Local News – Tuesday, June 14th, 2022
An accident happened in Phelps County Sunday night just after 10:00 that took the life of a 16-year-old boy from St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2002 Chevy S-10 was being driven by a 16-year boy from St. James northbound when a 16-year-old passenger fell out of the truck bed. The passenger, who was another 16-year-old boy, was pronounced dead at Phelps Health by Dr. Lawrence Hutchinson at 11:27 Sunday evening. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the St. James Ambulance District. The body of the 16-year-old boy was released to the Phelps County Coroner.
An accident happened Saturday afternoon just after 4:00 on Highway 63 about a mile north of Excello that left two people from Rolla with moderate injuries. According to the highway patrol report, a 2106 Dodge 2500 Truck driven northbound by 50-year-old Patrick Johnston of Rolla, struck a slow moving RG31 Military Vehicle from behind that was being driven by 29-year-old Brandon John of Independence. Johnston and an 11-year-old juvenile each suffered moderate injuries. The boy was taken by the Adair County Ambulance to the University Hospital in Columbia while Patrick Johnston was transported by MU 4 to the University Hospital in Columbia. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, the Macon County Ambulance, the Macon County Rescue Squad, the Macon County First Responders, and the Missouri National Guard. The Dodge was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Still’s Towing while the military vehicle was driven from the scene.
The Dent County Commission met Monday morning at the Dent County Courthouse for their regular meeting. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson was not present due to previous commitments, so road supervisor Travis Turner sat in at the meeting to give the road report. District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray stated grading would be done on Dent County roads 5015,6240 and 6670 while brush would be cut on county road 6600. He said a man went to Springfield to get oil to do chip and seal repair. Supervisor Turner said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2110, 2115 and 3180 while brush will be cut on county roads 2270 and 2303. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported he attended the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday at the MRPC and the new Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for the next five years has been released. The proposed program is available for public review and comment which will end this Friday, June 17th. Skiles said this supposedly is the largest STIP program ever. He also said use of funds under the BRO (the off system local bridge replacement program), can now apply to low water crossings. Skiles said MoDOT scheduled start for the resurfacing of Highway 72 from Salem to Rolla is to begin on Monday, June 20th. This will depend on the availability of materials for the job. Skiles said at the Public Housing Authority meeting Thursday, he was elected the new Vice-Chairman; while at the External Relations committee meeting, the date was set for the annual awards meeting which will be held on October 13th at the Vienna Knights of Columbus. Skiles said he would be attending the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District full council meeting today. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone the courthouse will be closed on June 20th for the state holiday of “Juneteenth” and that June 21st will be the first day to vote absentee for the August Primary. Remember you must declare a party to vote for and bring your voter registration or photo ID with you. The last date to register to vote in the Primary will be July 6th. She also said she attended the South Central Regional Clerks meeting on Friday in West Plains. At the last meeting, the commission set the Board of Equalization meeting for July 18th at 1:00 at the commissioner’s office. 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.
The Board of Alderman will meet this evening at 6:00 in the City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington Street. The board will read and discuss Bill #3507 which would create an ordinance establishing rates for electric services provided by the City of Salem. In new business the police department will request an approval for a safety grant for a new dog box for animal control. Next, the board will discuss the Library Board’s recommendation to add Leigh Ann Price to the Salem Public Library Board due to the resignation of Ruth Ann Parker. The meeting will then be adjourned.
The City of Salem’s Finance and Capital Improvement Committees will hold a joint meeting at the Council Chambers this evening at 6:30. They will hear an update on audit for fiscal year ending June 2021. Then get an update on the 2021-2022 fiscal year, including capital projects and collaboration agreements. Next go over the 2022-2023 capital project. Finally discuss the 2022-2023 proposed budget. The meeting is open to the public.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park has been nominated as one of the “Best State Parks for RVing/Camping” in the nation in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is home to many natural landscapes like woodlands, glades and rivers. The park has 17 different natural terrestrial communities and supports more than 850 plant species; in fact, it’s home to 40% of the plant species of Missouri. The park supports two outstanding areas designated as Missouri wild areas because of their wilderness qualities. It’s no wonder that the park’s campgrounds have been nominated each year as one of USA Today’s 10Best. You can vote daily until 11:00 in the morning on June 20th to make Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park the #1 Best State Park for RVing/Camping. To vote for Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, go to www.10best.com/awards and click on the button for Best State Parks for RVing/Camping.