Thursday, February 26, 2026
PUXICO INDIANS TO START DISTRICT TOURNAMENT TONIGHT
The Puxico Indians will start their campaign for a 3rd straight district championship as well as a return to the state final four tonight.
The top seed Indians will face the five seed Advance Hornets at 5:30 pm this evening in the Class 2, District 3 semifinals.
With a win tonight, the Indians will advance to the District Championship game at noon on Saturday against either Bernie or Charleston.
You will be able to listen to the Puxico-Advance game tonight on Shuffle 92.9 as well as online at Shuffle929.com. Video coverage of the game will be available at MSHSAA.TV for a fee.
MISSING FREDERICKTOWN TEEN FOUND SAFE
A teenager who was reported missing earlier this week out of Fredericktown has been found safe.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an endangered person advisory was issued Sunday evening for 16 year old Lilly Watkins.
Officials say that the advisory was cancelled Wednesday after Watkins was found safe on Tuesday. No other details have been released.
HUNTERS AND ANGLERS REMINDED THAT ANNUAL PERMITS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH
Missouri annual permits for various game and fish will expire at the end of the month.
The Missouri Department of Conservation is reminding Missouri hunters and anglers that related annual permits expire at the end of February, including 2025 permits for small game, fishing, trout fishing, and combination hunting and fishing.
Anyone wanting to purchase a permit can do so at vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/BuyPermits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO fishing.
Commercial and lifetime permits can be purchased only through the MDC Permit Services Unit by calling 573-522-0107 for an application.
MAN ARRESTED ON SEXUAL INDECENCY WITH A CHILD CHARGE
Authorities in Northeast Arkansas have arrested a Paragould man following a disclosure of sexual abuse that was submitted to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline.
According to a warrant affidavit, 48 year old Walson Jekkar is accused of having inappropriate contact with a juvenile.
Jekkar was booked into the Greene County Jail on Tuesday on three counts of sexual indecency with a child.
He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
DEXTER CEMETERY ANNUAL SPRING FLOWER REMOVAL SET FOR MARCH 1ST
Dexter residents are being reminded to remove flowers from the Dexter Cemetery by the end of the month.
City officials say that in preparation for spring, the Dexter Street Department will begin their annual Spring Flower Removal at the cemetery beginning on March 1st.
Anyone who does not want their flowers to be discarded should have them removed by that date.
WAITLIST TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR MISSOURI CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM
State officials say that a waitlist will be in place soon for new families seeking child care assistance.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood has announced that it will implement a waitlist for Missouri’s Child Care Subsidy Program beginning March 1st, due to the increased growth of families who qualify.
Officials say that the waitlist will be for families that are newly applying for the program and those who were approved before March 1st will not be affected.
Families who complete renewals on time will continue receiving assistance without interruption and the waitlist will be managed in order of application submission date, in accordance with priority rankings.
Officials say that the number of families receiving child care assistance has increased by 19 percent since January 2025, with more than 27,000 children currently served statewide.
For more information, visit ChildCare.mo.gov.