MODOT CREWS PREPARING FOR TRAFFIC SHIFT ON US HIGHWAY 67 IN BUTLER COUNTY

The Missouri Department of Transportation is preparing for new traffic patterns along U.S. Route 67 in Butler County between U.S. 160 and Route MM in the coming weeks.

During the transition, construction crews will shift traffic from the existing U.S. 67 roadway to the newly constructed four-lane facility.

MoDOT Resident Engineer Matt Wilkerson tells KWOC News that tentatively, MoDOT anticipates the transition to occur in mid-September. Wilkerson added that impacts to traffic, though brief, will be significant during that time.

FORMER RIPLEY COUNTY CHIEF DEPUTY SHERIFF SENTENCED ON FELONY CHARGES

A former Ripley County Chief Deputy Sheriff has been sentenced for receiving stolen property.

In April of 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Crime Control investigative unit was requested to investigate the alleged possession of stolen property by former Ripley County Sheriff’s Office employees.

One employee was identified as former Chief Deputy Charles Mays.

MAN CONVICTED FOR BUTLER COUNTY DOUBLE MURDER FROM 2022

A man has been found guilty on multiple charges in connection to the 2022 shooting deaths of two women in Qulin.

According to Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, Stephen T. Scott was convicted on two counts of murder in the first degree, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, and an additional count of armed criminal action connected to the child endangerment charge.

The jury also found Scott guilty of unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon.

MULES FOOTBALL KICKS OFF REGULAR SEASON TONIGHT AGAINST JEFFERSON CITY

Friday Night Lights returns to Poplar Bluff tonight.

The Poplar Bluff Mules will host Jefferson City tonight, with kickoff set for 7 pm. It will be the first game for each team this season.

The Mules went 3-7 in the regular season last year before falling to Fox in the Class 5, District 1 QuarterFinals. The Jays finished the 2025 campaign with a 4-6 record.

THREE RIVERS COLLEGE BOARD HEARS PROPOSAL CONCERNING RODEO PROGRAM

A local organization made a presentation to the Three Rivers College Board of Trustees Wednesday concerning the TRC Rodeo program.

In July, it was announced that the college had discontinued rodeo as an official college-designated athletic program.

On Wednesday, Tara Looney with Friends of TRC Rodeo made a proposal to college officials during the TRC Board Meeting about a possible path forward for the program, which would include strong community support along with the use of college scholarships and program revenue in an attempt to create a self-supporting program.

SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas are under a threat of severe weather today. 

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a complex of thunderstorms may move into the southern portion of southeast Missouri this evening, bringing a slight chance of severe weather to the area. 

The primary hazards would be damaging winds and large hail.

AT LEAST 29 MORE SCHOOLS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO BEGIN SCHOOL YEAR TODAY

School opening week in Southeast Missouri continues today with at least 29 more schools welcoming back students.

The school year will begin today for kids in the Twin Rivers, Neelyville, Doniphan, Malden, Holcomb, Kennett, and Campbell school districts, among others.

At least nine more schools will start on Wednesday, including Dexter, Van Buren, Puxico, and Bloomfield.