Archive for 2023

An accident happened in Phelps County Sunday afternoon at 5:20 on Highway 63 about six miles south of Rolla that took the life of a man from Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven westbound by 62-year-old James Clark of Rolla, was making a left turn out of a residence and failed to yield to a 2016 Chevrolet traveling northbound and driven by 56-year-old Joseph Eisele of Florissant, Missouri. The Chevy struck the Jeep causing the Grand Cherokee to overturn and come to rest in the roadway. The Chevy traveled off the left side of the roadway and came to rest in a ditch. Clark was pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdale. Suffering moderate injuries was Eisele and a passenger in the Chevy, 63-year-old Cindy Eisele. The Eisele’s were taken to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla by the Phelps Health Ambulance. The body of James Clark was taken to the Null and Son Funeral Home. According to the report, no one was wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing of Rolla.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 6225 and 2470 while materials would be added to county road 6220. He said a driveway culvert was going to be installed on Dent County Road 6420 and workers would be replacing a side windshield that was broken on a tractor. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 3305 while grading was also going to be done on county roads 3190 and 5260. Polk went on to say brush was going to be cut on county roads 3220, 3233 and 3235, and a culvert was going to be installed on county road 3305. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson said he would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 in St. James at the MRPC offices. Larson also reported the Missouri Association of Counties had founded a task force for counties for guidance on Senate Bill 190. The Dent County Commission is still requesting bids for a surplus equipment sale at the Dent County Road and Bridge Department. The bid specs are available and may be picked up at the Dent County Clerk’s office at 400 North Main during regular business hours. Interested parties may view the surplus equipment at the Dent County Road and Bridge Department which is located at 1621 West Scenic Rivers Blvd from 7:00 until 4:30, Monday through Thursday. Bids on surplus equipment will be due at the Dent County Clerk’s office before 10:00 the morning of August 14th. Please mark on the envelope that your bid is for the Road and Bridge surplus equipment. The Dent County Commission has the right to accept or reject any and all bids. The next meeting of the commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their next meeting this afternoon at 12:00 noon in the hospital library. Hospital Administrator Wayne Reid will give his report before the board hears a report on information technology. In old business, the board will be updated on the kitchen drain proposal, architectural work on the clinic, the strategic planning update, a budget review and approval before the legislative report. In new business, the board will hold the election of officers, discuss the COVID vaccination policy and also discuss purchases. Reports will then be heard on the summary of operations and statistics for the month of June as well as the 340B program, the hospital resources update, the hospital foundation report and a report from the Chief Nursing Officer Ashley Sullins. The board will also review the marketing and community relations. The board may then vote to go into closed session if needed. The meeting tdoay at 12:00 noon will be open to the public.

A drowning occurred Friday afternoon just after 4:00 in Shannon County on the Current River at Martin Hole about ten miles east of Eminence. According to the report from the water patrol, 48-year-old Jason Bollinger of Birch Tree, was floating in a 10-foot kayak when he fell into the water and failed to resurface. Bollinger was pronounced dead at the scene by the Shannon County deputy coroner at 4:21 and was transported to the Yarber Funeral Home in Mountain View. According to the report, Bollinger was not wearing a floatation .

Do you own a kayak but want to increase your paddling skills? Have you wanted to learn how to safely paddle down the river? You’re in luck! Missouri State Parks’ Learn2 Paddle River program can help you learn more about kayaking on the river. The program requires preregistration but is FREE. Participants must bring their own kayaks, life jackets, paddles, lunches, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses and wear appropriate attire for getting wet. The program will include a ground school where there will be an in-depth discussion on river safety, plans, equipment and paddling technique before the water school where participants will learn river paddling skills including ferries, eddy turns and low braces. Those in attendance will also learn how to read the river and river rescues. Classes will be held at the Current River State Park on August 6th from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon and you can register for that class now. Another class will be at the Current River State Park on September 10th, also from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon. Registration for those classes is going on now. To find out more information or to register, go online to mostateparks.com/learn2-paddle-river. If a class is full, please enroll using the wait list function. If you have any questions, please email Taylor.Ratcliff@dnr.mo.gov.

An accident happened in Dent County Friday night at 9:34 on Dent County Road 5013 about 6/10ths of a mile west of Route P that left six teenagers with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2022 Can-Am Defender UTV driven eastbound by 18-year-old Avery Erway of Salem, ran off the right side of the roadway when Erway over-corrected causing the UTV to overturn. Suffering moderate injuries were Erway who was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Ambulance, and passengers 18-year-old Emma Cook of Rolla and 18-year-old Carleigh Snow of Ashland. Cook and Snow were taken by the Salem Ambulance to Phelps Health in Rolla. Suffering minor injuries were passengers 18-year-old Ava Millard and 18-year-old Jada Murray, both of Jefferson City who were taken by a private vehicle to the Salem Memorial Hospital for treatment. Also suffering minor injuries was 18-year-old Josie Morasch of Ashland was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Ambulance. The Can-Am Defender sustained extensive damage and was secured at the scene. The highway patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.

An accident happened Wednesday morning in Crawford County at 5:08 on Highway 19 about 1/3rd of a mile north of Steelville that took the life of a Steelville man. According to the highway patrol report, 31-year-old Anthony Ramirez of Steelville, was riding an Eddie Bauer bicycle southbound when the bicycle was struck from behind by a 2015 Chevrolet Cruze driven by 34-year-old Sarah Chapman of Salem. Ramirez was ejected from the bicycle and came to rest partially in the roadway. The Chevy Cruze came to a controlled stop on the right hand shoulder. Ramirez was pronounced dead by the Steelville Ambulance at 5:42 Wednesday morning. He was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident. His body was released to the Crawford County Coroner. The Eddie Bauer bicycle was totaled and the Cruze sustained minor damage. Both were removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday afternoon around 3:54 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 in the westbound lane. According to the highway patrol report, a 2020 Toyota Corolla driven by 22-year-old Sedric Hufman of Rolla, was slowing for traffic from a previous crash and was struck from behind by a 2009 Toyota Camry driven by 21-year-old Phani Chintakunta of Springfield. The Camry then traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a guard rail. Huffman suffered moderate injuries. Two passengers from Rolla in the Corolla suffered minor injures: 23-year-old Darrien LaMonica and a female infant. All injured parties were transported to the Missouri Baptist Sullivan by Missouri Baptist Ambulance. The report goes on to state that all injured parties were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Chuck’s Towing.

The Salem R-80 High School Registration for the 2023-24 school year will be held at the Salem High School Library for all grades from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon starting on Monday, August 7th. Seniors will register that day followed by Juniors on Tuesday, August 8th; sophomores on Wednesday, August 9th; and freshman on Thursday, August 10th. New students should register with their respective grade. A late registration will be held on Tuesday, August 15th from 4:00 in the afternoon to 8:00 that evening. If a family has more than one child or sibling in high school, you are more than welcome to register all of them on the same day when one of the students is required. All students must have a parent or guardian with them to register. An Open House will be held Monday, August 21st from 4:30 to 7:00 where students and parents can meet the teachers, get the student’s schedule, find the classes and be assigned a locker. Food trucks will be available at the Open House. If you have questions, call the Salem High School at 729-6641.

The Salem R-80 Middle School Registration for the 2023-24 school year will be held at the Middle School Cafeteria for all grades from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon starting on Monday, August 7th. Eighth graders will register that day followed by 7th graders on Tuesday, and 6th graders on Wednesday, August 9th. New students and those that missed their designated registration date can register on Friday, August 10th. All students must have a parent or guardian with them to register. An Open House will be held Monday, August 21st from 4:30 to 7:00 where students and parents can meet the teachers, get the student’s schedule, find the classes and be assigned a locker. If you have questions, call the Salem Middle School at 729-4261.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of 27-year-old Kristopher L. Cain of Viburnum, who was was arrested Wednesday, July 26, for four counts of possession of child pornography and one count of promoting child pornography. These charges came following an investigation by the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigations Unit. The investigators with the State Technical Assistance Team also assisted in the investigation. On Wednesday, the investigators executed a search warrant at Cain’s home in Viburnum. During a search of Cain’s cellular telephone, investigators discovered videos of child pornography. Investigators interviewed Cain who admitted to downloading the child pornography over the last year using his cellular telephone. Cain is currently being held in the Iron County jail with no bond. The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages internet users to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children. The charges are only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Dent County Commission met Thursday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson was not in attendance due to a family emergency so Dent County Clerk Angie Curley appointed 1st District Commissioner Wes Mobray as the acting presiding commissioner for the meeting. In the road report, Mobray said crews are still rebuilding Dent County Road 5080 for chip and seal work that will be done next year on that road. He also said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2440 and 6230. District 2 Commission Gary Polk reported grading would be done on Dent County Roads 3300 and 3310 while brush would be cut on county road 3230. Mobray said the county has surplus equipment as well as a vehicle that they will be selling to the highest bidder. Bid specs on the equipment and the vehicle will be available at the Dent County Clerk’s office Monday morning, and may be seen at the Dent County Road and Bridge Department at 1621 West Scenic Rivers Blvd between 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon, Monday through Thursday. Bids will be accepted until 10:00 on Monday, August 14th at the county clerks office for any of the surplus items and vehicle. The bids will then be opened at 10:00 at the commissioner’s office that same morning. The commission has the right to accept or reject any and all bids. At the last meeting, Corky Stack from AEA Stack Engineering visited with the commission about the copper and aluminum that had been removed from the courthouse and put in storage. The commissioners decided to have a silent surplus material sale and those interested in bidding can meet with the commissioners at The Storage Unit on Rolla Road, just north of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office at 1:00 on Thursday, August 17th. Bids will be accepted on the material at the Dent County Clerk’s Office until 11:00 Monday morning, August 21st. The bid must be sealed in an envelope with the words “sealed material bid” written on the outside of the envelope. Stack said later some windows from the courthouse will be removed and put in storage, and they will also be sold by bid at a later date. Stack and the commission talked about the redbud tree on the square where the overhead power line will go as part of the renovation electric upgrade. After viewing the tree, some limbs will be removed to accommodate the new line. County Clerk Angie Curley reminded the commission about the tax rate hearing scheduled for 10:00 the morning on August 21st for the General Revenue Fund, the Road and Bridge Fund, the Senate Bill 40 Fund and the Salem Senior Citizen Service Fund. The next commissioner meeting will be held Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

An accident happened Wednesday evening near 6:15 in Phelps County on Interstate 44 at the 174 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2014 Ford Focus being driven eastbound by 20-year-old Allison Tucker of Rolla, struck the rear of a 2017 GMC Acadia being driven eastbound by 76-year-old Jerry Wellington of Bourbon. Allison Tucker and a passenger in the Ford, 20-year-old Rebekah Tucker of also of Rolla, had minor injuries and chose to seek their own medical treatment. A passenger in the GMC, 75-year-old Patricia Wellington of Rolla, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Phelps Health hospital. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The GMC had extensive damage and was also removed by D&D Towing. The report went on to state that all involved wear wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

The statewide “Back to School” sales tax holiday will be here Friday, August 4th starting at 12:01 in the morning until midnight, Sunday, August 6th. Effective January 1st of this year, certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute, are exempt from Missouri state and local sales taxes are exempt for this time period only and that is for everyone, not just students. There are limits established for the sales tax holiday. An article of clothing cannot exceed a taxable value of $100. School supplies are not to exceed $50 per purchase and graphing calculators are not to exceed $150. Computer software cannot exceed a taxable value of $350 and personal computers or computer peripheral devices cannot exceed $1,500.

The Missouri Mines State Historic Site will host an open house-style public meeting inside the site’s Powerhouse Museum beginning at 5:00 Saturday evening, August 5th. Representatives from Missouri State Parks will be on hand to provide information about the historic site and to answer questions. The public is invited to share comments about the site and its operations. For more information about this event contact the historic site office at 573-431-6226. Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located at 4000 State Highway 32 in Park Hills.