News – Monday, October 26th, 2026
An accident occurred at approximately 10:00 on Saturday morning in Dent County at Hwy. 119, near County Road 6660. According to the Highway Patrol report, a southbound 2026 BMW R 1300 RS, driven by a 60-year-old male from St. Louis, struck a deer. The vehicle overturned, and the driver was ejected. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported by EMS to Salem Memorial Hospital. The report stated the driver was wearing a safety restraint. The BMW received extensive damage and was removed from the scene by American Automotive. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County Sheriff’s Office and Montauk Rural Fire Department.
The Salem Police Department (SPD) has released a report regarding a recent drug seizure and multi-county pursuit over the weekend. On Saturday, officers were conducting routine patrol when a patrolman observed a traffic violation. Emergency equipment was activated, but the vehicle failed to yield, resulting in a pursuit. The vehicle traveled at a high rate of speed and drove into oncoming traffic many times, causing other motorists to swerve to prevent collision. The pursuit continued through the city limits of Licking, Mo., wherein a Licking Police Department officer deployed a tire deflation device. The vehicle continued through the device. A trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol briefly took primary in the pursuit and executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) technique. The technique caused the vehicle to go off the roadway, and two occupants of the vehicle were finally able to be taken into custody. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a bag of suspected fentanyl capsules with a weight of 5000mg. A bag of suspected methamphetamine with an approximate weight of 36g was also found. Both the driver, Jeremy McAfee, and the passenger, Robert Bell, were arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail. A probable cause affidavit was forwarded to the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office. Assistant Prosecutor Weber filed a Felony Complaint in the circuit court of Dent County. The following warrants were issued by the Honorable Judge Kelsaw: For McAfee, aggravated fleeing, trafficking drugs in the first degree, possession of a controlled substance, and driving while revoked. For Bell, trafficking drugs in the first degree and five active felony warrants with no bond. The SPD thanked its partnering agencies including the Dent County Sheriff’s Office, Texas County Sheriff’s Office, Licking Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I & G. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
On Saturday night, the Licking R-VIII School District released a statement that the district would be closed Monday for the purposes of investigation into a bomb threat. The public was asked by both the district and Licking Police Department (LPD) to stay away from school property until further notice. On Sunday, another update was provided by the LPD. The school buildings were thoroughly searched by hand with the additional assistance of explosive detecting canines. The update reported no suspicious discoveries. All law enforcement personnel ultimately cleared the scene. The LPD thanked the 180th Military Working Dog (MWD) Detachment from Fort Leonard Wood, alongside the Texas County Sheriff’s Department for its assistance and support throughout the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing. Charges are being sought in connection with the incident. For a confidential way to report concerns about students or school safety, visit the website courage2reportmo.com. The website is operated around the clock by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), a division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and serves Missouri’s public and private K–12 schools. Visitors of the website can make a report anonymously about bullying, threats, self-harm, drugs, weapons, and more. A toll-free, 24/7 staffed hotline can also be reached at 1-866-748-7047.
No excuse absentee voting continues through Nov. 2nd from 8:00 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. The courthouse will be open for no excuse absentee voting on Saturday from 8:00 to noon.