Local News – Thursday, July 18th, 2019
An accident happened in Crawford County Tuesday night at 8:10 on Route Z about five miles southwest of Berryman that took the life of a woman from Steelville. According to the highway patrol report, 52-year old Kristy Crawford of Steelville was driving a 1996 Dodge 1500 southbound when the Dodge crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle struck a tree, then went airborne before striking another tree, ejecting Crawford from the Dodge. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:33 by Crawford County Coroner Darren Dake. Crawford’s body was taken to the Hutson Funeral Home. The vehicle was totaled and removed from the scene by Miles and Sons Towing. Crawford was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident.
The Salem Police Department has released some reports. On the morning of July 8th at about 11:08, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of South Jackson in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took two bicycles valued at $109.00 from the yard of the residence. The report is under investigation. Later that afternoon at about 2:10, an officer was contacted at the Salem Police Department in reference to a theft. The investigation of the report revealed that a person or persons unknown took a 75-inch television set valued at $4,000.00 from a residence in the 600 block of South Sligo. The report is under investigation. On the evening of July 9th at about 6:02, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 50-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended and also on a fugitive warrant from Texas County. The man was issued a summons to appear in court and was incarcerated pending extradition. On July 11th at approximately 3:06 in the afternoon, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of the driver, a 33-year-old man from Steelville for driving while having his license revoked and for possession of drug paraphernalia. A passenger in the vehicle, an 18-year-old man from Salem was arrested for the possession of methamphetamine and the possession of drug paraphernalia. The two suspects were released pending the application for criminal summonses. If you have information about any ongoing investigations, please contact the Salem Police Department at (573) 729-4242.
Time is running out for people to submit comments via email or through regular mail during the 60-day comment period to restrict the hunting of feral hogs in the Mark Twin National Forest. The comment period is now underway and all comments must be received or postmarked no later than July 23rd for consideration. For more information about the feral swine problem in the National Forest, and to view the proposed Forest Closure Order, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mtnf/feralswine. You can send your comments via email to SM.FS.MTFeralSwine@usda.gov or to the mailing address is at: Forest Supervisor; ATTN: Feral Swine Comment; Mark Twain National Forest; 401 Fairgrounds Road; Rolla, MO 65401. You can also call Jason Smith’s office in Rolla and let them know your feelings at 573-364-2455.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular meeting tonight at 6:00. After approving the agenda, the board will from Superintendent John McCulloch who will announce the open house dates and times and give a facilities update. New business will include bids on milk, bread, food and supplies, fuel and pest control. The board will then set a tax rate hearing and set the date for the regular August board meeting. The board will also approve the 2019-2020 Professional Development plan and consider 2019-2020 budget revisions. The board will then adjourn and move into executive session. The regular meeting of the board of education is open to the public.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri legislature and governor have taken actions to increase penalties for those caught poaching Missouri game animals and other native wildlife species. Missouri Governor Michael Parson signed HB260 into law July 11. Called the Poaching Bill, it significantly raises fines for those convicted of illegally taking Missouri game species and other native wildlife. HB260 was sponsored by Representative Jered Taylor (Republic) and Senator Mike Bernskoetter (Jefferson City). New fine amounts include $10,000-$15,000 for each elk or black bear killed illegally, $1,000-$5,000 for each whitetailed buck, $500-$1,000 for each wild turkey, and $500-$1,000 for each paddlefish.
The fines are considered restitution payments for poaching game animals and are ordered by a judge. Monies from the fines go to the state’s school moneys fund. The restitution payments are in addition to other fines and penalties for violating the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The new fines will go into effect Aug. 28. Supporters of the bill said that previous fines for poaching were too low in Missouri. The bill also gained support in part from five Missouri elk that were illegally killed by poachers in the past few years. None of the cases has yet been solved. According to MDC records, 547 wild turkeys, 58 paddlefish, and 4,731 deer were illegally taken, or poached, in 2017 and 2018. MDC is also investigating the poaching of five elk over the past several years. Black bear poaching incidents are a growing concern as well. MDC asks that anyone with information on poaching cases call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111.