Local News – Monday, November 13th, 2023
An accident happened Friday afternoon at 5:44 in Dent County on Highway 32 and Dent County Road 4170. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Ford F-250 driven eastbound by a 17-year-old male from Boss, crossed over the center line and struck a 2013 Hyundai Sonata driven westbound by 20-year-old Samuel Halbert of Boss, head-on. Halbert suffered moderate injuries and was taken to the Salem Memorial Hospital by the Salem Hospital Ambulance. The male juvenile suffered minor injuries and he was also taken by the Salem Hospital Ambulance to the Salem Memorial Hospital. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Hyundai was totaled while the Ford sustained extensive damage. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing.
On a daily basis, emergency responders put their lives on the line along Missouri’s highways responding to crash scenes. These responders include police officers, fire fighters, EMS, tow truck operators and highway workers. They respond to traffic incidents, assist drivers, and help keep traffic flowing. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for EMS responders and law enforcement officers. To remind motorists what’s on the line, the FHWA has declared this week starting today and lasting through the 17th as National Crash Responder Safety Week. MoDOT’s Safety and Emergency Management Director Chris Engelbrecht said that during Crash Responder Safety Week, they urge all drivers to remember the dedicated first responders are out there every day, working tirelessly to keep all roads safe. He noted that they risk their lives to protect us, so show respect, obey the state’s move over law, avoid distractions and slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on the road. Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary MoDOT, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights on. To help protect those who protect us, all 50 states enforce some form of the Move Over law. In 2022, more than 54,000 traffic crashes were reported on Missouri roadways that required emergency response. MoDOT emergency response personnel respond to more than 4,500 traffic incidents each month on average. Crash Responder Safety Week is an opportunity to remind drivers to adhere to Missouri’s Move Over law, educate drivers on crash prevention and promote life-saving training for all traffic incident responders. Engelbrecht said, let’s give responders the space they need to perform their work safely so that everyone can get home safely at the end of the day to our families.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Banquet is tomorrow night. The doors open at 6:00 with dinner being served at 6:30 featuring lasagna, green beans, salad, bread, dessert and a drink. Chris Stanley will entertain the crowd with comedy, magic and fun at 7:00. The event will be held at the Wilson Family Center and all chamber members are welcome to attend for FREE, but they need to know you ar coming. Contact the chamber office at 729-6900 or stop by the office at 1136 South Main Street in the Crossroads.
The Dent County Fire Protection District Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the fire station located at #2 South Main Street. After the roll call and approval of the consent agenda, the board will review the minutes from the October meeting before hearing the financial report. They will approve bills and review the budget before hearing the monthly reimbursement report. Following the calendar review, any old or new business will be heard before Fire Chief Brad Nash makes his report to the board. Before adjourning the date will then be set for the December meeting. The meeting next Tuesday evening will be open to the public.
A reminder that residents of Dent County who want to want to make a difference in their community through the University of Missouri Extension Council of volunteers that make Dent County a better place to live through Extension programs, need to have their completed applications submitted by this Thursday to the Dent County Extension Office at 112 East 5th Street in Salem. Representatives will be elected in a non-partisan election from January 8th through the 12th. Candidates must be at least 18-years-old and reside in the county they want to serve. Applications to be a candidate are still available by calling 573-729-3196, or by going online at extension.missouri.edu/dent. You can also request an application by sending an e-mail to dentco@missouri.edu. Completed applications are due by November 16th. The Dent County Extension Council is the local link between county residents and the University of Missouri campuses. Individuals interested in serving on the council may contact Ray Walden, County Development Specialist, at the Dent County Extension office at 729-3196 or find it on the web at www.extension.missouri.edu/dent.