Archive for 2022

An accident Sunday evening at 7:10 in Osage County on Osage County Road 722 just west of Route Y took the life of a man from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 55-year-old Donald Mahaney of Rolla, was operating a 2020 KTM Motorcycle and traveling westbound went he went off the left side of the roadway, came back onto the road, then slid and went off right side of the roadway, ejecting Mahaney from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Osage County Coroner A.J. Probst. His body was taken to Sassmans Funeral Home in Belle. Mahaney was not wearing safety devices at the time of his accident. The motorcycle had moderate damage was removed from the scene by Owens Towing of Belle.

A fatal accident involving a pedestrian happened Sunday afternoon shortly after 1:00 in Crawford County on Interstate 44 at mile marker 222.4. According to the highway patrol report, 18-year-old Kaitlyn Rhoads of Sullivan entered the roadway while walking and was struck by a 2018 Chevy Silverado being driven by 29-year-old Zach Conover of Lewisville, Texas. This caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and travel off the right side of the interstate. Rhoades was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:20 by Deputy Coroner Nikki Bussell. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Patriot Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, the Sullivan Police Department, and the Sullivan Fire Department. This was the 28th fatality for Troop I this year.

An accident happened Sunday morning at approximately 11:45 in Shannon County on County Road 106-B about ten miles east of Ellington. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Arctic Cat being operated by 39-year-old William Collins of Eminence, was traveling north and struck the front of a southbound 2002 Camaro being driven by 20-year-old Trevor Swaringam of Ironton. Injured in the accident were three occupants of the Arctic Cat: 38-year-old Heather Cates of Eminence, plus two boys ages 7 and 12. Cates suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The boys both suffered serious injuries with the 12-year-old being transported by air ambulance to St. Louis Children’s Hospital while the 7-year-old was taken by ground ambulance to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Swaringam, who was wearing a seat restraint, received minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Iron County Medical Center. The driver nor the three occupants of the Arctic Cat were wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Camaro had minor damage and was removed by Aissies Towing while the Arctic Cat also had minor damage and was able to be driven from the scene.

An accident happened in Shannon County Sunday afternoon at 3:15 on Highway 106 about ten miles west of Ellington. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 71-year-old Ruth Dierkes of Lesterville ran off the right side of the roadway when she failed to negotiate a curve. The motorcycle overturned and ejected Dierkes who suffered serious injuries in the accident. She was transported by Air Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was totaled and removed from the scene by Baker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular Monday morning meeting at the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated materials were going to be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6490 while brush will be cut on county roads 4110 and 4120. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2180, 2183, 2185, 2190 and 2193 while brush will be cut on county roads 3270, 3273, 3275, 3280 and 3290. Larson said two men would be going to Springfield for oil for chip and seal repair. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he and Commissioner Larson would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Board Executive Board Meeting today to decide on how many of the solid waste grant applications would be awarded with funds for their project. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave her report on the CART taxes received this month by the county. She said the county received $76,466.48 and that is over $14,800 more than last September. Year-to-date, the CART taxes are up $46,234.52 and that is an increase of 8.56% for the year. She also said her treasurers conference in Springfield last week at the University Plaza went well. Deputy Clerk Melissa Piatt said absentee voting with an excuse for the November election starts today at the clerk’s office. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday at the courthouse at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

A fatal accident occurred Sunday morning around 1:15 in Dent County on Route CC about half a mile east of the Texas County line. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Dodge One-Ton Pickup being driven by 19-year-old Kaleb Keaton of Salem, was traveling eastbound and failed to negotiate a curve. The Dodge ran off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment, went airborne, then overturned. Keaton was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull at 2:30 Sunday morning and his body was taken to the Fox Funeral Home in Licking. The report went on to say that Keaton was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Dent County and Montauk Fire Departments.

An accident happened Friday afternoon just before 2:00 in Greene County on Interstate 44 about six miles east of Springfield. According to the highway patrol report a 2005 Lincoln Navigator being driven east by 54-year-old Tonya Horner of Granby caught on fire causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The Lincoln sideswiped a 2021 Freightliner also being driven east by 22-year-old Micah Castillo of Cuba, causing it to travel into the ditch and overturn. Castillo was uninjured while Horner suffered minor injuries and was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. The Lincoln was totaled and removed from the scene while the Freightliner was able to be driven from the scene. The report went on to state that both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

An accident occurred Tuesday morning around 7:59 in Phelps County on highway 68 about three miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report a 2007 Hyundai Sonata driven by 57-year-old Karan Sabin of St. James failed to yield at a stop sign and struck a 2017 Ford F-150 driven by 46-year-old Jeremy Tessaro of St. James. Sabin suffered minor injuries and was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were removed from the scene by C&C Towing. The report goes on to say Sabin was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident.

The City of Salem Board of Aldermen will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. During the hearing of persons, Janice Steward will be addressing the board concerning sewer rates. After the consent agenda is approved, the board will discuss new business which will include a discussion on airport fees, trash service fees and texting services before hearing a financial update, along with the LWCF soccer complex grant funding, an agreement with GSLI for marketing services and the “Welcome Home” bid approval. The reading of bills will include Resolution 31-2022, a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between the city and Gilmore & Bell P.C. for arbitrage rebate liability filing; Resolution #32-2022 that will authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement between 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, the city of Salem, and Lana Grove for property located at 810 Jack Street; and also Resolution 33-2022 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement between 5 J’s Landscaping and Handyman Services, the city of Salem, and Dorian Garafola for property located at 501 South Hickory Street. Bill #3521, will be discussed creating an ordinance establishing new sewer rates for sewer services provided by the city of Salem. Temporary city administrator Sally Burbridge will report to the board along with reports from Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois, and reports from individual aldermen. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said his crew was doing tire rotations and replacements on graders in preparation for the buy back. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said that grading would be done on Dent County Road 2440 and brush would be cut on county roads 4055, 3270, 3273, and 3275. He said grading and rolling was being done on county road 2070 in preparation for chip and seal, plus a window was being replaced in Tractor #6. Larson noted that he attended a Tourism Committee meeting where one application was submitted and six reimbursement requests were received. Five were approved, while one was awaiting more information. Larson also said the Commission needed to appoint two new members to the Tourism Committee. Mobray and Larson reported that they had taken phone bids for 7,000 gallons of diesel and the winning bid was from Phil Mart for $3.45 per gallon. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that he had talked to Corky Stack and they were able to get the bids for work on the courthouse extended through October 20th. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded voters that October 12th is the deadline to register to vote and absentee voting begins September 27th. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting to provide their input and comments and to ask questions about the park and its operations. A meeting and open house will be held at Dillard Mill State Historic Site Open House this Saturday from 1:00 until 2:00 at 142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. Park team members will be present to answer questions and provide information. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings are being held virtually or in person in all state parks and historic sites to help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings will inform the public on the current status and future plans for the park or historic site and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways will celebrate and remember the Alley community of yesteryear this Sunday evening from 6:00 to 9:00. All are invited to attend this free event, which will be hosted in partnership with the Shannon County Museum Association and Ozark Riverways Foundation. Community gatherings have been a lasting tradition in the Alley community, from the early days when residents “milled around” while waiting for their grain, to summer socials and festivities that became popular with the growth of tourism. The beautiful setting and plentiful flow of the spring have made Alley a special gathering place for centuries. Bring a picnic basket and lawn chairs for a traditional “picnic on the grounds” as we celebrate the heritage of Alley Spring. Enjoy special presentations in the Alley Pavilion starting at 6:00 in the evening. A guided tour of Alley Mill and Storys Creek School will be conducted at 7:00 that night. The renowned Baker Family from Birch Tree will perform during the evening from 8:00-9:00. Alley Spring is located five miles west of Eminence, Missouri, on State Route 106. For more information, phone (573) 226-3945, or visit the park’s Facebook page or website at www.nps.gov/ozar. This event is free to the public. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.

Learn the joy of working with clay using hand building techniques and equipment with Connie Behrick at the Creative Arts Center Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 9:00. During class you will have time to finish one greenware piece which will be bisque fired at the arts center. The cost is $40 and all supplies will be provided. The Creative Arts Center has two ways to sign up for events! Call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Creative Arts Center.