Local News – Friday, December 3rd, 2021
An accident happened Thursday at 12:39 in Phelps County on Highway 63 and Phelps County Road 7240. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Toyota Corolla driven northbound by 34-year-old Carrie Donahoe of Newburg, attempted to make a left turn onto Highway 63 and failed to yield to an oncoming Ford Expedition driven southbound by 66-year-old Carl Buckner of Lenox. Both vehicles collided with Buckner suffering minor injuries while a passenger, 62-year-old Brenda Buckner suffered moderate injuries. Both were transported to Phelps Health. The Toyota and the Ford were both totaled and removed from the scene by D&D Recovery. Donahoe was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while the Buckners were not.
An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon at 12:50 on Phelps County Road 2410 about 4 ½ miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Saturn Vue driven northbound by 60-year-old Monica Clonts of St. James traveled off the right side of the roadway. Clonts overcorrected and the Vue then traveled off the left side of the roadway where it struck an embankment and overturned. Clonts suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health. Clonts was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Vue was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeon’s Towing.
A hit and run accident happened Saturday evening, November 20th just after 6:00. According to the report from the Salem Police Department, a 2010 Chevy Malibu being driven by Natalie Weikel was stopped at a stop sign on Franklin Street near Dillworth. The vehicle was struck from behind by a then unknown vehicle. A passenger in the vehicle, Jessie Moser, provided details of the accident to the responding officer. After a vehicle search by the Salem Police Department, a vehicle was later located at the Ranch Motel with heavy damage to the front end. The owner of the vehicle, Chad Steelman, was contacted about the damage and the driver stated that he had earlier struck a deer earlier. After further questioning, the officer produced evidence from the Malibu that had been struck that he found in the bed of the pickup. Steelman then stated that he may have struck another vehicle. At that time Steelman was arrested, booked, and issued a summons for leaving the scene of an accident with property damage exceeding 1,000 dollars. He was given a court date in early January.
The Salem Board of Aldermen held a special meeting Thursday evening at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The board discussed new flooring for the lower level at the City Administration Building. They received two bids and both were for carpeting. The board also asked to receive bids to get laminate flooring so no action was taken. The board then went into closed session.
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season. Americans typically generate the largest amount of waste between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. As you plan your holiday events and gatherings, remember to add a bit of green to your party theme. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources shares some tips to maximize your holiday cheer while also being environmentally friendly. When it comes to gift giving, consider homemade. You can reuse glass jars by creating homemade snow globes or filling them with cookie and cake mixes. Wrap your gifts in a way that would make even the Grinch’s heart grow. Use maps, posters, or comics from your newspaper to decorate gifts. You can also use decorative tins or boxes instead of throwaway wrapping materials. Have an extra-green Christmas tree. Instead of choosing a cut Christmas tree, opt for a potted tree that can be replanted outside after the holidays. If you want a cut tree, consider buying from a local tree farm. Shopping locally means fewer miles, fewer emissions, and a healthier environment. Choose LED lights, which have a longer life span and use less energy than regular lights and use a timer that automatically turns lights off and on. Make clean up in a jingle! Plan ahead and only cook what you need, but if you do have food waste, compost as much as possible and recycle as much trash as you can. Save wrapping paper and bags for use on next year’s gifts. If you bought a cut tree it can be chipped and used for mulch, but it can also be turned into a habitat for fish or other wildlife. With just a little creativity and planning, you can help alleviate unnecessary waste in our landfills at your next holiday party. For more information on recycling, reuse, and composting, contact the department's Waste Management Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5401, or visit our website at dnr.mo.gov.