Archive for 2023

A fatal accident occurred Friday evening around 9:00 in Dent County on Route HH approximately one and a half miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Cadillac Escalade driven southbound by 57-year-old Robert L. Clark of Licking, traveled off the right side of the roadway where the Cadillac struck a culvert and a tree. Clark was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Ben Pursifull at 9:45 Friday evening. The Cadillac was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing. The report goes on to say Clark was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Clark’s body was removed from the scene by the Dent County Coroner and taken to his office. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

An accident occurred Friday evening around 7:57 in Pulaski County on Teardrop Road at the intersection of Route Z. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Kawasaki Nomad ridden by 26-year-old Matthew Pelc of Salem, was traveling eastbound and struck a deer. Pelc suffered moderate injuries and was transported by the Pulaski County Ambulance District to Phelps Health. The report states Pelc was not wearing a safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Kawasaki was totaled and removed from the scene by TC Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday morning around 10:00 in Dent County on Route U, about five miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Buick LeSabre driven eastbound by 83-year-old Patsy Kennedy of Salem, was turning east from a private drive and failed to yield to a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven westbound by 50-year-old Scott Flowers of Salem. Kennedy and a passenger in the Buick, 60-year-old Michelle Boyer of Desoto, both suffered moderate injuries and were taken by the Salem EMS to Phelps Health. The report states both injured parties were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Buick sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene from Whitaker’s Towing. The Chevy Tahoe also sustained moderate damage and was towed by a private vehicle.

A developmentally disabled adult was found safe after an extensive search Thursday lasting more than 14 hours and extending until well after midnight into early Friday morning in Shannon County. The 24- year-old was first reported missing by his father around 1:00 pm on Thursday in a thickly wooded area between Montier and the Jacks Fork River. A volunteer horse team from the Myrtle, Missouri area were the first to make contact and transported him out of the woods around 1:30 am. Friday morning. This group was organized by Dustin Madden of Couch, Missouri. Ten emergency response agencies that made up seven search teams of ten people each as well as three dog teams and a horse group from across southern Missouri were involved while Mercy EMS and the Shannon County First Responders provided medical support. About a hundred people altogether assisted in the search. Dense vegetation prevented use of a helicopter, although a drone was attempted. A thermal imaging camera, a device that detects body heat at a distance, was also utilized. The Shannon County Sheriff’s Department managed the search utilizing the West Plains Fire Department Mobile Command Post.

In 2022, there were 177 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment and implements. In those crashes, seven people were killed and 63 were injured. Missouri has entered harvest season and it’s important that drivers and farmers pay attention and share the road. Farmers and motorists are encouraged be courteous drivers and to obey all traffic laws. Whether you’re driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, you must pay attention to the roadway, other drivers, and traffic signs. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers. Drivers across the state should stay alert for slow moving farm equipment. When you drive up behind a tractor or other farm machinery, please slow down and be patient and wait to pass until you have a clear view of the road ahead and there is no oncoming traffic. Never pass on a hill or curve. Collisions commonly occur when a motorist tries to pass a left-turning farm vehicle. A tractor that appears to be pulling to the right side of the road to let motorists pass, may be preparing to make a wide left turn. Watch the farmer’s hand and light signals closely. It’s also important that you pay close attention to farm equipment entering and leaving the highway from side roads and driveways. Special attention must be paid when traveling at dawn or dusk when the sun makes it difficult for drivers to see. Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The 11th Annual Smokin’ Hot Veteran’s Rib Cook-off will be this Saturday at the American Legion Post #99. The Rib Cookoff competition has two categories: wet and dry. Everyone is welcome to compete and the entry fee is $30 per category. You must sign up by Wednesday. Call 247-4667, 247-5074 or 729-3710 for additional information and rules.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the courthouse. Dent County Collector Shannon VanKirk was in to update the Commission on her office’s monthly turnover, abatements and add-ons. She said the monthly collections totaled $44,498.13, which had been distributed to the appropriate entities. VanKirk said the August 28th tax sale saw only two sales completed. She indicated that $1,371.22 was collected and was being held by Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams. VanKirk also wanted to make the public aware that tax bills will be mailed November 7th and she encourages everyone to make sure their addresses and information are up to date to insure receipt of those bills. In the road report, District One Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done and rock would be added to Dent County Road 5630, while only grading would be done on county road 5220. He went on to report that brush would be cut on county roads 5370 and 6380. District Two Commissioner Gary Polk said grading would be done and rock would be added to Dent County Roads 3330 and 4290, plus grading only would be done on county roads 3335, 3337, and 6160. Polk also said that rock would be added to county road 4060 and patching would be done on county road 4380. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported that he appeared on KSMO Radio Thursday morning prior to the commissioners meeting with Jill Hollowell from MRPC discussing Saturday’s special waste collection for residential and farm electronics, appliances, metals, and tires. He noted that the collection will be from 9:00 until noon at the Salem Water and Sewer Construction Parking Lot at 3rd and Grand Streets. Larson also reminded citizens of the drop off for household batteries at the Salem Public Library. He reported that Dent County has received the MRPC Contract for Membership and services. Deputy County Clerk Melissa Piatt reported that the Commissioner’s were approving bills for payment. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Healthy Dent County’s 12th Annual “Girls Night Out” event will be held Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Participating exhibitors will bring unique products and services of interest to women.  Over 50 vendors will display and sell their products and services. Bring your girlfriends for an evening of pampering, shopping, eating and FUN!.  There is a $5.00 admission fee and admission is limited to all women and girls 12 years of age and older. Attendees will experience, Shopping with unique vendors, prize giveaways, FREE samples, door prizes, food samples, and many other exciting items. Healthy Dent County’s Executive Director, Sherry Lea, said to help alleviate some parking issues, parking attendants and golf carts will be utilized to help shuttle attendees from nearby parking lots. Bring in a canned food or non-perishable food item for a chance to win a gift card.  One ticket per item, the more you donate, the more your chances increase to win the gift cards. Food donations will be given to Sacred Heart Food Pantry and Grace Harbor. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 W. Rolla Road. For additional information, please call 729-8163 or e-mail jackie@salemcommunitycenter.org. 

An accident happened Wednesday night at 10:00 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about two miles south of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 1991 Chevrolet 1500 being driven south by 45-year-old James Smith of Rolla, traveled off the left side of the roadway. The Chevrolet then went airborne and overturned, ejecting the driver. Smith suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. The Chevy was totaled and removed from the scene by D & D Towing. Smith was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Wednesday afternoon just after 1:00 in Phelps County on County Road 3110, north of Route BB. According to the highway patrol report, 72-year-old Anthony Okafor of Rolla, was driving a 2018 Toyota south when he fell asleep at the wheel. The Toyota crossed the intersection of Route BB and crashed into a grass embankment. Okafor, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered minor injuries and was by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital for treatment. The Toyota sustained extenxive damage and was towed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the final week of August. On Saturday, August 26th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of North Main Street. The driver, a 26-year-old Salem man, was found to have a revoked driving privilege. He was then arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. That same day, a deputy responded to the Dent County Jail for an assault that occurred between two female inmates. After the investigation, it was determined that a 28-year-old St. Louis woman was assaulted by a 23-year-old Salem woman while both were in custody. An investigation into the assault is ongoing. On Sunday, August 27th, a deputy was dispatched to the 100 block of Dent County Road 6570 for the report of a stolen vehicle. A 2008 Ford truck belonging to a 52-year-old Salem man had been taken sometime between August 18th and August 27th. The vehicle was later recovered in Belleview, Missouri. On the Thursday, August 31st, a deputy took a report of a stolen ATV from the 400 block of Main Street in Bunker. The victims, a 46-year-old Bunker man and a 32-year-old Bunker woman, told the deputy the ATV had been taken during the overnight hours. The investigation into the theft is ongoing. Please call the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241 if you have any information about an investigation.

In 2022, there were 177 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment and implements. In those crashes, seven people were killed and 63 were injured. Missouri has entered harvest season and it’s important that drivers and farmers pay attention and share the road. Farmers and motorists are encouraged be courteous drivers and to obey all traffic laws. Whether you’re driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, you must pay attention to the roadway, other drivers, and traffic signs. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers. Farmers should make sure your farm equipment is properly marked with lights and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem when you travel on the roadway and if traffic accumulates behind you on the road where it is difficult to make a safe pass, pull off onto the side of the road in a level area, so vehicles can pass. Always drive as far to the right as possible. Remember it’s harder to see you at dawn or dusk, so please don’t travel on the road during those times if possible. Often, all-terrain vehicles are used for agricultural purposes. ATV s being used for farming can only travel on highways during daylight hours and must be equipped with lights, a bicycle flag, and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem. The law requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a safety helmet when operating an ATV; the Patrol, however, recommends operators wear a safety helmet regardless of age. Missouri law allows agricultural machinery and implements to be operated on state highways between the hours of sunset and sunrise for agricultural purposes provided such vehicles are equipped with the required lighting. Like other motor vehicles, most modern farm tractors have seat belts. Always use a seat belt when operating a tractor equipped with a roll-over protection structure.

An accident happened Tuesday evening just after 6:00 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 eastbound at the 187 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban being driven by 25-year-old Destiny Deshurley of St. James, traveled off the left side of the highway and struck a concrete construction barrier. Deshurley, who was not wearing a safety restraint, suffered minor injuries and was taken by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health hospital. The suburban sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by C & C Towing.

An accident happened Tuesday afteroon just after 1:30 in Phleps County on Phelps County Road 2340 near county road 2430. According to the highway patrol report, a 1983 Chevrolet K20 with no driver was rolling into the intersection and struck a 2011 Nissan Versa being driven by 76-year-old Rosemarie Warren of St. James, causing the Nissan to travel off the right side of the roadway and strike a tree. Warren, who was wearing a seat restraint, suffered minor injuries and was taken by Phelps Health ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. The Nissan was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeons Towing. The Chevrolet received minor damage and was to be removed from the scene at a later time.

Team members from Missouri State Parks invite the public to visit mostateparks.com and view informational videos for Johnson’s Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain. After watching the videos, the public is encouraged to provide input and comments, as well as submit questions about the parks or historic sites and their operations. Park team members will respond to the comments, answer questions and provide information. The videos are online and available for comment through the month of September for visitors to view at their leisure. Once the month ends, the comment function will be turned off, but the video will remain online for viewing. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. The online videos are helping to inform the public on the current status and future plans for parks and historic sites, and offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.