Local News – Monday, December 14th, 2020
The Dent County Service Unit of the Salvation Army wants to let everyone know that ALL the angels from this year’s “Angel Tree” at Wal-Mart have been selected. The local service unit wants to thank all those who helped out by taking care of one or more angels in this unusual year of 2020. Your support of the “Angel Tree” as well as the youth of Dent County is greatly appreciated.
A fatal accident occurred Friday afternoon at 4:41 in Crawford County on Highway 19 about four miles south of Cuba. According to the highway patrol report, a 2004 Nissan Quest driven by 42-year old Michael Rayoum of Rolla, was traveling northbound when he traveled off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected and came back on the roadway and struck head-on a 2018 Kia Optima driven by 31-year old Adam Crocker of Cuba who was traveling southbound. Crocker was transported to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by the North Crawford Ambulance. He was pronounced dead at 5:45 by Dr. Melissa Bradley at the hospital. Rayoum was arrested for a DWI resulting in the death of another person. He was also charged with the possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway and for not wearing a seat belt. He was released for the treatment of moderate injuries suffered in the accident and was transported by the North Crawford Ambulance to Missouri Baptist in Sullivan. Crocker was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Miles and Sons’ Towing. The highway patrol was assisted by the Cuba Police Department and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. This was the 1st fatality in Troop I for the month of December.
An accident occurred Saturday morning at 2:45 in Dent County on Route H at Route CC. According to the highway patrol report, a 1992 Dodge Power Ram driven by 23-year old Hank Martin of Beulah, was traveling westbound and failed to stop at a stop sign, traveled through the intersection and struck a tree. Martin suffered serious injuries and was flown by Air Evac to Springfield Mercy. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by American Muffler. Martin was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their December meeting Tuesday, December 15th, in the hospital library beginning at 12:00 noon. After the call to order, roll call, and approval of the minutes of the November 17th meeting, Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas will report on the summary of the operations for the month of November, followed by the Chief of Nursing Report by Debbie Hines. A report on the hospital foundation, plus the marketing and community perception report will be given by Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards. Lucas will then go over the COVID-19 update and an update on Hospital expansion and renovation, plus election filing. New business will include purchases since the last meeting. The board may vote to go into closed session. Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the December meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will be conducted by zoom. The meeting is open to anyone to join. For information on how to access the meeting via zoom, please email kbrown@smdh.net or call (573) 729-5917, extension 4005.
An accident happened Saturday evening at 8:58 in Shannon County on Route D about one half mile west of Flatwood. According to the highway patrol report, a 1996 Ford Ranger driven eastbound by 26-year old Michael Treadway of Salem, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. Treadway suffered minor injuries and as transported by the Mercy Ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. Treadway was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Ranger was totaled and removed from the scene by Sartin’s Towing.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Thursday, December 24th in observance of Christmas Eve, and Friday, December 25th, in observance of Christmas Day. Normal operations will resume Monday, December 28, 2020. The driver examination stations will also be closed on Friday, January 1st for New Year’s Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, January 4th.