Monday, April 13, 2026
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY AT RENOVATED BESS ACTIVITY CENTER AT THREE RIVERS COLLEGE
Poplar Bluff residents will have the opportunity to check out the renovations to the Bess Activity Center today.
The renovated Herschel and Arrietta Bess Activity Center on the Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff Campus is holding a public Open House today from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Guests can tour the facilities, play basketball and pickleball, enjoy a fitness class demonstration, get a bite to eat at the new and improved Rocky’s café, or play Super Smash Bros. in the Esports arena.
Three Rivers has partnered with Poplar Bluff Parks & Recreation to offer day passes and monthly memberships for individuals and families. Bess Activity Center members will have access to courts, unlimited fitness classes, and fitness equipment.
A complete list of available fitness classes can be found at pbparks.recdesk.com.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI’S HANNAH HARPER TO FIND OUT IF SHE MADE AMERICAN IDOL TOP 10 TONIGHT
Southeast Missouri native Hannah Harper will try to make the American Idol Top 10 tonight.
During 90’s week last week, Harper chose Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” from the three options given to her by the judges.
All three judges praised her performance.
At the end of the show, Harper was announced to be safe and advanced to tonight’s Top 11 show, featuring hits from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
Tonight’s show will begin at 7 pm on ABC.
MISSOURI SHOW ME GREEN SALES TAX HOLIDAY BEGINS APRIL 19TH
Missouri’s annual Show Me Green sales tax holiday begins this weekend.
According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the tax holiday starts on April 19th and will run through April 25th.
During this time, state sales tax will be waived on qualifying Energy Star certified appliances. This certification indicates that a product has been independently verified to meet strict standards – which can mean superior performance and long-term energy savings.
Clothes washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and refrigerators with the Energy Star certification are just some of the items that are exempt from state sales tax on the first $1,500 of each appliance purchased.
For more information, visit dor.mo.gov.
FOUR NEW STATE TROOPERS WILL REPORT TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI THIS MONTH
Four new State Troopers have been assigned to Southeast Missouri.
Colonel Michael Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, tells KWOC News that a total of 19 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, April 10th.
Four of the graduates are coming to Southeast Missouri.
Trooper Tanner Boening, of Dexter, has been assigned to Stoddard County.
Trooper Zachary Bridges, of Harviell, will be coming to Butler and Ripley Counties.
Trooper Matthew Cagle, of Broseley, will report to Dunklin County.
Trooper Kenneth Carpenter Jr., of Poplar Bluff, has been assigned to Wayne County.
The new troopers will report to duty on Monday, April, 27th.
CULVERT REPLACEMENT SCHEDULED FOR EARLY THIS WEEK IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route 153 in Stoddard County will be closed for part of this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The closure will be located from Route 114 to County Road 706 near Grayridge.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both today and tomorrow.
INTERSTATE REPAIRS TO BE CONDUCTED THIS WEEK IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Southbound Interstate 55 in Pemiscot County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction starting today as construction crews perform pavement repairs.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, work will take place between Mile Markers 9.5 and 8.8 near Steele.
Weather permitting, work is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Wednesday.