Wednesday, September 16, 2026
FOUR POPLAR BLUFF POLICE OFFICERS RECEIVE GOVERNOR’S MEDAL DURING CEREMONY IN JEFFERSON CITY
Four Poplar Bluff Police Officers have received Missouri’s highest public safety honor for their heroic life saving efforts.
According to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Poplar Bluff Police Lieutenant Dusty Johnson, along with officers Kenneth Carpenter Jr., Adam Miles, and Sami Tscherning, were awarded the Governor’s Medal Tuesday for rescuing and transporting a woman that was trapped in a collapsed house following the EF-3 tornado that struck the city in March of 2025.
The Governor’s Medal is bestowed for heroic acts performed by a team of first responders.
K-9 Officer Henry Franklin, with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, posthumously received the Red, White and Blue Heart Award, which is given for first responders seriously or fatally injured in the line of duty.
Franklin was a member of the Sikeston DPS SWAT team when he was shot and killed by a gunman during the service of an arrest warrant in October of 2025.
The awards were presented at a ceremony in Jefferson City on Tuesday.
HEAT ADVISORY EXTENDED THROUGH FRIDAY
A dangerous late season heat wave will continue through the end of the work week.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, the ongoing heat advisory has been extended through Friday evening at 7 pm.
High temperatures in the middle to upper 90s are expected through Friday, with peak heat index values ranging from 100 to 105 degrees each afternoon.
Officials say that some locations may break their record for latest 105 degree or higher heat index on record.
10 MILLION DOLLARS IN STATE GRANTS AWARDED TO MISSOURI BLUE SHIELD COMMUNITIES
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that grant money has been awarded to Missouri Blue Shield communities across the state.
According to the Governor’s office, a total of 350 counties, cities, and towns earned the Governor’s Blue Shield designation by creating comprehensive, sustainable plans to fight crime and promote safer communities, making them eligible for grant funding.
Counties, cities, and towns that earned designation receive over $29,000 each in state funding for body cameras, ballistic vests, and other equipment to build safer communities.
Both Butler County and Poplar Bluff are a part of the initiative.
Governor Kehoe says that $10 million dollars in state grants were distributed.
FARMERS URGED TO TAKE STEPS TO KEEP MOTORISTS AND THEMSELVES SAFE
With Harvest Season underway, farmers are urged to take steps to protect themselves and other motorists while on Missouri highways.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in 2025, there were 163 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment or implements.
Farmers are being asked to make sure your farm equipment is properly marked with lights and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem when you travel on the roadway. If traffic accumulates behind you on the road where it is difficult to make a safe pass, pull off onto the side of the road in a level area, so vehicles can pass.
ATVs being used for farming can only travel on highways during daylight hours and must be equipped with lights, a bicycle flag, and a "slow-moving vehicle" emblem.
The law requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a safety helmet when operating an ATV; however, the Highway Patrol recommends operators wear a safety helmet regardless of age.
Tomorrow we will have tips for drivers on how to share the roadway with farm vehicles.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY IN CAMPBELL
Route OO in Dunklin County will be reduced to one lane over two days as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
The section of roadway being reduced is located between Routes 53 and Route 62.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. both today and tomorrow.
PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK ON INTERSTATE 55
Northbound and Southbound Interstate 55 in New Madrid County will be reduced to one lane with a 12-foot width restriction this week as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
According to MoDOT officials, multiple sections of I-55 will be reduced during the project, including: northbound lanes from mile marker 57 to mile marker 58.4, as well as southbound lanes from mile marker 53.4 to 52 and mile marker 56 to 55.6.
Weather permitting, work will take place today through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Officials say that drivers should anticipate short, intermittent lane restrictions.