Local News – Thursday, December 31st, 2020
Your World Today and KSMO Radio want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and the very best for 2021. Because of New Year’s Day this Friday, Your World Today will not be published.
An accident happened in Pettis County at 8:48 Wednesday morning on Route H just south of Cherry Tree Lane that took the life of a St. James man. According to the highway patrol report, 23-year old Collin Oetting of St. James was driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado northbound when he failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle struck an embankment and came to rest in a creek on its top. Oetting was pronounced dead at the scene by Pettis County Deputy Coroner Brian Morley at 8:59. Oetting’s body was transported by the deputy coroner to the McLaughlin Funeral Home. Oetting was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevy Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Don’s Towing of Sedalia. The highway patrol was assisted by the Pettis County Sheriff’s Department.
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebration. No one wants to start 2021 with a traffic crash or DWI arrest. The 2021 New Year’s 78-hour holiday counting period is from 6:00 this evening and ends at 11:59 Sunday night, January 3rd, 2021. During last year’s 30-hour New Year’s holiday counting period, one person died and 140 people were injured in 323 traffic crashes. Thus, a person was killed or injured every 12.8 minutes during that time frame. If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, remember that 2021 will be more difficult if you are arrested for driving while intoxicated or involved in a drinking-related traffic crash. If you’re driving, don’t include alcohol or illegal substances in your plan. If you plan to drive this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way. Be sure to use your turn signal to communicate your intentions. Before you travel, check road conditions by calling 1-888-275-6636. Allow extra time during inclement weather or consider staying home. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.
The Salem R-80 Art Department 2021 Art Calendars are in and are ready for purchase. For the past eighteen years, Salem High School art students have shared the beauty of our local landmarks and life in the Ozarks through selected drawings in our annual calendar. By doing this, we wish to showcase the work of these students, and encourage artists of all ages to pursue their love of drawing the landscapes and people that make up our heritage. This calendar cover, drawn by Lara Stevens, features Michael Helm, a well-known and much-loved local artist, volunteer, and teacher. Helm was not only a local artist around the area, but was also a well-known volunteer, most notably as Santa for the annual Trees and Trains exhibit in Salem. Helm passed away January 4, 2020 in Salem at the age of 61, leaving a legacy for the Ozarks to be passed on for generations. Calendars are available for sale at The Salem News, The Salem Public Library and the Salem High School via any of the individual art students for $10 each. This year’s artists include: Lara Stevens, Allison Parker-Lewis, Nathan Pyle, Alivia Faith LaJoie, Rachel Sheffield, Faith Pace, Jordan Schneider, Selena Hall, Wyatt Thomas, Kyra Oby, Macey Jarrett, Dylan Seabaugh, Ethan Wilson-Webber, and Mickayla Schlicker. The art instructor for the 2021 Calendar project was Tana Kettner.