Local News – Monday, January 2nd, 2023
A highway patrol trooper assisting a motorist Saturday evening at 6:20 on the South Outer Road of Interstate 44 near Sullivan was struck by a passing vehicle leaving the trooper with serious injuries. According to the highway patrol report, 25-year-old Colby Townsend of Rolla, was roadside checking on a pedestrian when 74-year-old William King of Cuba, failed to see the trooper and struck him with his 2017 Dodge Ram truck driven westbound. Townsend was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis with serious injuries. The Dodge Ram sustained moderate damage and was towed by Patriot Towing from the scene. King was not injured in the accident.
An accident happened Thursday afternoon at 1:04 in Maries County on Highway 28 about a mile and a half east of Highway 63 that took the life of a man from St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Chevy S-10 driven westbound by 71-year-old Gary Stearns of St. James, traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Stearns, who was not wearing a seat restraint, was ejected from the S-10 and was pronounced dead at the scene by Maries Deputy Coroner Amanda Sandbothe at 2:48 Thursday afternoon. His body was taken by the Maries County Coroner’s office to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Chevy S-10 was removed from the scene by Owens Towing.
Healthy Dent County is planning to begin another Project RISE program that will empower individuals to reach financial independence through support and education. The goal is to have a new cohort of families begin February 7th at 5:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. This program will help families reach personal and financial goals through employment and career development, time management, goal setting, relationship building, money management and community involvement. The objectives of Project RISE are to increase support systems, resources and community connections as well as providing education that will allow families to develop tools that can improve their financial health and empowerment. While enrolled, families can earn gift cards and other financial incentives, plus meals and childcare are provided during the meetings. The program is 16 weeks long and only 4-7 families will be selected. Families will meet weekly during the evening hours to focus on succeeding in life. Ms. Lacey Walker, Administrative Professional with Healthy Dent County, will serve as the coordinator for this program. To make this project a success, Healthy Dent County will work with social service agencies, churches, health care and employment specialists and community leaders. The wealth of knowledge from these professionals will be invaluable to improving the lives of these families for generations to come. Applications are available at the Salem Community Center@The Armory office. For more information on Project RISE or to determine a family’s eligibility, please contact Lacey Walker at 729-8163 or e-mail her at lacey@salemcommunitycenter.org.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks is pleased to announce the 2023 grant application round for the Recreational Trails Program is now open. These grants are available to cities, counties and nonprofit organizations to be used to create motorized and nonmotorized trails for recreational use. Federal agencies can also apply for funding for motorized trails. For more information about this program, to download the grant application and to register for a grant application workshop, visit mostateparks.com and type “recreational grant” in the search box. For questions, contact the grants management team at mspgrants@dnr.mo.gov. The application deadline is February 16th, 2023. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.
Join birders across Missouri for the 123rd annual Christmas Bird Count. This year, birders will meet at 9:00 this Wednesday morning at the Black River Center at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. The Christmas Bird Count is a great way to get your family friends out in nature. Everyone is invited to attend; no experience is necessary. The park team encourages participants to dress for the weather, as well as bring water and snacks. Also, please bring binoculars if available. Limited supplies will be available. For more information about the event, please contact the park naturalist at 573-546-2450 ext.1003. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The Creative Arts Center located at 204 S Main St, in Salem, will be offering a Woven Basket Hand-Building class with Connie Behrick & Susan Parker England on Thursday January 5th from 9:00 in the morning till noon. In this class you will make a hand-built woven basket. Participants can bring their own supplies including clay. The cost is $45 per person. To sign up for Creative Arts Center events, call or text 573-247-0651, or you can go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center.