News – Wednesday, February 25th 2026

A Salem man suffered serious injuries in an accident that occurred Tuesday morning at approximately 6:15 on Highway 68 one-half mile north of the Salem City Limits. According to the Highway Patrol report the 2008 Hyundai Sonata, operated by the 38-year-old driver, ran off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, went off the left side of the roadway striking a culvert, then struck a building. The man was transported by Air Evac to University Hospital in Columbia. The report stated that he was not wearing a safety restraint. The Hyundai was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant in Bunker on February 20th leading to the arrest of a wanted fugitive. According to the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Wilkinson applied for and obtained the warrant after investigators developed information that the subject was likely located at a residence in Bunker. Sheriff McCoy, Deputy Wilkinson, Deputy Brumble, Bunker Police Chief Martin, and a member of the ORP Task Force carried out the warrant. During the search, officers located Amanda McGruder, who was wanted on a felony no-bond warrant out of Crawford County. The warrant charges listed include three counts of possession of controlled substances, a class D felony, and once charge for unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony. McGruder was taken into custody without incident. McGruder was transported and booked on the outstanding warrant. The Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation to the Bunker Police Department and the ORP Task Force for their assistance in the operation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday at 5:30 in the administration building located at 1409 West Rolla Road.  After the call to order and Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the agenda and consent agenda. Superintendent Dr. Nathan Wills shared correspondence from Wes and Dana Connell. Twenty-one students, from the Senior High School, in the Career and Technical Education Apprenticeship and two students in the Family and Consumer Sciences programs were recognized at the meeting. During his report, Dr. Wills updated board members regarding legislative fiscal notes, ongoing and future repairs to the high school gymnasium floor, and wall repainting plans, the next school year’s calendar, and the staff survey results. After the Administration Board Reports the board approved the contract for policy services from the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA), as well as the MSBA Policy Updates. The motion to approve the updated principal’s contract, the 2026-2027 School Calendar, and the Wagner Photo contract was also approved. The meeting then moved into Executive session to discuss personnel matters before adjourning. The next meeting of the Salem R-80 School Board of Education is scheduled for March 12, in the Administration Building and will be open to the public. 

In recognition and celebration of Drinking Water Week, May 3rd through the 9th, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Section American Water Works Association are holding a poster contest for students in the fifth grade. The department is now accepting entries, which must be postmarked by end of the month this Saturday. This year’s poster theme is “Save It, Don’t Waste It!” Posters should show ways to save and conserve our drinking water. Entries should be no larger than 11 x 17 inches, and artists may draw with any color or physical media, such as crayon, marker or pencil to create their posters. Digital media submissions will not be accepted. Entries will be judged on three criteria: How original the entry is, how well the concept is executed and how well the poster relates to public water supplies. Judges will choose a first, second and third place winner. Prizes include $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. The American Water Works Association provides the prize money. The department will feature winning entries on its social media platforms and website. Posters will not be returned after the contest. All posters should be submitted to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Public Drinking Water Branch, Attention: Tena Hale, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. For more information or for questions about the contest, contact Tena Hale of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 573-526-2180.