POPLAR BLUFF TRAILS COALITION RECEIVES AWARD FROM FOREST SERVICE
The Poplar Bluff Trails Coalition was recently recognized for their work rebuilding trails in the area.
The Trails Coalition has been named the winner of the Restoration Partner Award as a part of the USDA Forest Service 2021 Volunteer and Service Awards.
Through its "Trail Stewards" program, the PBTC has restored more than 54 miles of Forest Service trails in Mark Twain National Forest.
They have also provided stewardship of four trailheads and tackled deferred maintenance work such as painting benches, kiosks, and picnic tables.
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS SET FOLLOWING DAY TWO OF THE OFC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The Semifinal matchups are set at the 2022 Ozark Foothills Conference Basketball Tournament.
The host team Twin Rivers took two out of three possible games during Day two of the tournament on Tuesday. The Royal’s Junior Varsity and Varsity boy’s teams both claimed wins from their counterparts in Neelyville. The JV Royals won 50-29, while the Varsity won 50-46.
In the lone Girls game Tuesday, East Carter picked up the win over Twin Rivers 68-45. In the final game of the night the Doniphan varsity boys team defeated Naylor 87-33.
The semi-finals start tonight in Broseley with a JV matchup between East Carter and Greenville at 5 pm. That game will be followed by the two girls semi-finals as Doniphan meets Neelyville at 6:30 pm and Naylor takes on East Carter at 8 pm.
Every game of the tournament will be broadcast live on the River Radio Youtube page at youtube.com/RiverRadioPB as well as the Today’s Talk KWOC Facebook page at facebook.com/TodaysTalkKWOC.
POPLAR BLUFF WOMAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON HEROIN CHARGE
Authorities in Stoddard County have arrested a Poplar Bluff woman on a heroin charge.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 34 year old Sharon Leeks was arrested Monday on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance – heroin as well as a charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Leeks also reportedly had a felony warrant out of Stoddard County.
Following the arrest, she was held at the Stoddard County Jail.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR TODAY TO DISCUSS VAN BUREN WATER FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
A public hearing will be held today to discuss water facility improvements in Van Buren.
The City of Van Buren will host the hearing at noon in the City Hall.
The city has secured grant and loan funding through CDBG and USDA to improve the water facilities and is proposing to request additional funding due to price increases, which officials say is a result of COVID-19 related supply chain problems, as well as workforce availability.
The funding will come from the Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 program.
For more information on the proposed project, contact Mayor Mike Hoerner at 573-323-4335.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI RESIDENTS BEING SURVEYED ON EARTHQUAKE EVACUATION ROUTES
The Missouri Department of Transportation and the University of Missouri are teaming up on an earthquake research project.
Officials say that the project will assist in modeling evacuation routes, if needed, after an earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
Residents in Butler, Stoddard, New Madrid, Dunklin, and Pemiscot Counties are being invited to assist in the research by completing a short questionnaire.
You can find a link to the survey on the MoDOT Southeast District Facebook page. The survey will be available through February 14th.
MAN ARRESTED IN BUTLER COUNTY ON WEAPON AND DRUG CHARGES
An Ellsinore man has been taken into custody in Butler County on weapon and drug charges.
According to authorities, 48 year old Stanley Vest was arrested Tuesday afternoon on felony charges of unlawful possession of an illegal weapon and possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Vest is also facing charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Following the arrest, he was held at the Butler County Jail.
