Darrell Todd Maurina
Posted: Monday, December 15, 2008 6:21 am

PULASKI COUNTY, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2008) — Icy rain and sleet Sunday evening and early Monday morning slickened area roads, prompting a two-hour delay for Fort Leonard Wood personnel to report and causing Waynesville schools to send school buses on snow routes only.

As of 6 a.m. Monday morning, only one weather-related crash had been reported by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Waynesville R-VI School District officials announced about 5 a.m. that school buses will run only on snow routes for both morning and evening bus routes. Preliminary reports indicated that Dixon, Crocker, Laquey, Richland, Swedeborg, and Plato schools have cancelled classes, but that information should be confirmed with local districts.

Snow routes for buses are posted on the Waynesville school district website at http://waynesville.k12.mo.us under the “parents and students” tab. The direct link with detailed information on snow routes for high school and elementary schools is http://waynesville.k12.mo.us/district/departments/transportation/snow_routes/ 

Fort Leonard Wood officials have allowed non-essential personnel to report with a two-hour delay. Road conditions are rated as “amber,” which means, according to the post’s safety office, that road conditions are difficult to hazardous. Drivers must slow to 10 mph below the posted speed limit to maintain traction and a safe stopping distance during amber road conditions, according to the post’s safety office.

Those who want more information about the post’s status and weather conditions may contact the automated reporting system at (573) 596-4141.

As of 5 a.m., the National Weather Service reported that additional light sleet is possible this morning with cold temperatures and wind chills ranging from -5 to +5 degrees. Numerous roads are covered with ice this morning, weather officials reported, urging commuters to allow extra time to reach their destinations.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, only one crash happened during the weekend: a head-on crash on Highway 28 two miles south of Dixon.

Troopers reported that at 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Minnie M. Alexander, 78, of Dixon, was southbound in a 2004 Chevrolet when she crossed the centerline and hit a northbound 2005 Chevrolet driven by Greg P. Spies, 22, also of Dixon.

Both vehicles were moderately damaged and removed by Pro Tow of Dixon; both drivers had been wearing their seat belts. Spies was not hurt by Alexander was transported by Dixon Ambulance District paramedics to Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla for treatment of moderate injuries.

Following an unrelated Thursday morning incident, troopers reported they arrested Terry L. Matheson, 44, of Dixon at 10:30 a.m. on charges of driving while intoxicated, failure to keep on the right half of the roadway, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Matheson was transported to the Pulaski County Jail and subsequently released.

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