News – Tuesday, August 18th, 2026

An 18-year-old Salem resident was involved in an accident late Sunday night at approximately 11:14 in Phelps County on County Road 3060 a quarter of a mile east of Rolla. According to the Highway Patrol a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado that was driven by the Salem man traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a mailbox, and a tree. A 21-year-old Rolla male passenger suffered serious injuries and was transported by Mercy Lifeline to University Hospital in Columbia. A 20-year-old Rolla female passenger also suffered serious injuries and was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health Hospital. A 17-year-old female passenger from Newburg suffered serious injuries and was transported by Phelps Health Ambulance to Phelps Health. An 18-year-old Rolla male passenger suffered minor injuries and was transported by St. James Ambulance to Phelps Health. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Phelps Health by Law Enforcement. The report stated that none of the five occupants of the vehicle were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by D and D Towing.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has released that it is seeking community input for a 2027 Hwy. 19 bridge rehabilitation project in Dent County, just south of Salem over Spring Creek. The bridge is due for a deck overlay in 2027. Built in 1986, the bridge’s driving surface has deteriorated and is in need of repair. At this time, the project calls for one lane to remain open throughout construction. The comment period is open now through Aug. 31st. Share your thoughts with MoDOT through the MoDOT Central Missouri District email at CDCR@modot.mo.gov; mailing to address 1511 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109; or by visiting the MoDOT website at modot.org and searching “Missouri Route 19 Bridge Rehabilitation over Spring Creek in Dent County.” Click the page with that same title, and scroll to the bottom to find the feedback form.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters, landowners, and others of changes to regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri for the upcoming deer-hunting season. The antlered buck limit has been reduced for nonresidents from two to one. Nonresidents who qualify for nonresident landowner permits will maintain an antlered buck harvest limit of two. The Early Youth Portion has been moved one week earlier this year to Oct. 24th and 25th to help avoid conflicts with Halloween activities at the end of October. The antler-point restriction (APR) for the 18 counties where it was most recently in place has been removed to help minimize the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD.) Further, the designations of the CWD Management Zone has been removed. A majority of Missouri counties either have had a case of CWD or are within 10 miles of a confirmed case of the disease, so a designated CWD Management Zone is no longer needed. MDC will also continue to prohibit the placement of feed and minerals for deer in counties within 10 miles of where CWD has been found. Placing feed and minerals for deer has been prohibited in counties close to where CWD has been detected since CWD was first found in Missouri as it artificially congregates them, resulting in an increased risk of disease transmission. The CWD Portion of firearms deer season has been removed. Meanwhile, mandatory CWD sampling during the opening weekend of the November Portion of the firearms deer season has been moved to a four-year county rotation. Mandatory sampling for this season will be conducted in 28 counties on Nov. 14th and 15th. MDC has increased the minimum acreage requirement for CWD Management Permits and simplified the application process. Landowners are now required to have at least 20 contiguous acres in a CWD Core Area to receive CWD Management Permits. Lastly, as a result of public engagement and continued evaluation, MDC will not conduct targeted deer removals after the season and currently has no plans to resume the activity.

This Thursday, Aug. 20th, will be filled with activities at Salem High School and Middle School. Open House will be going on from 4:00 until 6:00 providing students the chance to tour campus, meet teachers, and ask questions. Chromebook insurance, parking passes and t-shirts will be available for purchase. The supply lists for the school year are online at salemr80.org/page/supply-lists. The Student Council will be conducting a Dignity Day drive to collect new, unopened travel-size personal care and hygiene items to help support middle school and high school students. Every donation, large or small, can make a meaningful impact. Donation ideas include toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, etc. Middle School students can take part in “Pick Your Locker Night” as they get their last-minute questions answered. High School students are invited to visit the High School Library from 4:30 to 5:00 to fill out an application for dual credit classes. A representative from Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-SP) will be on hand to help and answer questions. Students enrolled in dual credit classes are highly encouraged to attend. The MSU-WP rep will remain onsite afterwards for individual questions.