Local News – Thursday, February 11, 2021
Dent County Prosecutor Andrew Curley reported on the case of Terry Webb of Salem who was in court in Dent County in front of Judge Megan Seay on Friday. Webb pled guilty to a class B felony of assault on a law enforcement officer in the 2nd degree. Webb recklessly caused a serious injury to Salem Police Department Corporal Michael Loveday by striking him resulting in the dislocation of his finger during an incident on May 5th, 2020 in Salem. The defendant testified that he was intoxicated during the incident, has no memory of the incident, and is remorseful. Corporal Loveday testified at the sentencing hearing to missing work for 30 days as a result and continues to experience pain from the injury. A sentencing assessment report was filed by Probation and Parole indicating the defendant had a prior conviction for domestic assault in the 3rd degree from 2006 and recommended probation for defendant, who was 60-years of age at the time of sentencing. Prosecutor Curley sought a 12-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the assault on the law enforcement officer. The defendant, who was represented by Attorney Kris Crews from Steelville, requested probation. Over the objection of the state, Judge Megan Seay granted probation to the defendant.
The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission has approved a contract with N.B. West Contracting to resurface roadways in Dent and Phelps counties. The amount of the low bid contract was of $5,294,709. Under the approved contract, resurfacing will take place on Highway 68 from Highway 8 in Phelps County to Highway 19 in Dent County; Route F from Highway 32 to Route E; Route K from Highway 63 to the Pulaski County line; and Route HH from Highway 32 to Dent County Road 6190. Work will take place this summer. When a start date is established, MoDOT will alert the public about the project through signs, news releases and social media. For more information about this project or other transportation-related matters, please call 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org/central.
A one vehicle accident happened Tuesday morning just after 10:00 on Route P in Crawford County about five miles west of Cuba. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2003 Ford Mustang being driven by 49-year old Billy Smith of Cuba was southbound when the Mustang traveled off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole. Billy Smith and a passenger, 51-year old Jay Smith also of Cuba, suffered serious injuries and were both transported by EMS to Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. It’s unknown if Billy Smith was wearing a safety restraint, however, Jay Smith was not. The Mustang was totaled and removed from the scene by Chris and Sons Towing. The highway patrol was assisted on scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.
The Missouri Department of Transportation urges drivers to stay off the roads as ice and dangerously cold temperatures will combine to make travel difficult. While MoDOT crews will be working continuous 12 hour shifts through these storms, bitterly cold temperatures can delay clean-up. Chemicals used to treat the roads start to lose their effectiveness below 25 degrees. Avoid driving if possible, particularly in areas where icing is occurring. If you must be out, make sure you have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves and provisions like water and snacks in the event of an emergency. Stay inside your vehicle in the event of a crash or slide off. Once conditions improve, motorists should give snowplows room to work. Do not tailgate or try to pass. Remember that a snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you. Travelers can stay informed about Missouri road conditions by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, available online at www.modot.org, or through MoDOT’s smartphone app, available for iPhone and Android phones. The map offers current views of road conditions for Missouri interstates and highways. You can zoom in to a particular location, check live weather radar, and view images from MoDOT’s traffic cameras and message boards. MoDOT also provides road condition information through its Customer Service Center. Dial 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to speak with a customer service representative 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.