PUSH FOR RIVER LOCK FUNDING
SEE PAGE 2A
Lewis County
Serving the communities of Lewis County, Mo. since 1862
Thursday, December 15, 2011
(USPS 088-820) Vol. XXXIX New Series, No. 50 Canton, Mo. 63435 • 16 Pages • 2 Sections • 55 cents
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
BREAKING NEWS UPDATES AT
CAR HITS UTILITY POLE IN MONDAY AFTERNOON ACCIDENT
This entry of Jeff Lay was early in Saturday’s LaBelle lighted parade.
Photo by Dan Steinbeck
Canton Fire fighters remove a pole sheared in an accident Monday afternoon from Route 81.
THREE HURT IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
Two LaGrange teenagers, and a Quincy woman were injured in a onevehicle accident Dec. 6. Destiney L. Wainwright, 22, Quincy, Ill., driver of the 1994 GMC van, and Austin T. Will, 16, LaGrange were taken by private vehicles to Blessing Hospital, each with apparently serious injuries, and Frank L. Wainwright, 17, LaGrange, had minor injuries and refused treatment. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the van went off the right side of U.S. 61 a mile north of Route V and overturned about 7:30 p.m. ejecting one passenger. The driver was apparently the only one not wearing a seat belt. The van was totaled. Assisting the patrol were Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, fire responders, emergency medical services, and Roberts Garage.
CANTON WOMAN HURT IN MONDAY CRASH
A Canton woman had apparently moderate injuries in a one-vehicle accident Monday morning Dec. 12. Vickie D. Taylor, 59, Canton, was taken by Lewis County Ambulance to Blessing Hospital. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Taylor’s 2001 Ford Explorer lost control on ice, went off the road, struck a ditch embankment and overturned on Missouri 81 five miles north of Canton at 8:25 a.m. The vehicle had extensive damage. Taylor was wearing a seat belt. Also assisting at the scene were the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Canton Fire and Rescue, and Ace Elder Towing.
Photo by Dan Steinbeck
Two arrested for arson in motel fire By Dan Steinbeck, Editor dan@lewispnj.com
An owner and a manger of the defunct Canton Motel have been arrested for the November 6 fire that gutted the structure. Canton Police Chief Hayes Shelley announced in a press release Monday, Dec. 12, that Abel Rosales, 29, Canton, who managed the motel the last few months it was open, and Brian Waschenbach, 39, Kahoka, who owned the motel have each been charged in the Class C felony of second degree arson. Rosales had been arrested Nov. 8, and Waschenbach turned himself in at the Lewis County Sheriff’s office Thursday Dec. 8. Rosales is still in the Lewis County Jail, and Waschenbach posted $20,000 cash
only bond. Waschenbach is alleged to have offered Rosales payment for setting the fire for financial gain. The Canton Police and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety investigated the fire. The fire started about 11:20 p.m. Nov. 6, and was brought under control in about two hours. More than 30 firefighters from Canton, LaGrange, Williamstown, and Monticello Departments battled the fire. The motel is located next to the County Market Express convenience store and gas station. A preliminary hearing for Rosales was Monday in Lewis County Associate Circuit Court in Monticello. A
ROSALES trial setting was scheduled for Dec. 19 for Waschenbach The apparent point of origin in the fire was a downstairs office area, and spread to up-
WASCHENBACH stairs living areas. The motel had been closed for several months before the fire, was unoccupied at the time, and had no electrical power.
LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS RING IN SEASON By Dan Steinbeck, Editor dan@lewispnj.com
A weekend of events at the LaBelle Depot and the Durham Community Center helped bring the season home. There was a craft/country show Friday through Sunday in the Depot, a silent auction of several items, a lighted Christmas parade, and a worship service. There were supposed to be 16 entries in the parade Saturday night, but two had problems with portable generators. Lay’s Repair took firstplace in the parade; Sue Strub took second place; and Mt. Olive Baptist Church took third place. Sandy Penn, Lewistown, walked a dog in the parade, and both wore a strand of Christmas lights. Santa rode in the parade in a LaBelle Fire Department pumper truck to the Depot where he heard
children’s requests, before giving a bag of candy. Also in Durham, scores of children and parents were present Saturday to do holiday crafts and see Santa Claus at the Durham Community Center. Santa Claus arrived at the Community Center on a 1957 former Lewistown pumper truck now owned by R-4 Fire Chief Doug Vaughn. Some of the children were anxious to see Santa, and others were unsure of meeting him. Santa took requests from children, and the children were allowed to do any or all of seven craft projects: pine cone peanut butter bird feeders, picture frames, candy cane mice, decorating a cookie, decorating gift bags, making paper-plate Photo by Dan Steinbeck wreaths, and painting ornaments. An elf and Mrs. Claus joined Catherine Darnell, 4, Lewistown, tells Santa Santa to help with the children’s her wants as Santa listens at the Durham Santa request line. Community Center.