Wednesday, October 8, 2025
SIKESTON OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
A 41 year old Sikeston Police officer was killed in the line of duty on Monday.
According to a preliminary report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety's Special Weapons and Tactics Team were requested to assist the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office with locating and apprehending 36 year old Nathan Peters, of Sikeston, in connection to a homicide investigation that occurred earlier in the day.
Members of the Sikeston DPS SWAT arrived at a residence in Mississippi County and attempted to contact Peters. While Sikeston DPS SWAT members were positioned outside the residence, Peters shot at them, striking a Sikeston DPS Officer.
Officials say that Officer Henry Franklin died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident.
A SWAT team later entered the residence and located Peters deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Franklin had served the Sikeston DPS since June 2013. He served as the handler for K9 Odin and had previously served in the Army National Guard.
Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow has ordered that flags in Sikeston fly at half-staff through the end of the day of the funeral.
NEELYVILLE MAN WINS MULTIPLE GOLD MEDALS AT PAN AMERICAN FIELD ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP
A Neelyville man won multiple gold medals at an international archery competition last week.
According to USA Archery, Joshua Miller took home an individual Gold Medal Saturday in the men’s longbow competition at the 2025 Pan American Field Archery Championships in San Cristobal, Mexico.
Miller’s second gold medal came in the Longbow mixed team competition, which he shared with Joella Bates.
Miller has been an archer for the past eight years and he says with three kids and a wife, that he’s ready to focus on them for the future.
ENTRIES NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR RIVER RADIO LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE
Parade lights will be shining bright in Downtown Poplar Bluff this December for the 2025 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade.
Entries are now being accepted for the parade, which is scheduled for 6 pm on Friday, December 5th. Entry forms are available at River Radio in Poplar Bluff. The deadline for entries is November 26th.
The parade route this year will run from Highway 142 at McDonalds through downtown Poplar Bluff before looping back and ending at the Black River Coliseum.
Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. For more information, call 573-785-0881.
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR UPCOMING FAFSA FRENZY EVENTS AT POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL
Multiple events have been scheduled over the next few months in Poplar Bluff to help students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
FAFSA Frenzy will be held from 4 to 5:45 pm at the Poplar Bluff High School Cafeteria on Wednesday, October 22nd.
Additional FAFSA Frenzy events have been scheduled for November 18th, December 11th, and January 12th.
ARKANSAS POLICE PARTICIPATING IN EXTREME SAFETY CAMPAIGN THIS MONTH TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE SAFETY
Arkansas Police are participating in an “Extreme Safety” campaign this month to enhance pedestrian and bike safety across state roadways.
According to the Arkansas State Police, the campaign will run through October 18 and aligns with National Pedestrian Safety Month.
The “Extreme Safety” campaign will focus on critical safety tips for motorists and vulnerable road users. For motorists, the campaign highlights the importance of avoiding distractions, adhering to speed limits and being particularly cautious at crosswalks.
Cyclists are urged to wear helmets, check their brakes and follow road rules, while pedestrians are reminded to use sidewalks, cross at designated areas and remain vigilant of their surroundings.
According to recent data, pedestrian fatalities in Arkansas reached a 10-year high in 2020, with 81 deaths.
US HIGHWAY 60 TRAFFIC TO BE DIVERTED IN THE MINER AREA
Construction of the Route AA bridge over U.S. Route 60 at Miner, Missouri is set to begin this month.
Demolition of the existing overpass will take place nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., through Saturday and from October 14th through the 18th, weather permitting.
Eastbound U.S. 60 traffic will be detoured the first week of demolition, with impacts to westbound U.S. 60 occurring the following week.
During demolition, U.S. 60 traffic will be detoured to utilize Route 62 between the U.S. 60/Route 61 and U.S. 60/I-55 interchanges. The detours will be signed and only activated during the overnight hours.
Construction of the new overpass will begin Thursday, Oct. 23, with completion anticipated July 31, 2026, weather permitting.
The Route AA bridge has been closed since December 2024 due to damage sustained by an over-height vehicle.