Area News

By Chief Patrick Burton, Licking Police Dept. On March 20, 2021, at approximately 10:50 p.m., a white-in-color Dodge Challenger was observed by a Licking police officer traveling westbound on Highway 32 at a substantial rate of speed. The Licking officer checked the vehicle traveling 87 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. The Licking officer…

By Shari Harris, Publisher The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported minor injuries to a juvenile passenger and the arrest of the driver involved in a Friday evening crash on Concord Road, five miles north of Licking. Robert L. Melead, 32, of Salem, was charged with two counts of felony child endangerment, driving while intoxicated with…

By Sheriff Scott K. Lindsey, Texas County Sheriff’s Dept. On the evening of March 17, 2021, Texas County Deputies patrolling Shafer Road, in the Licking area attempted to make a traffic stop on a Ford truck. The driver of the truck did not stop, and deputies initiated a pursuit that traveled across Buffalo Road to…

By Sheriff Scott K. Lindsey, Texas County Sheriff’s Dept. On the evening of March 22, 2021, Texas County deputies were dispatched to a residence on Nagle Drive in the Elk Creek area for a report of a 9-year-old child with a gunshot wound. An investigation revealed that the victim was shot by a younger sibling.…

Photos by Christy Porter

By Shari Harris, Publisher The long anticipated replacement of trailers at the Licking R-VIII Elementary School appears to be near, thanks to government funds related to COVID relief. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds come from the U.S. government, and Missouri Governor Mike Parson allocates the money to schools based on student…

In addition to the current media postings, in this week’s print edition of The Licking News: This week in the FFA Edition, we proudly support and recognize, along with many others, the Licking FFA Chapter. The chapter shares with you numerous articles about and photos of their officers and the events of the past year.…

By Christy Porter, Managing Editor Chartered on June 1, 1933, the Licking FFA is still going strong after 88 years. Historical documentation dated June 26, 1925, states that the vocational agriculture course was to be installed in the Licking High School “this coming year,” and reportedly FFA meetings were actually being held in Licking as…

By Christy Porter, Managing Editor Great community support was shown for Country Crossroads Custom Cabinetry on Saturday evening at a fundraiser held at the VFW. The event, which included a donation-based chili dinner and an auction, was successful according to organizers. The shop and contents were considered a total loss after a fire on Thursday,…

By Shari Harris, Publisher The Licking R-VIII School Board met on Monday, March 8, 2021, at the boardroom. Five members voted to approve the consent agenda, consisting of minutes from the previous meeting and payment of bills; two abstained. In items of business, the A+ Program was reviewed. Last year 31 students qualified, and this…