News – Thursday, November 6th 2025

An accident happened Sunday evening at 11:04 on Highway 5 in Camden County about 8/10ths of a miles north of Dry Hollow Road that took the life of a Steelville teenager. According to the highway patrol report, a 2011 Chevy Impala driven northbound by the 19-year Steelville man, crossed the center of the roadway and was struck head-on by a 2022 Peterbilt 389 semi driven southbound by a 45-year-old man from Owensville. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene by the Camden County Medical Examiner Drew Hall at 11:57 Sunday evening. Both vehicles were totaled and were removed from the scene by Bledsoe Conoco. The teenager was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident while the driver of Peterbilt was. The body of the teenager was taken to the Allee Holman-Howe Funeral Home. The highway patrol was assisted at the scene by the Camden County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announced that criminal charges have been filed against 39-year-old Melvin J. Fincher of Rolla regarding the theft of cattle. Fincher has pending charges in other counties which include Phelps, Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties. Fincher was arrested on October 24th after an investigation conducted by the Rural Crimes Investigation Unit with the assistance of area law enforcement. In July of 2024, the highway patrol was made aware of suspicious activity involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County. During the investigation, Rural Crimes Investigation Unit investigators were informed by Texas authorities of a cattle theft investigation, involving 42 head of cattle from a livestock market in Texas. The theft occurred between August 10th and 11th of 2024, and the total value of the cattle was $71,078.00. After further investigation, it was determined the cattle were received by Melvin Fincher, a resident of Phelps County. During the investigation, and while searching property associated with Fincher, USDA livestock tags were located in the livestock pens on the premises. Identification numbers indicated the tags were issued to the livestock market in Texas where the cattle were originally stolen. Additional evidence was collected connecting Fincher to the theft of cattle in Texas. On December 2nd, 2024, Fincher was formally charged by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of Stealing Livestock and/or Wildlife-a Prior Offense. Fincher later pled guilty to this charge. This October 27th, Fincher was sentenced to serve ten years incarceration with the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence was suspended in execution of sentence, and Fincher is currently serving five years of supervised probation. Fincher is also facing numerous charges in Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties for other related criminal offenses including identity theft, livestock theft, and farm equipment theft. The total value of damages involving these cases exceeds $219,000.00. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is appreciative of the assistance from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Missouri Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force, USDA, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any further information regarding these cases, please contact Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control at 573-526-6122.

The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing Tuesday evening in the City Hall Auditorium to consider a request from John Lewis for a conditional use permit to install a manufactured home at 402 South Pershing. No one was present to speak on the request, so the commission closed the public hearing and proceeded to the regular meeting. After approving the agenda, the commission voted to approve the conditional use permit. The commission then heard from J.D. Norris, owner of the Truman Mobile Home Park, who expressed interest in developing up to ten individual mobile homes, each measuring approximately 16 feet by 40 or 50 feet. The proposed project would include a new road, sewer system, and underground electrical service, with the goal of offering affordable lots for sale or rent. Building Inspector Jarred Brown explained that the next step for Mr. Norris is to create a detailed site and construction plan outlining the layout of the new lots and proposed utility upgrades. Once those plans are submitted, the commission will determine the appropriate next steps. With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. 

A class on Repurposed Christmas Card Ornaments will be held tomorrow from 5:30 to 7:30 with Angela Dingess at the Creative Arts Center at 202 South Main. The class is for those who are aged 13 and up with a cost of $25 which includes all supplies. In this class participants will be repurposing used Christmas cards in order to make beautiful one-of-a-kind ornaments. To sign up, go to the SACBA website, click on “Programs” link and then on the Creative Arts Center.