Local News

Dent County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley has released a couple of court pleadings in the last week. On Thursday, September 30th in Dent County in front of Judge Kelsaw, Austin Carter of Salem pled guilty to the delivery of methamphetamine. Carter was sentenced to serve seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections as a persistent felony offender. On Tuesday, October 5th in Crawford County in front of Judge Megan Seay, Lee Sellers of Salem pled guilty to the possession of methamphetamine. Sellers was on probation at the time of the guilty plea. Judge Seay sentenced Sellers to serve seven years in the Department of Corrections as requested by Prosecutor Curley.

Waste Corporation of America will be providing the Fall Cleanup week for City of Salem residents beginning Monday, October 11th through Friday, October 15th. Residents are asked to have all trash placed at the curb the night before your normal scheduled trash day. EPA law will not allow the collection of yard waste, batteries, tires, motor oil, chemicals or solvents, paint, appliances, or non-compactable items such as concrete, tree stumps, steel, or construction debris. If you have questions about the WCA residential Fall Cleanup Week, please call 1-800-926-3953 or 1-417-741-7714.

Healthy Dent County’s 10th annual “Girls Night Out” event will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 TODAY at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Attendees will experience shopping with unique vendors, prize giveaways, FREE samples, door prizes, food samples 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 60 vendors will display and sell their products and services. Bring your girlfriends for an evening of pampering, shopping and eating. Bring in canned food or non-perishable food items for a chance to win a Gift Card. 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 and Grace Harbor. For more information or to be a vendor, contact Sherry at 729-8163 or sherry@salemcommunitycenter.org.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Office has released more reports for the month of September. On Friday, the 17th of September, the Dent County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious subject near the reporting party’s residence in the 3000 block of Route K. A deputy responded to the area and during the investigation, a traffic stop was conducted near the residence. During the stop, a 26-year-old man from West Alexandria, Ohio, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated and trespassing in the 1st degree. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. On Saturday, the 18th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South Highway 19 and Roosevelt Street. As a result, a 37-year-old man from Patterson, Illinois, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released to a sober party. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South Highway 19. During that stop, a 41-year-old woman from Boss was arrested for having two active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The woman was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Sunday, September 19, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 5440. As a result of the stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released to a sober party. A deputy conducted a traffic stop on East Hunt Street on Wednesday, the 22nd. During the traffic stop, a 30-year-old Fredricktown woman was arrested for driving while having her license revoked or suspended. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. The next day a deputy traveled to a residence in the 900 block of South Oak Street to serve an arrest warrant. As a result, a 39-year-old Salem man was arrested for active warrants through the Dent County Sheriff’s Office. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated.

The Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program has been selected as one of four Strong Communities Award finalists and it will take your vote for them to win the grand prize of $15,000. Members of the Salem community can cast their votes once a day through this Friday in favor of the Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program by visiting the Strong Communities Award homepage at www.fhlbdm.com/award. Then go to the bottom of the page of the rural finalists to find the Salem entry which is very informative. The Strong Communities Award honors the projects, people and programs that promote local small business growth and retention.

The Salem Police Department has released several reports for the month of September. During the afternoon of Saturday, the 4th around 2:45 an officer was dispatched to Wal-Mart for a report of a shoplifter. It was reported that a female subject had stolen approximately $125 worth of merchandise. After contact was made with the female subject and a short investigation, the 28-year-old Salem woman was arrested and released on a summons. The next afternoon at approximately 2:45 an officer was attempting to contact a subject that had active arrest warrants. It was reported that a male subject identified as 34-year-old Jesse Light, had been staying and hiding at his father’s residence in the 1300 block of South Wines. After numerous attempts to locate Jesse at the residence and being told he had not been at the residence, officers investigated Light’s whereabouts. Light was later located hiding in a shed on the property. Light then struck an officer and took off running. A short foot pursuit ended in Light being taken into custody. Light had warrants for his arrest for resisting arrest and possession of controlled substance. Due to the incident, other charges on Light were requested through the Dent County Prosecutors Office. During the afternoon of Wednesday, September 8th, near 1:30 an officer was dispatched to Country Mart for a report of a forgery. It was reported that a woman had cashed fraudulent checks in the amount of $782.33. An investigation into this matter is still ongoing. Then on Friday, the 10th, an officer arrested a 48-year-old Salem woman identified as Erma Baker on an active arrest warrant out of Dent County. On Sunday, September 12th around 1:15 in the afternoon, an officer responded to the 300 block of east Truman for a report of an assault. The investigation uncovered that a female subject had assaulted one of her family members. Due to the investigation a 22-year-old Salem woman was arrested and later released on a summons to appear in court. Please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242 if you have any information regarding an ongoing investigation.

After a year of absence due to COVID-19 the Wurdack Field Day returns to the Cook Station area at the Wurdack Research Center on Friday, October 8th. Registration begins at 8:30 followed by tours from 9:00 until Noon. Lunch, sponsored by FCNB Bank, will be served at noon at the Spring. Featured tours center around beef cattle production and include using shade to enhance herd productivity, body condition scoring as a planning tool, grass weeds in forages and late season broadleaf weed management, synchronization with natural service, changing the thinking about the cow herd from a depreciating asset to an appreciating asset, and keeping animals on high quality forage and hay. There will also be a presentation by Wurdack Superintendent, Dr. Dusty Walter, on timber sale methods and expectations. To get to the Wurdack Research Center from Salem take Highway 19 north 15 miles to County Road 3370. Turn left and continue 3 miles to the farm entrance. For more information contact Dusty Walter at WalterD@Missouri.edu or Wurdack.Missouri.edu.

Each year, Meramec Regional Planning Commission honors residents of the Meramec Region who give to their communities by volunteering their time, talents and support. With the cancellation of the 2020 MRPC Annual Dinner, the 2021 dinner will honor volunteers from both years. A total of 16 awards will be presented at MRPC’s 2021 Annual Dinner October 21st at the State Technical College of Missouri Student Activity Center at #1 Technology Drive in Linn. Some of the recipients from our area include Joe Brand from Salem, plus Mick Barrack and Judy Terry of Rolla. The public is invited to attend the event in Linn. COVID-19 precautions will be followed. Tickets for the event will cost $35. A reception will be held prior to the dinner beginning at 5:30 with dinner beginning at 6:30. The program and awards presentation will follow. The Eugene E. Northern award, the highest honor given by MRPC for volunteers and community service, will also be announced at the Annual Dinner for 2020 and 2021. For reservations, contact the MRPC at 573-265-2993. The deadline for reservations is THURSDAY, October 7th.

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways has a variety of great trails for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can explore trails independently or can participate in several ranger-led hiking events planned throughout the fall. Social distancing will be encouraged during ranger-led hikes. For hikes where shuttles are offered, masks will be required for visitors on the shuttles. Saturday October 9th will be from Echo Bluff State Park to Current River State Park. Hikers will meet at 10:00 in the morning at the lodge at Echo Bluff State Park to hike the second leg of the Current River Challenge. Ozark Riverways Foundation will offer hikers a “quick start breakfast” prior to departure. This 4-mile hike concludes at Current River State Park where participants can collect their completion stamp. A shuttle back to Echo Bluff State Park will be provided by Ozark Riverways Foundation. For more information about any of the hikes, contact Skyler Bockman at (573) 323-8093 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

A four-vehicle accident happened Sunday afternoon at 4:30 in Franklin County on Interstate 44 near the 257.4-mile marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2009 Honda CRV was improperly stopped on the interstate blocking the eastbound passing lane. At that time, a 2019 BMW X3 being driven by 65-year-old Roland Dolle of Eureka and a 2005 Jeep Wrangler being driven by 38-year-old Jason Savage of Salem, were both traveling east in the passing lane. The accident occurred as the front of the Wrangler struck the rear of the BMW. Then a 2021 Volvo Conventional semi being driven by 22-year-old Robin Singh of Clovis, California, struck the right side of the BMW. The BMW then struck the rear of the Honda. Savage suffered serious injuries and was taken by Meramec Ambulance Service to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. The Jeep, BMW, and Honda were totaled and all three were removed by Patriot Towing. No damage was reported to the Volvo Conventional.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Salem and Dent County Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge provided the commissioners her monthly report. She reported on the one state lead where the company asked the state to provide them with the ten best certified sites and Salem was included in that selection. Burbridge since then has provided the company with more additional information which was requested. She said the first three houses of the Voluntary Demolition Program have been removed and she has seven other homeowners interested in the program. She is working now with Archer Elgin to perform the letting out of bids. She said people can now vote on the Strong Communities Award the Salem R-80 Construction Trades program is up for. The public voting will end Friday and everyone can vote once a day. To vote, you must go online to www.fhlbdm.com/award. The program already received $3,000 for being a finalist. Burbridge also reported the unemployment rate for Dent County dropped to 3.7% in August, but the workforce has shrank from 6,204 to 6,123 people. Livestock Specialist Eric Meusch came in to update the commission on Extension programs. He said the Beef Days was a tremendous success held in September. He also said coming up Thursday at Wurdack Farm will be the FFA Education Day for FFA students in the surrounding school districts. On Friday, Wurdack will be hosting a Field Day and people still have time to sign up for that by contacting Dusty Walter at 573-999-1514. Meusch also said Wurdack will host a Whole System Management course later this month that may become a statewide school on those interested in artificial insemination. He went on to say the Dent County Extension has filled the position created in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation to deal with the feral hog problem in the area and his name is Kevin Crider who was raised in Shannon County. He was working as a feral hog trapper with MDC. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated work crews will be rebuilding Dent County Road 6220. Mobray said the road will be “passible” but be cautious in your travels over that road. The work crews will be hauling in dirt, replacing a culvert and then re-rocking the road. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported one of his district workers will be helping with the project on county road 6220, while the other workers will be rebuilding a low water crossing on Dent County Road 4030. Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he attended the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District Executive Board meeting Tuesday and they reviewed and scored 11 grant applications to reduce solid waste going into landfills as well recycling. He said one of the applications came from Dent County. He said about $300,000 was requested and there is around $180,000 available. They will meet again next Tuesday to work on awarding the projects. Skiles stated he, Commissioner Mobray, Dent County Clerk Angie Curley, Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams and Dent County Lieutenant Lenny Pabin attended the ARPA meeting last Wednesday at the MRPC to hear from Attorney Travis Elliott on what the funds can be used for. Elliott made a few recommendations concerning the fund and prepared some draft policies for the distribution, but said the counties need to wait for the final ruling from the US Treasury before acting. Skiles also said he attended the CCAM Executive Board meeting last week and they discussed legal issues concerning Senate Bill 53. He said the whole board will be meeting this week to discuss it further. The commission then heard from John Hickman from HIC Insurance concerning health insurance. The courthouse will be closed on Monday for Columbus Day so there will be no commissioner meeting Monday.

An accident happened Sunday night at about 10:30 on Highway C in Texas County about five miles north of Licking. The report from the highway patrol states that a 1985 Honda MC being operated by 28-year-old Brendan Woodall of Licking, lost control and was ejected from the vehicle. Woodall, who was not wearing a safety device, suffered serious injuries, and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Springfield by an air ambulance. The Honda sustained minor damage and was removed by a private party.

The Rose Holland Trout Derby, which was held this past weekend, was a huge success. There were 764 tags sold for Saturday’s fishing and 434 for Sunday. There were 10 lunkers caught and local anglers catching lunkers included Kevin Sunke of Rolla and Tad Headrick of Salem. Fifty-four tagged fish were caught and registered. The total raised for the American Heart Association was $12,415. The Current River Cruisers Car Show on Friday raised $1,046.00 for the derby.

The Salem Board of Aldermen held a regular meeting Thursday at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board heard from Skip Dahms requesting a street closure on Fourth Street between McArthur and North Henderson for October 9th for a Kids Fall Carnival. This was approved. Also approved was Bill No. 3492 an ordinance amending the annual budget beginning July 1st, 2020 and appropriating funds from the Electric, Sanitation and Airport Fund. This bill increases the total anticipated revenue from $12,860,186.00 to $13,544,506.27, the anticipated expenditures from $12,791,822.00 to $13,476,139 and the Intergovernmental Transfers from $2,197,462.00 to just over $2.4 million dollars. The fund adjustment for the Electric Fund was due to the February weather event; the Sanitation Fund was due to a corrected billing cycle and the Airport Fund was due to a grant awarded for an airport project spanning fiscal years. City Administrator Ray Walden reported the City Wide Yard Sale will be held Saturday with maps being available at the City Administration office as well as local convenience stores. Fall clean up weeks will be October 11th to the 15th, and citizens that have questions about what can be placed curbside can call 1-800-926-3953. City offices will be closed on Monday, October 11th in observance of Columbus Day. The board approved the Trick and Treat hours being held on October 31st from 6:00-8:00 in the evening. Mayor Kim Steelman reported the filling of the City Clerk and Finance Director positions are moving along with an announcement soon. She is suggesting the city get a text alert service that citizens can subscribe to that would create another form of communication. She is working with Code Enforcement Officer Jarrod Brown on updating some policy and ordinances and will bring suggestions for changes to the board. Public Works Director Mark Nash updated the alderman on several projects. The city crews will be filling and sealing cracks on city streets the next couple of weeks. Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge gave an update on the Federal Home Loan Bank project through Riverways Federal Credit Union, that will rehab 25 homes. It will be announced in December. She is optimistic about this grant due to recent contact with the funder. The Bank of Salem sponsored the Federal Home Loan Bank $15,000 project for the Salem R-80 Construction Trade program and the winner will be determined by online voting that will open October 4th. There have been three homes that have participated in the Demolition Program with another seven homeowners that have expressed interest in participating. The Aldermen then each gave a report on items that staff needed to look into. Steelman reminded the board that when contacted by citizens they should direct them to contact the appropriate city department. The board approved applying for a Law Enforcement grant for $7,500 to install lockable gun racks in the patrol cars. The board then went into closed session.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released more reports for the month of September. On Friday, September 10th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near 101 North Main Street. During the stop, a 24-year-old Salem woman was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. She was transported to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of South Highway 19. During the traffic stop, a 36-year-old Salem woman was arrested for operating a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The woman was taken to the Dent County Jail where she was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. Still later that same day, a deputy traveled to a location in the 400 block of East 4th Street to serve an arrest warrant. As a result, a 45-year-old Salem man was arrested for the active warrant through Dent County. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. The next day, September 11th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on East Gibbs Street. During the traffic stop, a 20-year-old Salem man was arrested for having a blood alcohol content. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released. That same day a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of West Highway 32. As a result, a 58-year-old Salem man was arrested for an active warrant through Phelps County and delivery of a controlled substance and driving while having his license revoked. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was later transported to Phelps County for the warrant through their agency. Later the same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on South Pershing Street. During the course of the traffic stop, a 31-year-old Rolla man was arrested for possession of a controlled substance except for 35 grams or less of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoid. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail, where he was fingerprinted, and issued a summons.

The 2021 Football Homecoming Court has been announced. They are Liberty Ross for the freshmen class, Neely Leathers for the sophomores, and Raegan Neff will represent the juniors. The three senior contenders for homecoming queen are Shelby Pogue, Lizbeth Blanco, and Hailey Baldwin. Congratulations girls on your selection.

Representatives from Missouri State Parks invite the public to attend an informational meeting at Dillard Mill State Historic Site this Saturday. The meeting will begin at 12:00 noon at the mill. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the site and its operations. Representatives from the site will be present to provide information and to answer questions. Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. These informational meetings, which are being held in all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities. The public is strongly encouraged to follow social-distancing guidelines and be proactive in protecting themselves and others. Dillard Mill State Historic Site is located at 1142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. For more information about the meeting, call 573-244-3120.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines announced the workforce and community development focused Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program has been selected as one of four Strong Communities Award finalists competing for $15,000. The Bank of Salem, a FHLB Des Moines member, partnered with Sally Burbridge, the Economic Development Director for Salem and Dent County as well as the Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program to apply for the Strong Communities Award. According to the Construction Trades Instructor A.J. Tinker, the Salem R80 Construction Trades Program focuses on providing hands on training in construction techniques and disciplines while providing a tool for rejuvenating the community. He urges the public to go online and vote for this important project to win this year’s Strong Communities Award. The Strong Communities Award honors the projects, people and programs that promote local small business growth and retention. The winners will be determined through a five-day public voting period beginning on October 4th and ending on October 8th this year. Members of the Salem community can cast their votes in favor of the Salem R-80 Construction Trades Program by visiting the Strong Communities Award homepage at www.fhlbdm.com/award. The voting serves as a component of the selection process to select the winners. The winners will be awarded $15,000 each, and runners-up will be awarded $3,000 each. The public can find out more about the award program at the same webpage.

The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse. Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams gave the report on CART funds and said the county is up $444.84 from money received last September with a total of $61,826.39 being collected. Year-to-date, the CART funds for 2021 received are up $49,946.08 over the 2020 year. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5690 while only materials would be added to county road 5600. He went on to say dirt work and the approaches to the new bridge on Dent County Road 4210 were being finished and the road is now open. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was not available and Travis Turner give the road report. He said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 2245 while brush will be cut on county road 3050. Turner also stated two men would be doing patch work on chip and seal roads with EPM material. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles said he would be attending an Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management Executive Board meeting today to review and score grant applications for solid waste reduction and/or recycling. Skiles said he, Commissioner Mobray and Dent County Clerk Angie Curley would be attending a meeting at the MRPC to hear Attorney Travis Elliott explain how counties can use their ARPA funds. Skiles also indicated he had a CCAM Executive Board Meeting Thursday in Jefferson City. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of August. Also at the meeting were Director of Marketing and Public Affairs Kent Sherrow and General Manager of Steelville Telephone Exchange, Kevin Ancell. They explained they have laid 4.4 miles of fiber in Dent County to date at a cost of about $270,000, plus they have another $30,000 in engineering costs. They are currently laying fiber in the northeastern part of the county that they already serve and actually have the fiber all the way to the bridge at Short Bend. Ancell said it costs between $28,000 to $30,000 a mile to lay the fiber. Ancell said Steelville Telephone Exchange has sent out a postcard to 4,593 people who fall in the “donut holes” of high speed Internet services where the speeds they have are 25 mbs download speed and three mbs upload speed or lower. People are asked to download the QR Code and fill out the survey and get it back to them if you are interested in high speed Internet. Their goal is to have at least six percent of the surveys returned, but their last survey actually had a response rate of over 12%. Ancell said Steelville Telephone Exchanges has run over 640 square miles of fiber in Crawford County with a download and upload speed of 100 mbs each. He said the telephone exchange is interested in providing services to Dent County and will be attempting to get government funding. Ancell was curious to find out if the county commission was going to use ARPA funds to help pay for better Internet services in Dent County and Presiding Commissioner Skiles said the commissioners have not made any decisions and won’t until after they here from Attorney Elliott on Wednesday. Sherrow said the Viburnum and Steelville areas have been designated Smart Rural Communities due to the investment by Steelville Telephone Exchange in fiber which can provide the Internet speeds people are looking for in their homes and businesses which can add value to personal property and allow people to relocate and work from home if they choose. Steelville was not awarded the service areas in the FCC auction to provide Internet services, but they are anxious to fill in the areas those providers would not, and if a provider backs out, they said they would be applying to replace them as a provider. The commissioners then approved the bid from Ferrellgas to provide propane for the courthouse beginning October 1st and lasting through the winter for $1.99 per gallon. The next meeting will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting will be open to the public.

The City of Salem Curbside Yard Waste Pickup is being RESCHEDULED to the week of October 18th. The City of Salem Streets Crew will be performing crack sealing on multiple city streets the first two weeks of October and will not be able to pick up yard waste during that time. Please be courteous while city crews are repairing and maintaining your streets. Again, please DO NOT set out yard waste until the weekend of October 16th.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released several reports for the first week of September. On Wednesday, September 1st, a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 32 and Phillips Street. During the stop, a 34-year-old Rolla man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. That same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1500 block of Route B. During that stop, a 20-year-old Salem woman was arrested for having an active warrant through the Reynolds County Sheriff’s Office and was issued a summons for failing to drive on the right half of roadway. She was transported to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. Later that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19. During the stop, a 44-year-old Cuba man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was finger-printed, issued a summons, and released. The next day, Thursday the 2nd of September, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 4000 block of Highway 68. During the stop, a 31-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 2nd or 3rd offense. He was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. On Saturday, September 4th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of MacArthur and Franklin Streets. As a result, a 32-year-old Salem man was arrested for operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license, a 1st offense. The man was taken to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. Later that same day, a deputy conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 68. As a result of the traffic stop, a 35-year-old Salem man was arrested for a DWI as a persistent offender and failure to comply with ignition interlock device requirements. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued summons, and released to a sober party. On Saturday, September the 8th, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Dent County Road 3190 and Highway 68. During the traffic stop, a 21-year-old Salem man was arrested for driving while having his license revoked or suspended, a 1st offense and driving while intoxicated. The man was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was fingerprinted, issued a summons and released to a sober party.

An accident occurred Friday afternoon in Phelps County on Highway 63 about a half a mile south of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a XR4145 Tractor driven by 69-year-old Bobby Gately of Edgar Springs was travelling eastbound and was backing down the state right of way while brush hogging. The tractor lost power and rolled into a culvert and overturned. Gately suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla by Phelps Health Ambulance. Gately was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The tractor sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Big Boys Towing.

An accident occurred Saturday morning at 11:56 in Phelps County on Route BB about five miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 58-year-old Barbara Underwood of Rolla was travelling eastbound and stopped in the road and began backing up. At that time, a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Rolla that was travelling eastbound struck the Silverado in the rear. The juvenile suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. He was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Cobalt sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by private party. The Silverado sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.

This Saturday, National Public Lands Day Activities at Round Spring will be celebrated by working on several trails in the park. Volunteering on National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to spend time outside with family and friends, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the benefits that come with the satisfaction of giving back. Join us at the Round Spring Ranger Station at 10 that to work on trail projects in the park. Bring a lunch and enjoy the day outdoors. Volunteers at National Public Land Day will receive a “fee-free” coupon, good for one year, for free one-day entrance into a federal recreation site. In addition, the Ozark Riverways Foundation will sponsor a National Public Land Day celebration full of fun, food, and a free concert at Echo Bluff State Park. Food and fun will be 4:00 until 6:00 that afternoon at the picnic area near the amphitheater, followed by the free concert featuring singer/songwriter Collin Nash at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Skyler Bockman at (573) 323-8093 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

Fall is a great time to try the Current River Challenge hike/float adventure. This self-guided activity includes three “legs” to complete: a 4-mile hike from Round Spring to Echo Bluff State Park, a 4-mile hike from Echo Bluff to Current River State Park, and a 4-mile float from Current River State Park to Round Spring. Hikers can pick up an informational map brochure at any of the three park sites. At the conclusion of each “leg” participants will stamp their map at designated kiosks. After completion of all three legs, participants can present their stamped map at the Round Spring Ranger Station to receive an award recognizing the accomplishment. The Current River Challenge is a self-guided activity that can be completed at your own pace, in any order and timeframe desired. It can be completed in one day or over multiple days. Plan accordingly when hiking or participating in any outdoor recreational activity. Hikers should take weather conditions into consideration and be prepared during all seasons. Drinking water, rain gear, map, snacks, flashlight, sturdy hiking shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather and terrain, and emergency campfire supplies are recommended. Always remember to inform someone of your plans. For more information about any of the hikes, contact Skyler Bockman at (573) 323-8093 or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar.