Thursday, April 2, 2026

POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT AWARDED 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR SAFE ROOM AT EUGENE FIELD

A grant will bring more safety options to residents in Poplar Bluff.

According to Poplar Bluff School Officials, over $1.5 million has been awarded to the School District to construct a tornado safe room at Eugene Field Elementary School.

The Board of Education unanimously decided last month to agree to pay 25 cents on the dollar for a local investment totaling approximately $500K in the matching grant program approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The safe room is expected to be located on the northeast corner of the Nickey Street campus; however, the district has the ability to submit a change order, depending on the building’s multi-purpose functionality for its day-to-day student use.

The district is also in discussions with the Poplar Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission over potentially rerouting Cross Street, which would open up more adjoining acreage on the Eugene Field campus site.

Outside of school hours, the EF5 tornado-rated facility would be open to the community during severe weather events, following the same emergency protocol established for the district's other safe rooms constructed through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program at O’Neal Elementary and Junior High.

OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS PLACEMENT OF WARNING SIRENS IN DONIPHAN AT UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

Doniphan city officials will be hosting a public hearing next week concerning warning sirens.

The hearing has been scheduled for noon on Thursday, April 9th at Doniphan City Hall.

Officials will be discussing the location of warning sirens that will be installed throughout the city, funded by a Community Development Block Grant.

For more information, or if you require special accommodations at the hearing, contact City Clerk, Marti Porter, at 573-996-2623.

MULTIPLE NORTHEAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITIES RECEIVE GRANT MONEY FOR LOCAL RECREATION FACILITIES

Multiple communities in Northeast Arkansas will be receiving grant money to help support local recreation facilities.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced that the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism is awarding a total of $4.92 million in Outdoor Recreation Grants to projects within 23 counties across the state.

Corning was awarded $100,000 to install a new toddler and ADA play area at Wynn Park.

Pocahontas will get $315,000 to install a new pavilion with ADA restrooms, pave parking and roadway to connect two city parks.

STODDARD COUNTY ELECTION PREVIEW

Continuing our previews of next week’s Municipal Election in Southeast Missouri, we are taking a look at competitive races in Stoddard County.

Stoddard County voters will decide on whether to exempt eligible taxpayers from certain tax increases on their primary residence as well as a proposition for the Stoddard County Ambulance district that would reduce the property tax levy and impose a sales and use tax.

Essex residents will be voting on a city sales tax of one half percent, while Puxico residents will decide if a Chief of Police shall be appointed for the city.

The Bluff Special Road District will be asking district residents about a tax levy.

In Bernie, James Tilmon and Ivan Mekan are in the running to be Mayor. The race for Bernie Alderman of Ward 2 is between Stephen Williams and Lonnie Vickers.

In Essex, Regenia Williams and Greg Smith are both running for the Ward 2 Alderman seat.

NEW MADRID COUNTY ELECTION PREVIEW

Continuing our previews of next week’s Municipal Election in Southeast Missouri, we are taking a look at competitive races in New Madrid County.

New Madrid Senate Bill 3 will ask New Madrid County voters on whether to exempt eligible taxpayers from certain tax increases on their primary residence. A question for the New Madrid County Ambulance District will ask if the district shall impose a sales tax of one percent for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of the District.

The race for Gideon Chief of Police is between Rinda Dillard and Danny Lacewell.

In Lilbourn, Johnnie Baker and Shelangus Van Zuydam are the candidates for Mayor. Voters will also choose between Virgie Johnson, Leann Scallion, Yolanda F. Hicks, and Brian Mays for Lilbourn Collector. For Lilbourn Ward 1 Alderman, Cynthia Dodds will face Sierra Brown. It’s a four way race for Lilbourn Ward 2 Alderman between Larry Hamilton, Richard Kolwyck, Whitney Daniels, and Dantwan Brown.

There are two races in the city of New Madrid, Nick White and Mark Baker are running for Mayor, while Thomas Chism and Joe Courtois are up for Ward 1 Alderman.

Voters will choose two of Charles C. Taylor Jr., Lorenda Vargas, and Latisha Donaldson for the Parma At Large Alderman seat. In Portageville, Kris Simmons and Billy Cravens are running for Ward 2 Alderman.

WOLF CREEK TRAIL RUN SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND

A marathon run is coming this weekend to the Poplar Bluff area.

The Poplar Bluff Kiwanis Club and US Forest Service will host the 13th Annual Wolf Creek Trail Run on Saturday. The Half Marathon will begin at 8 am, while the 6K run and 1.7 mile walk will start at 9:30 am.

Proceeds from the event will go to Kiwanis Bacon Memorial Park.

For more information, including pricing and how to register, visit UltraSignup.com.