Region digest 11/02/05

Jackson intersection to be closed several hours

Oklahoma Street in Jackson at its intersection with Highway 34 will be closed at 7 a.m. Thursday. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the roadway is expected to be reopened by 5 p.m. The closure is required for Penzel Construction Co. to lay asphalt as part of the Route 34/72 upgrade to four lanes.

MoDOT to close I-55 lane for bridge maintenance

The Missouri Department of Transportation will limit northbound traffic on Interstate 55 to one lane at the Diversion Channel bridge so crews can do routine maintenance. The lane closure begins today and runs through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., officials said.

Three injured in Monday accident near Fruitland

Three people were injured in a two-vehicle accident at 7:12 p.m. Monday on Interstate 55 a half-mile south of Fruitland. Rebecca S. White, 21, of Thebes, Ill., received moderate injuries, and Bradley W. White, 21, of Thebes received minor injuries. Both were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center. The driver of their vehicle, Jonathan M. Knudson, 23, of Millersville, was not injured. The driver of the other vehicle, Cody A. Essick, 18, of Jackson, was taken to Southeast Missouri Hospital with minor injuries. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, both vehicles were northbound when Knudson's vehicle struck Essick's in the rear. Essick's vehicle ran off the road and overturned.

Two hurt in passing accident on Interstate 55

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident at 5:24 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 55 in Perry County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, tractor-trailer driver Kerry A. Olmstead, 38, of Leesville, La., began to pass a 1990 Mercury. The Mercury's driver, Edward Baugh, 52, of Royalton, Ill., applied his brakes, slid off the roadway and struck a rock embankment. Baugh was taken to Perry County Memorial Hospital in Perryville, Mo., with minor injuries. Passenger Donna S. Baugh, 53, of Royalton received serious injuries and was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center. Olmstead was not injured.

Park service has Lewis, Clark matching program

The National Park Service announced on Tuesday the 2006 Challenge Cost Share Program for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The program will distribute matching funds to nonfederal organizations for projects that educate the public about the Lewis and Clark story and preserve the resources of the trail. Information is available online at www.nps.gov/lecl. For more information, contact Richard Williams at (402) 661-1830, (888) 237-3252 or richard_williams@nps.gov.

-- From staff reports