Archive for 2023

A fatal accident occurred Sunday afternoon around 3:40 in Phelps County on Phelps County Road 1140 just west of Phelps County Road 1090. According to the highway patrol report, a 1981 Special Dune Buggy being driven by 49-year-old Paul Rice of Catawissa, was traveling westbound and lost control and traveled off the right side of the roadway. The buggy overturned, ejecting the passenger 42-year-old Chandra Moffet of St. James. Moffet was pronounced dead at the scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdale and was transported to the James and Gahr Funeral Home in St. James. Rice suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health. The Buggy sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by private conveyance. The report goes on to say that Rice was wearing safety restraints and Moffet was not.

An accident happened Saturday morning just before 11:15 in Crawford County on Hickory Road about two miles northeast of Steelville that took the life of a man from Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Harley Davidson Electorglide traveling southbound and being operated by 62-year-old James Goers of Steelville, traveled off the left side of the road. The Harley then struck a ditch and overturned. Goers was transported to Missouri Baptist Hospital by the Steelville EMS where he pronounced dead by Dr. White at 1:33 Saturday afternoon. The Harley sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by family members. The report went on to state that Goers was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Sunday evening at 7:19 in Miller County on Route U at Kinderhook County Road leaving two people with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2020 Polaris UTV heading eastbound driven by 23-year-old Carter Malley of Brumley, made a felt turn in front of a 2021 Ford Fusion driven by 26-year-old Taylor Gardner of Edgar Springs traveling southbound. Gardner swerved the Fusion across the center of the roadway to avoid the UTV, but the UTV struck the Ford. The Fusion then went back across the center of the roadway and came to rest facing southbound. The UTV became airborne and traveled off the east side of Route U ejecting Halley. The UTV finally struck a ditch came to rest facing southbound. Halley and Gardner each suffered serious injuries with Halley being flown to the University of Missouri Hospital by Mercy Air, while Gardner was taken by ambulance to the Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. Neither were wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed by Hi-Tech Towing in Kaiser.

A one vehicle accident happened Sunday morning just after 8:40 in Crawford County at 155 Blunt Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 19-year-old Matthew Shovlin of Arnold, exited a curve traveling too fast and then overcorrected, striking a tree. A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Nico Portell of House Springs, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by the Steelville EMS to the Washington County Memorial Hospital. The Silverado sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The report went on to state that both the driver and the passenger were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 4:30 in Dent County on a private lane about a mile and a half north of Highway 72. According to the highway patrol report, a 2016 Polaris being operated by 40-year-old Adam Becklenberg of St. James, made a sharp left turn and overturned. Becklenberg was thrown from the Polaris, suffering moderate injuries. He was flown by Air Evac to Cox South Hospital in Springfield for treatment of his injuries. The Polaris had minor damage and was secured at the scene. Becklenberg was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 3:10 in Phelps County on Route M about four miles west of Edgar Springs. The highway patrol report states that a 2021 Harley Davidson being operated by 38-year-old Neil Nerem of Boone, Iowa, was traveling westbound when he lost control of the bike and overturned. Nerem, who was not wearing any safety equipment, suffered moderate injuries and was flown to University Hospital in Columbia. The Harley was totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing.

An accident happened Saturday evening at 6:15 in Reynolds County on Route J about three miles west of Black. According to the highway patrol report, a 2022 Zero motorcycle being operated by 44-year-old Jennifer Morgan of St. Robert, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Morgan suffered moderate injuries and transported by aircraft to Mercy South in St. Louis. The motorcycle sustained minor damage and was removed by a private party. Morgan was wearing safety equipment.

There will no Your World Today on Monday, Memorial Day. We wish you and your family a happy holiday!

The Salem Board of Aldermen held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board approved the lease of a 2022 F-600 Terex TL 48 bucket truck with an Altec AT40M bucket for $2,512.09 per month for 60 months for a total of $174,125. This truck is for the Electric Department. The board discussed the bids for the property at 803 West Glendale Street as part of the “Welcome Home” program. The board accepted the bid from R. Conway Construction, LLC for $25,500 and rejected the bid from Mid Missouri Renovations. The board approved Resolution #21-2023 allowing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem, R. Conway Construction LLC, and John Mooney, the owner of the property at 803 West Glendale. The owner will pay the required $5,000 and another $2,550 for the amount exceeding the allowed amount for the program. The board then approved the “Welcome Home” bid from Mid Missouri Renovations for property located at 708 East Fourth Street for $24,480 and rejected the bid from Jeff Kirker Electric. They board then approved Resolution #22-2023 allowing the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem, Mid Missouri Renovations, and Jacquelene Halbrook, the owner of the property at 708 East Fourth Street. The board heard from City Treasurer Stacey Houston who reported sales tax revenues exceeded their budgeted amounts in all funds including the Capital Improvement Fund, the Park and Recreation Fund and the General Revenue Fund. She also reported revenues for the water and sewer departments have already exceeded their budgeted amounts for the entire year, while the electric department should exceed the budgeted amount by a few thousand dollars, but the increase in the purchase of electricity is also up negating any gain in that fund. The board heard the first reading of Bill #3539 that would create an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign and execute an agreement between the City of Salem and Hogan’s, Inc. for contact tank painting services for Well #2 and Well #4. Mayor Greg Parker said there was 137 tons of trash picked up during Spring Clean-Up weeks. Public Works Director Mark Nash said the city has been cleaning out ditches for better water flow. He said the Electric Department’s new digger derrick truck is in but has not yet been put into service until the company service personnel does the required training. Nash said the boom mower is out for repair but should be back any time soon to cut the grass out of the ditches. There was discussion that if the mower will not be available soon that possibly the city could work with the county to use their brush cutter. Alderman Bolerjack thanked City Administrator Sally Burbridge for her work for the Capital Improvement Committee meeting reviewing the capital requests for the next year and what will be needed in the next five years. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports for the third week of May. On Saturday, May 13th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on North Highway 19. During the course of the stop, a 22-year-old Salem woman was arrested on 3 outstanding arrest warrants. The woman was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where she was incarcerated on the warrants. Then on Monday, May 15th, a deputy responded to the 2300 block of Route E for a reported assault. During the investigation, a 74-year-old Salem man was arrested. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, photographed, and released on a criminal citation. Two days later on Wednesday, May 17th, a deputy responded to the 700 block of East Dent St. for a wanted subject. During the investigation, a 48-year-old Salem man was arrested on an active warrant. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. On Thursday, May 18th, a deputy was on routine patrol in the 400 block of Dent County Road 4220 when he observed a 41-year-old Salem man who had an active arrest warrant. The man fled on foot and was apprehended by a deputy a short time later. He was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. If you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation, contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

Join Tana Kettner & Terrie Welch on the evenings of Thursday, June 1st & Friday, June 2nd from 5:30 – 8:30 at the Creative Arts Center for a Barn Quilt Class. Participants 13 and up are welcome. In this two-day class, you will draw your own quilt block design on a sanded and primed 2’x2′ piece of plywood. When you finish, you can take it home! The cost is $55 for both nights, with all supplies included. Register online at: salemcommunitybetterment.com.

Got plans Memorial Day weekend? Missouri has a lot to offer with its state parks, lakes, sporting events, and attractions. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds everyone to include safety when they plan their holiday weekend. Expect an increase in boating traffic on the state’s lakes and rivers. Boat operators are reminded to follow all Missouri’s laws and be courteous. Always wear a life jacket when near, on, or in the water. The Memorial Day weekend has always been considered the unofficial start to the boating season. During the 2022 Memorial Day weekend, there were nine boating crashes which included one fatality and four injuries. No one drowned over last year’s Memorial Day weekend. Last year, troopers made seven boating while intoxicated arrests. Always be courteous and pay attention when you’re operating a vessel, and choose to be a sober driver on the water. A safe, fun weekend is the result of planning and good decisions. Boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.