Local News – Monday, August 14, 2023

An accident occurred Friday morning around 8:40 in Dent County on Highway 72 at County Road 2620. According to the highway patrol report a 2003 Ford F150 driven by 49-year-old Todd Perkins of Salem was traveling eastbound and stopped in traffic, a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze driven by 67-year-old Barbara Trump of Rolla also traveling eastbound struck the rear of the Ford. Causing the Ford to travel off the right side of the roadway. Both Todd and Trump suffered minor injuries and were transported by Salem Memorial District Ambulance. Todd was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital and Trump was transported to Phelps Health in Rolla. Both injured parties were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Muffler.

An accident happened Thursday morning just after 7:00 in Texas County on Highway B one mile east of Houston. According to the highway patrol report a 1997 Ford Explorer being driven east by 36 year old Melissa Gentry of Raymondville traveled off the right side of the road. Gentry then over corrected and went off the left side of the road, impacting an embankment and overturning. Gentry suffered minor injuries and was taken by a private vehicle to the Texas County Memorial hospital. The Explorer was totaled and removed from the scene by Jays Towing.

An accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 1:15 in Texas County on Highway 63 three miles north of Cabool that took the life of a Cabool woman. According to the Highway Patrol Report a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche, driven by 48-year-old Christie Smith of Cabool, hydroplaned and crossed the center line where it was struck by a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban driven by 60-year-old Timothy Nash of Wright City, Missouri. Smith was pronounced deceased at Texas County Memorial Hospital by Dr. E. P. Schafer at 2:30. Suffering serious injuries in the accident was 23-year-old Megan Smith of Cabool. She was taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital and was Life Flight-ed to Springfield. Nash suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Cox South in Springfield. The report stated that Christie Smith and Timothy Nash were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident, while Megan Smith was not. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Cabool Fire Department.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be hold a tax rate hearing at 5:30 in the Salem R-80 board room on Thursday to be followed by the regular board meeting. After approval of the agenda the tax rate will be presented dollowed by the adoption of the tax rate. After the approval of the consent agenda for the regular meeting the board is expected to approve the minutes of the July meeting and approve bills, the substitute list and the MOU with Compass Health. After hearing the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents reports with be the Administrators reports from William Lynch Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, along with reports from Clay Moody on the facilities and athletics, along withreports from Instructional coaches and special education report. In new business before the board will be preliminary approval of the 2022-23 annual secretary of the board report, approval of the conflict of interest ordinance, approve the letter of engagement with Gilmore Bell, approval of the construction trades program, and a declaration of surplus property to include the old phone system and freezer, and consider responses to RFP for a security camera system. The board will also hear the first reading of the MSBA policy update and approve a service agreement with Get The Lead Out LLC, and consider the Gift of Life program. The board may then vote to go into closed session to discuss personnel and real estate. The meeting Thursday evening will be open to the public.

The Sheriff’s department released these reports for the first part of August. On Thursday August 3rd, deputies responded to the 3200 block of Highway P in an attempt to locate a wanted subject. During the course of the call, a 25-year-old Salem man attempted to flee law enforcement but was apprehended and arrested on multiple warrants. The subject was transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrants and additional charges. Then on Saturday August 5th deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle being operated by a 61-year-old Salem man. The man had multiple active arrest warrants and fled from deputies. After a brief pursuit, the man was apprehended in the 2200 block of Highway 68 and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrants and additional charges. The next day, Sunday August 6th, deputies responded to the 100 block of County Road 3275 for a reported harassment. During the investigation, it was determined that a 55-year-old Salem man was in possession of a firearm while threatening a neighbor. The subject was arrested and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was placed on a 24 Hour Hold pending issuance of formal charges. Then on Tuesday August 8th, deputies responded to the 15000 block of East Highway 32 for a reported assault. During the investigation, it was determined that a 50-year-old Salem man was assaulted by a 44-year-old Salem man. The investigation is ongoing. Finally on Thursday August 10th, deputies responded to the 2500 block of County Road 6280 to execute an arrest warrant. The suspect, a 52-year-old Jadwin man, was arrested without incident and transported to the Dent County Jail where he was incarcerated on the warrant. If you have any information regarding any ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’s office at 729-3241.

A free back to school bash will be August 16th, 17th, and 18th from 5:00 until 9:00 at The Commons. There will be back to school supplies, games, food, prizes and much more. Come and enjoy the presentation by Todd Keane and The Power Team 2.0. The event is hosted by community churches and fellowships. If you need more information or a ride to the event call Pastor Lyndell Decker at (573) 739-9235, Sister Ashley Decker at (573) 466-9156, or Walking Faith Ministries at (573) 729-7500.