Local News – Thursday, November 9th, 2023
An accident happened in Dent County Tuesday afternoon around 3:32 on Route C about a mile south of Anutt. According to the highway patrol report, 32-year-old Kyle Keller of Rolla, was riding his 2023 Yamaha Motorcycle northbound when he struck a deer in the roadway and was ejected from the motorcycle. Keller suffered serious injuries and was flown by Mercy Lifeline to the University Hospital in Columbia. Keller was wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The motorcycle was totaled and removed from the scene by American Automotive and Towing. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Dent County Sheriff’s Department.
An accident happened in Phelps County Tuesday afternoon around 3:55 on Phelps County Road 5480 about ten miles east of Rolla. According to the highway patrol report, 70-year-old Gary Hewlett of Rolla was riding a 2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550 ATV northbound when the vehicle went off the left side of the roadway where the ATV struck a fence and overturned. Hewlett suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to the University Hospital in Columbia. Hewlett was not wearing safety equipment at the time of the accident. The ATV was driven from the scene.
Increases in maintenance costs over the past 15 years have led to the need for the USDA Forest Service to adjust fees at Mark Twain National Forest’s developed recreation sites. New and increased fees will take effect on January 1st, 2024. Over time, this will also help in making improvements at multiple recreation sites in line with the Forest’s recreation strategic plan. A vast majority of the Forest is free for visitors to access and enjoy, but fees are needed to maintain the sites that offer amenities—things like fire rings, trash service, potable water, electricity, paved parking and more. In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain 95% of revenue collected at recreation sites and use the funds locally to operate, maintain and improve the sites. Revenue is reinvested into Forest recreation sites in the form of trash pickups, septic and toilet pumping, painting, cleaning, addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance, conducting patrols, and maintaining highly used trails and campsites. Local areas that will be affected by the price changes include the Red Bluff Campground and day use, Council Bluff Campground and day use and Loggers Lake Campground and day use. For a list of the fees go to www.fs.usda.gov.
The City of Salem Finance Committee will be meeting this evening at 6:00 at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. After the budget review, the committee will discuss a reserve policy for the General Revenue Fund and also discuss an amended investment policy. The committee will then address questions or concerns before adjourning. The meeting tonight was called by Finance Committee Chairperson Kala Sisco.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Salem will hold the Christmas Parade of Lights in Salem will be held on Saturday, December 2nd starting at 5:30 with this year’s theme: “Winter Wonderland.” The Grand Marshall for the parade this year is the Salem High School’s “Marching Blue.” The parade will run from the corner of South Grand and Franklin at the SBU Campus, east to MacArthur, then north to 4th Street before going east to the Dent County Courthouse square. Entry forms are now available at the office of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at 1136 South Main. Forms need to be returned by November 30th to the chamber offices, fax them at 573-729-6741 or e-mail them at chamber@salemmo.com. A full list of the parade rules are available at the chamber office.
Learn the art of creating Stained Glass with a Classical Quilt Pattern with Jennifer Curry at the Creative Arts Center in a 3-week workshop on Tuesdays starting November 14th and lasting through November 28th. There will be two workshops, one from 1:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon and the other from 4:30 in the afternoon till 7:30 in the evening. In this workshop, you will create a beautiful traditional quilt-block style stained fall piece. You will select your own colors and styles of glass, cut and foil each piece, and learn to solder the pieces together to create a 10” by 10” foil project for your home or to give as a gift. Stained glass artist Jennifer Curry will provide the professional materials and equipment. A minimum of 2 people and maximum of 5 people per session. The cost is a $150 for the three week course. Interested persons can sign up for the workshop under “Programs” at the salemcommunitybetterment.com website for activities at the Creative Arts Center.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed this Friday, November 10th, in observance of Veterans’ Day, and on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, in observance of Thanksgiving. Also in honor of the actual Veteran’s Day, the post office will be closed Saturday, but UPS and Federal Express will be operating. Most businesses will have normal operating hours, but if you are unsure, call before you go.