Local News – Friday, March 22nd, 2024
Coming to the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center on Highway 19 starting Saturday, March 23rd and lasting through May the 5th, is the exhibit called “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” This exhibit offers small towns a chance to look at their own paths to highlight the changes that affected their fortunes over the past century. The exhibition will prompt discussions about what happened when America’s rural population became a minority of the country’s population and the ripple effects that occurred. Despite the massive economic and demographic impacts brought on by these changes, America’s small towns continue to creatively focus on new opportunities for growth and development. Economic innovation and a focus on the cultural facets that make small towns unique, comfortable, and desirable have helped many communities create their own renaissance. The future is bright for much of rural America as small towns embrace the notion that their citizens and their cultural uniqueness are important assets. The “Crossroads” exhibit is part of the “Museum on Main Street,” a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
An accident happened Wednesday evening just before 8:30 in Reynolds County on Reynolds County Road 906. According to the highway patrol report, a 2000 Ford tractor being operated by 48-year-old James Dorris of Bunker, was traveling uphill on private property when a mechanical failure happened causing the tractor to overturn. A passenger on the tractor, 50-year-old Shelly Hodge of Viburnum, suffered serious injuries and was taken by Phelps Air to the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. The tractor had minor damage and was left at the residence at the owners request.
An accident happened Wednesday afternoon just before 3:20 in Crawford County on Interstate 44 westbound at the 215.6 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by 50- year-old Jennifer Stevens of Steelville, had a tire blowout causing the Silverado to travel off the right side of the roadway and overturn. Stevens, along with two passengers in the vehicle from Steelville, 18-year-old Amber Dodson and 18-year-old Tiffany Stevens, suffered minor injuries. Jennifer Stevens and Dodson were taken by Missouri Baptist EMS to the Missouri Baptist Hospital. Tiffany Stevens was transported by North Crawford EMS to St. Louis. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Patriot’s Towing. The report went on to state that neither the driver or the two passengers were wearing seat restraints.
A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 in Reynolds County on Reynolds County Road 752 just west of Route Y. The highway patrol report states that a 1995 Ford Ranger being driven by 28-year-old Zachery Prater of Viburnum, was traveling east bound when he lost control of the Ford, then overcorrected and ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Alexis Setzer of Davisville, suffered serious injuries and was taken by Reynolds County EMS to Ellington where she was then transported to a St. Louis hospital by Lifenet 24. The Ford was totaled and removed from the scene by Aissie Towing. Neither Prater or Setzer were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.
The Dent County Commissioners met Thursday at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5600 and 6080, and a truck was going to be taken to Columbia for maintenance. District 2 Commissioner Gary Polk stated grading would be done on county roads 2090, 3160 and 4330 while brush would be cut on county road road 4020. A truck from his district was being taken to Springfield to have maintenance performedon it. Presiding Commissioner Gary Larson reported he attended an MRPC meeting last Thursday and on Tuesday, he attended a Solid Waste Management District meeting in St. James. Larson along with Treasurer Denita Williams and Deputy Rick Letchworth attended an opioid fund meeting at the MRPC offices. Treasurer Williams gave the report on the CART tax money received in March which came to $70,787.89 and the county is up .76% for the year. It was reported the courthouse will be closed on Good Friday which is March 29th. Brian Williams from McCoy Forestry and Construction visited with the commission about a backhoe. William Terry from the National Park Service called the commission and told them the plan was still to place the boulders at TanVat. He also said work was going to be done on the parking lot and the parks service was going to put in a circle drive. The next meeting of the commission will be Monday at 9:00 and the meeting will be open to the public.