News

An accident occurred at 3:35 on the afternoon of Sunday, March 15^th in Dent County on Highway 32 near Carnett Industrial Drive. According to the highway patrol report, a 1997 Ford Contour driven by 61-year old John Russell of Salem, was traveling eastbound on Highway 32 and attempted to avoid an animal in the roadway. The Ford traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment, became airborne and overturned. Russell suffered serious injuries and was flown to University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. He was not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Ford Contour was totaled and removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing of Salem.

The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular Monday morning meeting at the Dent County Courthouse. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell said grading would be done on Dent County Roads 5085, 5460 and 6230 while materials would be added and grading would be done on county roads 5080, 6090 and 6220. He reported he made a presentation on the Road and Bridge Sales Tax referendum on the April ballot to the Northwood R-4 School Board last Thursday. He will be also be making a presentation to the Green Forest R-2 School Board on the tax issue. Purcell wanted to remind people that Dent County Tourism Tax Dollars are available for individuals, groups and not-for-profits who want to promote activities in Dent County. Interested persons or groups can pick up an application from Purcell or from the Dent County Clerk’s office. Applications are also available from Beth Frizzell and Kim Gollhofer. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson indicated that his crew would be working on Dent County Road 6150 patching the chip and seal that is in bad shape. He wants to warn those driving the road to be cautious as the road has numerous potholes. He also said he would be attending the Homeland Security Oversight Committee Board meeting Thursday at the MRPC offices in St. James. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported the PHA Board last Thursday approved their one and five-year plans. He also reported the external relations committee was going over the programming schedule to accommodate the move of the annual MRPC Awards Dinner to October from November. At the MRPC meeting, Skiles said Alan Galindo from the Central Region Workforce Investment Board, who is the new manager at the Universal Challenge Course on Highway 72, made a presentation on the course  that promotes teamwork, leadership, decision-making, communication and problem solving. He said the course is perfect for church groups, small businesses, schools, sports teams and others. Contact Alan at 573-426-2946 for more information. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said absentee voting continues for the April  election and if anyone needs to change their address on their voter registration to please come by her office or call 729-4144. Nancy Major from the “I Can Too Learning Center” came in to discuss an alley that belongs to the county located on property she has a contract on in the Brandon Heights Subdivision. She is looking at building a facility there and would have to run an additional 215 feet of fence if the county won’t relinquish the rights to that alleyway. The commission will get with the prosecuting attorney to see what can be done with this situation. Their next meeting will be Thursday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and the meeting is open to the public. 

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors will conduct their monthly meeting tonight in the hospital library beginning at 6:00. After approval of the agenda and the minutes from the meeting held on February 17^th will the summary of operations and statistics reports for February, followed by the nursing and ancillary service report. Hospital Administrator Dennis Pryor will then update the Board with an auxiliary report, hospital activity calendar and legislative issues, followed by the Chief of Staff’s report. In old business, there will be a strategic planning goals update, the Community Health Needs Assessment and the Ozark Independent Health Alliance (OIHA). Then during new business the Board will hear a Finance Committee meeting report and address purchases made for the hospital. The monthly meeting of the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors is open to the public.

An accident occurred at 7:57 pm on Friday, March 13^th in Phelps County on Highway B about three miles north of St. James. According to the highway patrol report, a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 19-year old Austin Deluca of St. James was traveling southbound, traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking a tree before coming to rest. Suffering minor injuries and seeking their own treatment were 35-year old Ross Desherlia of Rolla; and from St. James, 26-year old Christina Schmitt, 29-year old Michael Schmitt and 32-year old Tiffany Schmitt. Deluca was the only one not wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Chevrolet Silverado was totaled and removed from the scene by Spurgeons Towing.

Sports [TOP]

Starters John Lackey and David Price were both effective in the St. Louis Cardinals' 1-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday. Lackey retired all nine Tigers he faced with four strikeouts, and Price struck out five in four scoreless innings. The two teams combined for just seven hits. Pete Kozma drove in the only run with a sixth-inning single that scored Randal Grichuk. The Cards will play Miami today.

A five-run sixth inning boosted the Kansas City Royals to a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Indians in Cactus League action. After starter Yordano Ventura allowed four runs in three innings despite five strikeouts, Kansas City stormed back in the sixth, first getting a two-run home run from Matt Fields and later a two-run single off the bat of Christian Colon. The Royals will face the Cubs today in Arizona.

The St. Louis Blues will be in Calgary tonight to face the Flames starting at 7:30 on KSMO with the pre-game show. The Blues are leading the Central Division with the Nashville Predators with 93 points.

The Kansas City chiefs made it official last Wednesday, reuniting former Missouri Tigers wide receiver Jeremy Maclin with head coach Andy Reid. Maclin, who signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to last season after missing all of 2013 with a torn ACL, caught 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing all 16 games. Kansas City did not have a receiver with a touchdown catch in 2014.

Obituaries   [TOP]