Local News – Friday, September 25th, 2020

With fall firearms turkey season running October 1st through the 31st and archery turkey season already underway, the Missouri Department of Conservation advises turkey hunters it could be another challenging season. According to MDC, turkey production in Missouri steadily increased during the 1990s before declining during the 2000s. While production began to increase throughout much of the state from about 2009 to 2014, Missouri has had poor production over the last several years. MDC preliminary data from this year’s annual wild turkey brood survey indicate turkey production will likely be on-par with production during the last several years. According to MDC, the statewide poult-to-hen ratio for this year is projected to be about 0.9, which is the same as from 2018 and 2019. Weather conditions during the nesting season and through much of the brood-rearing period were favorable across most of the state. Yet, despite favorable weather, this year’s expected low production isn’t surprising considering trend from previous years. Get details about fall turkey hunting from MDC’s 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold or online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov. You can buy hunting permits from vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits or through MDC’s free Mo Hunting mobile app, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

A five vehicle chain reaction accident happened Tuesday morning shortly after 11:00 in Crawford county on Highway 19 about three quarters of a mile south of Cuba. According to the report from the highway patrol the crash happened when a 2007 Jeep Liberty being driven North by 42 year old Michelle Humphrey of Cuba came to a stop because of debris in the roadway. The Jeep was then struck from behind by 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe being driven by 45 year old Scott Weatherby of Steelville. The Tahoe was then struck by a 2013 Toyota Sienna driven by 33 year old Rebecca Yoder of Cuba. The Toyota was then struck from behind by a 2009 Ford Edge being driven by 40 year old Gina Brown of Davisville. Then striking the Ford was a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country being driven by 21 year old Melanie Mast of Cuba. Suffering minor injuries was the driver of Ford Edge, Gina Brown, and a passenger 49 year old Stephanie Callahan of Steelville. Both were transported by North Crawford Ambulance to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The Toyota was totaled, the Chrysler Town and Country and the Ford Edge sustained extensive damage. The Chevrolet Tahoe had moderate damage while the Jeep received only minor damage. All involved in the accident were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet was removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. The Chrysler, Toyota, and Ford were removed by Chris and Sons Towing and the Jeep was driven from the scene.

The Salem Police Department has released their report for the month of August. They issued 15 summonses to appear in court, 36 warning tickets, and 4 traffic tickets, plus they also served 3 fugitive warrants. The Salem Police investigated 15 traffic accidents, wrote 7 property damage reports, 9 stealing reports, and conducted 2 death investigations. The department investigated 4 driving while being revoked or suspended, 2 possessions of a controlled substance reports, 4 domestic violence reports, along with 1 domestic assault as well as 3 leaving the scene of an accident. The department was also dispatched for 34 animal calls, 19 ambulance assist calls, and performed 52 traffic stops for the month. The Department also conducted 67 follow-up investigations, investigated 1 leaving without paying and conducted 28 well being checks. The Salem Police Department received 979 calls for service during the month of August and had 65 walk-ins to the station. The department drove 9,050 miles during the month of August. There were 7 males and 8 females arrested in April. The Police Department also served 4 hours as court bailiff for the month.