Local News – Tuesday, August 27th, 2019
An accident occurred Sunday evening at 8:26 in Texas County on Highway 137 about four miles south of Licking that took the life of a Licking man. According to the highway patrol report, a 1999 Dodge 3500 truck driven by 19-year old William Grammar of Summersville, was attempting to turn left from a private drive onto Highway 137 northbound when a southbound 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 57-year old Frank Davy of Licking struck the side of the towed unit in the southbound lane. The body of Frank Davy was taken to the Fox Funeral Home in Licking. He was wearing his safety equipment at the time of the accident. The Harley Davidson was totaled and removed from the scene by Jay’s Automotive of Houston. The Dodge truck sustained minor damage and was driven from the scene.
The Dent County Commissioners met Monday morning at the courthouse. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles was not in attendance due to a previous commitment. District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell was appointed as the temporary Presiding Commissioner for the meeting. In the road report for district 1, Commissioner Purcell stated that grading was going to be done on Dent County Roads 4080, 5160, 5170 and 6220. He also said brush would be cut on county roads 4253, 4255, 5070, 5190 and 5410. Purcell went on to say that a grader is not in operation and in need of maintenance. A technician from John Deere will need to repair the problem. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported grading was going to be done on Dent County Road 2500 while materials will be added and patch grading will be done on county roads 4280, 4290 and 5260. Larson said brush will be cut on county road 2240, materials will be added to county road 2380 and patch grading will be done on county road 2540. Larson also said chip and seal overlay will begin later this week and the county apologizes in advance for any delays due to the work being done. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she would be attending the annual County Clerks Election Authority Conference at the Lodge of the Four Seasons and will not be at the meeting Thursday. At the last meeting, Commissioner Purcell contacted Matt Lloyd with Fabick and Company regarding the two new Cat graders. Even after some adjustments, the commissioners and grader operators are still not satisfied with the performance and safety of the graders. The commissioners decided they did not want the new graders and asked for their old John Deere graders back. They will be talking with Lloyd again about the problem, but plan on re-bidding to get new graders. Mike Elliott from Town and Country Insurance was in to discuss the water damage in the Judicial Building from a toilet. The commissioners also heard from Dennis Hayman about setting a date to celebrate the 150th year celebration of the Dent County Courthouse. No date has been discussed or decided at this time. The next meeting of the Dent County Commissioners will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public.
A three vehicle accident occurred Wednesday evening on August 14th around 6:10 that left a woman from Rolla with minor injuries. The report from the Salem Police Department states that a 2019 Toyota Corolla driven by Ruth Ridenhour of Licking had just exited a private drive and was preparing to turn left onto northbound Highway 72. The Corolla turned into the side of a 2007 F-250 being driven by Bret Bailey of Salem. The Ford was pushed into the entry lane of Highway 72 where it collided with a 2003 Buick Century being driven by Brenda Vasic of Rolla. Vasic was transported by EMS to the Salem Memorial District hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Toyota sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene. The Ford and Buick were both driven from the scene with minor to moderate damage.
The Dent County follow-up community conversation on the opioid epidemic will be held tonight starting at 5:30 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory located at 1200 West Rolla Road in Salem. Join in the discussion along with the panel of experts as they listen and educate on how the opioid epidemic impacts our community and what local leaders are doing in response to the crisis. The town hall meeting, which is hosted by Your Community Cares Rural Health Coalition, will include professionals from local law enforcement, the medical community and recovery advocates. The event is free.
An accident happened Sunday evening at approximately 8:22 in Franklin County on westbound Interstate 44 around the 235 mile marker that resulting in injuries to a teenager from Steelville. According to the report from the highway patrol, a 2019 Freightliner being driven by 32-year old Tracy Manuel of Norfolk, Virginia, was traveling in westbound in the left lane as a 2008 Pontiac G-6 driven by 18-year old Elizabeth Ruth of Steelville, was entering the interstate from the rest area and traveled into the path of the Freightliner. The right front bumper of the Pontiac struck the towed unit of the Freightliner. Ruth was taken to Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital in a personal vehicle for treatment of minor injuries. The report states both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Frieghtliner sustained no damage in the accident and was driven from the scene while the Pontiac sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by personal conveyance.