News – Tuesday, December 30th 2025

An accident occurred Monday morning at 6:48 on Highway 63, 3 miles south of Edgar Springs that left both drivers with serious injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report a 2018 Ford Focus, driven by an 18-year-old Plattsburgh, NY man, crossed the center of the roadway and struck head on a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado operated by a 48-year-old man from West Plains. The New York man suffered serious injuries and was transported by Air Evac to Cox Hospital in Springfield. The West Plains man also suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Air to University Hospital in Columbia. According to the report the driver of the Ford was wearing a safety restraint, while the driver of the Chevrolet was not. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Rolla Rural Fire Department.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 10 people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Christmas holiday counting period which ran from 6:00 Wednesday evening, December 24th, through 11:59 Sunday night, December 28th. There were no boating crashes or drownings. During the Christmas holiday counting period, troopers report the following preliminary traffic statistics for 2025. The Patrol investigated 258 traffic crashes that resulted in 94 injuries and 10 fatalities. The Patrol made 93 DWI arrests. During the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period, troopers investigated 81 traffic crashes, which included four fatalities and 44 injuries. Statewide, five people died and 133 people were injured in 295 traffic crashes over last year’s Christmas holiday. Troopers arrested 18 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period. There were no boating crashes, boating fatalities, drowns, or boating while intoxicated arrests during the 2025 Christmas holiday counting period. Further details related to the traffic crashes and arrests can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website. It’s important to note that the Christmas Day holiday counting period varies from 1.25 to 4.25 days in length, depending on which day of the week the holiday falls. In 2025, Christmas Day fell on a Thursday, making the holiday period 4.25 days. In 2024, Christmas Day fell on a Wednesday, making the holiday period 1.25 days. Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperGHQ

Volunteers for AARP have been helping Dent County Citizens with free tax filing assistance at the Salem Community Center@ the Armory for the many years. You can make your appointment now, but the earliest date for an appointment is Friday, February 6th. Appointments can be made by calling the Salem Community Center at 729-8163 with the last day for appointments being Friday, April 3rd. This local service is provided entirely by AARP trained volunteers and will be the 22nd year that Healthy Dent County has partnered with AARP to provide this free tax service to our community. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in filing certain tax forms and schedules, including the Form 1040. However, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that our volunteers stay in the scope of the program. If counselors feel they do not have adequate knowledge or your return is too complex, you may need to seek another qualified counselor or paid tax assistance. Items you will need to bring with you to have your tax returns prepared include: Proof of identification such as a picture ID; Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents; or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. You should also bring birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return. Also needed are wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers; year-end Social Security Statements showing total SS received and Medicare payments; and interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099). You should bring a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available; plus proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check or deposit slip. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 West Rolla Road. Appointments can be made by calling 729-8163.