Monday, April 6, 2026
BUTLER AND CARTER COUNTY ELECTION PREVIEW
Continuing our previews of this week’s Municipal Election in Southeast Missouri, we are taking a look at competitive races in Butler and Carter County.
The city of Qulin is posting a bond question asking if the city should issue its combined waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds in a principal amount of up to Five Million Dollars for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, installing, extending, furnishing, and equipping improvements to the City’s combined waterworks and sewerage system.
In Fisk, voters will choose two of Mikayla Hardcastle, Joseph V Stievenart, and Mary M Dugger for Ward One Alderperson. For Ward Two Alderperson, two will be selected of Chris Williams, Janice Hancock, and Kristi Wilkerson.
There are also two races for the Poplar Bluff City Council. Voters will choose two of Billy D. DePew, Michael Jones, and Marty Paskel for the At-Large seats. The race for Fifth Ward Councilman is between Robert Louis Smith, Richard Bruder, and Barbara Moreno.
The East Carter County School District is asking voters to authorize an increase to the operating tax levy for the purpose of attracting and retaining quality certified and support staff and meeting general operating expenses of the District.
Carter County voters will decide on whether to exempt eligible taxpayers from certain tax increases on their primary residence.
Donald Black and Gene Deffendall are both running for the Carter County Public Water Supply District #1 Board. The race to serve as a board member on the Deer Run Reorganized Common Sewer District is between Thomas B. Cox and Fred Smith.
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION PREVIEW
Finishing our previews of this week’s Municipal Election in Southeast Missouri, we are looking at competitive school board races in Butler County.
Five people are running for three spots on the Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education, Dave Elledge, Larry Kimbrow, Mike Price, Patty Robertson, and Jacob Hogg.
In the Twin Rivers School District, Bobby King, Zach Sentell, Matt Boyles, and Amanda Brown are candidates for three seats on the school board.
Voters in the Neelyville School District will choose three of Marco Gavino, Paige Reinbott, Jack Stull, Jacob Ryan Simmons, and Jason Winder for the Board of Education.
The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees will also be holding an election for two spots on the board. The three candidates are Erick Schalk, Brian Bess, and Larry Kimbrow.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI’S HANNAH HARPER TO FIND OUT IF SHE MADE AMERICAN IDOL TOP 12 TONIGHT
Southeast Missouri native Hannah Harper will finally find out if she made the American Idol Top 12 tonight.
During last week’s Songs of Faith night, Harper performed Chris Tomlin’s “At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” to rave reviews from the judges.
However when the eliminations were to be revealed, host Ryan Seacrest informed everyone that the results would be delayed due to an unprecedented amount of votes being cast.
The eliminations will be announced tonight at 7 pm on American Idol and then the Top 12 will perform hits from the 90’s that were selected by the judges.
BUTLER COUNTY COMMUNITY AWARDED OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR DRINKING WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
A Butler County community will be receiving over two million dollars for improvements to its water system.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $2.4 million in financial assistance to the city of Fisk for upgrades to the city’s drinking water distribution, storage and supply systems. The city expects the project to be completed this Spring.
The project includes replacement of all 175 of the city’s meters and equipping them with a cellular automatic meter read system, upgrades to existing treatment facilities and replacing the two existing wells with two new shallow sand wells.
With these improvements, the city will be able to offer its citizens safe drinking water for years to come with a modern and well-functioning treatment system.
Project funding consists of a $1.8 million grant and a $603,000 loan, both from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The department estimates its funding will save the city’s ratepayers more than $1.8 million in principal and approximately $225,000 in interest over the loan’s 20-year term.
CREWS TO REPLACE A CULVERT THIS WEEK NEAR FISK
Route FF in Butler County will be closed this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews replace a culvert under the roadway.
The section of roadway being closed is located from County Road 6262 to County Road 635 near Fisk.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Friday. While work is underway, the road will be open to local traffic only.
BRIDGE MAINTENANCE TO CAUSE ROAD CLOSURE TODAY IN STODDARD COUNTY
Multiple road projects are scheduled for today in Stoddard County.
Route V will be closed today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform bridge maintenance.
The section of roadway being closed is located between County Roads 234 and 232.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also in Stoddard County, Route N will be closed today so crews can replace a culvert under the roadway.
That section of roadway is located near Circle City from Route E to County Road 536.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through 3 p.m.