Archive for 2020

The Salem and Dent County 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction was held this past Saturday at the Commons. A total of 90 animals as well as two cured hams plus four ribbons were auctioned off. This year there were one pens of rabbits, two pens of chickens, four market goats, 11 market lambs, 43 market hogs and 29 market steers. This year there were 24 premiums added to animals purchased. The auction set a new record with a total of $245,076.00. The top buyers at the auction this year were the Bank of Salem as they purchased nine animals comprised of one goat, one lamb, three hogs and four steers; Phil-Mart who purchased six animals made up of a lamb, three hogs and two steers; and Moser Pharmacy who purchased two lambs and two hogs. Buyers who purchased three animals at the auction were Victor Heating and Cooling, LLC who purchased two hogs and one steer; Willie Strader with Farm Bureau Insurance who purchased one hog and two steers; Vandivort Drug who purchased three goats, Steelman Abstract as they purchased two hogs and one steer, Roberts-Judson Lumber Company who purchased one lamb, one hog and one steer; and Quality Machine and Fabrication who bought two hogs and one steer. Numerous buyers this year purchased more than one animal or ribbon to help with the cause. There were 58 different buyers this year at the auction. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thanks everyone who attended the auction this year.

An accident happened Thursday afternoon shortly after 12:30 in Phelps County on Highway 68. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2005 Ford F-350 being driven by 72-year old Velmer Hancock of St. James was traveling east when he ran off the left side of the highway and struck several trees. Hancock was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident and suffered serious injuries. He was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The Ford was totaled and towed from the scene by Spurgeons Towing.

An accident happened early Saturday morning shortly after 1:15 in Crawford County on Highway 8 seven miles east of Steelville. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2019 Ford pickup being driven by 55-year old Jack McGuire of St. Louis was traveling eastbound when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck several trees. McGuire suffered minor injuries and was transported by a patrol vehicle to Washington Memorial Hospital for treatment. The Ford sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.

A three vehicle accident happened Thursday night just before 10:00 in Franklin County on Highway 30. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1995 Toyota Avalon being driven by 21-year old Dustin Whisenhunt of Lonedell was traveling west and failed to notice a motorcycle had slowed in front of him. Whisenhunt swerved into the eastbound lane to avoid striking the motorcycle and struck the front of a 2003 Toyota MR2 Spider being driven by 23-year old Zachary Chaudoir of Rolla. Whisenhunt then traveled off the left side of the highway and struck a parked 2013 Jeep Cherokee owned by Ashley George of St. Clair. Chaudoir suffered moderate injuries and was taken by St. Clair ambulance to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. Both Toyotas were totaled and towed from the scene by Vogelsang’s Towing. The parked Jeep had minor damage and was left parked at the scene.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting was held Thursday evening. The new Salem R-80 Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed introduced herself to the media and all board members. She talked that all the administration has been working on is COVID-19 and a re-entry plan. She said the governor has allowed each district to set their own requirements based on the local region. To achieve that, she said that a parent and staff survey has been created and they would like to get as many responses from parents so that administration can prepare the guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year. Those surveys are available in hard copy at the Salem R-80 District Administrative Offices at the corner of Dilworth Lane and Route J. You can also find the survey at the Salem R-80 website: www.salemr80.org. The board encourages all parents to complete the survey as soon as possible so the data can be accumulated. The school’s “back to school” plan will give the parents the option to send their child to school or be educated with a virtual option. Children who participate in after school activities such as sports, choir or band MUST attend school. Also, if a child starts the year going to class and decides to go virtual, that is acceptable; but a child cannot start the semester virtual and decide to come to school as class sizes will be set. There will be numerous classroom changes with lunch and hall direction. Reed also said the open houses this year would only be for new students to the school, such as 9th graders to the high school, or new students to the district. Reed said bus drivers will be wearing face covers and there may be an extra run to keep distancing on the busses. Also, all athletes who are playing sports must wear a mask when they are on the bench and not currently in the game. During the game, they can remove the masks. Reed said the school will have to have their “back to school” plan by early August to submit to DESE and have a virtual plan for students soon after. Reed said the Middle School received some new air conditioners. She said she had some concerns with the contract for the School Resource Officer where the school is paying 80% of the salary of the officer for working 180 days. She also said there was an increase in the cost over last year. She wanted to get with Chief Joe Chase and Salem City Administrator Ray Walden to discuss the matter. The board approved the bid for milk from Hiland Dairy, the bread bid from Country Mart, the food and supply bid from US Foods, the pest control bid from Integrity Pest Solutions, while the board tabled a decision on the gasoline and diesel bid. The board set the tax rate hearing for August 20th at 5:55 PM to be followed by the regular August Board meeting. The board didn’t make a decision on the MSBA training date as several dates were discussed. The board then went into closed session where they employed Calvin Malone as the Middle School Boys Basketball Coach, and Rich Beckett as the Middle School Football Coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

A two vehicle fatality accident happened late Wednesday afternoon just after 5:00 in Osage County on Highway 63 about one mile south of Highway 50. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Nissan Sentra being driven northbound by 17-year old Caden Haslag of Loose Creek, Missouri, when he crossed over the centerline and struck head on a 2019 Kia Optima being driven southbound by 22-year old Hannah McDowell of Rolla. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by Osage County Coroner Lois Jaegers at 6:00 that evening. Both Haslag and McDowell were taken to the Morton’s Family Chapel in Linn. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by 4 J’s Towing out of Linn, Missouri.

A man from Licking was injured in a one vehicle accident Wednesday morning just before 10:00 in Laclede County on Highway 32 about a mile west of Lynchburg. According to the report from the highway patrol, 64-year old Billy Carter of Licking was traveling east on Highway 32 in a 2004 Peterbilt when he swerved to avoid an unknown westbound vehicle in eastbound lane. The Peterbilt left the right side of the road and struck a fence. Carter, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for the treatment of serious injuries. The Peterbilt was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

An accident happened Wednesday morning around 9:20 in Boone County on Route WW at the North Fork Creek. According to the highway patrol, a 2001 Toyota Camry being driven by 31-year old Matthew Akins of St. James crossed over the center line and struck head on a 2004 Toyota Rav4 driven by 19-year Drew Smith of Liberty. Both drivers were taken to University Hospital in Columbia for the treatment of moderate injuries. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Slate Towing in Columbia. Akins was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while Smith was wearing hers.

With hunting seasons coming up for deer, turkey, migratory birds, waterfowl, and other game, the Missouri Department of Conservation encourages Missouri hunters who need hunter education to get it early. Those hunting in Missouri during a firearms season or acting as an adult mentor to another hunter must have hunter-education certification, unless exempt. Exemptions include hunters age 15 years or younger who will be hunting with an adult mentor age 18 years of age or older who is certified in hunter education or exempt; hunters born before January 1st, 1967; hunters with a disability exemption from MDC; hunters age 16 years of age or older who have purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor age 18 years or older; hunters who are landowners hunting on land they own or hunters who can prove completion of an approved hunter-education course in another state.
This year, the Missouri Department of Conservation will offer two hunter-education options: a Blended Format and an All-Online Format. The Blended Format has two parts. The knowledge portion provides information to participants on all aspects of hunter education and can be taken online, through a free self-study guide, or in a classroom setting. Participants must also complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills portion is a hands-on demonstration of skills learned by participants. Participants must complete and pass both portions to earn certification. The All-Online
Format may be completed by Missouri residents 16 years of age and older. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider. The All Online option requires the passing of a final exam but has no skills portion. To help keep participants, instructors, and others safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the department of conservation will limit in-person class sizes to small numbers of participants. Class availability will also be limited due to smaller class sizes and limited availability of venues. Social distancing will be required. Masks will not be provided. The Missouri Department of Conservation will abide by applicable local health requirements and strongly encourages participants to bring and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available to participants. Learn more about hunter education and certification requirements at mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.