Thursday, September 3, 2026
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION APPROVED IN RESPONSE TO FLOODING AND SEVERE STORMS FROM EARLY JULY
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced that President Donald Trump approved a Federal Disaster Declaration in response to the historic flash flooding and severe storms that occurred July 9th through 11th.
According to the governor's office, joint preliminary damage assessments estimated more than $26.5 million in emergency response costs and damage to public infrastructure in nine counties, including Bollinger, Reynolds, Ripley, and Wayne counties.
On Tuesday, President Trump approved 19.9 million dollars to assist recovery efforts.
The federal major disaster declaration makes the FEMA Public Assistance program available to local governments and qualifying nonprofits for the repair and rebuilding of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure as well as reimbursement of emergency response costs and debris removal.
25 MILE COMMUNITY YARD SALE TO BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 5TH
Anyone looking for deals during Labor Day weekend is encouraged to go to Wappapello Lake.
The 25 mile Community Yard Sale will be going on from September 5th through the 7th along T Highway in Butler County and Route D in Wayne County from the north end of the Dam to AA Highway.
According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, vendors will be set up in the large grassy area at the Spillway Recreation area during the event.
Officials say that anyone who wants to set up at the Spillway Recreation Area needs to contact the Wappapello Lake Management Office at 573-222-7500 to receive a free application form.
HIGHWAY PATROL URGES SAFETY FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND
With Labor Day weekend almost here, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging everyone to be safe during the holiday weekend.
The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. this weekend.
Troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways, enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists.
Last year, 6 people were killed and 423 were injured in Missouri over the Labor Day holiday weekend in 931 traffic crashes. Also, 104 people were arrested by the Highway Patrol for driving while intoxicated.
The Labor Day holiday is also a busy boating weekend. In 2025, there were nine boating crashes which included six injuries and no fatalities.
VETERANS HONOR TOUR SEND OFF PARADE IN QULIN SET FOR SEPTEMBER 23RD
The Veterans Honor Tour will depart for their annual Washington DC trip in September and a local community is stepping up to give the veterans the send off they deserve.
Qulin Mayor Justin Parks tells KWOC News that the city of Qulin will be hosting their second annual Veterans Honor Tour Send-Off Parade on Wednesday, September 23.
The opening ceremony will begin at 9:45 am at the Qulin Lions Park, with the parade following.
For more information, including the parade route, visit the City of Qulin Facebook page.
HUNTER EDUCATION CLASSES TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Hunter education classes will be held in October throughout Southeast Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Conservation says that staff are hosting several classes throughout the fall season, with additional sessions planned for winter and early spring.
The Hunter Education Skills Session is the final step to becoming hunter education certified and is open to participants ages 11 and older.
Classes will be held on October 8th at the Bill Emerson Visitor’s Center in Wappapello and the New Madrid Community Building, on October 10th at the Dexter Police Department and Meet the Need, Incorporated in Charleston, and on October 18th at Holcomb High School.
Students must have completed the Knowledge Portion of the Hunter Education course either online or by filling out the student manual chapter review questions before attending.
Those who choose to fill out the student manual will need to bring the booklet to the event for the instructor to review. Those who choose to complete the knowledge portion online will need to bring a copy or picture of the certificate of completion.
More information is available at mdc.mo.gov.
REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR YOUTH BASKETBALL IN POPLAR BLUFF
It’s time for parents to get their kids registered for youth basketball in Poplar Bluff.
According to Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, registration will be available through September 18th for 3rd through 6th grade youth basketball.
Games will be played at the Black River Coliseum beginning in late October/early November.
The cost to register is $20. Parents can get their kids registered at pbparks.recdesk.com.