Local News – Monday, March 4th, 2024
The Cosmopolitan Club held their annual Variety Show and Miss Salem Pageant Saturday night at the Salem Community Center @The Armory. The Miss Personality Award went to Scire Goodson who was sponsored by the Village Gallery, Inc., the Second Runner-Up was presented to Bailey Howard sponsored by Bottorff’s Southtown Furniture, the First Runner-Up went to Kylie Parks who was sponsored by AD-PAR Construction, and Miss Salem 2024 was presented to Neely Leathers who was sponsored by Inman Insurance. Congratulations to all the girls who competed and a big thank you to all the acts that participated in the event.
A fatality accident happened Friday evening at 9:30 in Texas County on Highway 137 about three miles north of Raymondville. According to the highway patrol report, a 1995 Dodge Laramie being driven southbound by 50-year-old Michael Naylor of Licking, failed to negotiate a curve. The Dodge then traveled off the roadway before returning to the road before becoming airborne and overturning, ejecting Naylor who was not wearing a seat restraint. Naylor was pronounced dead at the scene by Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater at 10:25 Friday evening. His body was taken by the coroner to the Fox Funeral Home in Licking. The Dodge was removed from the scene by Jay’s Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department and the Raymondville Fire Department.
At least three people are dead following a house fire that started Saturday night near Rolla in Phelps County. According to the press release from the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, a call was received to the 10,000 block of Phelps County Road 2120 at 10:46 Saturday night and, upon arrival, deputies confirmed the house was fully involved with a nearby off-duty Phelps County Deputy discovering and taking care of a young boy who was outside of the house. Deputies also believed other people were trapped in the home but firefighters from several districts or departments could not initially gain entry because of the conditions. The fire was eventually brought under control with three fatalities confirmed. Their identities have not been released. An investigation into the cause of this fire was initiated by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Rural Fire Department, and the Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office.
The Opening Day of catch-and-keep trout season started Friday morning at 6:30 at Montauk State Park. There were 1,825 adult trout tags and another 207 youth tags sold as of 5:00 Friday afternoon. A number of lunkers were caught during the day with the largest being a 7-pound, 7-ounce rainbow by Nicholas Scheel of St Charles followed by a 6 pound, 15-ounce rainbow caught by Ed Yount of Festus. Three other rainbow trout were caught on opening day were at six pounds or above: a 6-pound, 9-ounce trout caught by Tom Rutledge of Winona of O’Fallon; a 6-pound trout caught by Matt Boyd of Park Hills and another six-pounder caught by Easton Brown of Rolla. The largest lunker caught by a woman was a 3-pound, 12-ounce rainbow by Pam Iverson of Licking The catch-and-keep season will be in effect until October 31st.
The Scenic Rivers Industries, Inc. at 601 South Walker Street is holding an Open House this Tuesday from noon until 2:00 where people can tour the facility and meet the employees! Also known as the Sheltered Workshop, the Scenic Rivers Industries employs an average of 30 special needs adults with the guidance of five staff members. As a team, they set high goals and accomplish all that they set out to do. For example, in 2023 the Scenic Rivers Industries recycled 328,000 pounds of cardboard, 40,000 pounds of office paper, 25,000 pounds of newspaper, built 18,000 bird houses, assembled 300,000 pill crush cups and much more. This not-for-profit organization has a mission to provide excellent services, produce quality products while at the same time providing productive and fulfilling employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Open House is for everyone and they will be providing hot dogs, chips and drinks. They would love to show Salem just what they do. Should you have any questions about the Open House or Scenic Rivers industries, call 573-729-6264.
The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 45 area healthcare facilities, is partnering with four area attractions to offer free admissions to four attractions ins southwest Missouri and Northern Arkansas for those who donate blood in March and April. They are hopping to boost the region’s blood supply this spring. Those who successfully donate blood will receive an ‘Ozark Adventure Pass” that is worth of $150 in free admissions to the Discovery Center in Springfield and Beyond the Lens in Branson, and in Arkansas, the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville and to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refugee in Eureka Springs. The next CBCO Blood Drive will be held Tuesday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall located at 201 N. MacArthur. To help avoid wait times, appointments are strongly encouraged. Donors can schedule an appointment at www.cbco.org/adventure or by calling 417-227-5006.