ARCHERY DEER AND TURKEY SEASONS BEGIN TODAY IN MISSOURI
The archery portion of both deer and turkey seasons begins today in Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation is encouraging hunters to be safe.
The initial archery season will run from today through November 14th for both deer and turkey.
Hunters are reminded that only one antlered deer may be taken before the November Firearms Portion of deer season and only two antlered deer may be taken during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons combined.
For turkeys, two turkeys of either sex may be taken during the archery and firearms portions combined.
During archery season, hunters can use longbows, compound bows, and recurve bows of any draw weight, crossbows, and hand-held string-releasing devices, among other devices.
Additional regulations are available at mdc.mo.gov.
THREE MEN SENTENCED IN CONNECTION TO ELK POACHING IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Three Missouri men connected to the 2023 illegal killing of a bull elk in Southeast Missouri have been sentenced.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, MDC’s Protection Branch began its investigation after a 14-year-old deer hunter reported finding the dead mature bull elk near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County during the November 2023 opening weekend of firearms deer season.
Officials say that Michael O’Neail, of De Soto, pleaded guilty earlier this month to illegally killing and abandoning the bull elk.
O’Neail was sentenced to 60 days in jail and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Execution of the 60-day jail sentence was suspended, pending successful completion of two years of probation and full payment of the $10,000 fine within one year of his sentencing date.
The two men not directly responsible for the elk poaching, Kevin Click and Travis Wadlow, both of Bonne Terre, each received a $500 fine plus court costs, and a mandatory $750 contribution to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation for the illegal take or possession of white-tailed deer.
PURSUIT ENDS WHEN VEHICLE STRIKES DEER IN RIPLEY COUNTY
A man has been taken into custody following a pursuit Friday in Ripley County.
According to the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department, 20 year old Tony Portwood Jr, of Doniphan, was arrested following a short vehicle pursuit which ended when his vehicle struck a deer.
Officials say that Portwood was booked into the Ripley County Jail on charges of resisting arrest by fleeing, driving without a license, and careless and imprudent driving.
A passenger in the vehicle was released at the scene.
PB FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATES FIRETRUCK TO THREE RIVERS COLLEGE
The Poplar Bluff Fire Department recently made a big donation to Three Rivers College to help with firefighter training.
Through a grant, the Poplar Bluff Fire Department purchased a 2024 Rosenbauer Pumper fire truck to replace their 1980 Seagrave Pumper, which was no longer compliant with the National Fire Protection Association for fire extinguishment.
The grant stipulated that the non-compliant truck could only be used for training purposes, and college officials say that the PBFD chose to donate the truck to TRC.
The donation allowed TRC to donate its 1986 Pierce Pumper to the Grandin Rural Volunteer Fire Department to replace its 1979 International, which was stuck in first gear because of a transmission issue.
Poplar Bluff City Manager Robert Knodell said the trio of upgrades will provide long-term benefits to the community.
SHOULDER REPAIR PROJECT SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY IN POPLAR BLUFF
A U.S. Route 67 Northbound ramp in Butler County will be reduced through the end of October as contractor crews perform shoulder repairs.
According to officials, the ramp is located from Oak Grove Road to Northbound U.S. Route 67 in Poplar Bluff.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Friday, October 31.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS TO CAUSE DELAYS TODAY NEAR DEXTER
Route ZZ in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of roadway being reduced is located from County Road 634 to County Road 659 near Dexter.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
