ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS TO BE OUT CONTROLLING TRAFFIC AROUND POLLING PLACES
With Election Day being today, voters in Poplar Bluff may notice an increase of police officers near polling places.
Police Chief Danny Whiteley with the Poplar Bluff Police Department tells KWOC News one reason for the presence of extra officers is traffic concerns.
DANNY WHITELEY:
“This year is going to be the biggest turn out they probably ever had, and with it being said as we always do we’re going to have some extra offers on the road and is primarily for traffic congestion and assisting with places like the Kay Porter Theater at the middle school. They are dropping kids off and picking them up in the mornings and the afternoon, and after that officer clears from there they’re just going to roam around the other precincts, make sure there are no traffic problems and that’s what we kind of anticipate is the biggest problem might be traffic control. The absentee voting I know broke a record and with that being said that’s why we anticipate this being such a huge turnout, we want everybody to be able to get in get out, do their duty in voting and be sure and go and feel safe doing that, and expedite getting in and out for their convenience and safety. This is very similar to when we have Halloween, you is going to be a lot of kids out this walking back and forth to cars, and the parents will be probably in and out some taken off work to come vote and so forth, and maybe a little bit of a hurry but I would certainly ask them to watch out for the kids to watch out for the vehicles also you can get a little distracted sometimes and we certainly don’t want anybody getting injured while walking to and from a car.”
LOCAL RACES AT STAKE DURING ELECTION DAY
Voters in Southeast Missouri will be choosing who will serve them at multiple levels of government today.
Voters will be deciding if Republican Jason Smith will be keeping his seat in the United States House of Representatives. Smith is facing a challenge from Democrat Kathy Ellis and Libertarian Tom Schmitz.
Other competitive local races include the race for Butler County Commissioner for the Eastern District between Republican Don “Butch” Anderson and Independent Van Rhodes.
In Carter County, competitive races include, Commissioner of the County Commission for the Eastern District, Collector of Revenue, and Assessor. In Ripley County, Associate County Commissioner for Eastern and Western Districts, along with the Ripley County Sheriff.
In Stoddard County, Collector and Treasurer. In Wayne County, County Commissioner for the Western District, Sheriff, and Public Administrator.
POPLAR BLUFF MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG AND WEAPON CHARGES IN DUNKLIN COUNTY
A Poplar Bluff man was taken into custody over the weekend in Dunklin County on drug and weapon charges.
Officials with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tell KWOC News that 23 year old Lamarcus Johnson, of Poplar Bluff, was arrested at around 6:30 pm Sunday, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance – marijuana more than 35 grams, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
Following his arrest, Johnson was transported to the Dunklin County Jail.
MISSOURI TO VOTE ON SEVERAL STATE OFFICE’S INCLUDING GOVERNOR
Missouri voters will decide multiple contested races today, with one of the most watched being the race for Governor
Incumbent Republican Mike Parson is being challenged by current Missouri Auditor, Democrat Nicole Galloway.
Voters across the state in Missouri will also be voting for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney General.
BALLOT MEASURES TO BE DECIDED IN MISSOURI DURING TOMORROW’S ELECTION
Here is a quick look at the propositions voters in Missouri will be deciding on during Tuesday’s election.
Amendment 1 would limit the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and Attorney General to two terms in office in a lifetime. As of 2019, the state constitution limited the Governor and State Treasurer to two terms in office in a lifetime, but not the other executive offices.
Amendment 3 would return the state to the use of bipartisan commissions appointed by the governor for legislative redistricting and eliminate the nonpartisan state demographer, which was created by the approval of Amendment 1 in 2018. The bipartisan commissions would be renamed the House Independent Bipartisan Commission and the Senate Independent Bipartisan Commission and consist of 20 members each. The amendment would also change the criteria used to draw district maps. It would also change the threshold of lobbyists' gifts from $5 to $0 and lower the campaign contribution limit for state Senate campaigns from $2,500 to $2,400.
You can find your voting location online at www.GoVoteMissouri.com.
POPLAR BLUFF LIONS CLUB CHILI EVENT TO BE HELD TODAY
The Poplar Bluff Lions Club will be hosting their annual Chili Event today.
The event will be held from 11 am to 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, with carry out orders at the Rogers Theatre in Poplar Bluff. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, no dine in service is being offered.
Deliveries will also be available by calling 573-300-1845. Tickets are just $8.
The event helps the Poplar Bluff Lions club raise money to help provide glasses and eye care for the needy in the area.
TOTAL CASES OF COVID-19 IN MISSOURI NOW OVER 188,000
Additional cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Missouri as the total cases in the state have risen past 188,000.
According to the Butler County Health Department, 19 new cases of the virus were reported on Monday, bringing the total cases in the County to 1,628.
Stoddard County has reported 52 cases over the weekend, making the County’s total 1,280 cases. Of them, 179 are active, while 978 have recovered.
In Missouri, as of Monday, there are now 188,186 cases of the virus in the state, while 3,031 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are showing any symptoms of the virus, including fever, shortness of breath, or persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.
