News – Monday, March 30th 2026
An accident occurred in Phelps County Thursday evening at approximately 6:30 that left an 18-year-old Rolla resident with serious injuries. According to the Highway Patrol report, the man was operating a Kawasaki Dirt Bike on County Road 2038 one mile north of Rolla when it traveled off the roadway. The driver over corrected causing the westbound bike to overturn in the roadway. The report stated that he suffered serious injuries and was flown by Phelps Air to University Hospital in Columbia. It went on to report that he was not wearing a safety device. The Kawasaki sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.
An accident occurred in Phelps County early Saturday morning at approximately 2:10, resulting in the fatality of a 23-year-old Rolla resident. According to the Highway Patrol report, the driver was eastbound on County Road 1000, one quarter of a mile east of Highway B of St. James. The accident occurred when the driver travelled off the right side of the roadway and struck a culvert before returning to the roadway. The driver then overcorrected, causing the vehicle to travel back off the roadway and overturn, ejecting the driver before striking a mail box and a tree. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene by Phelps County Coroner Ernie Coverdell. Assistance was provided by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, St James Police Department, St James Fire Department and St James Ambulance District.
The Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will hold a special meeting this morning at 11:00, or at the conclusion of the Medical Staff Meeting, in the hospital’s library. After the call to order, roll call and approval of the agenda, the board will discuss the 340B policy. The meeting will then adjourn. The meeting of the Salem Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public. Anyone that would like to attend by telephone or electronic means should contact the SMH Administration office at 573-729-6626 Extension 4005.
Intercounty Electric Cooperative recently announced their annual Washington, DC Youth Tour winners and Jefferson City CYCLE Tour participants following their interviews. The Youth Tour is an all-expenses paid trip to our nation’s capitol and selected this year from Licking was Lillian Godi; Emma Purcell was chosen from Salem; Gabriel Adams was chosen from St. James; and Ashton Stoney was chosen from Rolla. Congratulations to these winners! The students not selected for the Washington, DC Youth Tour are eligible to go on an all-expenses paid trip to participate in the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) in Jefferson City, Missouri. These students include Avery Stephens and Elisabeth Bonine from Licking; Ivan Brooks and Jhonine Maralit from Salem; Autumn French and Preston Hash from St. James; and Monay Lafatshe and Wyatt Stough from Rolla. Alternates were also selected this year, including Alivia Peterson from Licking; Carlnez Head from Salem; and Madison Bobbitt-Harris from St. James. Congratulations to all of these students as well as the Youth Tour winners and CYCLE winners in Mountain Grove, Houston, Plato, Summersville, and Cabool. If you’d like to learn more about the Youth Essay Contest held annually in February for high school juniors only, you can contact Intercounty Electric at 866-621-3679 or visit moyouthtour.com.
The Love Thy Neighbor workweek will take place the week of June 7th through June 11th. LTN is a collaboration of local churches, coming together to meet the needs of the community—including the elderly, veterans, disabled individuals, and those facing financial hardship. The organization provides essential outdoor home improvements such as deck repairs, roofing, painting, and yard work, all at no cost to homeowners. Consider applying to be a volunteer by visiting ltndent.com/volunteer and filling out the online form by April 1st. There is something for everyone, such as being part of a work crew, kitchen crew, encouragers, prayer warriors, organizers, runners, etc. Most of the work will be done on Monday and Tuesday of the workweek. The “Community Fun Day” will be Wednesday, in which the community will visit the city park for food and fun. Crew bosses will be processing homeowner applications for this year’s workweek throughout this month and into April. For more information, visit the Love Thy Neighbor Facebook page at facebook.com/LTNdent or its website at ltndent.com.