Local News – Monday, August 21st, 2023

An accident happened on Highway 137 about four miles south of Licking Saturday night at 10:34 that left five people with injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Mazda MZ2 driven southbound by 61-year-old Deanna Moon of Raymondville, traveled off the right side of the roadway. Moon overcorrected and the Mazda crossed over the center line and struck a 2009 Honda Motorcycle head-on being operated by 41-year-old Larry Krewson of Licking. Krewson suffered serious injuries and was taken by Air-Evac to the University Hospital in Columbia. Moon and three juvenile children from Raymondville including two females age 10 and 12, and a male age 11, all suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Texas County Memorial Hospital by the Texas County Ambulamce. Everyone in the Mazda was wearing a safety device at the time of the accident. The Honda was totaled while the Mazda sustained extensive damages. Both were removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive.

An accident happened Friday afternoon at 12:40 in Shannon County on Highway 106 about five miles east of Eminence. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Harley Davidson Motorcycle driven eastbound by 48-year old Westley Blackwell of Ellington, ran off the right side of the roadway and went about 30 feet down the embankment before coming to rest in some thick brush. Blackwell was ejected and came to rest nearby with serious injuries. Shannon County First Responders and the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department personnel treated Blackwell at the scene. A “Stokes litter”, which is a backboard inside a metal mesh basket, was used to lift him up to the roadside, which took a lot of hard work by volunteers from several agencies. A Mercy Life Line helicopter landed on the roadway and Blackwell was was transported by air to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by Mercy EMS, the Shannon County First Responders, the Eminence Area Volunteer Fire Department, the Shannon County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Blackwell was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was removed from the scene by Baker’s Towing of Birch Tree.

An accident happened Saturday afternoon just after 1:12 in Phelps County on Highway 72 about four miles south of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, the accident occurred as a 2007 Ford F-250 being driven southbound by 46-year-old Linda Ketzler of Salem, and a 2021 Ford F-150 driven southbound by 71-year-old Barbara Hamilton of Rolla, were both stopped in traffic. At that time, a 2008 Chevy Tahoe being driven by 18-year-old Levi Stoner of Salem, struck the backside of the Ketzler 2007 Ford F-250 causing it to strike the 2021 Ford F-150 driven by Hamilton. Linda Ketzler suffered minor injuries and was taken to Phelps Health for treatment; while a passenger in the Ford F-250, 26-year-old Codie Ketzler of Salem, also suffered minor injuries but chose to seek her own treatment. The Tahoe and the F-250 were totaled in the accident. The Tahoe was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing while the Ford F-250 was removed by American Muffler and Towing. The F-150 sustained moderate damage but was driven from the scene. Seat restraints were worn by everyone in the accident.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education met Thursday evening at the R-80 board room. After holding the tax rate hearing where the board approved the same rate as last year: $2.75 tax rate and $0.45 for debt service, Dr. Lynne Reed discussed the survey results from the community engagement survey where they received 100 responses. She said the school is going through the punch list on the ‘Tin Gym” project and it is all but complete. Assistant Superintendent Nathan Wills discussed “Tiger Training” for the new teachers which was over two days to acclimate new instructors to the district. The building principals all gave their reports. Dr. Herman Blau said Kindergarten enrollment was at 114 students and three para-professional positions have now been filled. Upper Elementary Principal Brenden Piatt said enrollment was at 334 students with 30 new students to the district, while Middle School Principal Rachel Green said there 246 students enrolled that included 44 new students. High School Principal Jody Heavin said 650 students are enrolled which is up from the 580 students from last year. Athletic Director Clay Moody said work on the baseball field will begin this week and the school may have to cancel home track meets this year due to issues with the inside lane. IT Director Brian Andrews discussed RFP’s for a new camera security that will be paid for by a $120,000 grant. Instead of having the company reps present the proposals, Andrews was asked to summarize the proposals for the board. He discussed the Digital Watchdog RFP as was well two RFP’s on the Motorola Vigilant system. The board agreed to go with the Vigilant system Thursday night, but there was some concern Friday that the board did not get enough information on the systems with just a summary. After a special board meeting Friday, the board rescinded that motion for approval and will hear more information about all the systems at the September meeting. The board approved the preliminary 2022-23 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, approved the Conflict of Interest ordinance, approved the formal Letter of Engagement with Gilmore Bell for bond financial guidance, and approved the Construction Trades contract with some amendments. The declaration of surplus property was postponed until September and the board had the first reading of the MSBA Policy update. Missouri passed a new law where schools must test their drinking water at fountains and cooking stations for lead, so the board approved a service contract with “Get the Lead Out, LLC.” This must be done by December to see what, if any, action needs to be done. The board made no decision on the “Gift of Life” organ donation program, and postponed a decision on the CACFP contract until the next meeting. The board did approved the Discovery School contract for two students to go to Rolla. In closed session, the board approved a three-year contract with Dr. Nathan Wills for him to become the new superintendent starting with the 2024-25 year. They also approved to amend the food service manager salary schedule and they approved authorizing an offer on real estate property. The district approved four volunteers to help coach football. They include Jimmy Decker for high school football, Phillip Mercer for freshman football, and Nick Gover and Jerry Creek for middle school football. The meeting was then adjourned.