Wednesday, July 8, 2026
GRANT AWARDED FOR PROJECT CONNECTING ROUTE 53 WITH ROUTE AA IN SOUTHERN BUTLER COUNTY
Grant money will be coming to Butler County as a part of a plan to connect two roadways in the southern part of the county.
United States Senator Eric Schmitt tells KWOC News that 1.2 million dollars for the Poplar Bluff South Connector in Butler County was included in the Department of Transportation’s 2026 Build Awards.
According to the Department of Transportation, the project will complete a traffic study, preliminary engineering, and environmental permitting for a new roadway connecting Route 53 with Route AA in Southern Butler County.
The new roadway will be at least two complete 12-foot-wide lanes, with a 4-foot shoulder on both sides and realign an intersection.
The project will also include a new bridge over the Black River.
POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL OFFICIALS RELEASE BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST FOR AREA PARENTS
We are in July which means kids will be returning to school before you know it.
To help parents get ready for when the school year starts, Poplar Bluff School officials have released a new “Back to School Checklist.”
Officials say the checklist provides a step-by-step guide to help parents navigate all the essential tasks for a successful start to the new school year.
The checklist includes registration details, health preparations, communication tools, and suggestions for daily routines.
You can find the checklist online at Poplar Bluff School’s new website, PBmules.com.
BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK
Reservations are now being accepted for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Poplar Bluff.
The Blood Drive has been scheduled for noon to 5 pm on Friday at Larry Hillis Dodge on North Westwood Boulevard.
The blood drive is also a friendly competition between local police, fire, and EMS teams, you choose which team gets credit when you donate.
There will also be food trucks, games, and a chance to receive an exclusive t-shirt.
Anyone wanting to donate can call 1-800 Red Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code LarryHillis to schedule an appointment.
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN UPCOMING MISSOURI PRIMARY ELECTION
The deadline is here to make sure you’re registered to vote for the upcoming election in Missouri.
According to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, the last day to register to vote in the Missouri primary election is today.
The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th.
For more information on how to register to vote, visit sos.mo.gov/elections.
ONE IN CUSTODY IN CONNECTION TO DEXTER ROBBERY INVESTIGATION
One person has been taken into custody in connection to a robbery investigation in Dexter.
According to Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout, on June 29th officers received a report that someone was being robbed on North Elm Street.
An investigation into the report led to the arrest of 21 year old Lamarius Shaw-Thomas, of Poplar Bluff. Shaw-Thomas has been charged with felony robbery 1st degree, stealing, assault 3rd degree, and armed criminal action.
He is being held at the Stoddard County Jail on no bond warrants.
Chief Trout says that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS MAN APPOINTED TO STATE COMMISSION
A Northeast Arkansas man has been appointed to a state commission.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced that Steve Kueter, of Paragould, has been appointed to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Kueter is a lifelong resident of Greene County and earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Arkansas State University. He owns and operates a third-generation catfish and baitfish farm in Paragould.
Kueter was appointed to serve a seven-year term.