 19 and Ida Drive in Crawford County that left a Steelville man with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Buick Skylark driven northbound by 25-year old Kyle Meracle of Steelville, had stopped in traffic to make a left hand turn when the Buick was struck from behind by a 2017 GMC Denali Pickup driven northbound by 50-year old Nancy Quick of Owensville. The Buick traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree. Meracle suffered serious injuries and was taken by the North Crawford County Ambulance to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Meracle was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The GMC Denali had minor damage and was driven from the scene.

An accident happened Thursday afternoon at 4:32 in Texas County about five miles east of Licking on Highway 32. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Ford F-150 driven eastbound by 41-year old Gabriel Koch of Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a fence and then a tree. Koch suffered minor injuries and was transported by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Koch was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing of Salem.

An accident occurred Friday night at 9:30 in Shannon County on Highway 19 about eight miles south of Eminence. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 GMC Sonoma driven by 61-year old Berry L. Pryor of Salem, was traveling northbound when the GMC traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Pryor sustained moderate injuries and was transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private vehicle. The Sonoma was totaled and towed from the scene by Whitakers. Pryor was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 8:11 on Joe Bal Road about two miles east of Kimberling City that left a Salem man with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven eastbound by 73-year old Gilbert E. Shaw, went off the right side of the roadway, struck a utility pole and traveled down an embankment after Shaw suffered a medical episode. Shaw suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. The Silverado sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by Chris’ Towing of Lampe. Shaw was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 5:35 in Dent County on Dent County Road 6490 at Route K. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by 34-year old Janelle D. Blair of Salem, was traveling southbound when she lost control of the vehicle turning onto county road 6490 which is a gravel road. The Chevy ran off the left side of the roadway and Blair overcorrected, then the Trailblazer went off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and overturned partially ejecting the driver. Blair suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Salem Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Blair was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Trailblazer was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

An accident happened Sunday afternoon in Pulaski County at 1:20 on Highway 17 about three miles north of Waynesville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor driven southbound by 29-year old Roseanna Ramsrud of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway when Ramsrud was able to bring the vehicle back onto the road only to have it travel off the right side again where the Mitsubishi struck a ditch and overturned. Ramsrud suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center by the Pulaski County Ambulance. Ramsrud was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Mitsubishi was totaled and removed from the scene by Jacks Towing.

As summer vacation comes to a close, students across Missouri are preparing to begin their 2018-2019 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers this brings a change in traffic patterns as school buses will be back on the road and parents will be taking their children to school. Add this to the other motorists on the road and it could affect the morning and afternoon commute. It is critical for drivers to be alert, especially near school zones, playgrounds, and bicycle paths. Whatever route you drive, expect this additional traffic and prepare by allowing extra time to reach your destination. In 2017, five people were killed and 401 people were injured in 869 traffic crashes involving school buses. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about riding a bus, walking, or driving to school in a safe manner. If they ride a bike, please make sure they wear a helmet and follow traffic laws. Also talk with them that using a cell phone, texting, or adjusting the radio can be the distraction that leads to a traffic crash. Texting is against the law for anyone under the age of 22. Missouri law states that on a two-lane road, if a school bus is stopped and displaying warning signals while loading or unloading children, drivers must stop when meeting and following the bus. However, it is only necessary to stop on a four-lane highway when following the bus. Drivers, when you see a stopped school bus, stay alert and follow the law. Children may not be aware of traffic and dart unexpectedly into the roadway. School begins in Dent County on Thursday, August 16th.

The William Lynch Elementary School Open House will be held tonight from 5:30 to 6:30 followed by the Upper Elementary School Open House from 6:30-7:30. The Open House for the Salem Middle School will be held Tuesday from 4:30 until 6:00 with the Salem High School Open House from 6:00 until 7:30.

A press release from the Dent County Prosecutor’s office indicates that 12 Dent County residents were charged with at least one felony count of distribution of a controlled substance on Wednesday after a lengthy narcotics investigation over several months concluded. Undercover operatives with South Central Drug Task Force, Rolla Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol were able to conduct a series of undercover narcotics investigations involving the distribution and sales of methamphetamine, heroin and prescription medications over several months. The purpose of this collaborative investigation was to target drug dealers in the area. Members of the South Central Drug Task Force working in conjunction with the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, Rolla Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol concluded the investigation Wednesday morning. Arrest warrants for each defendant were obtained from Dent County Prosecutor Andrew M. Curley prior to the arrest operation that was initiated Wednesday morning. The individuals arrested and facing charges are Anthony Flores, Gabreielle M. Hendrickson, Lamicia D. Conaway, Rachel L. Casey, Lashawn M. Casey, Kari E. Johns, Jackie D. Tucker, Shawn D. Smith, Michael Vanover, Amber Webster and Shauna M. Steelman. Members of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol made the arrests. It is reported the operation is still active with arrest teams still looking for those with arrest warrants.

Salem Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon has announced the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool in the Salem City Park will remain open through at least Labor Day! The hours once school begins on Thursday, August 16th will be 4:00 until 7:00 Monday through Friday, noon until 7:00 PM on Saturday and from 1:00 until 6:00 Sundays. Water Aerobics and lap swimming will continue in the mornings until the pool closes for the year. If you would like to book a pool party through the Labor Day weekend, please call the Alice Lou Craig Municipal Pool at 729-6228.

The South Central Missouri Community Action Agency will be holding a School Readiness Event this year tomorrow in Dent County at The Commons from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. Many different organizations in the community will come to together to provide services and supplies for low income families. Children who are registered for the event will receive free age appropriate school supplies including back packs, paper, folders, glue, pens and pencils. Health screenings will also be completed on the children. Pre-registration of your children is encouraged and can be done at the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency office at 1405 South Wines Street in Salem. To register your children, the Head of Household will need to provide their Social Security number and those of the children being registered for the program. For more information, contact Sarah at 729-3500.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams presented the sales tax received this month. She said the General Revenue Fund received $88,425.39 which is $25,547.10 over the 2017 August figure. Year-to-date, General Revenue is up $114,741.10 which is a 21.09% increase. The Law Enforcement Sales Tax Fund mirrors the General Revenue Fund. The Road and Bridge Fund received $41,923.63 and that is $10,915 more than August of 2017. Year-to-date, the Road and Bridge Fund is up $45,392.48 which is about a 17.90% increase. The Justice Center Fund received $166,489.62 and year-to-date, that fund has amassed $1,179,028.61. Dennis White came in and told the county the old white short leaf pine tree in the Blackwell Cemetery that had recognized by the Department of Conservation as a “Champion” tree is now dead. He asked the commission if they would sign the application from the Missouri Department of Conservation to remove the tree and they said they had no problem doing so once the Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley reviewed the application. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said parts of southern Dent County received 1.6 inches of rain. Workers were checking for washouts in the Montauk and other areas to repair. He said grading, ditchwork and patch grading would be done on Dent County Road 6460, and grading would be done on county road 6390. Purcell said brush would be cut on county road 2460 and materials would be hauled to county roads 5390 and 5400. District 2 Commission Gary Larson said materials would be hauled to Dent County Road 4290 while brush would be cut on county road 5305. He said workers repaired county road 5330 and were scheduled to work on a crossing at county road 4280. He also stated the county crews would be installing a driveway pipe for a landowner who purchased the pipe on Dent County Road 2250. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said 40.65% of Dent County registered voters cast their ballot in the Primary. She also said she and the Treasurer balanced on all accounts for July. Commissioner Larson stated he received a petition to call for a public hearing for the vacating of .466 miles of Dent County Road 2083. This portion is at the end of the road of which the landowner owns the property on both sides and at the end of the road. The hearing will be held on September 10th at 10:00 for comments at the Dent County Commissioners Office in the courthouse. Notices of the public hearing will be placed at three public locations as required by law.. The next meting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.