Archive for 2022

An accident happened Tuesday afternoon around 1:40 in Dent County on Highway 32 about fifteen miles east of Salem. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 2021 International being driven by 52-year-old Robert Crocker of Salem, was passing a 1999 Chevrolet S-10 being driven by 60-year-old Walter Acord, also of Salem. As the International was passing, the S-10 changed lanes and collided with the International. The Chevy then traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree, and overturned. Acord suffered minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene. The International sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The S-10 was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive Towing. The report indicated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Tuesday night at 7:50 in the Salem Memorial District Hospital parking lot when 69-year-old Robert Wood of Salem, was driving a 1999 Jeep Wrangler eastbound when he lost consciousness due to a medical emergency. The front of the Wrangler made contact with the west side of the building. Wood suffered moderate injuries and walked into the Salem Memorial District Hospital Emergency Department after the crash. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

A Poplar Bluff resident was injured in a one vehicle accident Wednesday morning just before 9:00 in Dent County on Highway 32 about 8 miles east of Salem. The highway patrol reports that a 2010 Dodge Nitro being driven by 35-year-old Arika Ballenger lost control of the vehicle on a curve. The Dodge traveled off the right side of the roadway striking two signs and a tree. Ballenger was taken by EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The report went on to state that Ballenger was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

Missouri’s 2021-2022 deer-hunting season ended January 15th with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reporting a preliminary total deer harvest for the season of 293,670. Of the deer harvested, 143,049 were antlered bucks, 26,599 were button bucks, and 124,022 were does. Top harvest counties for the overall deer season were Franklin with 6,392 deer harvested, Texas with 5,478, and Callaway with 5,452. Other counties in our area harvest numbers were Dent with 4,183, Crawford 4,002, Shannon 3,360 and Phelps with 2,937 deer taken. Hunters harvested 297,214 deer during the 2020-2021 deer hunting season with 140,855 being antlered bucks, 28,652 being button bucks, and 127,707 being does. MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle said that this year’s harvest total was slightly behind last year’s mark and about 3% above the previous five-year average. He added that we’ve seen an increasing trend in statewide deer harvest for about the past eight years and that the deer population has continued to increase across much of southern Missouri while we’ve seen a population recovery in most of the counties impacted by the severe hemorrhagic disease outbreak that occurred in 2012. For more information on deer hunting in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov. MDC reported four firearms-related hunting incidents during deer season with all being self-inflicted and three non-fatal with one fatal.

More customers than ever before are eligible for help paying their natural gas after Ameren Missouri and the state of Missouri have expanded several utility assistance programs. As a result, families across the state can take the first step today, which is reaching out for help. The state of Missouri recently updated its federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to provide more funding and expand eligibility requirements. Here’s what that means for qualifying Ameren Missouri customers is that a disconnection notice is no longer required. Also energy assistance payments have doubled for both LIHEAP programs. It should be noted the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) payment is now $1,600 in the winter and $1,200 in the summer with assistance is available year-round. For more information on the state’s LIHEAP changes and to learn if you qualify, call the South Central Community Action Agency Salem office at 729-3500 or their Winona office at 1-800-323-4633. For customers with moderate incomes who don’t qualify for LIHEAP but have been impacted financially by COVID-19, Ameren Missouri created the “Clean Slate” program. This $1.2 million energy assistance fund has already helped thousands of Missouri families with their utility expenses. More than half of the funding is still available. Through Clean Slate, qualifying customers may receive up to $750. To learn more, go to AmerenMissouri.com/CleanSlate where you can also apply for funds. To keep a closer eye on your energy usage every month, sign up for an online account. You can log in from your phone or computer any time to see how and when you use energy, your next month’s bill projections, and sign up for alerts to help you manage your usage.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the week of January 17th. On Monday, the 17th, a deputy traveled to a residence in the 1400 block of South Hickory to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. The deputy made contact with a 53-year-old Salem man who was arrested on an active warrant out of Dent County. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Tuesday, January 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Highway 19 North. During the stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having their license revoked or suspended. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was issued a summons and released. On Thursday, January 20th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at East Highway 32 and South Carty. During the traffic stop, a 28-year-old Salem woman was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday, January 22nd, deputies traveled to a residence in the 2900 block of Route OO to attempt to serve an arrest warrant. The deputies made contact with a 54-year-old Rolla man. The man was arrested on multiple warrants out of Dent County and the Licking Police Department. He was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If anyone has any information about any ongoing investigation, please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment will be meeting Thursday night at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss a proposed use of the structure at #10 Parkview Place to service commercial trucks on property owned by Harold Martin. The meeting was called by Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments acting chairman, Bob Parsons.

An accident happened in Texas County Sunday evening at 5:50 on Highway 63 about 3.5 miles south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 John Deere 2050 was being driven northbound on Highway 63 by 30-year-old Christopher Clouse of Licking when the John Deere was struck from behind by a 2015 Buick LeSabre driven northbound by 81-year-old David McGaughey of Licking. McGaughey and his wife, 76-year-old Gloria McGaughey of Licking, both suffered moderate injuries and were taken to the Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston. The Buick was totaled while the John Deere sustained extensive damage. They were both removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive from Houston. The McGaughey’s were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident while Clouse was not.