Local News – Monday, July 10th, 2023
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem would like to congratulate the Independence Day July 4th Parade winners. Taking the 1st place commercial entry award was Riverways Federal Credit Union, while the 1st place noncommercial entry award went to the SOCMO Clowns. The 1st place horsemanship award went to Jodie Dean. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce to all those businesses and organizations that had an entry in the parade.
A one vehicle accident happened early Saturday morning at 3:40 in Dent County at Dent County Road 4270 and Highway 72. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Nissan Frontier being driven south by 20-year-old Jeremiah Hickernell of Rolla, traveled off the left side of the road, struck a tree and then overturned. Hickernell, who was not wearing a seat restraint, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The Nissan sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by American Muffler. Hickernell was arrested for a DWI, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway, not wearing a seat belt, and having no insurance.
An accident happened Friday afternoon at 12:25 in Crawford County at 960 Highway 8. According to the highway patrol report, a white Ford Van driven westbound by 19-year-old Faith Wigger of Steelville, attempted to make a left hand turn when the Ford was struck from behind by a Red Dodge Pickup that was attempting to pass the Ford, driven westbound by 40-year-old Chad Walker of Steelville. The Ford Van came to rest facing southbound while the Dodge ran off the roadway to the left and came to rest facing westbound. Suffering minor injuries in the accident were the driver of the Ford, Faith Wigger who did not get medical treatment at the scene; and a passenger in the Ford, 29-year-old Samantha Owens of St. James. Owens was taken to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. None of the parties involved were wearing safety devices. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage and were towed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing.
An accident happened Sunday morning at 6:41 in Phelps County on Highway 63 about two miles south of Edgar Springs. According to the highway patrol report, a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven northbound by 20-year-old Alexis Coats of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway, went across a private drive, then struck a mailbox as well as a highway sign before the Trailblazer overturned. Suffering minor injuries was Coats who was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. Coats was taken by the Phelps Healh Ambulance to the Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. The Chevy was totaled and removed from the scene by Lucas Garage.
An accident happened in Texas County Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on Highway 137 about four miles south of Licking. According to the highway patrol report, a 2023 Nissan Rogue driven by 87-year-old Janet McKean of Rolla, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck two culverts. McKean suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital. She was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Rogue sustained moderate damages and was towed by Jay’s in Houston.
The Missouri Humanities strives to highlight the uniqueness of rural Missouri, and to showcase the bigger picture of what Small Town America really is, and why it shouldn’t be overlooked, overshadowed, or under appreciated. Each year, communities are nominated and voted on by Missourians in their “Small Town Showcase” to become one of their annual “Featured Five” communities. Salem has been nominated this year. Each of the “Featured Five” communities will work with Missouri Humanities on a short video about their community, an hour-long podcast in a roundtable-style, a feature in their bi-annual publication called MoHumanities, and a highlight reel that will feature all five of the communities to be shown during their annual gala. Help choose which communities will be featured in the Small Town Showcase 2024 by voting by this Saturday and the 5 communities with the most votes will be the winners. You may vote for up to five different communities. To vote on or to read each of the communities’ nominations, go online to the mohumanities.org website and click on the “Programs” tab to find the “Small Town Showcase.”
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station at 32 South Main Street. The board is expected to review and approve the minutes of the June meeting. The board will then hear the financial report, approve bills, plus review the budget and calendar. After the monthly reimbursement report, any old business will be addressed and new business may be brought before the board. Fire Chief Brad Nash will make his report to the board and the date will then be set for the August meeting before adjourning. The meeting Tuesday evening will be open to the public.
The Salem Area Arts Council will offer a “Red, White and Blue” tye dye class this Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Creative Arts Center with Laura Miller. All ages including children with a legal guardian are welcome to celebrate the colors of our flag with a patriotic tye dye shirt. Wear play clothes and gloves to avoid unwanted stains!!! All materials are provided and the cost is $25 per person. At least two people must sign up to hold the class with a maximum 8 people. Sign up at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website under “Programs” for the Creative Arts Center.
The Salem Public Library will be hosting a “Preschool Story Time“ with Carrie Tuesday, from 10:30 until 11:15 in the morning in the North Basement Room. This program is for all area preschoolers and their caregivers and is held every second Tuesday of every month. They will also be holding an “All Together Now” Superhero Program in the North Basement Room from 1:00 until 2:30 on Tuesday where all superheroes from the area will share stories about adventure and participate in crafts and games with young children. The program is designed for children from Kindergarten through the 5th grade. The event is free and no library card is needed. For more information, call 729-4331. The Salem Public Library is located at 403 North Jackson.