Tuesday March 3, 2026

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK CONTINUES WITH LIGHTNING SAFETY DAY 

This week is Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week and today the focus is on Lightning safety. 

According to the National Weather Service, when a severe thunderstorm threatens, it is often best to follow the same safety rules you follow if a tornado threatens. 

Go to a basement if available. If not, go to the lowest level of the building and move to a small interior room or hallway. Stay away from doors and windows. 

If time permits, move your vehicle into a garage or carport to help prevent damage. Avoid traveling in a severe thunderstorm – delay your travel plans until the storms pass or get off the road and seek shelter in a building. 

Weather officials also say that there is really no safe place to go if you are outdoors when it is lightning. You must move to a building or an enclosed vehicle. 

Tomorrow the focus will turn to Tornado safety.

OPEN ENROLMENT SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK AT POPLAR BLUFF KINDERGARTEN CENTER

Open Enrollment is scheduled to begin this week at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center. 

If you have a child who will be five years old by July 31st, you can get them enrolled for the next school year. 

According to officials, open enrollment is set to take place from 9 am to 2 pm from March 3rd through 5th and from April 7th through 9th at the 1200 Camp Road campus. There will also be extended hours available from 4:30 to 7 pm on March 3rd and April 7th. 

Parents should remember to bring their children’s birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency, and shot records. 

For more information, call 573-785-4905.

STEELE MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH 

A Steele man was seriously injured in a single vehicle crash Sunday evening. 

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 28 year old man was driving on County Road 547, one mile west of Cooter, when his vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned. 

He was transported to a Pemiscot County hospital with moderate injuries.

TODAY IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IN ARKANSAS 

Today is Primary election day in Arkansas.

Primaries will be held today for Arkansas’s representatives in the United States House as well as a US Senate seat that will be contested this November. 

Arkansas residents will also be deciding on candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, and the State Supreme Court among a variety of local and state races. 

You can find your local precinct place by going to the Arkansas Secretary of State website at sos.Arkansas.gov.

STATE OFFICIALS SEE GROWING TREND OF CRYPTOCURRENCY FRAUD TARGETING MISSOURIANS 

Missouri state officials are warning the public about a growing number of cryptocurrency fraud cases that are being reported across the state. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control says that investigators have seen a considerable increase in scams often targeting older adults and other members of the public, resulting in significant financial losses. 

Criminals are using the internet, social media, email, dating sites, text messages, end to end encrypted messaging apps and phone calls to convince victims to send money through cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, or other virtual currencies. 

These scams are designed to appear legitimate and frequently rely on urgency, fear, or promises of guaranteed returns.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages families and caregivers to discuss these scams with older adults and help them recognize the warning signs. Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized by a scam can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222.

DEADLINE IS FRIDAY TO PURCHASE TAGS FOR BULKY ITEM PICKUP 

Friday is the final day for Poplar Bluff residents to purchase tags for this month’s Bulky Item Pickup. 

Residents can purchase bulk item tags from the City Collector’s office at City Hall for $20. The tags entitle you to the removal of four bulk items, such as couches or refrigerators.  

No construction materials or small items will be picked up and the program is for residential areas only. 

Friday is the final day to purchase item tags at City Hall to be included in next week’s pick up, which will be conducted on Tuesday, March 10th.