Scroll Down for Sports, Weather and Obituaries! For State-Wide News, go to the MissouriNet! To read previous editions of Your World Today please visit our Archives Page.

An accident happened in Dent County at 6:40 Tuesday evening on Highway 19 about two miles south of Salem. According to the highway patrol report, 44-year old John C Shaver of Salem was driving a 1995 Dodge Ram southbound when he drove off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle struck a fence, house and a tree. John Shaver suffered moderate injuries and sought his own treatment while his 11-year old daughter Cheyenne Shaver was taken by her mother to the Salem Memorial District Hospital also with moderate injuries. Both were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. The Dodge Ram sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene by Whitakers Towing.

The Dent County Farm Bureau and Dent County Cattlemen’s Association held a public forum Tuesday night to discuss the re-introduction of elk in the Ozarks at the city hall auditorium. Tom Draper, the deputy director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, stated that the original study of elk restoration in the Ozarks began in 1998 and extensive study, the Conservation Commission tabled the idea of bringing elk back in 2001 due to the possibility of disease, especially CWD, plus the habitat was not suitable. Since then Draper says that acceptable testing for nine different diseases can now be done on live animals, additional research and a proper area with increased forage of natural habitat has been established, and there is public interest. Draper said that the restoration area would be 365 square miles and would include the Peck Ranch, Department of Conservation areas, Ozark National Scenic Riverways land and US Forest Service lands in Shannon, Carter and Reynolds counties. He said that 94% of the area is forested and would not be fenced, and the main routes affected would be Highway 106 and Highway 19. Draper said that anywhere from 80 to 150 elk could be released after being tested for diseases, and would be fitted with a GPS transmitter. He said in the event an elk would wander, the public could contact the Department of Conservation and they would try to have staff there within 24 hours to discuss the situation with the landowner for a solution. Dan Cassidy of the Missouri Farm Bureau and Jeff Windett of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association both expressed their concerns about protecting the health of cattle in the area as the feeder cattle industry is the largest segment of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and is the 3^rd largest in the nation. Both organizations have renewed their stand against the re-introduction of elk into the Ozarks. They also expressed their concern about damages to fencing and property, and also the competition for food sources. Cassidy also brought up who would be liable for damages if a fence was taken down by an elk and the cattle heard got out causing an accident, as well as vehicle and elk collisions. Tom Jones with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation stated that they were a not-for profit organization focused on the conservation of elk country and their habitat, as well as the restoration of elk with good conservation practices. He said that have worked with or partnered with governmental agencies in providing resources to support elk restoration as it has assisted with economic development through tourism and hunting. Numerous comments were heard from the crowd of about 80 with almost all being against bringing elk back in the area. Draper said that the Conservation Commission would be meeting October 15^th in Kirksville to determine what direction to go next on this issue. He said that comments are welcome at the Missouri Department of Conservation website at www.mdc.mo.gov or write to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Attn: Deputy Director Tom Draper, 2901 W. Truman Blvd, Jefferson City, MO, 65102. Comments need to be submitted by October 1st.

Sports [TOP]