Local News – Thursday, August 31st, 2023
An accident occurred Monday afternoon at 4:32 in Crawford County on Route M about two miles south of Highway 8. According to the highway patrol report, a northbound 2018 Razkull 125 Motorcycle ridden by 20-year-old Robert Newkirk of Cook Station, exited a driveway in front of a northbound 2001 GMC Yukon driven by 48-year-old Steven Hoerr of Steelville. Hoerr was unable to avoid the motorcycle and the GMC struck it. Newkirk suffered serious injuries and was flown to Mercy St. Louis. The motorcycle sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by Miles & Son’s Towing, while the GMC sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene. The report stated that both Newkirk and Hoerr were wearing safety devices.
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2023 Labor Day weekend. If you’ll be on the road this Labor Day holiday, make sure your vehicle is in good working condition before you depart. Drive courteously and obey all of Missouri’s traffic laws. Remember to buckle up and pay attention as you travel.In Missouri, seven people died and 398 were injured in 1,041 traffic crashes over the 2022 Labor Day holiday. This means one person was killed or injured every 11.5 minutes. Troopers arrested 121 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend. The 2023 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6:00 Friday night through 11:59 Monday night. The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways and waterways. Troopers on the roadways will be enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. The public is encouraged to call the Missouri Highway Patrol’s emergency report line at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on your cell phone.
Local maintenance crews will narrow Highways 32 and 72 in Dent County this morning for bridge maintenance. Weather permitting, work will take place from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning on Highway 72 at the Stone Hill Branch Bridge near Dent County Road 5225 and also at that same time on Highway 32 from Dent County Road 4380 to Dent County Road 4400. Work will also be done from 9:00 to 12;00 noon on Highway 32 from Dent County Road 5523 to Dent County Road 4433. Advanced warning signs will be in place and flaggers will guide motorists through the work zones. MoDOT asks all motorists to help by buckling up, putting your phone down, obeying all traffic signs, and slowing down and moving over in work zones. Motorists are advised to use extra caution through work zones, obey all traffic signs, and avoid any distractions. For traffic updates or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit the Traveler Information Map.
The Salem R-80 School District Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at noon today via Zoom. After the approval of the agenda, new business before the board will be consideration of the RFP process for a security camera system and approval of the substitute teacher list. The board will then go into closed session to discuss real estate and personnel. The board will then move back into open session before adjourning.
An International Overdose Awarness Day is being held tonight at Columbia College in Rolla at 550 Blue Lake Parkway from 6:00 until 9:00 in the evening. Eeveryone is welcome to come and join in remebering all those who have lost their lives to the opiod epidemic by writing their names on luminaries. For more information, call Rebecca Losing at 573-265-2993, ext 127, or e-mail her at rlosing@meramecregion.org.
Come out to Echo Bluff State Park during Labor Day Weekend for a toe-tapping good time. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a free concert. Starting at 8:00 Saturday night, Brandy Lee, a singer-songwriter from Mountain View, Missouri, will perform original songs and country staples. Starting at 7:00 Sunday night, Country Revival will take the stage to play classic country music. The final concert of the season will begin at 7:00 Monday night with the Baker Family. This local band tours the country, winning awards and spreading traditional bluegrass along the way. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence.