This week’s drought monitor index report, released this (Thursday) morning, shows numerous counties across Missouri with severe drought conditions. There are exceptions in a couple far-reaching areas of the state. The map shows several counties of southeastern Missouri in an EXTREME drought as they have been drier for a longer period of time.

The Highway Patrol reports a Cameron man, 28 year old Lucas Hoskins, died when he ran in front of a car on Interstate 35 early yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

A Chillicothe man is accused of several traffic violations following a police pursuit involving a four-wheeler. Chillicothe Police Sergeant Scott Chubick said officers attempted a traffic stop of a four-wheeler near the intersection of Jackson Street and Elm Street on Friday night. However, the driver DID NOT stop and a pursuit commenced.

The Highway Patrol says a Carrollton man received SERIOUS injuries when the John Deere Gator utility vehicle he was operating hit the rear of a towed unit on a rural road near Carrollton. Fifty-nine year old David Grimpo of Carrollton was flown by medical helicopter to North Kansas City Hospital.

A Chillicothe man was killed on Sunday afternoon when the sport utility vehicle he was driving went off a rain-slickened road and overturned, throwing him out. Twenty-one year old James Reynolds was pronounced dead at the scene, seven miles northwest of Chillicothe on Livingston County Route A.

A Kirksville woman suffered "minor" injuries in a one-vehicle accident on Friday night, one mile west of Novinger on Highway 6, in western Adair County. Twenty-six year old Miranda Mayes refused treatment at the scene for her injuries.

Vehicles driven by 40-year old Erin Parnell of Osborn and 60-year old Lila Bell-Wietharn of Kansas City were involved in an accident on U.S. Highway 71 in Cass County late Friday morning, injuring three northwest Missouri residents.

Bluegrass music scheduled to be played on Friday night at downtown Chillicothe's Silver Moon Plaza has been moved to the CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH's FAMILY LIFE CENTER. This will allow spectators the opportunity to avoid the dangerous outdoor heat wave, and enjoy the air conditioning provided indoors.

Milling work began on Friday morning to prepare Highway 169 for resurfacing in portions of WORTH and GENTRY Counties. Highway 169 will be resurfaced between Grant City and Highway 136 (west of Albany).

Two Brookfield residents have been charged in Livingston County with Escaping From Confinement. Forty one year old Bobby Waddle and 22 year old Tony Dawson are accused of escaping from the Livingston County Jail on Wednesday night.

2010 South Harrison High School graduate Jordan Shipers, a 21-year old ranked #11 in the Seattle Mariners prospect system, tossed a nine-inning no-hitter on Wednesday as the Class A Clinton LumberKings blew out the West Michigan Whitecaps, 10-0.

The long-awaited college choice for North Mercer girl's basketball standout Sierra Michaelis could be coming, perhaps sooner than later. The St. Joseph News-Press had a conversation with Michaelis within the past few days in which the Lady Cardinal senior-to-be indicated that she would like to give a verbal commitment to a school "by the end of July".

An accident involving a car and a motorcycle in the city of Trenton resulted in the motorcyclist being taken to Wright Memorial Hospital. Police said 56 year old Larry Denny of Trenton, who was thrown from the cycle, reported pain to his ribs and back, in addition to scrapes to his arms. The driver of the car, 79 year old Richard McLallen of Livingston, Texas, was not reported. He resides a portion of the year in Trenton.

Two people were hurt when a small utility vehicle overturned northwest of Unionville late Sunday afternoon. The driver, 66 year old Hubert Anderson of Pleasant Valley, and an occupant, 59 year old Larry Caras of Excelsior Springs, received what the Highway Patrol called SERIOUS injuries.

U.S. Congressional and Senate offices are expected to be contacted again this week seeking assistance for a Trenton family. Ian and Ali Gray and their daughters Lauren and Gemma, moved to Trenton from England in 1995 via an Investor VISA to own and operate the Lakeview Restaurant and Motor Lodge. The VISA requires renewals.

A Bevier teenager was injured late Friday afternoon in a one-vehicle accident on Old U.S. 36, 2 1/2 miles west of Macon.

The Missouri Day Festival Parade scheduled for Saturday, October 20th in Trenton already has 60 entries, with entries being accepted for another THREE months. None of those early entries are bands or military. The focus of the 2012 parade is to "honor National Guard soldiers" who recently returned from duty overseas. All National Guard units from across Missouri have been invited to participate.

Missouri Department of Transportation representatives and Caldwell County commissioners are to participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, for a bridge over Goose Creek in WESTERN Caldwell County.

Four people were hurt when a sport utility vehicle overturned several times northeast of Trenton. A passenger, 23 year old Mary Tunnell of Trenton was taken to Wright Memorial Hospital (in Trenton), and then flown by medical helicopter to Truman Medical Center in Kansas City. The Patrol said she had SERIOUS injuries.

2009 Trenton High School graduate Lauren Gray received a degree this spring from Stephens College in Columbia, and upon first glance, appears like an "All-American" girl. Yet, she is in danger of being deported to England when she turns 21 years of age on August 8th. The reason is that she moved with her family from England to Trenton when she was four years old, and at age 21, she will no longer qualify to stay under her parent's investor visa.