Local News – Friday, July 17th, 2020
A two vehicle fatality accident happened late Wednesday afternoon just after 5:00 in Osage County on Highway 63 about one mile south of Highway 50. The report from the highway patrol states that a 2008 Nissan Sentra being driven northbound by 17-year old Caden Haslag of Loose Creek, Missouri, when he crossed over the centerline and struck head on a 2019 Kia Optima being driven southbound by 22-year old Hannah McDowell of Rolla. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by Osage County Coroner Lois Jaegers at 6:00 that evening. Both Haslag and McDowell were taken to the Morton’s Family Chapel in Linn. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by 4 J’s Towing out of Linn, Missouri.
A man from Licking was injured in a one vehicle accident Wednesday morning just before 10:00 in Laclede County on Highway 32 about a mile west of Lynchburg. According to the report from the highway patrol, 64-year old Billy Carter of Licking was traveling east on Highway 32 in a 2004 Peterbilt when he swerved to avoid an unknown westbound vehicle in eastbound lane. The Peterbilt left the right side of the road and struck a fence. Carter, who was not wearing a safety restraint, was flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for the treatment of serious injuries. The Peterbilt was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.
An accident happened Wednesday morning around 9:20 in Boone County on Route WW at the North Fork Creek. According to the highway patrol, a 2001 Toyota Camry being driven by 31-year old Matthew Akins of St. James crossed over the center line and struck head on a 2004 Toyota Rav4 driven by 19-year Drew Smith of Liberty. Both drivers were taken to University Hospital in Columbia for the treatment of moderate injuries. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Slate Towing in Columbia. Akins was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while Smith was wearing hers.
With hunting seasons coming up for deer, turkey, migratory birds, waterfowl, and other game, the Missouri Department of Conservation encourages Missouri hunters who need hunter education to get it early. Those hunting in Missouri during a firearms season or acting as an adult mentor to another hunter must have hunter-education certification, unless exempt. Exemptions include hunters age 15 years or younger who will be hunting with an adult mentor age 18 years of age or older who is certified in hunter education or exempt; hunters born before January 1st, 1967; hunters with a disability exemption from MDC; hunters age 16 years of age or older who have purchased an Apprentice Hunter Authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor age 18 years or older; hunters who are landowners hunting on land they own or hunters who can prove completion of an approved hunter-education course in another state.
This year, the Missouri Department of Conservation will offer two hunter-education options: a Blended Format and an All-Online Format. The Blended Format has two parts. The knowledge portion provides information to participants on all aspects of hunter education and can be taken online, through a free self-study guide, or in a classroom setting. Participants must also complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills portion is a hands-on demonstration of skills learned by participants. Participants must complete and pass both portions to earn certification. The All-Online
Format may be completed by Missouri residents 16 years of age and older. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider. The All Online option requires the passing of a final exam but has no skills portion. To help keep participants, instructors, and others safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the department of conservation will limit in-person class sizes to small numbers of participants. Class availability will also be limited due to smaller class sizes and limited availability of venues. Social distancing will be required. Masks will not be provided. The Missouri Department of Conservation will abide by applicable local health requirements and strongly encourages participants to bring and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available to participants. Learn more about hunter education and certification requirements at mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.