Local News

An accident happened Saturday afternoon at 3:23 in Dent County on Highway 19 about four miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 58-year old Gail Sherfy of St. James driving a 2007 Ford Edge eastbound, pulled into the path of a southbound 2007 GMC Yukon driven by 55-year Elizabeth Smith of Jadwin. The collision caused the Yukon to strike a 2013 Kia Sorento driven northbound by 35-year old Jackie Reinbott. Suffering serious injuries in the accident were Sherfy and a passenger in the Ford, 53-year old Kevin Hampton of St. James. Sherfy was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur and Hampton was flown by Phelps Air to the Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur. Suffering moderate injuries was 55-year old Elizabeth Smith from the Yukon who was taken to the Salem Memorial District by the Salem EMS. Suffering minor injuries from the Kia in the accident were the driver, 35-year old Jackie Reinbott, and passengers 39-year old Joey Reinbott, four-year old Alexander Reinbott and one-year old Adalynn Reinbott. Also suffering minor injuries from the Kia was Barbara Shaw from Midville, Utah. Everyone in the Kia was also taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital by a private conveyance. The Ford Edge and GMC Yukon were totaled in the accident while the Kia sustained extensive damages. All three vehicles were removed from the scene by American Muffler and Tire. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat restraint.

The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting will be held this evening at 7:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers. The board will hear bids for the building of the Splash-Pad Pump House before approving the consent agenda that showed sales tax collections for the month of February for Park and Recreation Fund, Capital Improvements Fund and for the city’s General Revenue Fund. Park and Recreation Director Tye Lydon will give a report on the Park and Recreation Board of Directors meeting held Thursday, March 29th. City Administrator Ray Walden will give his report on activities in the city before Mayor Brad Nash provides his report. The board will hear Bill #3370 that regulates vehicle parking on the east and west sides of Grand Street between West Center Street and West Third Street before the board hears a number of bills concerning the appointment and terms of a number of city offices including the City Clerk, City Treasurer, City Attorney, Director of Public Works, the Director of Engineering, Director of Economic Development and Chief of Police. The board will also hear Bill #3379 adopting a “Liveable Street” policy for the city and Bill #3380 that amends the annual budget for the city. The board will discuss the Spring Clean-up dates before going into closed session to discuss real estate. The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting tonight is open to the public.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released a report of a stolen firearm. According to the report, on March 27th, the victim reported that his 9mm Rock Island 1911 handgun and holster were stolen from his vehicle sometime between March 17th and March 26th. This report is still under investigation. If anyone has information regarding this theft, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that bridge work will be done on Route F between Highway 32 and Route E starting April 9th. The maintenance work on the Holt Creek Bridge will close the road to through traffic, and traffic will be detoured around the work area. Once work is complete on the Holt Creek Bridge, contractors will begin work on the Dry Fork Creek Bridge. The project is scheduled to be completed in June. MoDOT asks drivers to plan an alternative route now ahead of the closure. For more information about a project, please contact MoDOT at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.

The Salem Police Department was contacted Tuesday by a local gas station about a device that tracks credit card information that was placed inside the gas pumps. The device was later determined to be a credit card skimmer. Someone had installed the skimmer inside of the gas pumps behind the credit card machine. The Salem Police Department was able to take possession of two devices and have them sent for analysis. The investigation into this is ongoing. At this time, the Salem Police is not certain if this was the only time this has happened. They also are not certain if these devices store the information for future use or can transmit the captured credit card information via transmitter. They are asking anyone who has used their credit card at gas stations recently to monitor their credit card accounts and bank statements for unauthorized transactions. If you have questions, contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released some reports. On March 17th, Dent County Deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant at a residence on Dent County Road 6400. A 41-year old Salem man, who had an active warrant from Phelps County, was located and taken into custody. He was later extradited to Phelps County. That same day, deputies responded to a report of a cat being shot on Dent County Road 5013. It was reported that the victim found her cat dead beside her house with a gunshot wound. This report is still under investigation. On March 19th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19 near Center Street. The driver, a 21 year old Salem woman, was found to be in possession of a glass smoking device with burnt marijuana residue. She was arrested, fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. Also on the 19th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 72 near the Salem Memorial District Hospital. The driver, a 46-year old Oklahoma man, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released to a sober driver. On March 23rd, deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Dent County Road 2113. A 21-year old Salem man, who had an active Dent County warrant, was located and arrested. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If you have information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Irvin Johnson, Kaitlynn Stephan, Kyleigh Wood, Haiden Sanders and Eva Heard participated as individuals at the tenth annual Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) State Bullseye Tournament held March 23rd and 24th in Branson and represented the Salem Middle School. The tournament drew 3,132 student archers in grades 4-12 from a record setting 140 schools across the state. The top two scorers for the middle school Tigers in the individual competition were Johnson who had a score of 287 with 17 tens and ranked 5th out of 201 8th grade boys. Stephan shot a score of 270 and that placed her 45th out of 168 8th grade girls. The Salem High School Team that attended the tournament was made up of senior Emma Morrison, junior Manthey Caden, sophomore Jacob Walther and freshmen Bryan Heathman, Avery Gambill, Dawson Sanders, Trinity Lewis, Luke Morrison, Carley Gamblin, Michelle Street, Grace Kunkel and Austin Gilbert.This young team finished 32nd out of 32 teams in the tournament.

There will be a Hay Production program April 6th from 8:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the evening at the MU Wurdack Farm in Cook Station. Developed by MU Extension Specialists, this program will provide the fundamental knowledge to help you lower production costs and improve net returns per acre. The cost is $40 per person, or $60 per farm couple. To RSVP by April 2nd, stop by the Dent County MU Extension Office or call 573-729-3196, or you can go to extension.missouri.edu/dent. If you would like more information, please call Ted Cunningham, MU extension Livestock Specialist at 573-729-3196.

An accident happened in Iron County Monday afternoon at 5:32 on Highway 32 about three miles east of Bixby. According to the highway patrol report, 16-year old Gabriella Courtright of Bellview, driving a 2007 Ford driven westbound, lost control of the vehicle on the wet pavement and the Ford went off the left side of the roadway and struck two highway signs. Suffering moderate injuries was a passenger in the Ford, 16-year old Jessa Griffin of Viburnum, while Courtright and another passenger, 16-year old Laynie Chandler of Bixby, suffered minor injuries. All three girls were taken by the Iron County EMS to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. All three girls were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Ford sustained moderate damages and was removed from the scene by Abney’s Towing.

An accident happened Monday night at 7:10 on Route K about a half mile north of Jadwin. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Buick century driven northbound by 20-year old Davidson Ziegler of Salem, traveled off the right side of the road and overturned into a fence. Ziegler suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. He was wearing a seat restraint. The Buick was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On Thursday afternoon, March 15th at approximately 4:15, an officer was contacted in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a 20-year old male of Salem had taken borrowed property valued at $235.00 and sold it. Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspect who was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Friday, March 16th at approximately 2:23 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to Wal-Mart in reference to a shoplifter. That investigation led to the arrest of a 26-year old female of Salem for stealing merchandise valued at $187.50. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Later that same night at about 10:44, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 36-year old male of Salem for driving while being intoxicated. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Saturday afternoon, March 17th at approximately 3:47, an officer located a 46-year old male of Salem in the 1800 block of South Oak who had an active arrest warrant from Crawford County. The suspect was taken into custody on the warrant and incarcerated pending extradition. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding an ongoing investigation.

The Salem Park and Recreation Board of Directors will hold their next meeting Thursday evening at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. At the meeting, the board will go over the park director’s report, discuss program fees for the park activities, and discuss the swimming pool fees as well as pool party and lesson fees for the 2018 year. The park board will review the current plans for the TAP grant for the trail from near the splash-pad to the Salem R-80 Administrative Building and interject their comments or concerns. The board will get a budget update from Park and Recreation Board President Stan Podorski for the 2018-2019 year and discuss priorities. Before they adjourn, any other business before the board will be addressed. The Salem Park and Recreation Board of Directors meeting will be Thursday at 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held Saturday night at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center, formerly the Teachers Closet, at 6:30.Musicians and listeners of all ages and talents are invited and there is no cost. For more information, call 247-0279 or e-mail saac@embarqmail.com.

The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the courthouse for their regular meeting. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams provided the commissioners with the CART receipts for the month of March. She said this month the county received $52,831.84 which is more than the 2017 figure of $51,738.43. Year-to-date, Williams said the CART receipts are up $1,092.96 which is less than a 1% increase. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell stated ditch work will be done and materials added on Dent County Road 4210 while other crews will be checking and cleaning out culverts in anticipation of the predicted heavy rains. Purcell also said major service will be done on grader #33. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported materials would be taken to Dent County Roads 2150, 2530 and 2630. He also said rock would be hauled to the shop to be stock piled in case it is needed later. Larson did say workers would be working on a culvert pipe on county road 2530 and working on a low water slab on county road 5225. He said a crew will be out checking culvert pipes for clogs as well as installing front truck tires on county truck #124. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he and Commission Larson attended the Feral Hog program in Eminence last Thursday and heard from a number of people about their situation with the hogs and others who have suggestions on how to stop the problem. Skiles also said Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley brought in a Quit-Claim Deed request from Accurate Timber Consulting, LLC from Crawford County for the old railroad right-of-way. All three of the commissioners agreed to sign the deed in front of a notary at their first opportunity. Skiles went on to report the jail committee wanted to get an update on the jail project, so Steve Davis from Shive-Hattery and Nick Smith from Septagone Construction Management will be in town on Thursday, April 5th at 3:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory to go over the progress so far on the project. Skiles said the gathering is open to the public. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded everyone sample ballots are available at her office for those who would like to see what they are voting on next Tuesday ahead of time, or even see if they have to vote. She said there are no school board races for Green Forest R-2 or Dent-Phelps R-3 so those voters should not go to their polling location at those schools as they will not be open. She also said for those who vote for the R-2 or R-3 School Board who vote at either Oak Hill R-1 or the Salem City Hall, there is no need for you to come in as the there will not be ballots for you there. She said her office will be open from 8:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon Saturday for absentee voting, and again Monday, April 2nd until 5:00 PM. The polls will open at 6:00 Tuesday, April 3rd and will remain open until 7:00 PM. She said this is the first year you will need to have a photo ID to vote. She also wanted to remind those who would like to have a ballot mailed out that this Wednesday is the last day you can do that. If you have any question about your address, absentee voting or getting a mailout ballot, please call her office at 729-4144 or stop by the courthouse. Commissioner Dennis Purcell did want to report the Secure Rural Schools Act has been approved for the years 2017 and 2018, and also the PILT monies for 2018 will be fully funded which is very important in our area. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

An accident occurred at 7:10 Monday morning in Dent County on Dent County Road 2330 near Route DD. According to the Highway Patrol Report, a 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by 32-year old Cassandra Taylor of Salem, crossed the center of the roadway on a hillcrest, striking head on a 2007 Saturn Vue, driven by 22-year old Shelby Martin of Salem. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway. Taylor suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The report stated that both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. There was extensive damage to both vehicles and they were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.

The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday morning in the Courthouse for their regular meeting. District One Commissioner Dennis Purcell was unable to attend due to a serious illness in his family. District One Road Foreman Rusty Chamberlain reported that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5360, 6080, 6110 and 5070, plus materials would be hauled to county road 5380. He noted that chip and seal patching would be done on county roads 4180 and 6380. District Two Commissioner Gary Larson reported that brush would be cut on Dent County Roads 4480 and 4010. He said that due to a backhoe breakdown, the low water crossing work was not completed on Dent County Road 2300, the Commons Road, but he was hopeful work would be completed by Friday so the road would be open by the weekend. Larson also noted that materials were being hauled from county road 2300. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Tuesday he and Commissioner Larson attended the County’s health insurance consortium meeting in Springfield. He said that Dent is one of ten counties that belong to the consortium. Skiles attended a feral hog program in Eminence Thursday night at their old gym. He noted that he had been contacted by a Dent County landowner who has a problem with feral hogs destroying his property. The landowner commented that he is unable to solve the problem and it may result in him having to sell his farm. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley reminded voters that absentee voting continues through April 2nd in her office, that the last day to mail out a ballot is March 28th, and that her office will be open for absentee voting Saturday, March 31st, from 8:00 until noon. She also noted that the April 3rd election is the first one where voters are required to present valid photo identification. Curley said the photo could be a driver’s license, a non-drivers license, military identification, or passport. She also reminded voters that need to make an address change should come by her office and complete the change. The next meeting of the Commissioners will be Monday morning at the Courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.

Scammers are yet again calling Intercounty members and impersonating employees in an attempt to collect financial information. Please do NOT fall victim to these attempts to rob you of your hard earned dollars. Members in the Rolla area are the latest target. The caller is claiming to be with a merchant company working on behalf of the co-op to collect unpaid electric bills. Members are threatened with power disconnection if they do not comply and make payment over the phone. Intercounty will NOT call and threaten to disconnect your power. Intercounty does NOT use a merchant company to collect payments. Intercounty does NOT even take payment information over the phone (payments are made through our secure, automated line). If you are unsure of the validity of a call, hang up and call us directly at 866-621-3679. Do not call them back at the number they provide, as they will only attempt to validate their scam call and collect your bank account information.

Healthy Dent County would like to invite everyone to the “Non Newlywed Game” Show. This event is a couple vs. couple hilarious version of the classic game show where you will discover just how much couples know (or don’t know!) about their spouses! This fundraising event will be held tonight at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory beginning at 7:00 PM. The “Non Newlywed Game” Show is an evening of laughter and fun that you will never forget. It’s called the Non Newlywed Game, because it’s not just for newly married couples. Four local married couples have been selected to play the game, they are: Max and Judy Dunn; Mike and Glenda Wofford; Clint and Barb Medlock; and Nathan and Nicole Miracle. These couples have graciously volunteered their time to play this fun game and entertain the audience. A total of less than 50 tickets remain for the event tonight and a VIP sponsored table can still be reserved by 4:30 today with a $300 donation, or you can get your individual tickets for $20 each. The individual tickets will not have reserved seating. The Salem Community Center @ the Armory is located at 1200 W. Rolla Road in Salem. To reserve your VIP table please call 729-8163. The event begins at 7:00 PM and doors open at 6:30 PM.

There will be a Hay Production program April 6th from 8:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the evening at the MU Wurdack Farm in Cook Station. Developed by MU Extension Specialists, this program will provide the fundamental knowledge to help you lower production costs and improve net returns per acre. The cost is $40 per person, or $60 per farm couple. To RSVP by April 2nd, stop by the Dent County MU Extension Office or call 573-729-3196, or you can go to extension.missouri.edu/dent. If you would like more information, please call Ted Cunningham, MU extension Livestock Specialist at 573-729-3196.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Chief Financial Officer Monica Stogsdill gave the summary of operations for February that showed a gain from operations of $49,053 with an excess of revenues over expenses of $67,393 for the month. In February, 82 patients were admitted to the hospital as acute care patients per day for the month came in at 11.1. The cash flow statement showed an increase in cash of $72,796 for the month with days in accounts receivable shooting up to 71 due to the high volume of patients. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 774 emergency room visits, 247 ambulance runs with 190 patients being transported to the hospital, 22 surgery services, 1,763 outpatient registrations, 166 home health visits, 8,539 lab tests, 981 radiological procedures and 596 rehab treatments. The days cash-on-hand for the hospital stands at 95 year-to-date and that is way over the Critical Access Hospital state average of 65. Hines went over the Quality Improvement report for the month of February for dialysis, radiology and SMDH Family Medicine. An updated risk management project was also reviewed. A flu update showed flu cases decreased at the hospital in February to 128 cases after peaking in January at 236 cases. Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland reported on the hospital foundation and the golf tournament to be held on June 8th. He also discussed the possible change of the entity structure of the foundation to a 501 C 3 status. Hospital Attorney Mark Weaver, Strickland and the hospital accountants, BKD have discussed the change, but a few more issues need to be addressed before any change is made. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas showed the board the new patient whiteboards done by Kent Nichols sponsored by the hospital auxiliary. Strickland attended his first opening day at Montauk and handed out new marketing materials on the hospital. He said the hospital and SMDH Family Medicine will also have representation at the Ladies Night Out event this week with a new display. The board approved privileges for nine Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists from Phelps County including Billy Albertson, Christopher Black, John Byrd, Jason Corey, Angela D. DeLaria, Jeffrey Dean Heese, Michael F. Jones, Joe Meyerott, and Curtis Roberston. Courtesy Staff privileges for Charles Rasmussen, DO and Jacob Ballman MD from 360 degree Medicine for the Emergency Department were also approved by the board. The Finance Committee met March 6th and approved the market assessment and reviewed the capital budget. They plan on meeting again in April. The board approved the purchase of a deep fat fryer for dietary from US Foods for $5,594, approved the purchase of an E-Stim/Ultrasound Combo Unit for Rehab from Medline for $3,370, approved the purchase of a Glidescope for the Emergency Department from Salter Labs for $12,514, approved the purchase of a Lift Assist IV Pole for the Surgery Department from Bryton Corporation for $1,169, and approved the purchase of a Cautery Unit for the Surgery Department from Ethicon Megadyme for $6,171. The board then went into closed session.

Healthy Dent County’s 7th annual “Girls Night Out” event will be held on tonight from 5:00 to 8:00 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Attendees will experience shopping with unique vendors, prize giveaways, FREE samples, door prizes, massages, food samples, wine tasting and many other exciting items. This event is limited to women and girls who are 12 years of age and older and the admission fee is $5.00. Over 54 vendors will display and sell their products and services. Bring your girlfriends for an evening of pampering, shopping and eating. Bring in a canned food or non-perishable food item for a chance to win a Amazon Gift Cards. You get one ticket per item, so the more you donate, so does your chance to win the gift cards. Food donations will be given to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. For additional information call Sherry at 729-8163.

A ReproGene 2018 workshop will be held in Monday at 4:30 at the Recklein Auditorium in Cuba. The workshop will deal with the remarkable technology available to beef producers and how producers can use these tools to increase profits. The workshop will be led by MU Extension’s David Patterson and Jared Decker. The workshop will be coordinated by University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist, Ted Cunningham. Early registration for $20.00 ends TODAY which includes dinner. The registration fee is $25.00 at the door. For information contact Jared Decker at (573) 882-2504 or Ted Cunningham at (573) 729-3196.

The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the Salem City Council Chambers. The board approved the chip and seal bid from Missouri Petroleum out of St. Louis for 30,000 square yards of chip and seal for $2.37 per square yard for a total of $71,100. The board made no decision on the purchase of a backhoe for the construction company before hearing from Parks and Recreation Director Tye Lydon. He was informing the board he will purchasing refrigerators, freezers, ice maker and other equipment through funds provided by Healthy Dent County for the Health Foods Initiative that will be in effect at the park. He also reported that SACBA will be paying $7,000 toward a new entrance sign for the city park that includes the materials, concrete pad and electric lights. Lydon also let the board know that he wanted to sell signs to businesses for the city park fences and offer team sponsorships if they wanted. City Administrator Ray Walden gave the traffic survey results of the study done on Grand Street by Officer Allan Kimrey that showed 36 cars parked on the east side of the street while another 12 cars parked on the west side. There were 262 private parking spaces available in the lot and very few were being used. The board decided to eliminate parking on both sides of Grand Street from 1st to 3rd Streets. Walden gave his report where he thanked Rob Benowitz and all those involved with this year’s 100-Acre Wood Road Rally for making it another success. He said the school will have another volunteer day on April 3rd, and another visioning meeting will be held April 9th from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory which the public is invited to attend. The board approved Bill #3367 that corrected the fee for sewer inspections from $25 to $30; approved Bill #3368 that establishes a Commercial Plan Review Fee of 65% of the building permit fee for commercial projects; and approved Bill #3369 that allows the Mayor to execute an agreement between the city and Westport Pools, Inc. for a change order for the bath house renovations at the city pool. The board approved adopting a policy for Livable Streets as presented by Alderwomen Shelton that says any new street development would have to have sidewalks unless exempted by the aldermen. The board approved the appointment of Sarah Ziske Swindell to the Library Board and the re-appointment of Doris Stempniak to the Housing Authority Board. The board went on to approve setting a public hearing for the annexation of property into the city recently purchased by the Phelps County Regional Medical Center on Highway 32-72 West. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On March 13th, deputies received a report of an identity theft. It was reported that a Verizon account had been falsely open in the victim’s name. This report is still under investigation. On March 15th, deputies responded to a residence on Dent County Road 5320 for a theft. It was reported that a black, singe axle, ten-foot trailer was stolen from a barn. The trailer has a metal frame with wooden boards on the sides and has white wheels without hubcaps and fender flares. It also has a lift gate and a toolbox on it. This report is still under investigation. That same day, deputies responded to call to the Seville Care Center parking lot for a verbal domestic. During the investigation, it was revealed that 43-year old Salem man involved had a felony warrant from Lafayette County. He was arrested, taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. If you have any information about an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s Department at 729-3241.

Highway 106 in Shannon County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction as the Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform bridge maintenance. The bridge over the Jacks Fork River is located at Alley Springs between Shannon County Road 308 and Shannon County Road 423. Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday, March 21 through Thursday, March 29 from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. The work zone will be marked with signs. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution while traveling near the area. For additional information, contact MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

An accident happened in Texas County Monday afternoon at 12:25 on Route AT about six miles northwest of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 1995 Mercury Cougar driven by 33-year old Sarah Tow of Licking traveled off then roadway and struck a tree. Tow suffered moderate injuries and was transported by ambulance to Texas County Medical Center. The Mercury sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by a family member. Tow was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.