News – Monday, July 20th, 2026

An accident occurred Friday evening around 5:04 in Phelps County on Hwy 63 at Virgil Faulkner Drive. According to the highway patrol report, a 2026 Chevrolet 1500 driven by a 16-year-old from Rolla was traveling northbound and crossed the center of the roadway, striking a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia driven by a 49-year-old from Florida who was traveling southbound. The Chevrolet then struck a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 43-year-old from Rolla traveling southbound, striking a 2015 Kia Optima driven by a 54-year-old from Licking, also traveling southbound. The driver of the Kia suffered serious injuries, as well as a 7-year-old juvenile from Rolla in the Chevrolet 1500. Both injured parties were flown by Phelps Air to University Missouri Hospital in Columbia. The juvenile was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, but the driver of the Kia was not. The driver of the Chevrolet 1500, and a 10-year-old juvenile both suffered moderate injuries and were transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Rolla. The driver was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, but the juvenile was. The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu suffered minor injuries. A 41-year-old occupant from Rolla suffered moderate injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health Rolla. The report goes on to state they were not wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The two Chevrolet’s and the Kia were totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Towing. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and was towed by C&C Towing.

The 2026 4-H and FFA Expo and Livestock Auction was held at The Commons this past weekend with auctioneers Roger Schafer and Brady Hagler. Shows kicked off bright and early at 7:00 in the morning on Friday with the Hog Show. The Grand Champion Hog was awarded to Blake Manthey, and the Reserve Champion Hog awarded to Olliver Hutchings. Swine Showmanship Awards went to Olliver Hutchings for Junior, Daxton Hutchings for Intermediate, and Blake Manthey for Senior. The Hog Show was followed by the Sheep and Goat Show, with Champion ribbons being given to Avery Shaw, Wyatt Shaw, Porter Seay, and Dallie Chapman, and Reserve Champion ribbons being given to Wyatt Shaw, Porter Seay, and Avery Shaw. The award of Grand Champion Goat went to Sawyer Camden, and the Reserve Champion Goat award went to Greta Vogel. Grand Champion Lamb went to Edlyn Cunningham, and Overall Reserve Lamb went to Joleigh Nash. Goat Showmanship awards went to Kynlee Garrison for Junior, Camden Sawyer for Intermediate, and Greta Vogel for Senior. The Beef and Dairy Show followed, with Champion ribbon recipients being Kohen Garrison’s Charolais Heifer; Josie Radford’s Hereford Heifer; Kagan Carty’s Red Angus Heifer; Baylor Chapman’s Shorthorn Heifer; Hadie Simpson’s Simmental Heifer; Chase Simpson’s All Other Breed Heifer; and Ella Yates’ Crossbred Heifer. Reserve Grand Champion ribbon winners were Brentlee Easter’s Charolais Heifer and Emeri Yates’ Crossbred Heifer. The Grand Champion Heifer went to Kohen Garrison, and the Reserve Champion Heifer went to Chase Simpson. Finally, the Grand Champion Steer went to Brentlee Easter, and the Reserve Champion Steer went to Lynlee Easter. In addition, each year, Brownfield Network donates two belt buckles to go toward 4-H or FFA Exhibitors who show outstanding mentorship and volunteerism throughout the Expo. Recipients for this year were Abbi Terrill and Izzy Thomas. The Salem FFA Chapter and all the Dent County 4-H Clubs thank everyone who attended the auction and Expo this year for their generosity and support. If you missed this year’s auction you can go back and watch it on either the KSMO YouTube page or Facebook page.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that one lane of eastbound I-44 in Pulaski County is to close around-the-clock for three weeks through early to mid-August. During that time, either the right or left lane may be closed. The work began last night at 9:00. The lane will be closed to work on a project along the I-44 corridor to add a climbing lane in each direction between Exit 159 and mile marker 157.2 in the St. Robert/Waynesville area of Pulaski County.

Flash flooding can happen fast, even if it’s not raining where you are. To keep your trips to Missouri’s State Parks safe and fun, be sure to check the weather forecast before you go and keep an eye on upstream conditions. When in doubt, move out. Keep an eye on the conditions of Missouri State Parks by visiting the Park and Site Status Map located at the Missouri State Parks website at mostateparks.com and clicking the “Park/Site Status” button at the very top of the page.

The Dent County Toy Drive will be holding its 6th annual Christmas in July fundraiser this Saturday at the Dent County Commons. This is a special year for the toy drive as it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary serving children in Dent County. There will be plenty to enjoy at the event, including pulled pork sandwiches, music throughout the day, and a free kids carnival. Attendees can also look forward to the car show, craft show, and poker run. The event will be held rain or shine. For updates, visit the Dent County Toy Drive Facebook page at facebook.com/TheDentCountyToyDrive.