NEWLY RELEASED CENSUS DATA SHOWS POPULATION DECLINES IN MOST SOUTHEAST MISSOURI COUNTIES
Data from the 2020 United States Census was released Thursday which shows population declines in most Southeast Missouri counties.
According to the Census, Butler County lost 664 residents over the past 10 years, for a 1.6 percent drop. Stoddard County was down 4.3 percent, while Scott County's population dropped 2.9 percent.
Other population losses were more severe, with drops of 11.5 percent in Dunklin County, 13.3 percent in New Madrid County, 14.4 percent in Pemiscot County, 14.5 percent in Bollinger County, 17 percent in Carter County, and 18.8 percent in Wayne County.
Ripley County saw the biggest population percentage decline in the state, going from 14,100 residents in 2010 to 10,679 residents in 2020, for a population loss of 24.3 percent.
Northeast Arkansas fared slightly better, with small population gains in Greene and Randolph Counties paired with small losses in Clay and Lawrence Counties.
JOHN J. PERSHING VA MEDICAL CENTER ENCOURAGES VETERANS TO GET COVID VACCINE
With Covid-19 cases on the rise throughout the area, the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is encouraging all Veterans and caregivers to get vaccinated.
Officials say that the medical center will be offering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at Poplar Bluff on Tuesdays and Thursday from 8:30 am to noon, at Sikeston on Mondays from 8 am to 9 am and from 1 to 2 pm, and in Farmington on Mondays from 9 am to 10 am and from 1 pm to 2 pm.
In Northeast Arkansas, the vaccine will be available in Pocahontas and Paragould on Wednesday from 10 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 3 pm.
Officials say that veterans do not have to be enrolled for VA health care services to be vaccinated by the VA.
Surgical masks are also being required on the entire Poplar Bluff medical center grounds and at the community clinics in Farmington, West Plains, Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, Pocahontas and Paragould.
KENNETT CITY WIDE CLEAN UP SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK
Next week will be clean up week in the city of Kennett.
The Kennett City-Wide Cleanup has been scheduled for August 16th through the 20th. Crews will be collecting items on the curbside starting with Ward 1 on Monday and moving to a different ward each day.
The crews will not be picking up tires, batteries, or any toxic matter. The crews will also not be picking up household trash.
For more information, visit the Kennett Fire Department Facebook page.
DONIPHAN MAN CATCHES STATE RECORD AMERICAN EEL
A Southeast Missouri man has caught a state record sized American Eel.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Carlin Allison, of Doniphan, was catfishing on the Current River in late July when he reeled in the six pound, 15-ounce eel.
The previous record was a four pound, eight ounce eel caught on the Meramec River in 1993.
Officials say it is the ninth state record fish recorded in 2021.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SPORTSMAN’S ASSOCIATION BANQUET DINNER SET FOR THIS MONTH
The Southeast Missouri Sportsman’s Association has announced the date for their next banquet.
The chicken dinner banquet will be held at 5 pm on August 28th at the American Legion on PP Highway in Poplar Bluff.
The cost is $7 per plate with proceeds going to fund the Kids Fish-N-Fun Day.
In addition to the dinner, there will also be entertainment and door prizes at the event.
DRAINAGE REPAIR PROJECT UNDERWAY IN STODDARD COUNTY
Route WW in Stoddard County will be reduced to one lane today so Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform drainage repairs.
According to MoDOT, the work zone is located from County Road 442 to County Road 436.
Weather permitting, work will take place today from 7 am to 4 pm.
