DEXTER HOSPITAL OFFICIALS PROVIDE UPDATE ON REPAIRS FROM TORNADO DAMAGE
Officials with Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County are working to get the hospital back up and running following Saturday’s EF-2 Tornado that hit Dexter.
According to the Southeast Health website, structural engineers have evaluated the building and gave a good report overall. Major progress has been made to repair the leaks on the roof so a complete clean-up can convene in the inpatient/outpatient units.
Officials say the primary goal is to restore the emergency department operations as soon as possible, with that being possible within the next 24 hours.
Following the restoration of emergency services, they hope to reopen the Behavioral Health Unit and Inpatient/Same Day Infusion Services in quick order.
Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to call 573-614-1935.
POPLAR BLUFF AIRPORT TO REOPEN WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK
The Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport is set to reopen at some point in the next week.
According to a post from Saturday on the Airport’s Facebook page, the airport will be opening for normal operations within the next 7 days.
Workers will still be on site performing finishing touches, even though the runway might appear complete.
Pilots are being asked to not attempt a touch and go, landing, takeoff, or any other aircraft operation until you have personal confirmation from the staff or the FAA that the airport is open for such actions.
Any aircraft violating the restrictions will be immediately reported to the FAA and will face local criminal charges.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI TO GET FOUR NEW STATE TROOPERS NEXT MONTH
Southeast Missouri will be getting four new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers next month.
The Highway Patrol will graduate a total of 29 troopers for the Law Enforcement Academy on July 23rd. Of the troopers graduating, three have been assigned to troop E. Two for zones in Scott, Mississippi, and New Madrid Counties and one for Stoddard County.
A single graduate was assigned to Troop G and will be based in Carter and Reynolds Counties.
Elijah Stinson, of Poplar Bluff, will be a part of the graduating class as well, and has been assigned to Linn and Chariton Counties in Northern Missouri.
MISSOURI GAS TAX TO GO UP BEGINNING IN OCTOBER
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has signed into law the state's first gasoline tax increase in decades.
The law will gradually raise the state’s 17-cent-a-gallon gas tax to 29.5 cents over five years, with the option for buyers to get a refund if they keep track of their receipts.
The first 2.5-cent increase is slated to take effect in October, which will bring the gas tax to 19.5 cents. A conservative advocacy group’s Missouri chapter is trying to put the gas tax hike to a public vote in 2022.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS TO CAUSE CLOSURE OF WAYNE COUNTY ROAD
Route EE in Wayne County will be closed beginning this morning as MoDOT crews perform pavement repairs.
According to officials, the section of roadway to be closed is located from U.S. Route 67 to the end of state maintenance.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 9 am to 3 pm.
ROAD CLOSURE TODAY IN NEW MADRID COUNTY DUE TO PAVEMENT REPAIRS
Route NN in New Madrid County will be closed today and tomorrow so Missouri Department of Transportation crews can perform pavement repairs.
The section of Route NN to be closed is located from Route 62 to County Road 524.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 6 am to 4:30 pm both today and tomorrow.
