POPLAR BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SELECTED AS SEMIFINALIST FOR NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
A senior at Poplar Bluff High School has been selected as a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Poplar Bluff’s Claire Funke will get the chance to compete for one of almost 7,000 scholarships.
Over 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants.
The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2026 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN KILLED IN CRASH INVOLVING A TRAIN NEAR PIGGOTT
A northeast Arkansas man was killed in a crash Tuesday involving a train.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, the crash occurred Tuesday morning one mile north of Piggott on Clay County Road 346.
One person was killed in the crash, 80 year Ronnie Gurley, of Greenway.
Cole says that the crash was at a rural crossing that did not have crossing guards or lights.
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING DEATHS OF TWO PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas are investigating the deaths of two people.
According to Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole, during the evening of September 2nd, a deputy arrived at a residence in Knobel to conduct a welfare check. When the deputy got inside the residence, he found 45 year old Tina Keas and 69 year old Dewey Ramsey deceased.
Cole says that foul play is not suspected at this time and the bodies have been sent to the State Crime Lab to determine the cause of death.
Anyone who has information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Clay County Sheriff's Department at 870-598-2270.
MAN CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC ASSAULT IN STODDARD COUNTY
A man in Stoddard County has been charged following an incident over the weekend.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, Terry Beck has been charged with 1st degree domestic assault.
Beck is accused of causing serious physical injury to a victim on September 6th by striking her repeatedly in the face with his closed fists and choking her around the neck.
The victim suffered multiple broken facial bones and a hematoma behind her right eye during the assault.
Beck is being held in the Stoddard County Jail on no bond.
BRIDGE WORK IS SCHEDULED OVER THE NEXT WEEK IN WAYNE AND MADISON COUNTIES
The Missouri Department of Transportation is partnering with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials to apply a High Friction Thin Overlay on four U.S. Route 67 bridges in Wayne and Madison Counties.
Officials say the bridges are located over Cedar Creek in Wayne County and Little St. Francis River in Madison County.
Weather permitting, preparation will take place today and tomorrow, and the HFTO will be applied Tuesday, September 16 and Wednesday, September 17.
During the installation, U.S. 67 will be reduced to one lane in the vicinity of the work zones.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN BERNIE AREA
Route Z in Stoddard County will be reduced today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform pavement repairs.
The work zone will be located from Route 153 to County Road 709 near Bernie.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
