Local News – Wednesday, December 26th, 2018
A fatality accident occurred Sunday morning at 9:25 in Dent County on Route H about six miles west of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2003 Chevrolet Impala was traveling westbound, being driven by 70-year old Thomas San Roman of Lenox, when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. San Roman was pronounced dead at the scene by Dent County Coroner Gina White. San Roman stated the driver was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Impala was totaled in the accident and removed from the scene by Whitakers Towing. The body was transported to the Dent County Coroner’s office.
An accident occurred Friday afternoon at 1:58 on Highway 72 about ten miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 31-year old Vanesa Culwell of Rolla, was traveling northbound when she struck the back side of a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze driven by 19-year old Kenadee Barnitz. The Chevrolet Cruze was stopped in the northbound lane waiting to make a left hand turn. Barnitz suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial Hospital by a private vehicle. Both Culwell and Barnitz were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Equinox sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Dishman’s Towing. The Cruze was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker Towing.
The Salem R-80 Board of education held their regular monthly meeting last Thursday at the District Administrative Offices. Superintendent John McColloch reported on Board of Education filings and incumbents Bernie Sirois and Dustin Howard have filed. McColloch gave a facilities update and said the gym project is near completion as the gas lines still have to be hooked to the units. He said that the football field restroom toilets, urinals, sinks and partitions will be installed the first of January, plus tile will be laid next week. McColloch said both projects would be completed by the middle of January. He went on to say that new doors have been installed at the Upper Elementary and the new doors at the High School will be installed soon. McColloch updated the board on the new Wellness Program requirement for the district health insurance and he introduced Jordan Brown, the new School Resource Officer, to the board. The principals’ reports for all buildings were then heard by the board. A motion was made and passed to renew the school’s insurance policy with the Missouri United School Insurance Council for the district’s property, liability and workman’s compensation for a total of $202,795. A motion was made and passed to add $5,000,000.00 umbrella policy through MUSIC in the amount of $6360.00. The resignation of Jessica Duehning, High School math instructor, effective at the end of the school year was accepted. A motion was then made to move into executive session at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. After returning to open session a motion was made and approved to select Olivia Erway as the recipient of the local MSBA Belcher Scholarship. The meeting was then adjourned.
On January 1st, start the year off on the right foot with a First Day Hike at the Current River State Park and learn the history of Missouri State Parks while hiking the Centennial Trail. This 1.5-mile hike features two overlooks of the Current River. This trail has steep grades and is natural material and can be uneven in areas. The hike will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 in the morning and will start out at the lodge. A First Day Hike will also be held at Echo Bluff State Park on January 1st from 1:00 until 2:30 New Year’s Day. Hikers will be hiking Painter Ridge Trail, which is a two-mile hike. This is an unpaved, moderate trail with uneven surfaces. On this trail, you will see dolomite out-croppings and ledges. You may also see animals and waterfalls, if possible, from a wet-weather creek. Interested hikers can meet at the Painter Ridge Trail Trailhead. For more information, contact Connie Weber at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.