SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – While ice-melting salt is a standard solution for managing icy surfaces during winter, it can pose significant risks to plants and the environment if not used responsibly.

The Missouri Department of Conservation experts emphasize balancing personal safety with environmental care.

“It can have impacts on your plants, and since we all like our trees and plants, you don’t want to do anything to hurt them,” said Francis Skalicky, “at the same time, you don’t want to do anything that’ll make you slip and fall on the ice.”

The damage caused by ice-melting salt often goes unnoticed until the next growing season. Symptoms of contamination may include discoloration, reduced foliage, or stunted growth. To minimize such effects, experts advise using salt sparingly.

“A little bit of ice melt or rock salt goes a long way,” Skalicky added, “if you put a lot of it down, you’re causing environmental damage and also hurting your budget. The more you use, the less you’ll have for the next ice episode.”

For those seeking environmentally friendly options, some stores offer eco-friendly ice-melting salt.

Additionally, sand or kitty litter can provide traction on icy surfaces without harming nearby plants. These options, however, do not melt ice but can still enhance safety.

Selecting the correct type of ice-melting product for specific surfaces is also crucial.

Superintendent Jeff Dodson of North Wood Public Schools in Dent County says it’s not pretty.

“We used a particular ice melt that was supposed to be OK for concrete,” Dodson said, “it didn’t create issues across the entire pad, but where water pooled, the thin top layer of concrete popped off. Aesthetically, it’s not as nice as it was when the project was completed.”

If you notice signs of salt damage in your plants, applying gypsum to the soil may help mitigate the effects. For more information on gypsum applications and other solutions, click here.

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Between January 6, 2025, and January 8, 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a total of eight arrests across north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated to felony parole violations. 

It is important to note that, while all the individuals listed below have been reported as arrested, they may not have been physically transported to jail. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may be issued a summons, which includes a court date. When the Missouri State Highway Patrol issues a summons with a court date, it is considered an arrest, even if the individual is not physically taken to jail.

Paul C. Schuetz, 53, of Savannah, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 7:05 PM, Paul C. Schuetz was arrested in Andrew County. Schuetz was charged with failing to drive on the right half of the roadway and driving while intoxicated (alcohol). He was held at the Andrew County Law Enforcement Center on a 12-hour hold.

Roberto Lopez-Vargas, 31, of Des Moines, Iowa
Roberto Lopez-Vargas was arrested in Clinton County on January 8, 2025, at 5:37 PM. He faced charges of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, a felony, and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, a misdemeanor. Lopez-Vargas was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office on a 24-hour hold.

Derrick A. Woodruff, 41, of Kahoka, Missouri
On January 6, 2025, at 12:50 PM, Derrick A. Woodruff was arrested in Scotland County. His charges included driving while intoxicated (first offense), failure to maintain the right half of the roadway, and driving without insurance. Woodruff was held at the Clark County Jail on a 12-hour hold.

John W. Snell, 38, of Knox City, Missouri
John W. Snell was arrested in Lewis County on January 7, 2025, at 1:16 AM. He was taken into custody on a Shelby County warrant for a moving traffic violation. Snell was held at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and was bondable.

Peggy A. Stepuszek, 67, of Lockport, Illinois
On January 7, 2025, at 11:50 AM, Peggy A. Stepuszek was arrested in Macon County. She was charged with driving while intoxicated (alcohol) and speeding. Stepuszek was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and later released.

Dillion S. Levings, 38, of Paris, Missouri
At 2:11 PM on January 7, 2025, Dillion S. Levings was arrested in Randolph County. He faced charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and failure to register a motor vehicle. Levings was held at the Randolph County Jail and was bondable.

Anthony R. Miller, 39, of Arbela, Missouri
On January 7, 2025, at 4:40 PM, Anthony R. Miller was arrested in Clark County. Miller faced charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Clark County facility.

Jeffrey L. Kimbal, 45, of Brookfield, Missouri
Jeffrey L. Kimbal was arrested on January 7, 2025, at 6:44 PM in Linn County. Kimbal faced a felony charge for a parole violation warrant. He was held at the Linn County Jail without bond.

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She took the meaning of Takis Fuego literally.

A Missouri woman was sentenced to 12 years behind bars after she intentionally torched a home full of people using a bag of Takis tortilla chips. 

Patricia Williams, 44, was handed her sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to first-degree arson for sparking the Aug. 11, 2023, blaze in Greene County, multiple outlets reported. 

Williams admitted to authorities that she used the spicy snack to start the fire knowing it would combust due to its high grease content, according to court documents.

The convicted arsonist was captured on surveillance footage purchasing $2 of gasoline at a nearby gas station before entering a home and pouring the petrol from a soda bottle onto a pile of clothes and all over the laundry room floor.

The firebug then ignited the Takis chips and tossed the flaming bag onto the gasoline-soaked garments, setting the house ablaze, according to court documents.

Three people managed to escape the home without injury and reported Williams to the police after witnessing her brazen deed.

The pyro was later discovered with soot still on her face and was booked at Greene County Jail, local outlets reported.

Police also found Williams had several warrants out for her arrest, court documents show.

The relationship between Williams and the victims remains unclear.