News – Thursday, September 18th 2025

An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 on Phelps County Road 5310 at the intersection of Phelps County Road 5440. According to the highway patrol report, a 2019 Dodge Caravan driven southbound by a 63-year-old female and a 2017 Dodge Caravan driven southbound by a 42-year-old female, were both turning when the 2017 Dodge tried to pass the 2019 Caravan during the turn. The 2017 Dodge struck the the 2019 Dodge leaving a 12-year-old female juvenile with minor injuries. She was taken by the Phelps Health Ambulance to the Phelps Health Hospital. Both vehicles sustained moderate damages and were driven from the scene. The Missouri State Higwhay Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Rolla Rural Fire Department and Phelps Health Ambulance personnel. Everyone involved in the accident were wearing seat restraints.

The public is invited to a town hall-style meeting for Montauk State Park tonight at 5:00. Missouri State Parks team members will be available to provide information about the park and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the park and its operations. The meeting will be held at the campground amphitheater located within the park at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. The input from the public is important. These meetings, which are being held for all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give representatives the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the parks and sites, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.

Three Missouri men connected to the 2023 illegal killing of a bull elk have been sentenced in Shannon County court. The cases were a result of a months-long investigation by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the filing of multiple wildlife-related charges by the Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Michael K. O’Neail of De Soto, pleaded guilty September 3rd to illegally killing and abandoning a bull elk. O’Neail was sentenced to 60 days in jail and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The execution of the 60-day jail sentence was suspended, pending successful completion of two years of probation and full payment of the $10,000 fine within one year of his sentencing date. The two men not directly responsible for the elk poaching, Kevin B. Click and Travis R. Wadlow, both of Bonne Terre, each received a $500 fine plus court costs, and a mandatory $750 contribution to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation for the illegal take or possession of white-tailed deer. In addition to the elk poaching, the trio was also charged for being in illegal possession of a deer they did not Telecheck. The cases were prosecuted by Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney William Seay. The Department of Conservation’s’ Protection Branch began its investigation after a 14-year-old deer hunter reported finding the dead mature bull elk near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County during the November 2023 opening weekend of firearms deer season. Over the course of a nine-month investigation, conservation agents from MDC’s Ozark, Central, St. Louis, and Southeast regions interviewed numerous deer hunters in the area and contacted local businesses. They also reviewed surveillance footage and elk-monitoring camera footage to help identify the suspects. As a result, five search warrants were served, numerous pieces of evidence were sent to forensics labs, and the three men were taken into custody. The Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline allows Missourians to protect nature by reporting poaching. Please report possible violations of the Wildlife Code to your local conservation agent or call OGT at 800-392-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Plan to attend the Public Meeting at Dillard Mill State Historic Site Saturday afternoon, September 20th at 1:00. The Dillard Mill State Historic Site is hosting an open house-style meeting at the Mill located at 142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. Park representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the site and its operations. For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. 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.