Local News – Thursday, October 10th, 2019
A fatality accident happened Tuesday morning at 11:55 in Reynolds County on Highway 49 about seven miles north of Lesterville. According to the report released by the highway patrol, a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer being driven northbound by 41-year old Edward Baugh of Black, crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2016 Freightliner being driven southbound by 52-year old Joseph Miller of Poplar Bluff. Edward Baugh and a passenger in the Blazer, a 16-year old girl also of Black, were killed in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene by Reynolds County Coroner Jeffery McSpadden. Their bodies were taken to McSpadden Funeral Home. The driver of the Freightliner, Joseph Miller, received moderate injuries and was transported by Reynolds County Ambulance to Iron County Hospital. The patrol was assisted by the Reynolds County Sheriffs Department and Reynolds County Fire Department.
The Salem Board of Aldermen met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda was approved, City Administrator Ray Walden said the AMI project has been delayed a couple of weeks in the meter changeover. Walden said he is working on the wording to let the public know when the changeover will begin, possibly the week of October 21st. Walden said a nuisance workshop would be held on October 21st at 6:00. He said a survey would be going out this week for public input for the workshop. Walden reported the TAP grant for the trail from the Salem R-80 Administration Building to the large pavilion has been delayed as the bid winner did not meet the MoDOT requirements. The project will now have to be rebid and the work will not be done until spring. It was hoped the work could be done in conjunction with the work on the Salem Community Center@The Armory. Walden said the bids on the Streetscape project are being reviewed and the city has advertised requests for proposals to build a new website for the city, county and chamber. Those proposals need to be submitted to the city administrative offices by October 24th at 4:00. Walden stated the annual MRPC Recognition and Awards Banquet will be held Thursday, October 24th at 5:30 in Waynesville. Tickets are available at the MRPC office by calling 265-2993. Walden said the city offices would be closed on October 14th for Columbus Day. Walden also said he is working with Todd Kinerk on naming streets in the cemetery after trees native to Missouri. Once a list has been finalized, he will bring that list to the board. The board then approved Bill #3431 that amended the annual budget for the City of Salem from July 1, 2018 to June 30th, 2019. The adjustments concentrated on the transfers in and out of the General Revenues Fund and also reflected increases in revenues in some funds. The board then went into closed session to discuss litigation, real estate, personnel and contracts.
Join Elephant Rocks State Park staff for a fall evening of spooky stories and Halloween fun from 5:00 until 10:00 at night this Saturday as they host the first annual Haunted Hike in the park. Trail guides will lead visitors on a special 1-mile hike on the main blacktop trail. Guides will tell tales about imagined ghost, haints, and other happenings for a fun scare. The trail is fully accessible and persons with mobility issues will be able to participate. Treats for kids will be handed out and kids from infants to 16 who wear a costume can enter the cutest and scariest costume contests. Check in at the contest tent where staff will take pictures of each entry. Judging will follow the event, and prizes for the cutest costume and the scariest costume will be awarded. Entrants need not be present to win. Shuttle services from the Arcadia Valley High School parking lot will be provided. Only handicapped parking will be available at the event. The Arcadia Valley High School is located at 520 W. Park Drive in Ironton. Visitors are asked to bring a flashlight and encouraged to bring a bottle of water, dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Insect repellent is also recommended. Elephant Rocks State Park is located at 7406 Highway 21, Belleview. For more information about the event, call the site at 573-546-3454..
The October exhibit at the Ozark National Cultural Resource Center will be centered around Sasquatch or Big Foot. This exhibit began on Monday and will continue through November 1st. The exhibit will feature a life size rendering of Big Foot in his habitat, photos of sightings, as well as newspaper accounts of Sasquatch sightings in Missouri. The ONCRC located at 202 South Main Street will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. If you need more information, call 573-729-0029.