News – Wednesday, May 21st 2025

An accident occurred in Dent County Monday afternoon at 12:30 on Highway P 1.5 South of Highway 32. According to the report from the Highway Patrol a 2015 Ford F250, driven by a 53-year-old man from Doolittle, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a mailbox and a culvert, and went airborne. The driver and a 55-year-old female from Rolla both suffered minor injuries and were transported by Salem EMS to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated that the man was wearing a safety restraint, while the woman was not. The Ford sustained minor damage and was removed from the scene by Tune’s Towing.

The City of Salem is pleased to announce that the Hometown Grid power outage reporting system is now being used city-wide. This system was tested over the past several months and has proven to be an effective way for electric customers to report outages and stay informed during service interruptions. Residents are now asked to call or text 833-703-4811 to report a power outage—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system provides immediate confirmation, follow-up questions to help identify the cause, and text updates once the source of the outage is found. All reported outages appear on a public map, giving residents real-time information about affected areas at hometowngrid.com/salem. They’re asking residents to use this system instead of calling police dispatch. During outages, dispatchers are often overwhelmed by non-emergency calls. If a true emergency arises—such as a medical crisis, fire, or accident—it’s critical that dispatchers remain available to respond quickly. Reporting outages through Hometown Grid keeps our emergency lines clear and improves response times where it matters most. Customers experiencing a power outage should contact their electric provider directly. City of Salem Electric Customers should Call or text 833-703-4811. Intercounty Electric Cooperative Customers can Call 866-621-3679. The benefits of the Hometown Grid system include faster and more accurate outage reporting, real-time outage map for public viewing, streamlined operations for electric crews, and increased public safety by reducing pressure on emergency services. We encourage all residents to save 833-703-4811 in their phones as “Salem Power Outage” and to use this number any time an outage occurs. For questions, contact the Salem Utility Office at 573-729-4117. Let’s keep Salem safe, informed, and efficient!

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to stress the importance of safe boating and make the public aware of National Safe Boating Week, going on now. National Safe Boating Week is purposefully scheduled just prior to Memorial Day weekend, which many people consider the kickoff to the boating season. Before taking that inaugural 2025 summer boat cruise, boaters are encouraged to make time for a thorough inspection of their boat. The Patrol’s marine operations troopers make boating safety a priority and are available, at your request, to inspect the required equipment on your boat to make sure you’re in compliance with state law. Additional information on equipment inspection stations may be obtained from your local troop headquarters. In addition to an inspection, boaters should familiarize themselves with Missouri laws regarding boat operation and traditional navigational rules. Missouri law requires everyone born after January 1, 1984, who operates a vessel on Missouri lakes to possess a National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety identification card. This includes those operating a personal watercraft. When boaters understand and obey the law, and vessels are in good operating order, everyone’s experience becomes safer. It is important for each boat operator to know the capabilities of their boat. Reducing your speed in unfamiliar areas and being aware of unusual 

important for each boat operator to know the capabilities of their boat. Reducing your speed in unfamiliar areas and being aware of unusual water conditions depending on the size and type of boat you operate are just a couple of environmental considerations. Additional safe boating tips include being a defensive boat operator, creating distance from other boats gives you more reaction time, adjusting your speed for the conditions and if visibility is poor, or the water is rough, slow down, be sure to turn off the boat while passengers are entering or exiting the water, if you will be out on the water after dark, check your navigation lights before you leave the dock or ramp, and remember every boat operator is responsible for doing whatever they can to avoid a crash. Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner. Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives; Wear them! Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ.